The biblical thunderstorms returned to flood Tortuguero this morning as I left along with a group of Frenchies on a shuttle boat south to the port of Moin - infamous as the site of a turtle conservationist's murder 5 years ago and the main port of entry for Costa Rica's cocaine.

But once the thunderstorm calmed down, the journey to Moin was phenomenal. The canals are beautiful, lined with thick tropical rainforest right to the edges of the park, and beyond by isolated cattle ranching communities. But best of all, we managed to see a couple caimans, including a massive male, as well as pelicans and incredibly - more Howler Monkeys!

It was an easy transfer to Cahuita, bypassing the impoverished, dangerous port city of Puerto Limon and making my way to the southern extent of Costa Rica's Caribbean.

I love Cahuita.

Soon after my arrival on the doorstep of my French ran hostel, I headed out for the best meal I've had in all of Latin America. A simple, hearty Chicken, Rice and Beans but with a Caribbean twist that made it absolutely delicious. The rice and beans were cooked in milk, the chicken was deliciously tender and add to that there was a just right concoction of spices. Plus a delicious, lemon flavoured local beer.

As I was tucking into this a local parade was underway down the town's main street - celebrating Costa Rica's national parks. Kids dressed up as various animals, touting a host of poorly tuned musical instruments paraded the street along with park guards strutting their uniforms with pride and bizarrely the local Chinese community decided to join in the fun with a dragon.

After that, the high tide forbade me from properly visiting the town's beach Playa Negra but hopefully I'll get a chance in a bit. Tortuguero frustrated me as it was too much time spent resting as there's little to do in the heat of the day. Cahuita being the right balance of being connected to other places but also having a rustic and cut off feeling should make the next three days a thoroughly enjoyable send off to the Costa Rican Caribbean.

Pura Vida!