The family and I were craving a nice Sunday drive and the freshest fish that we could find, so we hopped in the Galloper and cruised up the hill to Bajo La Paz. Bajo La Paz is a quaint fishing and farming village that is overflowing with culture, character, and natural beauty. It’s only a twenty minute drive from San Ramon Centro. As we pulled into Bajo La Paz, it felt like we were entering a magical world that was quite different than other parts of Costa Rica. The presence of the strong but serene Rio La Paz sets the tone. Noise pollution is virtually non-existent. The dominant sounds are the river flowing and the birds singing and talking to each other. Ox-carts and folks on horseback are abundant. You’re surrounded by pastures and primary forests that climb up into the clouds. Much of the land is protected and is therefore a literal safe haven for wildlife to thrive in. There are plenty of adventure type tours to take in Bajo La Paz, but we need to wait for Violetta to get a little older before we can enjoy them as a family! For now, we’re happy with a charming drive and a visit to the local trapiche-

Catch your own trout out of the pond in seconds with some twine, a hook, and a morsel of plantain. Lunch just doesn’t get any better than this! A good size fish that is as fresh as can be is on your plate in minutes along with some pickled vegetables, picante, and a side of fries. Of course, you’ll need a nice cold beer to wash this all down 😉

If you’re in San Ramon and you want to do enjoy some time “off the beaten track” as far as tourism goes, Bajo La Paz is certainly worth the trip. It gives you a taste of the traditional, “old school” Costa Rica. PURA  VIDA!!!