I never know if these panoramic things work. (This one is from MS Photosynth.) Anyway, great hidden black sand beach, with huge breakers and not another soul around. - Stephen Mack #TeamMomo from iPhone

My terrible Spanish suggests this is "bad tree beach." True? - Stephen Mack #TeamMomo from iPhone

The economy here confuses me. We ate out for lunch today (our first time not cooking). Some dishes were the equivalent of $2, some $10, and it didn't seem related to the prices of the ingredients I saw at the grocery store. Gas is more expensive (about $7 a gallon if my math is right), but the bus fare is about 30¢. Labor costs are very cheap, and so are monthly room rentals in the off season. Not sure how a local Tico can afford the food costs given how low the average salary is -- I know they're not eating at touristy places, but even so. - Stephen Mack #TeamMomo from iPhone

Economics get screwed up in heavily touristy areas. There is probably a large part of the local economy that isn't visible to you at all. - Brian Johns

Bad wood beach? Great photo of the kids! - Kelli H. from Android

I learned it's "Matapalo" -- killer tree beach? I wish my Spanish were better. - Stephen Mack #TeamMomo from iPhone