Day 10: Undercover geek in surfer stronghold (Jiquilillo)

For the next three nights I'm a geek undercover in a supercool crowd of surf dudes and dudettes.

I think they found me out pretty early on when I asked my new German friend about the country's tax arrangements over dinner.

I'm staying at Rancho Esperanza, a collection of bamboo beach huts around a communal rancho where everyone gathers for meals and to escape the sun.

R.E. is in a tiny beach village called Jiquilillo and is set right by the Pacific Ocean. It's incredibly environmentally friendly which means I've been using a composting toilet and enjoying joyously cold showers in my outside bathroom (I can wash my hair and stargaze at the same time!) 

It's the vision of Nate, originally from the US, who visited Jiquilillo as a student and was inspired to come back to develop the Rancho, and a whole host of community projects too, including a kids club, community tours and activities like tortilla making led by local people.

Just over ten years later, the Rancho is much more than just a hostel, it has a real family atmosphere where visitors and the community have the opportunity to meet each other regularly.

 I've met loads of people from different countries and backgrounds, all here for different reasons - the surf, the nature, the quiet - but we all share a love sunsets, the amazing Rancho food and CocoLoco - fresh coconut with rum poured inside!

What's more, all the food here is vegetarian and as a committee carnivore I can hand on heart say it's amazing! (Emily S I hope you're proud!)

Travel tips:

1. The Rancho offers long-term volunteer opportunities for surf instructors, yoga teachers, English teachers and kids club leaders.
2. Dorms from $8, my private cabana was $28 per night. Find out more at www.rancho-esperanza.com.