Holy Hueca - The Potholes of Costa Rica

Costa Rica is one my favorite places in the world.Driving at night in a tropical downpour, while
It is so green and lush and the tropical landscapesdodging huecas of every size and shape can be
are simply marvelous. In addition, the Ticosespecially treacherous - all I can say, been there,
(colloquial word for Costa Ricans) have an evendone that! I remember very distinctly driving from
temperament and are so cordial to the tourists.Poas, in the mountains just outside of San Jose
What a wonderful place to be!on a fogged-in evening to the lowlands of San
The worst thing I can say about Costa Rica areCarlos Valley. The visibility factor was next to
the roads. I have driven a number of times inzero! Descending from 9000 feet or so to the
Costa Rica, and let me tell you thing - outside oflowlands, the heavy mist gradually morphed into a
the Pan American Highway and the scenicsteady rainfall, and I remember dodging pothole
thoroughfare which passes through Braulio Carilloafter pothole in my 4WD drive car rental with the
National Park to the Caribbean Coast, the roadshi-beams on. What a harrowing adventure that
are abysmal. There are potholes (in Spanish,was! Thank G_D, I didn't have a backseat driver
huecas) of every size and shape imaginable - inaccompanying me or that would have definitely
general, they are somewhat circular in shape andbeen my last ride! My recommendation is to
range in size from 1 - 10 feet in diameter orrefrain driving at night on secondary roads and in
more. I have heard of small cars been swallowedthe countryside. Better be safe then sorry!
by huge crater size huecas.