January 2007 - Punta Banco is a tropical beach paradise. I rank it amongst Costa Rica's most scenic and remote beaches, found just a few miles from the Panama border along the Pacific coast. Near Golfito we crossed Rio Coto in a car ferry and continued south past Pavones. Mike, Denise, Deb and I crashed at Aricari Lodge. Aricari is set in the hills with a panoramic view of Punta Banco, Golfo Dulce and the distant jungles Osa Peninsula. Highlights of the trip included body surfing the waves, meeting famous Malcolm of Pavones, waking to the sound of Howler monkeys, showering under the tree canopy and hanging with the talented photographer Mike and his wife Denise.