Morning Walk

We feel fortunate to be able to walk out the gate of Punta de Vista, turn left, and not know what wonders of nature we will see. There are few places past ours as Calle Camarones winds down into the valley. The road condition deteriorates to the point where no cars are allowed to pass. The odd ATV or motorcycle still venture past, but mostly foot traffic, and not much of that. The road is on the crest of a hill between two valleys, a river down to the right, and steep cattle grazing pastures and jungle to the left. As you descend the two sides meet, and the last couple of hundred meters before the river crossing you are surrounded by trees, ferns, morpho butterflies, you can hear cicadas buzzing, howler monkeys howling, toucans calling, and the water flowing, not to mention the bird sightings the whole way. We hang out at the river, depending on the time of year it could be rolling, or down to a stream. You can sit and reflect, or not, and absorb the sights and sounds. We bring a water bottle, as the way back up is steep in parts, you’ll want solid sandals or hiking shoes you can get wet (we reluctantly got Keen shoes, they work well). The hike back up is slow with the morning heat, and a different view with the sun higher in the sky and the neighborhood waking up. Count on being out an hour and a half at least, bring a camera and binoculars, I’ve never seen a howler monkey on this walk, but if you leave early enough you will be sure to hear them and find yourself searching the far-off trees for movement.