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An Insight into Isla de Chira, (in the gulf of Nicoya)

"The bay At Chira"

The following is a short excerpt from our trip to Chira in the rainy season. You'll find the details here.

"Our new Chiran friends had located 8 bikes for the 6 gringos, Isabella and Paul (our original guide who it turns out, knew Chira very well). Isabella later proved to be related to a bat. My wife asks me "where are we going?" . . . I reply, "on a bike ride!" She groans just as she does as we head downhill on an unknown ski slope after I have just exclaimed "don't worry, just follow me!"

We fiddle with the bikes for a while in the jungle clearing making as much work as we can and eventually the motley bike collection is brought down to the front gate and we pedal off mid afternoon.

An hour or so later we reach the only cross roads on the island and stop for a huff and a puff. Nhi and I ponder our options - should we go back? Is this a circuit perhaps and we are half way round it? Is it all uphill or downhill from here? We have no idea . . .

"Artesan coop, Isla de Chira"

and as invited guests to the Chirans as well as recipients of their marvelous hospitality we choose to say nothing and just hope we are halfway 'round a circuit of the island.

An hour later we arrived at a dock at the far end of the island. A beer and a stop to take in the lovely view of Chira and the mainland - the same view those 200 years of fishermen had taken in every day.

The tale continues: " We met some wonderful committed people on Chira (as I had expected). It is the only place in Costa Rica to report "no crime" at all. Three thousand inhabitants made up of originally two families. Everyone we met was a delight. As always, with such brief trips it was obvious we needed to stay longer and learn more if we really wanted any understanding of what happens on Chira. We were grateful for the tiny insights that we, the passing gringo tourist, could bring back to the mainland.

"The auberge (La Armistad)"

Chira is one of the most off-the- beaten-path locations in Costa Rica. The Chiran story is fascinating, the Chirans we met are the nicest people on the planet AND the island CAN take more visitors. They will be welcomed and the experience, for now, remains very rustic. The islanders told us of some ideas they have for developing the 5 communities on the island; but it is not clear where that will go. I am certain that the few visitors they get all come away touched by the experience.

If you'd like to visit Isla de Chira email us at: InsightCostaRica for information or ideas?