From Nervous Newcomer to Grateful Returning: My Costa Rica Journey
In my last blog post, I shared how I booked my first trip to Costa Rica just five days after my mother passed away. I was in a new world that I didn’t know how to navigate, and I needed an escape—an opportunity to breathe, process, and reconnect with myself. My boyfriend at the time (whom I affectionately called “Hippie”) and I were barely getting by, but we decided to make the trip happen. It was absolutely worth it.
We flew into San José, Costa Rica, and chose the beautiful Shawanda Lodge in Playa Chiquita for our stay. These huts were magical. Nestled deep in the jungle, they featured hammocks on the patio, vaulted ceilings, and open windows. It felt authentic and completely immersive with no air conditioning, and we loved every minute of it.
First Costa Rican Experience: Relaxing, Exploring, and Enjoying
Our first few days were spent soaking in the laid-back atmosphere of Costa Rica. We rented bikes to explore the nearby village, stopping at small family-run restaurants where we ate fresh, local food prepared by just one or two locals. It was the real Costa Rican experience, and we loved it.
Some of the highlights of the trip were the cool spots we discovered. One of our favorite hangouts was a reggae bar called Reggae Chill, where we could just relax and vibe to the music. One of my first experiences enjoying the local “flower” while swinging over the ocean on a wooden swing just out back. We also stumbled upon Rocking J’s, a unique place where we found a mind-blowing electrical forest tucked away in the back on the beach. It felt surreal, almost like a dream, and it left us in awe.
Another food highlight area was in Talamanca, where we discovered a hot spot that served some of the most fabulous lobster I’ve ever tasted. The local food was a huge part of the experience, and it always hit the spot after a day full of adventures.
We did visit the sloth sanctuary, but at the time, I was too frugal to spring for the VIP treatment, so we just wandered around on our own and met Charlie, an adorable sloth. The sloths and wildlife in Costa Rica are one of its true treasures. While there was so much to love about the trip, there were a few challenges as well.
For instance, the howler monkeys were relentless. At about 3 or 4 AM each day, they would go crazy, throwing things onto the roof of our hut. While this was a bit jarring at first, it had its benefits. We’d wake up early to witness some of the most beautiful sunrises I’ve ever seen. This early morning ritual of walking the beach became one of the best parts of the trip.
A Return to Costa Rica: Different Vibe, Same Magic
Fast forward nine years, and I found myself returning to Costa Rica, but this time with my current boyfriend of four years. We planned a five-night stay in a completely different area, and once again, we flew into San José. The first night, we decided to stay in the mountains of Costa Rica in Juntas. We booked an adorable Airbnb, and I was immediately in love with the Boho-chic decor and the view to die for. The place was incredible, and we were so excited to experience it all.
However, our first night was less than ideal. After a long drive, we arrived to find there was no hot water and no electricity. This turned out to be fairly common for the area, but it did give us a chance to experience a completely different vibe. We ended up sitting in the pool, trying to figure out what to do, and after a conversation with the owner, we received a refund and decided to go in a new direction.
We were thrilled to find another Airbnb, this one closer to Playa del Coco Beach. The place was stunning with an incredible view that we ended up staring at for hours on end. The location was perfect, giving us the best of both worlds: a tranquil, mountaintop retreat with easy access to the beach.
Just below The Lookout Bar which made for a nice, heart-pumping walk uphill to treat yourself at the peak with a refreshing mojito on the patio of this bar overlooking the ocean. I ventured up here on my own while the boyfriend rested at the infinity pool. Totally worth it!
Tip: If you’re planning to stay in places like this in Costa Rica, I strongly recommend renting an SUV. Many of the roads are dirt roads that can get muddy, and they’re not always well-traveled. However, these roads provide some of the most breathtaking views of the mountains, and an SUV will make the trip far more comfortable. Also, be aware that finding your turn might not be as easy as you think. We passed our turnoff five times before we finally found the road to our Airbnb. Pro tip: It’s probably best to avoid traveling at night if you can help it.
Unfortunately, our experience with Economy rental cars was frustrating. We ended up waiting about two hours in line to get our car, which caused us to miss our first sunset in Costa Rica. The delays were a bit of a setback, but the trip was still worth every moment.
Exploring Costa Rica’s Beaches and Food
Once we settled into our second Airbnb, we spent our days lounging by the infinity pool and exploring the beaches around Playa del Coco. We are big fans of cooking during our travels, so we made sure to hit the grocery store on day one to stock up on essentials. We enjoy preparing a few meals at home while still venturing out to sample some of the local cuisine.
When we did venture out, we found some amazing beachside restaurants in the Playa del Coco area. A few of our favorites were:
We also had the pleasure of enjoying some of the biggest lobster I’ve ever had at Claude’s on the beach. Every meal we had was incredible, and we appreciated the casual, beachy vibe of dining with our feet in the sand. Don’t forget to look up, here we saw many adorable monkeys traveling from tree to tree! What a cool sight that was.
The Heart of Costa Rica: Safety and Community
One of the things that stood out to me most during both of my trips to Costa Rica was how welcoming and friendly the locals were. Costa Rica is a country where you can feel safe, whether you’re walking along the beach at night or sitting down to enjoy a meal. Almost everyone speaks English, and we had no trouble getting around.
Costa Rica’s laid-back, community-oriented vibe is palpable. Children play basketball late into the night while families watch from the sidelines, couples stroll hand-in-hand, and everyone seems to be enjoying life at their own pace. It’s this sense of tranquility and warmth that makes Costa Rica such a special place.
With Love,
Tiffany
