The Pacific Ocean can be seen just over the ridgetop in this photo of the mountains about halfway between Dominical and San Isid

The Pacific Ocean can be seen just over the ridgetop in this photo of the mountains about halfway between Dominical and San Isidro de El General.

The Pacific coastline stretches toward Manuel Antonio, as seen from the mountains above Dominical.

The Pacific coastline stretches toward Manuel Antonio, as seen from the mountains above Dominical.

A palm growing in an old pasture in the mountains above Dominical, near Platinillo.

A palm growing in an old pasture in the mountains above Dominical, near Platinillo.

Another palm growing in an old pasture in the mountains above Dominical, near Platinillo.

Another palm growing in an old pasture in the mountains above Dominical, near Platinillo.

Boats heading out to the Osa Peninsula from the dock at Sierpe.

Boats heading out to the Osa Peninsula from the dock at Sierpe.

The river at the Sierpe dock, where boats travel out to the Osa Peninsula. You can see the clouds clearing over the mountains in

The river at the Sierpe dock, where boats travel out to the Osa Peninsula. You can see the clouds clearing over the mountains in the background.

Another view of the mountains clearing over the mountains as seen from the docks at Sierpe, near the Osa Peninsula.

Another view of the mountains clearing over the mountains as seen from the docks at Sierpe, near the Osa Peninsula.

The Pacific Coast, also called the Brunca Coast after a local Indian group, as seen from the recently opened Costera Sur highway

The Pacific Coast, also called the Brunca Coast after a local Indian group, as seen from the recently opened Costera Sur highway south of Dominical.

Another view of the Brunca Coast south of Dominical. This was taken in October near the height of the rainy season, and you can

Another view of the Brunca Coast south of Dominical. This was taken in October near the height of the rainy season, and you can see brownish water from silt being washed into the ocean.

Birds in the sandflats between the beach and the Hotel Roca Verde, just south of Dominical.

Birds in the sandflats between the beach and the Hotel Roca Verde, just south of Dominical.

A local inhabitant keeps a careful eye on me as I take photos along the beach outside the Hotel Roca Verde, just south of Domini

A local inhabitant keeps a careful eye on me as I take photos along the beach outside the Hotel Roca Verde, just south of Dominical.

Waves break on the rocky coastline just south of the Domical beach.

Waves break on the rocky coastline just south of the Domical beach.

A palm sprouts from a coconut alongside a stream that empties onto the beach south of Dominical.

A palm sprouts from a coconut alongside a stream that empties onto the beach south of Dominical.

A coconut palm growing outside my hotel room in Dominical.

A coconut palm growing outside my hotel room in Dominical.

The mountains above the Rio Chirripo, near the little village of Canaan.

The mountains above the Rio Chirripo, near the little village of Canaan.

Some of the foliage along the beautiful walking trail on the grounds of the Rio Chirripo Retrea

Some of the foliage along the beautiful walking trail on the grounds of the Rio Chirripo Retreat, located on the Rio Chirripo between the villages of San Gerardo and Canaan.