Pura Vida.

The trip leaving Bocas to Puerto Viejo included a water taxi ride, a taxi to Almirante, a bus to the border, walking across the border, and another bus to Puerto Viejo.  The border crossing was ridiculous.  To get from Panama to Costa Rica one needed to first get their passport stamped, and then pay an exit tax.  This exit tax ranged from nothing, if you didn't know it was necessary (it was never checked later), to three dollars (or one or two depending on the mood of the border officer).  I am not exaggerating and we had heard similar stories from travelers who had already crossed.  To get across the border it was necessary to walk across an old rickety wooden bridge missing many boards and seemed as if you could fall through the remaining rotten planks at anytime.  I don't know what the exit tax went to, but clearly not maintaining this bridge.  Needless to say, OCEA does not exist in Costa Rica.

The remaining bus ride was uneventful and we settled in at "Sunrise" hostel which is really nice - clean and cheap and close to everything.  The best way to describe Puerto Viejo is that although it is not touristy, it certainly would not survive without the tourism it attracts.

In the afternoon we decided it was time to learn how to surf.  I use the words "learn" and "surf" quite loosely, but nonetheless we had a great time.  The black sand beach was very cool as well.  We spent the rest of the day meandering through the small coastal city, eating delicious carribean street food, and enjoying the relaxing life of "Pura Vida".