First International Travel: Nosara Costa Rica
- Savvy Single Mama
- Apr 2
- 26 min read
Updated: Apr 4
Nosara Costa Rica is a bucket list destination, where I hosted a Wellness Retreat, that not only checked ALL the boxes, but also left us amazed by the beauty of Costa Rica, the people, the place and the whole experience. When you're looking at the map and deciding where to go, this hidden gem will soon be mainstream knowledge. Go now.
Sweeping sunsets that pull your soul into a new dimension, waves that wash away every drop of angst, streets that wind together without direction, and the truth is many who visit buy land before leaving. Pura Vida is a welcoming that wraps around every fiber of your being inviting you to come, eat, stay, live.
We visited at the perfect time. I told myself, it’s not always this perfect, it’s just this particular moment in time which God has graced us with where all things aligned to be as good as it could possibly be. But really, Costa Rica far exceeded my every expectation. As far as destinations, book your trip to Nosara now before this gem of a fun little beach town gets built into a tourist spot gone wild losing its authenticity and charm. The bull dozers are already pulling onto the dirt roads, paving the streets to accommodate volume – and how it is today, right now – is PERFECT. Go now.
When you go - You’re going to need some planning to do this travel justice, or you can use this blog which features an itinerary with all you need: Where to stay, where to eat, where to adventure, who to contact, and what to do (or not do) and enjoy your time saved doing something was more fun like packing, reading Trip Advisor reviews, or shopping for a new bathing suit 😊
What to bring:
International travel has some specific considerations. To complicate, all of the tours and hotel were requesting cash for a lower price.
*I carried cash in an elastic belt, going through TSA with it empty and then placing the money and passports in the zipper pocket, I had read to beware of pickpockets. No one in our party had an issue but I was prepared!
*We knew on the return flight we would be limited to limited space on the Sanda Air flight which allows a small bag, and a carry on of 30 lbs. The puddle jumper planes cannot be over a certain weight limit and any bags over the limit are charged $1.00/ pound and also may not make it on the flight, but on a next flight. As I do not trust leaving my items, I strongly recommended we all pack light. We did.
I was quite proud of my packing; I am not a light packer! I carried journals for each guest, a small essential oil bottle I made for keeping open to deter bugs. One of our party attracted all of the flying things, the rest of us didn't have any issues.
I packed all of the things into my Mom-Mom Birch Diaper bag, I got last year from Parker Baby Co. Yes, it's my diaper bag and YES, I love it for traveling because of all the well-placed pockets and pouches. I also made my own packing cubes with gallon sized zip locks as I squeezed clothing into them to minimize space. Durable and easy, packing score!
This was my first (and few of ours) first International Travel. As a destination this was an easy adjustment with a 3-hour flight, mostly English-speaking culture, and most places accepted USD. I found it east to communicate and a wonderful experience.
The route to Nosara:
Please note Google Maps or Apple Maps is not going to be reliable in this excursion. Add in the rocky, sandy, dirt roads and unmarked streets to additionally complicate the drive. Another consideration: during the rainy season, the river overflows making some of the roads impassable. So – we researched ahead, found a great company to shuttle us from the Airport to Nosara, and paid well for our drive. This was still cheaper than a rental car and much more pleasant than trying to navigate. Once it was dark there was NO WAY we would have found our way. Our shuttle was arranged by Remo, of Casa Romatica.
This 5-hour drive was a great kick off to our adventure as:
*Our driver showed up right on time as we all got through Customs at different times.
*He played fun 80's tunes the whole ride leading to some car sing alongs
*We played Costa Rica Trivia with a free drink to the winner!
*He stopped at an awesome lunch spot, also a bathroom location and a grocery store in Nicoya
*I felt much safer having a local driving the roads which are very unpredictable, and it made me nervous with the animals, ATVs and dirt bikes all merging randomly. (I did pray on this drive we would make it there safely!)
This drive was very humbling, and we really saw how the landscaping is as we climbed and descended mountainous terrain. Blessed we could glimpse into everyday life for locals. I saw homes. I saw children on 4 wheelers with no shoes or helmets. There are loose cows, horses and roosters wandering. Drivers are very comfortable and it's a speed race going over pot holdes and through ditches. By the time we pulled up to Casa Romantica, I had a new look on life, and I was starving. They were so kind in keeping the restaurant open to feed us (Remo knew we were arriving late).
Additionally: In town your gps may not route accurately, even if you’re connected to internet. Construction in Nosara is a reality.
Weather Considerations: 🌧️🌧️🌧️☀️☀️☀️
The Rainy Season runs from May - November, the November 2024 season being the rainiest month in years. While the Tropical climate sees typical patterns, it's important to plan the trip that may offer you what you are looking for. Some prefer the rainy season as benefits include:
Rainy season occurs from May to November.
The lush vibrancy of the jungle is greatly pronounced during the rainy season.
Rain varies with most days having a rainstorm in the afternoon, sunny mornings, and clear evenings
September and October are typically the wettest months.
Temperatures in city areas range from 60-77°F (15-26°C).
Guanacaste and Nicoya Peninsula are drier with highs of 85°F (30°C).
Lower hotel rates and discounts on activities are common.
Fewer tourists allow peaceful exploration.
This could make transportation more challenging as roads are often unpaved and wash outs occur.
The summer months of July and August usually see little rains daily, with more sunshine and perfect conditions.
If you're traveling with little ones, those afternoon rains pair really well with nap time.
The Dry Season begins typically begins mid-December and lasts until April. There is a buffer on either side of the season where the seasons blur, and some people LOVE this time, where it's neither too dry or too rainy.
Benefits of the Dry Season:
Roads are easier to navigate.
Less rain, less bugs, more sunshine, and warmer drier weather
Less rain = no mud, making hiking or walking around a "cleaner" experience
Planning is easier for activities that could be impacted by rain, giving full days for availability.
More hours of sunlight leads to longer days!
All of this and still, while planning our March Retreat I checked the weather and it showed rain the day after our arrival. Everyone said, "it won't rain", and the weather app clearly showed rain. AND, it did rain one day. And it was beautiful! We walked the beach in the light rains, then swam in the pool during the harder rain (no thunder or lightning) and enjoyed our time in the jungle very much!
I was told March is one of the hotter months. It was high 80's and sunny much of our stay, at no time was I miserable from the heat. Being from Florida we found the climate absolutely perfect.
First things first, we will need a home base for our time in Nosara.
Where to Stay:
WhatsApp +506 8888 6707
At first glance this is just a surf hotel. The rooms are bare boned, you don’t flush the toilet paper, and there’s no beach towels included in your stay. The girls at the counter can set up your housekeeping needs or other laundry requests. There is a soap bottle by the sink, and a soap dispenser in the showers. Sheets are provided, blankets by request. AC is adjustable, and all rooms have a refrigerator. Some have a microwave. The kitchen staff will microwave or heat in the oven any leftovers you’d like warmed. There are safes in rooms, but the locks took a minute to get situated.
No one who stays here is staying for the luxurious rooms, that’s for sure. But every guest at this 16 room Hotel had returned multiple times for a reason – it’s that good. While we were on our visit number 1, other guests boasted about this being their 16th, 10th, and 6th year they’ve been coming back to Casa Romantica. Why? The grounds are a lush garden fit for the most magnificent appreciation. The private walk to the beach is a great selling point – if you’re coming to surf I was told this is the only hotel with direct beach access and no matter where else you stay you’ve got to rent a golf cart to get your surf boards back and fourth. One grandma staying in the room above me rented her children and grandchildren a small air bnb nearby, and she said, this way they could still stay here in her happy place, they could leave their surf boards here and they could enjoy her home away from home. The pool, rancho (tiki pavilion) and hammocks are entirely too inviting. The sounds of the jungle are alive. You’ll hear and see monkeys, birds, and other local wildlife due to the clean ecosystem of this location.
Wi-Fi: Works well here. There are many Digital Nomads who come here to work, blog, or play and connections are strong most of the times. Strong winds or Construction temporarily caused loss of power (and internet) a couple times during the week.
Let's EAT: If you visited Nosara and did nothing but stay right here, at Casa Romantica, it's enough. BUT there’s one more main winning feature – the Kitchen. OMG the restaurant of Casa Romantica is the best selling point I can make. Free fresh breakfast daily with all locally sourced foods, native style menu with daily variety. You’ll find fresh fruit, fresh juice, some variety of egg, rice and beans, and another pastry option, possibly some kind of plantains if they are in season. The food here was SO GOOD. The dinner menu is mouthwatering. Often, we sampled each other's orders just to taste the options and not one thing that I tried was I not excited about. Every meal was made well. Breakfast and dinner being made fresh and delicious takes the biggest factor out of the trip planning. Come. Eat. Live. Pura Vida!
Hospitality: This is a family business. The night we drove in from San Jose (more on the itinerary and setting up a shuttle below) we arrived very late. They kept the kitchen open for us to be sure we were able to eat. And how kind, the food they made was just delicious every bite. The cook treats food like an art, and all of the flavors are perfected on each plate. The Restaurant was open every night except for Sunday. While we ate here many times, we also got out and enjoyed many of the other local eateries, also mentioned below. The way the drinks work: Beer, wine, water, or a variety of sodas and drinks are sold out of a cooler. You grab them yourself. You are on the honor system here to mark your choice on a clip board with your room number, keeping a tally. At the end of the week, you cash out your room costs. If you are a guest, you’re not presented with a bill for the kitchen until you are ready to check out.
Why stay ~~ Hidden Gem & Culture.... I couldn’t find it advertised. The information I could find seemed spotty or old. The Website is under review. This is a true hidden gem. If not for my girlfriend, who surfs here 3 – 4 times a year, I may never have come across this treasure. Remo, the Property Manager was extremely responsive, we Facetimed, and he walked me through the rooms, property and grounds while we were booking. He was really a blessing while I was asking MANY questions. It’s a real place with real people and it’s still got that homestyle family feel. As it should. The hotel was originally this father’s home. People driving by would stop and ask if they had any spare rooms, and slowly he begun to host guests. Now, it’s one of the original locations, giving it that local Nosara vibe, not like a luxury American Resort, but like a Costa Rica Surf Hotel should feel. The culture here and real feel are not lost on me.
Bugs? We were reminded we are in the jungle, and there may be some bugs. We killed a few ants, really not an issue for most. Another room had a swarm of ants flying (possibly termites?) that ended up being a room change late at night, which is inconvenient. The guest was allergic and the amount of ants were not okay. Thankfully there was an open room so they could treat appropriately.
Our Plan was unique. I led my third retreat, and first international retreat here. As a group of 8, we traveled from different locations in the US to meet here in paradise. We stayed doubled up in four different rooms, and followed a wellness itinerary, with lots of space for personal or private endeavors in between. I’ll share ALL for your planning.
Are you a surfer?
The surf here is special for a reason I didn’t get until I saw it. As a NY girl living in Florida, I’ve seen my share of beaches and surfers. The reason people of all levels surf here is the continuous wave pattern of 4 – 5 sets of waves rolling in. There is no under toe, the water is warm, and the consistency makes it amazing to ride. Apparently, these year-round swells make this Playa Guiones section perfect for surfers of ALL skill levels. As a beginner, we learned pretty quickly, I won’t say it was “easy” as the hardest part was the popping up part, but all who tried caught several on our first lesson. The Surf instructors point out the shallow smooth beach that is shaped like a smile, cutting nicely into the surrounding mangroves and rocks with a very gradual drop off. My son learned to surf pretty well in the week we were here. He practiced daily, often on his own. Another retreat guest surfed twice a day every day, (he learned in Cocoa Beach) and loved the wave patterns, he hasn’t surfed this much in 20 years. He was all the way out there; we don’t even have photos he was so far! He also noted a few of those times the water was pretty rough, and the beginners stay closer inland while the more experiences surfers are out in the whitewash.
What’s your fitness style? Yoga and MORE!
There are MANY yoga shalas in the area, and we frequented Bodhi Tree, not because it was the closest but because it’s the most elaborate. Up on the hill of Nosara, you’ll get some jungle views and ocean views depending on where you are. Each space is built with a touch of upscale luxury. There’s a restaurant, juice bar, smoothie bar, pool, tons of seating, this place is an experience in itself with out adding in a class. Some of our party tried the yoga, sound bath and aerial classes. We also walked up to the top (6 flights up) to view the Ocean Shala, which felt like a work out in itself! Most classes were in the $29.00 range. Aside from other smaller and less extravagant yoga shalas, (we met a few who prefer the Harmony Shala closest to Casa Romantica) there is much more. This is far from the only option here for getting in some fitness. For the ocean walker, there are miles of beach (for free). If you like to hike trails or even run or cycle, you’ll be much satisfied with the options right here. There are kayak tours through the mangroves, and trails all over (shared with dog walkers and horses) that are great for either a leisurely stroll of a good run.
*Cool Trail Don’t Miss– The Senderos NCA Trails – research at www.nca.cr for more information!
This path will lead you to town, the Bodhi Tree House, and many other cool spots. But most of all it’s a place where you can take in all of nature, feeling the surrounding jungle! How ever long or short you chose to walk/ hike, check it out! (We walked in flip flops from the start of the trail to Bodhi – and while there were some spots better suited for sneakers for sure, it was doable). Begins right next to Pacifico Azul Restaurant.
Adventures
The Perfect Trip contains elements of adventure, food, and rest. Nosara is the perfect location for providing this opportunity!
I suggest those planning contact Gredy, local concierge, for organizing turtle tours at Ostional Wildlife Preserve, surfing lessons, ATV tours, sugar cane farm excursion, and horseback riding (among other options). Gredy was very responsive, kind, informative, and made our trip better because of who he is. Gredy organized our ATV tour through the jungle which took us to Pilas Blancas waterfall (the only waterfall running during the season) and to the Sugar Cane Farm, where we pressed our own sugar cane (followed by adding some moonshine). A shuttle picked us up at Casa Romantica for $50.00 round trip (also organized by Gredy). The ride was about 20 minutes to their location, here we got a quick lesson in riding ATVs and fitted for helmets and gators to protect our faces. Our guides led us, and we followed carefully. The tour took us into the real jungle, through small bodies of water, up hills, over rocks, it was quite the adventure! Steering and navigating were just fun. We saw monkeys overhead and Gredy made sure to point them out. I was super excited as up until then I’d not seen monkeys in the wild, I’d been hearing them but continued to not spy any.
ATV Tour: The 3-hour ride was the type of excursion that “stops your rolodex of thought” as John put it (one of our retreat guests) and requires all of your abilities to be in the moment. This is an exercise in presence. Being present is tricky!
We arrived at Pilas Blancas and descended about 50 steps which were irregular and steep. Our guides surprised us with watermelon, pineapple and fresh watermelon and cut some fresh fruit for us while we enjoyed cooling off in the beauty of the waterfall. We climbed up the side of the cliff and leaped approximately 35 feet into the cold water below. Some climbed a nearby tree and jumped as well. (SCARY!) I saw a huge iguana, and enjoyed lots of birds, this is paradise.
At the top prior to getting back on our ATV’s, we had a sugar cane experience. El Flaco, the farmer who has owned the land for decades, showed us how the press worked, and we loaded the long stalks of sugar cane into one side while turning the dial, and the machine squeezes out the juice from the plant. We were served the most delicious, sweet drink in a small shell. It was the icing on the cake when they pulled out the moonshine for another round. I mixed mine with the sugar cane for a delightful treat! As we were leaving, and I was taking in the magnificence of the land, I asked about the farm and how much land they owned, to which I was told over 100 hetors, which is more than an acre. They shared that the farmer is struggling to pay the taxes and being pressured by local gov’t to sell the land at the top of the mountain (where there’s a view of the ocean) for building. This made me terribly sad. I know how it feels to be priced out of your home. There should be a provision worked in that allows families to keep their land.
Horseback Riding: This 90-minute tour began at a location about an easy 12-minute walk from our Hotel, Casa Romantica. Gredy, booked for me with Eduardo who was great. Both gentlemen were a positive exchange making this simple and fun. We found the wooded area across from Surf Simply, right passed the Beach Dog Café, where the good-looking horses were waiting. Eduardo was looking for us. We expressed what type of horses we each preferred, “slow and calm”, “very steady”, “fast”. Once we got to going, it was clear the horses knew the way and walk this trek often. The trail cuts through a parallel path running across from the beach, and I’d seen this trail on our walk to the beach not realizing it was the horse path. It winds through the jungle, a neighborhood under construction, some really beautiful beach lined trails.
My horse, named Palomino, was an opportunist, stopping to snack along the way with some nibbles as she wished on passing bushes and trees. Although I tried to steer my horse, she was determined to snack when and where she wished. It became a joke because my friends on their horses, know I am the snacker of our party, lol. When we looped around the beautiful pathway coming out from around the far corner of the Nosara Hotel, we were able to catch the stunning sunset, in its array of vibrant color. We took a few photos and tried to capture the beauty of the moment. Then we trailed back along the beach to our drop off/ pick up location. Our guides took photos they later shared through WhatsApp.
This was a fun wellness activity putting us in touch with nature. We laughed as Eduardo asked did we want to gallop, and our horses promptly kicked it up. Most of our walk was a gentle trot, with a few speed ups or slowdowns. We felt pretty wild! Some horses were more responsive to the reins than others (mine being less responsive) but we totally got each other. John's horse, "Slow Mo" got that name because he "used to be crazy" we were told. It was fun to hear about the horses and to experience their personalities so personally.
Surfing Lessons: Nosara CR Surf School
Our instructors were well versed and able to coach and get us up and surfing. So was it worth it, yes! Boards were good and they offered us zinc face cream, also having items for sale or to borrow. They allowed me to change our 5-person reservation from 6 people down to 5, and even switch days, as the original day was just too windy for a beginner to learn easily. When I asked to move due to the wind, they said, “the water is shallow, it’s ok”, however I’d watched the 8 am group getting out on the water and saw how hard they were working against the wind. I knew the day prior my son and our friends surfed without that much wind, and it was less of a struggle to get into the water. However, I was also told that we’d have 1 coach for every 2 people. We were given 2 coaches for 5, and the one in our group who was really advanced, got no coaching. He said, “I’ll see you in an hour”, and went totally on his own out deeper. I would have been happier if he’d have gotten something more out of it.
Here's how it worked: We arrived about 15 minutes prior to our 10 am appointment and signed the safety waivers. We were offered a locker for our belongings; however, we had a friend not surfing who carried our bag (I didn’t want to leave cash). She also took some photos for us of the lessons. You should not leave loose items on the beach in Nosara, we were told this by multiple people. We still left loose flip flops and a hat and had no problem retrieving. But we were told not to leave beach towels, clothes, or personal items as they may become “community property”. We used team work to carry our boards, having two people carry two boards on the 7-minute walk to the beach. We followed a dead-end trail across from Howler’s Beach Lounge and there was a little shady spot at the top where our friend camped out. Our lessons were 90-minutes, but we were back at the shop about 12:15. Our instructor also took a few photos for us. I was so thirsty, thank God I had that water bottle. It was a hot day and although the water was literally warm, and perfect, surfing is quite the work out! We were so long in the sand practicing the pop up and getting our movements in I was wondering if we’d have time to catch waves. He taught us to shuffle in, as not to step on any sting rays.
Once in the water and ready to surf, I could not have surfed without the instructor telling me when to get up. It takes a minute to find your rhythm, and because I’ve paddle boarded, my muscle memory really wanted to get up in that method. The waves in Nosara are long and steady, but not fast. So, it’s more important to balance than to move fast I learned. I rode two waves all the way into the shore and caught two that I rode partially in. Then every other attempt I either knocked off before I got up, during, or right after. But it was FUN. The most fun I’ve ever had. YES that fun.
After surfing I felt beat up and victorious. Quick photos for freezing the moment. We walked our boards back over to the shop, and then Jen and I ran back to the guy who we’d passed selling fresh cold coconuts! $2.00 USD per coconut. And we bought a birthday gift from a local artisan by the corner for our friend Michelle who was celebrating her B-day the next day. And I bought myself a necklace and a bracelet. All the jewelry was so lovely, handmade unique pieces with beautiful stones and looked like “Costa Rica” to me.
Deep Sea Fishing Tour:
Viert’s Secret Spot – Surf & Fishing Charter
WhatsApp - +506 8616 1196
Captain with over 17 years of experience, who will take you out and customize your experience. His boats have all of the proper gear you will need for success in your experience. Easy to work with and extremely knowledgeable of the area. My friend caught a 50 lb. tuna on her birthday, which was her goal! On the boat of 4, with Captain and first mate there were a few other fish caught and returned, but the highlight was eating fresh tuna 20 minutes out of the water! The captain navigated through the waters on a windy morning, explaining the winds would die down once the moon went down (which was true) and also leading the boat to an area more desirable to be, away from the rocky wind. Good music and excellent attitude. The most amazing occurrence were the hundreds of dolphins surrounding the boat, yes hundreds, who were leaping, spinning, and living their literal best life out in the Pacific.
Wildlife:
Arribadas is a natural phenomenon that happens once a month on the Natural Refuge of Ostional where massive amounts of turtles come up to nest. If you can catch this during your stay, definitely do! Contact Gredy, who will keep you in the loop of turtle activity.
We saw: monkeys, many many beautiful birds, white nosed coati, fox squirrels, capybara, and an agouti, (which is rarer to see). I saw a few large iguanas. My friends out on the Deep Sea Chater had an amazing encounter with hundreds of bottle nosed dolphins. But keep your eyes peeled as often you are surrounded and don't see all of the wildlife that sees you. In the morning with the sunrise, you hear the jungle come alive and the waves outside. This is an amazing moment.
It could be said that all we did was eat, but the pictures of our Retreat tell otherwise!
The Food and other Landmarks :
We ate at the following places and highly recommend:
Underlined text opens to link associated for your convenience, I am not affiliated, just sharing!
* Indicates a do not miss location.
*Casa Romantica Restaurant – Delicious menu. Breakfast was available each morning with so many great foods. Dinners were outstanding. The chef made fish caught fresh off the fishing charter boat and delivered it to the guests staying. Staff are excellent with attention to detail. Website under construction.
*La Taverna – AMAZING VIEW from above at The Nosara Beach Motel – this Mediterranean vibe will whisk you away to Greece with its arched scenes. Recommend for lunch.
La Luna – slightly down the trail from the Nosara Beach Motel, but on the beach rather than elevated like the view at La Taverna. Great place to eat and watch the sun set.
Olga’s Beach Bar – casual beach front dining right on the beach. The best way to get here is to walk along the sands! One of the oldest establishments in the area, also locally owned and operated. They have a play hall where there are some games under the large, covered space, and many tables outside. Lots of dogs are friendly here. The menu is authentic food fresh and delicious.
*Posada Margherita – This Italian food with every ingredient made freshly that day, including the pasta, where the owner will come out and go through the entire menu with you. We enjoyed our meal. We met news anchor, Dan Harris and his wonderful family here.
Blue Zone Brewery – Stop here for drinks and ceviche!
*Destiny Café – Great for smoothies, delicious.
Huacas – Was a fun vibe with unique delicious drinks but was a bit on the extra costly side.
**Coyol – Yes! The extra extra – get a taxi (not a tuk tuk) and drive up the hills to Coyol. This beautiful location overlooks beach and jungle views from above with lush rainforest and fancy smancy setting. There is a swing you’ve got to sit on and enjoy a moment to take it all in! The food? We loved the ribs and short ribs, and all of the sides were delicious. Known for their smoked meats which smell divine walking up.
La Brasa – Argentinian Grill right next to the Food court featuring some delicious foods of all flavors. Sushi, Italian, Indian, ice cream, gelato, this little collection of eateries is one for everybody. In our party, they LOVED the Indian cuisine going back several times.
Howlers – Burritos, and tacos, the good vibes and easy delicious food right every time. We were walking around the block just to grab a burrito snack. Fun environment with locally sourced fresh ingredients.
Juice Go - Acai bowl heaven, with the healthy options fresh and delicious.
All the Food - All the places - just filled us physically and emotionally!
We hated to leave, but had to go! On our final day we had an early departure.
Our Puddle Jumper flight from Sansa Air to San Jose (apx.$135 USD a piece) took 45 minutes. Four Tuk Tuk's were prearranged to pick us up at 6 am. For a 7:15 flight we'd arrived at 6:15. We showed our passports, weighed our bags, and then waited for the plane to land that would quickly turn around to take us on our way. It was a windy day, and we were a little skeptical, yes, we did feel the current of wind in the plane. As the pilot assured us, "it's ok". The views from the 12-seater were magnificent. The planes are not pressurized, so it's a different flight experience. This was really its own excursion and I'm glad to have both driving and flying in my memory bank. When we landed in San Jose we were going different directions. Some flying to Fort Lauderdale, others to Orlando, and a small group of us stayed one more night in the city before an early flight the next day. We hugged, wished each other well, and our wellness retreat officially ended on the runway with jokes about how we may need a few days off to sleep form all that wellness.
At 8 am, our small group of four shuttled to our Hampton by Hilton at the San Jose Airport. This location was chosen due to proximity of where we wanted to be for the last day. Stress free! We arrived at 8:15 am, very early for check in, but took advantage of a feast for breakfast and gave the front desk our bags to hold while we figured out the transportation for a coffee tour, of Britt Coffee Farm. This is the closest location to the airport. I did not find the consigner a joy to work with, as I prefer saving money and I'm sure they get commission. But they did call me our ride, which showed up promptly and stayed with us while we toured.
We were tired. The ride was about 30 minutes outside of the city, but it was fun to see how the life cycle of coffee grows. I am not a coffee drinker, but I sampled many of the varieties offered. (maybe because I needed caffeine lol maybe it's just better in Costa Rica.) Our Calithea was chosen to be a coffee taster, and she did a fabulous job on the stage! Our favorite part was the small butterfly garden which was a colorful vibrant delight. We had a little too much fun in the gift shop before loading back into the van for our ride back.
San Jose Airport is not actually in San Jose, but nearby Alajuela. This impacts your planning as driving through San Jose is just a traffic jam. It's not actually near any real activities. It's not super safe in the area. Plan accordingly. After a little rest time at the hotel, we walked over the casino for dinner where we played a little, and I won back my money in a slot! We got in a little trouble for snapping photos (oops) but that girls face of us taking the photo was worth it.
Aaaahhhh. So fun. Sunday morning, we flew home.
Tips for Traveling to Costa Rica:
The Culture is AMAZING. Stay in a humble location and experience some of the real life.
*USD is accepted mostly everywhere. They prefer cash. If they give you change, you'll most likely receive it in Colons unless you first request USD, which they may or may not do.
*We were told many times to be careful with personal items and pick pockets or missing items in community places are common. We had no issues, but also, we were vigilant.
*Our hotel has a security guard who was awesome, and two "guard dogs" circulate, they are very friendly and kind but do alert the guard if anyone is on site. They are particularly well trained. This made us feel very safe.
*People bury their flip flops in the sand while surfing to not risk losing them. We did not bury, and did not lose, but it's good advice.
*Ask locals about where to eat and what to do. Almost everyone we spoke to had a suggestion and they were never wrong. The people are SO FRIENDLY!
*Pepperoni had free dance lessons Wednesday nights at 7 pm. We walked there after eating at Olgas, had a few drinks, and danced the night away. Perfect for salsa, merengue, and fun learning! See if this is happening during your visit and if so - check it out!
*Tuk Tuk (small golf carts) are very easy to order and work like an Uber does.
*Carry singles for tipping or buying small items.
*San Jose International Airport is in Costa Rica, and not San Juan! San Juan is in Puerto Rico and kept coming up as an option for my search, making me confused each time.
*High Season (as you'll hear it referred to) means the time between December and April when it's a high tourist hot spot. They get very busy at Christmas and New Years and flight prices will reflect the demand!
*Low Season (as you'll hear referenced) is May through November, meaning low tourism and lower prices!
*February is the best month to visit for whale watching
*March and April are dry and sunny making this the ideal time for outdoor activities
*Green Season - is May - November, best for those more adventurous
*Little Summer - is July and August with a typical decrease in rainfall, but full of fresh rains making it great for waterfalls, rafting and lush landscapes.
*Hurricane Season runs from June to November be aware of potential impacts to your travel plan, although the LOW SEASON means low tourism and prices.
*SHOES? Footwear is always a question; we did not need water shoes in the Oceans of Playa Guiones as the sand was soft and fine. We did bring close toed sneakers for ATVs and horseback riding as suggested. We wore flip flops to the beach, and sandals to lunch or dinner.
Pricing:
I was able to offer this retreat for the amazing low price of $1800 a piece. All were happy with the end result and pricing. I do not believe this trip can be done for less, but this is realistic pricing for the above itinerary. For international travel this is a steal! Flights were particularly high during our Spring Break in March, and if I went again, I'd travel at a time more conducive to flights. This was planned around the teacher schedule to make our retreat timing convenient.
Where are we going? Popular destinations such as Tamarindo and Playa Del Coco (Cocoa Beach) have become high rise cities with many tourists. While beautiful and fun spots, they are a little more commercialized and developed for my Costa Rica Pura Vida taste.
Appreciatively
All praises to YHWY our Father who answered my prayers.
Special Thank You! To those who attended Costa Rica Wellness trusting me with this event and allowing use of our photos. Also to My son Darrien, who signed up for this retreat and invested in an amazing experience with lifelong memories. Thank you to Angelique, of Whole Image Wellness who taught me how to make this a success. Check out her upcoming retreats HERE.
Wherever your travels take you, be sure to keep your presence in the moment.
~Nature is healing, grounding and living. Tune in.
~Enjoy where you are at. Be a little flexible with people and their navigation of time.
~Let go of things you can't control.
~Remember to put your people above things, and cherish the memories.
~Do things that will make you proud of yourself when you recall later.
~Live more, in abundance and walk in your own footsteps.
~Breathe fresh air, feel the flow of water, and find your own level.
~Wherever you travel, bring a little piece home in your heart.
As a blogger, I enjoy helping families spend more time enjoying their quality time together and less time having to figure it all out. My four children have been my test subjects of how to plan a great family adventure for many years and now that my youngest is 20, many of my travels are work related, or grandma related! As time has changed, I've evolved but I still LOVE TO TRAVEL, explore, wander, visit, discover, learn and love. If nature is there, I can find my happy place. I use the term "single" not to emphasize my status but to signify that if I can manage some family fun on a limited teacher's salary with four children, anyone can do it. I am very intentional in how I spend my time and earnings. I typically seek out budget friendly ways to enjoy my time, but will occasionally splurge for the right reasons :-)
Happy Travels!!
God Bless every road you travel on. xo
Mz. Savvy
A note from the editor:
The information in this article was accurate when published but may change without notice. Confirm details when planning your trip. I hope this makes it easier for your planning process.
Thank you for stopping by today! Please share your thoughts and experiences, we are all on this journey to live and love together. I welcome your travel tips & tricks :-)
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