Today started with a morning breakfast and some travelers still nursing rafting bruises, and in some cases, egos (Coach Fish). After breakfast we started our long journey to our next hotel resort called Punta Leona Hotel and Club in Herradura, Costa Rica. We shared laughs and stories from rafting and fishing the previous day, but even the many tales couldn't consume the long 5 hour drive we were on.

During the drive we stopped at a small souvenir shop and restaurant to stretch our legs, and take in more of the beautiful scenery Costa Rica had to offer. Attached to the souvenir shop, was a small greenhouse that was home to some of the most vibrant blue butterflies that you could imagine. The landscaping was also very inviting and a perfect spot to look at a breathtaking view of the mountains. Off in the distance was a view of the ocean with a small island. The stop was brief and much needed. Afterward, we all got back on the bus and finished the second half of the drive to our new hotel.

We arrived at the Punta Leona with tired bodies and hungry stomachs. We were greeted with a buffet lunch and a small warning. One of the attractions of the hotel is that monkeys are lurking close by. We were advised to keep all of our belongings on our persons, because they are quick to take "shiny" things and swing away with them. It didn't take long for the monkeys to make their appearance either. Just as everyone finished their dessert, the monkeys made their arrival. At least a half dozen of them swarmed the roof of the restaurant and played around as patrons enjoyed their lunches. It almost seemed that the monkeys were putting on a show the way the appeared to pose for pictures and swing around the nets and roof that separated them from us. This was truly an amazing sight to see.

After the eventful lunch, it was time to check in, get situated, and explore the new resort. We quickly discovered Punta Leona has a full spread of activities available to its guests. There's mini golf, volleyball, multiple outdoor pools, basketball, soccer, beach tennis (whatever that is), and pretty much anything else you could think of to pass the time. That being said, the main attraction is without a doubt the beaches.

The two beaches here look like a photograph straight out of a "Visit Costa Rica" postcard. One of the beaches is white sand (Playa Blanca), the other is dark (Playa Mantas), and they're separated by a peninsula that juts out into the Pacific Ocean. Most of us arrived at Playa Mantas first and, finding a shortcut across the peninsula, made our way over to Playa Blanca. There we spent the afternoon relaxing in the warm water and bodysurfing. I think most of us would've stayed out there all night if the sun hadn't gone down on us.

When it got dark and we'd swallowed our share of salt water, we made the long trek back through the rainforest to our rooms to shower up for dinner. Once again, the food didn't disappoint, and I think I speak for all of us when I say that I've never eaten so well over the course of a week in my life. Tonight we'll relax (maybe sing some karaoke) and get ready for zip lining tomorrow morning followed by an afternoon back at the beach.

~ Gary Cooper and Isaac Tapp