I normally plan my journeys with a visible in thoughts, and Costa Rica was no exception. On an off-the-cuff social media swipe final February, I noticed somebody horseback using within the mountains there — after which, although I’ve by no means actually ridden a horse, I may barely consider the rest: the overwhelming greenery, the crisp mountain mist, the gentle clip-clop of horse hooves trotting damp earth. I needed to do it.
And so I turned to Elsewhere, Lonely Planet’s journey planning platform, to make my desires come true. I used to be linked to Guillermo, a Costa Rica-based information, who helped me suppose by way of the small print. He concluded our dialog with, “I dwell to journey and to surf.” And so I made a decision I additionally wanted to learn to surf on this journey.
Guille took that preliminary dialog and the textual content thread that adopted and turned it into essentially the most unforgettable journey with my husband, two youngsters, and in-laws, the place we explored the surf of Tamarindo and the mountains of Arenal for per week in August throughout Costa Rica’s moist season.
In Tamarindo, we stayed on the Lodge Capitan Suizo
An enthralling beachfront boutique lodge with unassuming integrity, heat employees, and distinct facilities that honor the native timber and wildlife. Hotel Capitan Suizo opened straight onto the seaside by way of 5 modest wood stairs. The fluidity between our keep and the sand created the right quantity of freedom for our multi-generational entourage.
We began on daily basis within the Pacific Ocean in Tamarindo
I promised myself the 12 months I turned 40 to cease ready to do all of the issues I ever needed to do, and browsing was on that record. For sure, to try to stand on the ocean was one of the vital humbling experiences of my grownup life.
After three mornings of (sleek) falling below the watchful eye of Maurice and Tommy, our unimaginable lecturers from Costa Rica Sup & Surf: I stood, and I surfed. There was nice peace being within the ocean because the solar was rising, beginning every day with the humility of doing one thing new and outdoors my consolation zone.
Tamarindo is understood for its sunsets
We loved unimaginable seafood — ceviche, pink snapper, and the Pangas Mariscada — on the Pangas Beach Club. We sat below twinkling lights on the seaside because the sky turned pink, orange, and purple.
In each Tamarindo and Arenal, we liked the native flavors of Costa Rica
We frequently paired our breakfast with a aspect of gallo pinto, Costa Rica’s conventional breakfast. In Arenal, we had been fortunate to expertise the normal casado — a typical lunch of rice, beans, salad, yucca, and hen – with a shot of guaro on the Arenal Vida Campesina, a working farm and agricultural heart. And pipa fria — coconut water — all day, on daily basis.
In Arenal, we received away from the crowds by escaping to the mountains. On horseback
A kind of experiences — after a lot dreaming, anticipation, and planning — that was truly higher than I may have ever imagined it will be. Reserving the primary tour of the day—8am!—on the Mistico Hanging Bridges gave our household a pocket of quiet contemplation collectively overlooking the volcano.
Can’t suggest sufficient:
The management freak in me loves the micromanagement of journey planning, so I’d by no means labored with an organization like Elsewhere to plan a visit like this. However I discovered it fairly releasing — nearly stress-free if you’ll — at hand the small print over to a trusted another person (all the pieces from determining transportation between factors to creating certain we had been supporting native and environmentally accountable companies all through our journey). Finally, I received the journey I needed and solely needed to deal with the elements that would depart us with lasting reminiscences.
