After breakfast at the Hacienda Tres Rios, we departed on our one hour drive to the third most visited archeological site in the area, Tulum. As I mentioned on day 3, the archeological site resembles the existence of a disappearing Mayan culture and their believes. Our guide Hugo gave us a complete explanation of the site and each of the monuments, quite a lot of information!.  The heat was so intense that Hugo had to get the group out of the shadows of the trees, every 10 minutes. We learned that the site was a major center for trading, for the arrival of the Oley Turtles and one of the best preserved coastal Maya sites. As the tour was getting to an end, we were anxious to get to the Hotel Papaya Playa, located just 10 minutes form Tulum, and where the owners would be welcoming us with a delicious lunch and to spend some free time on the white-sand beaches and the turquoise waters. The Hotel Papaya Playa is a beach front small resort, recommended mainly to backpackers, couples and families. A place that provides a enjoyable environment with a minimum environmental impact, and where you get easily lost with the music of the ocean.

It’s that time of year when I come to Costa Rica to explore new lodging possibilities, meet with our operators to talk about improvements on the logistics of the trips and visit my family. Can I call it vacation too? Hmmm, not sure.  End of July, beginning of August is my favorite time to come to my country, as it is the rainy season, yes the rainy season! Everything is so green, cheaper prices  and when the fruits that I don’t have back at home (US and Canada) are ready, as my husband like to call them “monkey fruits”, such as nances, mamones, jocotes, they are all kind of wild fruit, that’s why the nickname “monkey fruit”. Between having big breakfast with my family (gallo pinto, scrambled eggs, cheese, fried plantains and coffee) getting together with old friends, having evening conversations with the neighbors, and celebrating the annual activity to honor the country’s patron saint, la Virgen de los Angeles, is how I spend my free time when I’m down here. Every year hundreds of Catholics walk their way to her home in the province of Cartago, to give her their respects, for helping them to solve issues like illness in their families, financial situations and also for helping students to pass in high school and superior education! It is all an act of faith. A faith that stays in the Tico’s heart all year long.