Magical Costa Rica: Simple Days, Family, Good Food & Unexpected Moments.

We just returned home from our first trip to Costa Rica, and it was nothing short of magical. An insanely beautiful environment, wonderful, bonding moments spent with family, good, sometimes kind of interesting food, fun activities and lots of relaxation and simple moments spent together.

There is something comforting about having a plan when you travel and, believe me, we are planning people. Flights booked, transportation arranged, housing secured and a general idea of where you will be and what you will be doing. Which is why it was a little funny and surprising when we found ourselves-along with my daughter, son-in-law and 2 grandchildren-standing in a house in Costa Rica that wasn’t ours. But, oh my stars was it gorgeous. Now, here’s the funny part, we had indeed booked a beautiful house to stay in so it didn’t dawn on us at first that we were in the wrong house! We went thru the house admiring the beauty, the design, the furnishings, the outdoor living area and the sheer size of it, excited to be spending our vacation there. We picked out our rooms. Then slowly it dawned on us that it was much bigger than the house we had rented with many more bedrooms. We were in the wrong house! About the time we were hit with that realization, the property management people called my son-in-law about the mix up. Looking back on it, it was really funny!

A quick correction, a little backtracking and we were on our way to the house we had actually rented. Also very beautiful, just a little smaller and more suited to the size of our family. Just a different beautiful place for all of us to settle into. It didn’t take long. Soon enough, rooms were chosen, suitcases were unpacked, snacks and drinks were set out and everyone found their rhythm. That’s the lovely thing about traveling with family, there is an easy kind of settling that happens when you are together, even in a place that is completely new. After that, the days unfolded in the best possible way.

Our first full day was date day for Mom & Dad with the kiddos staying at the house with Grandma & Grandpa. Mom & Dad did a snorkeling excursion on a catamaran and had a great time. We played in the pool with the kids, had coffee and a perfectly relaxing time. There was nothing overbooked or rushed about this trip which really added to everyone’s enjoyment. We had everything we could possibly want at the house. It was nirvana! After the kids returned home, all six of us spent the rest of the day relaxing by the pool, making tropical drinks , enjoying each others company and watching the kiddos play.

We ate out most meals and had some pretty interesting stuff…..By all means, when you travel to another country you should try the local cuisine. You are missing out on a big part of the experience and the culture if you do not do so. We asked for recommendations from tour guides and the people that managed the house where we stayed. They did not steer us wrong. Most things were very good, but that did not save us from being served a few items that looked a little questionable. Lol. 😂 Thankfully, since we were traveling with small children, most restaurants served chicken nuggets or tenders. 😊 Costa Rican food is simple, fresh and deeply rooted in local ingredients. Flavorful without being too complicated. Lots of rice and beans, chicken, beef, pork and fresh seafood. There is also a large selection of fresh local vegetables and fruits such as mango, papaya and pineapple. The pineapple we had was divine!!! Costa Rican food definitely reflects the country’s casual, laid back ‘pura vida” lifestyle. Overall, we enjoyed it immensely!

No trip to Costa Rica would be complete without a trip to the rainforest. It is not something to rush through, it’s something you step into. Very carefully if you, like myself are scared to death of snakes and certain other reptiles…..Yikes!!!! Fortunately, I escaped without a heart stopping, terror inducing encounter! The air is thicker, the greens are deeper and the whole environment feels so alive! We walked, we looked and we listened. We saw sloths, we saw a multitude of beautiful butterflies,and the little green tree frogs. It was a peaceful, beautiful, soul soothing experience! The beauty of Costa Rica is special and unlike any other tropical place I have visited. It certainly didn’t hurt that I was with some of my most favorite people. 💚

Along with the local food, we enjoyed the local drinks too! 🍺🍹 Local beer, native concoctions, and lots and lots of Pina Coladas! Along with our alcoholic indulgences, (hey, we were on vacation!!) we also visited a coffee plantation and a plantation where they grew cacao beans and made their own hot chocolate and candy bars and cacao nibs that we got to sample along with the local coffees. The kids got to grind the cacao beans and make their own hot chocolate which was served with a sugar cane stir stick! Lots of fun for all of us! It was a great family vacation because there was something for everyone.

We visited several beaches, did some shopping and general sightseeing, but, perhaps the highlight of the trip was the afternoon we spent on a chartered boat exploring beaches, caves, snorkeling, having drinks and food and , as it turns out, playing with monkeys!!!🐵 The cruise was several hours long and ended at sunset. Magical, beautiful and emotion invoking….If you can’t tell, this was an amazing vacation for us. What a blessing to spend time with loved ones in such a beautiful place.

Things Not To Miss In Costa Rica

• 🌊 The Rainforest. Take a walk, listen more than you talk and take in the incredible environment. It is positively alive!
• 🌊 Fresh, Local Food. Especially the fruit and simple meals.
• 🌊 Wildlife. Sloths, lizards, iguanas, birds, butterflies and monkeys. We even had a racoon that visited us daily and dumped our garbage. Lol.
• 🌊 Slower Days and Mornings. Do not overschedule. Live Pura Vida while you are there!
• 🌊 A Beach At Sunset. There are no words to describe the beauty and the soothing effect it will have on your soul and the emotion it will envoke.
• 🌊 Costa Rican Coffee and Cacao. Take your time, savor and enjoy.
• 🌊 Letting Go Of The Plan Just A Little. Some of the most magical moments are spontaneous and unplanned.

When I look back on this trip, it won’t be one big moment that stands out. It will be the small ones, the conversations, the laughter, the love, the joy of spending time with my kids, my grandchildren and my husband. The bonding conversations and the things we learned about each other. The feeling of us all being together in a magical place. Those are the things that will stay with me. Those are the things that matter the most.

Thank You Costa Rica and Pura Vida!!