Jacó Happenings

Omar Retana and Vanessa Vindas have opened a new ice cream shop and café in Bijagual de Turrubares, in the name of their child, Sofía. Don’t miss this cute little spot  when you take day trips outside of Jacó. It’s open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and has everything from espressos to pastries. To get there, take the road in front of Maxibodega straight up to Bijagual. For information, call 2645-1091.

Herradura Divers, the first PADI dive resort in the Central Pacific, is open for high season. Swiss owner Chris Karrer started diving in 2006 in Sardinia, Italy, and became a dive professional in 2007. He took over the business in Costa Rica last year, keeping the original staff to guarantee customers real diving experts from the area.

Chris and his girlfriend, Tabitha, run the operation, with Leonardo and Francesco as the head guides. Herradura Divers offers beginner to master courses and usually dives near the rock formations just outside HerraduraBay or at various dive sites around Isla Tortuga, off the southeastern tip of the NicoyaPeninsula. Both sites are home to a great variety of marine life.

For a typical Costa Rican experience, check out the annual Mule Festival this weekend in Parrita, 30 minutes south of Jacó. There will be a Miss Parrita competition, Tico bullfights, a rodeo, kids’ activities, food sales, dances, concerts, bands and of course the famous mule and horse parade.

The third Jacó Extreme Challenge will be held the weekend before Easter Holy Week, starting March 27 at 4:30 p.m. at the stadium in Jacó. The registration fee is ¢5,000 ($9) at the registration center and ¢4,500 ($8) by Internet at www.atletismoextremo.com. Space is limited to 1,300 athletes. In Jacó, entries will be made by the Central Pacific Chamber of Commerce (2643-2853) in the PacificCenter, in front of the CableTica office.

–Christina Truitt

christinatruitt@gmail.com