Best laid plans fell apart, we have been entering info on Facebook but of course not everyone has facebook, so we need to be more diligent in updating the blog for sure.
OK, we left Bahia Santa Elena headed for Playas del Coco, this is where we check-in to Costa Rica officially. We left early in the morning and rounded Cabo Santa Elena, we were hoping the winds would be lighter in the morning. As we went around the point, the winds increased and we had winds gusting to 25-30 knots and the seas were uncomfortable 3 -4 ft chop. This continued for most of the trip until the last 1 1/2 hours when we actually got to sail....it was wonderful! We arrived in Cocos at 12:30pm. Rounding the corner, we felt like we were back in BC, the islands and scenery was just like home. It is a very pretty anchorage, resorts on the beach and lots of pangas, fishing boats etc. We decided we would wait until the morning to start our check-in procedures so we hung around on the boat. With us were Gosling, Beverly J and Risk Taker.
We were at the Port Captains office at 8am and started our process, after the Port Captain we strolled up to Immigration and then back to the Port Captains office, all within walking distance of the beach where we landed the dinghy. After the Port Captain we had to go to Liberia Airport, this is where they give us a temporary permit for the boat to be in Costa Rica. We were finished the whole process by 11:30am. All it cost was a $50 taxi ride to the airport, no other fees.
We spent the next few days walking around town, getting sim cards for the Ipad for internet and shopping for Groceries for Xmas dinner. It is a great little town to visit, the people are very friendly. We left on Dec 24th for Marina Papagayo, we wanted to be there for 8am so we could make the most out of our time there.