Protecting a Paradise Without Pollution in Montezuma, Costa Rica
A short trek along sandy surf beaches near Montezuma, Costa Rica leads one to a polluted paradise. Shoes, toys, nets and bundles of plastic bottles surface at the shoreline turning this idyllic coast into an eye- and earth-sore. But beautiful solutions have emerged to counter this ugly problem through The Lost Soles Project, whereby tourists and locals united to collect the garbage shoes washed up on shore and recycle them into an art installation, walking the ‘lost soles’ around town, to raise awareness and question the origins of the beach pollution. This encouraged weekly beach clean-ups, inspiring the creation of garbage cans made from washed up bottles along beachside pathways and the emergence of homegrown garbage warriors.
At this little cafe/restaurant in Montezuma, Costa Rica, things can get a little wild. Served on an outdoor patio and on the edge of jungle habitat, dinner and a show here is an impromptu act and involves a whole lot of monkey business. The menu offers a hefty selection of both tico and international dishes as well as a full line up of java concoctions. Even if you don't go bananas over the food, the wild capuchin or white faced monkeys jumping around is sure to entertain.
After a tasty breakfast surrounded by playful magpies, we set off on our hike, which would take us across 7 connected beaches. Along the way, we encountered a variety of birds, crabs, lizards and monkeys, which made each trail an exciting mystery. Just when we thought we were exhausted, and couldn't walk any further, we saw our destination in the distance... One of the few waterfalls in the world that falls into the ocean. Words cannot describe the intensity of that spot, with the water from above falling with such force, and the waves around us sloshing in a cacophany of magical sound and refreshment. This place is forever in my memory, and I will always go back there, either in my imagination, to rescue me from cold winter days, or in my real life...I look forward to the next visit!
A short trek along sandy surf beaches near Montezuma, Costa Rica leads one to a polluted paradise. Shoes, toys, nets and bundles of plastic bottles surface at the shoreline turning this idyllic coast into an eye- and earth-sore. But beautiful solutions have emerged to counter this ugly problem through The Lost Soles Project, whereby tourists and locals united to collect the garbage shoes washed up on shore and recycle them into an art installation, walking the ‘lost soles’ around town, to raise awareness and question the origins of the beach pollution. This encouraged weekly beach clean-ups, inspiring the creation of garbage cans made from washed up bottles along beachside pathways and the emergence of homegrown garbage warriors.
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