Monteverde, Costa Rica, Many Faces of a Rain Forest

Monteverde, Costa Rica is home to the famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Recently I spent 4 hours hiking through this beautiful rain forest and the following photographs  show the many faces of this  rain forest reserve, rising  4, 500 feet above sea level in a mountainous isolated area of Costa Rica.

Restaurant Jaco Rustica, Jaco Beach Costa Rica

If you are visiting  Jaco Beach, Costa Rica and want to have a great typico Costa Rican meal then go to Restaurant Jaco Rustico .  Its located about 100 meters from the beach.  Directions:  Heading south-If you are on the main street which goes thru Jaco ( Jaco is a very small town and there is only one main street passing thru it)  Look for Mas Por Menus grocery store on  your left,  then go 100 meters south (straight) then turn right and immediately on your left is Restaurant Jaco Rustica.  Next door to the very upscale beach front restaurant El Hicaco.

The atmosphere is open air with lots ocean breeze.  The food is served buffet style and for $5.00 you get your pick of one meat, 3 vegetables, salad, and a natural drink.  The food is delicious! I was there just last week with Xinia and Rolando, two of my Costa Rican friends.  And we really enjoyed each dish and highly recommend the restaurant for the great taste of the food and the EXCELLENT  price.

We had spent an hour exploring the lovely dark sand beach with its  magnificient waves.  Then  we sat down under a palm tree right in front of the ocean and breathed the fresh air and smell of the ocean.

Jaco Beach is only 2 hours by car from Alajuela where we were staying, and the drive is spectacular passing thru mountains and valleys with coffee growing along the edge of the high cliffs.

If you are staying in San Jose, Escazu, or Santa Ana (western suburbs of San Jose) you can take the new toll road from Santa Ana to Atenas and you will get to Jaco Beach in approximately 1.5  hours or less.

Hicaco- A Great Gourmet Restaurant in Jaco Beach, Costa Rica

If you are into gourmet food and are in Jaco Beach, Costa Rica then "Hicaco" the Seafood Place is for you. Jaco is a sleepy laid back little beach town but recently has acquired three high rise condo complexes, changing the landscape into something quiet different.  Also the Hotel Marriott Los Suenos located only a few miles away brings upscale clients who appreciate and are willing to pay for the gourmet food offered at "Hicaco"  Every Wednesday night is a special night when the Lobster Fest is presented.  It's  a buffet where you can eat and drink all you want:  salads, ceviche, sushi, lobster, jumbo shrimp, chicken, pork ribs,  and many fabulous deserts.  Also your choice of wines and national liquors come with the "Lobster Fest" The price is $70.00 per person and reservations are requested.  The wide selections of wines are from  Chili, Argentina, United States, France, and  Spain.  French champagne is also offered

I must not forget to mention the open air restaurant sits right on the beach where you can hear the splash of the waves and feel the warm ocean breezes. To find "Hicaco"  it's  easy since Jaco is a very small town.  There is one main street which passes thru and   when you see the Mas por Menus grocery store continue 1 block south and then turn right.  Continue a short block and Hicaco is on your left-  in front of the ocean

The selections and  price ranges are:   Appetizers  $8-$10    Main courses $12-$32

Salads $7-$10   Pasta and Rice dishes are also offered-- around $10

Deserts $8-$10   and wine by the glass  $8    Hicaco is open daily from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m.   Truly a unique dining experience in front of the Pacific Ocean, warm breezes, with the  sound of the waves washing upon the sand.   Above photo is Xinia and Rolando enjoying a glass of wine, listening to the waves washing upon the black volcanic beach  at Hicaco restaurant.

Please visit Hicaco's web page  www.elhicaco.net