The drive itself was incredible—everything was completely chill, unhurried, and peaceful as I passed through small towns and local villages. Along the way, I spent time walking along quiet beaches, chatting with welcoming locals, and checking out a legendary 400-year-old tree tucked away in the countryside.
Later on, I took a spontaneous detour into the jungle for a hike that led straight to Charco Azul. It's this amazing natural swimming hole where local families gather to camp, barbecue, swim, and just enjoy the day together. To top off the adventure, I headed back north to hit up the famous Pork Highway in Guavate to experience the incredible food, music, and vibrant community culture, before finally making it back to San Juan just in time to catch a beautiful golden hour sunset.