Puerto Coyote – Playa Carrillo - 46 kilometres ^29
Our euphoria in reaching Puerto Coyote didn’t last long as the track continued up
more hills, which worsened as the day progressed. The bikes again needed hiking
up muddy and rutted paths (two to a bike) and I couldn’t believe another day was
spent slip-sliding along these muddy trails. So sharp was the gradient we kept
sliding down while wrestling our bikes up the slippery path. I couldn’t help but
laugh at the sight we must have made, as there wasn’t a great deal one could do;
we were in this mess and had to push on.
It felt like we were getting nowhere, and the kilometres increased instead of
decreased. I was convinced we were on the wrong road. At a tiny settlement, we
asked for directions and, in true Costa Rican style, were told to return to where the
sign indicated right and turn left. Fortunately, it wasn’t far, as again it required
pushing the bikes across a river and, low and behold, would there not be a paved
road on the opposite side.
So great was our happiness, we booked in at the first opportunity. If ever one
needed to “get away from it all”, Playa Carrillo would be your best bet.