El Avion Restaurant
THIS ARTICLE WILL SELF DESTRUCT IN 300 SECONDS
The CIA *never* engages in nefarious activities like drug and gun trafficking, election rigging, coup planning or assassinations. Because of that, you absolutely cannot enjoy a meal and then a party in a CIA owned C-123 cargo plane purchased to covertly traffic cash and guns to Nicaragua in support of the right-wing CONTRA rebels. This restaurant is not called El Avion and it is not located on a hilltop overlooking the stunning ocean and mountain vistas surrounding Manuel Antonio National Park. It does not exist and you never read this article!
THE IRAN CONTRA SCANDAL
So what was the Iran-Contra Scandal that unraveled after a sister C-123 cargo plane was shot down over Nicaragua? In a nutshell, Lebanon (Hezbollah) captured seven Americans and held them hostage. It was hoped that selling weapons to Iran, which was under an arms embargo at the time, would nudge Iran towards using its influence to secure the release of the hostages. This was the ‘OFFICIAL’ version, and it was a COVER-UP for what was really happening. In FACT, the price of the weapons was being greatly inflated so that the profits could be funnelled into supporting the CONTRAS, an anti-Sandinista rebel group in Nicaragua. Following the Nicaraguan revolution and the overthrow of President Anastasio Somoza Debayle the Marxist FSLN (Sandinista National Liberation Front) assumed leadership of Nicaragua and was seen as an emerging threat by the US government. The CONTRAS rose to oppose the Marxist takeover of their country and needed to be supplied with money and weapons. The C-123 cargo planes were the main mode of weapons and cash delivery to the CONTRAS.
LOCATION
EL Avion Restaurant is located near the town of Manuel Antonio, on the road between Quepos and Manuel Antonio National Park and about 2km from the main park entrance. Parking is available right in front of the restaurant and is plentiful. This is one of the most scenic areas of Costa Rica and the multitude of nearby restaurants, shops, hotels and tourist businesses attest to this fact.
INTERIOR AND DÉCOR
The restaurant is build around the C-123 aircraft purchased by the CIA to smuggle weapons and cash into Nicaragua. The plane is almost entirely enclosed by the restaurant with only its nose sticking out into the open air – it is a centre piece of this business, and rightly so. You can climb into the cockpit and explore the interior of the plane which includes a bar and seating area and makes for a surreal café or nightclub, depending on the time of the day! Outside of the plane but still underneath the high roof of the restaurant plentiful seating abounds – you can sit beside the plane or under her wings or engines! There are many seating options, from small tables with 2 chairs to big arrangement ready to accommodate large groups and gatherings. El Avion is a very spacious and open – the magnificent vistas of the mountains and ocean are visible from most tables but I would recommend sitting right at the edge of the venue where you feel like you are floating over the surrounding rainforests.
THE FOOD
We went for a filling lunch of burger and chips, which arrived hot and with minimal delay. The meal was delicious and the portions were generous. A cold beverage to wash down the food and we were off, as it was a busy day The menu is very varied – from fried calamari and poke bowl appetizers to pasta, salads, chicken wings and nachos, fish and grill dishes, to steak and plentiful vegetarian options, (and MUCH MORE) there is something for everyone! The coffee menus and choice of beers, wines, liquors and cocktails are equally impressive. The menu options are remarkable in quality but also variety and quantity.
WILL WE COME BACK?
We rarely go as far as Quepos but this is definitely a regular venue for when there is business to be done in the area. This restaurant is also a MUST DO stop for friends or clients who are visiting Costa Rica – a truly surreal and spectacular memory (and photos) for everyone to take home.
Our local area has been declared a culinary center of Costa Rica, right here in our little jungle communities! The variety of foods, amazing ambience and decors and great service from the dozens of local eateries add a touch of modernity and class that visitors often don’t expect to find in our area – yet here it is! Imagine living here and experiencing both the wilderness, pristine beaches, lush jungles and tropical animals AND modern luxuries and amenities that provide a sharp contrast that keeps your life here interesting, engaging and full of variety – it all starts with an email or phone call to RE/MAX We Sell Paradise – and in the meanwhile, why not brows our hundreds of hot listings in the local area?
