Hunter Jones goes off-grid in Costa Rica

Sometimes a chance to go somewhere different just drops in your lap. If you have the freedom to go, that ability to take up the chance can turn into something you’ll remember forever. OTIS ambassador Hunter Jones had that opportunity recently. He’d been hearing whispers of a place in Costa Rica that was off the beaten track with some picturesque, right hand point breaks. Right up his alley. Hunter noticed there was swell about to hit that area and the allure was too good to pass up. No major planning, just book and fly. 

“I fully winged it,” laughs Hunter. “I was like, okay, I know that there's a wave here. This is definitely a spot, so I'm gonna find this wave and start from there.”

It wasn’t an easy trip either. Two flights and a nine hour drive through the jungle, with no actual idea of where he and his filmer, Cameron Nelligan, needed to go. 

 

“It was crazy, because once you get to that part of Costa Rica, they're so off the grid,” continues Hunter. “There's no paved roads, we're talking potholes, no lights. We got there at night to an Airbnb, and it was so psycho, like, are we in the right place? The whole town runs on solar. It was a full mission, but it was cool. We got to stop along the way and see so much of Costa Rica that I wouldn't have had the opportunity to do otherwise. It's almost like that's what made it special.”

Given it was Hunter’s first ‘solo’ trip, connecting with locals was a super key element. Without a big crew of friends, you become so much more approachable. Easier to take on. Through his own network, he got plugged in with some of the area’s surfers to learn from and share the experience with.

“There’s a guy, Aaron Garcia, who’s the main local guy there. He absolutely rips. He ended up being my main point of contact who helped me out.  I also met this kid named Talon during my first surf there in Costa Rica who was born right there on the sand. We became good buddies and he took me to a wave where we had to hike 35 minutes through the jungle to surf this really fun beach break. After, we’re walking through the forest at night and he's like, ‘you know, I’m glad we’re okay. That spot is kind of sharky and has some crocs too’. I'm like, ‘are you kidding me?!’. It was right after a big rain so the water was all brown. It was kind of sketchy but he only mentioned it to me after.”

Some other locals took Hunter by surprise on their second day too. Thieves.

“We got raided by monkeys!” laughs Hunter. “The place we were staying at had no windows, so you're just in open air. You sleep in a mosquito net and there’s fire flies zipping through your room at night. Anyway, we wake up and are having coffee when we hear these big thuds on our roof. I look to our left and there's three or four monkeys peeking their heads over the roof. One came from the other side of the house and started jacking our apples. I'm like, ‘dude, those are our apples, you can't do that!’ I kind of scared them off, but it was such a cool greeting to the area. That’s the coolest thing about the place. They say it's where the forest kisses the ocean. It's so true. It's just raw, untouched jungle with parrots flying over your head, blue, blue water, and pretty uncrowded. It was really rewarding to go all that way and get fun waves and be so close to nature.”

That sense of freedom is ultimately what surfing and going on adventures is all about. Being able to do what you like and cut away from all of the thoughts and judgment and pressure. 

“I know for a fact I feel most free when I'm in the ocean doing the thing that I love the most,” says Hunter. “I have no questions about anything. It just feels correct and it feels right. It feels true.”

 

 

Hopefully Hunter’s adventure inspires you a little to get out and frame your own freedom. If you have a chance to go, go. Even if it’s hard and totally outside your normal boundaries, that’s what can make it so special. 

For a vicarious dose of that freedom, check out Hunter’s clip of his chance to ‘kiss the jungle’.

 

 

 

--- BREAK IT DOWN FOR ME...

1. Hunter Jones loves travelling to places off the grid, searching for that thrill of adventure and the unknown. For these types of trips, he needs quality gear... how do OTIS sunnies stand up to the challenge?
   OTIS sunnies are built for rugged adventures. Their durable frames and scratch-resistant, high-quality lenses provide clear vision even in the toughest conditions. Whether trekking remote trails or surfing the wild waves of Costa Rica, OTIS eyewear offers the protection and clarity Hunter needs for any off-grid journey.

2. How do OTIS's mineral glass and polarized lenses enhance outdoor exploration for surfers and adventurers in remote, rugged environments?
   OTIS's mineral glass lenses deliver superior clarity, while polarized lenses reduce glare, ensuring optimal vision for surfers and adventurers exploring challenging environments like Costa Rica's rugged coastlines.

3. Why are OTIS Eyewear’s eco-friendly, sustainable sunglasses the perfect companion for those seeking ethical, high-quality gear for their travel adventures?
   OTIS Eyewear’s eco-friendly sunglasses provide a combination of durability, high performance, and sustainable design, making them an ideal choice for adventurers who value both functionality and environmental responsibility.