Meanwhile, vendors from Ecuador, Guatemala and other countries have licenses, and the Boruca are still waiting. When someone throws pieces of bread into the water, the bread disappears in a whirl of snapping jaws, as two other crocs appear out of nowhere to claim their share. Then, just as suddenly as they came, the corcodiles sink into the water and disappear. Despite its beaches and rainforest covered hills, Golfito is best known as a shopper's mecca. Ticos travel from all over the country to buy discounted goods at the Deposito Libre, the duty-free zone, at the north end of town.
Today is no exception.
The port is a frenzy of shopping - such a frenzy that one cringes at the thought of what it must be like around Christmas. From refrigerators and stereos to clothing and CD's, there's nothing you won't find at the string of duty-free shops. Just north of San Vito, a Guaym family walks along the highway, away from the Indigenous Reserve - presumably into town. Movement is slow, since there's room only for the father and the two youngest children on the horse. The rest of the family is on foot.