We sailed S/V Samadhi V with S/V Learnativity close behind to Islas Tortugas. This is one of the biggest tourist draws in the area, also known as one of the finest beaches in all of Costa Rica (or so the brochures would have you think). What we found was a bit different...
We did find a white(ish) beach, but it was covered with gringo tourist paraphernalia. Want to lounge in the sun on a chair? You can do this for a cheap price of $6.00 (all prices are in dollars here!). Lots of tourists abound, consuming many tropical beverages, with more coming in every second aboard tourist boat after tourist boat. To make the story short, we didn't stay on the beach!
All was not lost, the snorkeling at the nearby rock spires was lots of fun! Starfish, spider conch, and lobster were all around, surrounded in a cloud of tropical fish!
It makes me sad that most people's experience of Costa Rica will be defined by tour operators. We have become spoiled by our ability to travel to the undeveloped and undisturbed areas.
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