We took a truly memorable trip to Costa Rica between Christmas and New Year’s Day to celebrate my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. My sister’s family came, too, so we were thirteen for our six days on the Pacific Coast.
Have you been? We were blown away at the sheer beauty of the country, from the rugged coastline to the beautiful mountains in the interior, from coffee plantations in the north to the palm plantations further to the south. On top of the the incredible natural beauty we experienced the great hospitality of the Costa Rican people. The country feels, if not prosperous, then comfortable. Compared to every other country we have been to in Central America and the Caribbean, Costa Rica feels safe and really middle-class. No need for a stay on a walled compound here!
Our hotel was magnificent, perched high above the Pacific with views like nothing I’ve ever seen before. We had a little problem with our hotel room, so Bill and I ended up being upgraded to a completely crazy room for our last two nights–private gym, closet bigger than my bathroom at home (and that’s pretty big), and two infinity pools for seven hotel rooms. But the whole property was amazing.
We zip-lined, took a volcano tour, visited a factory that produces ox carts the old-fashioned way (with water power), and boated with crocodiles. In addition to those crocodiles, we saw sloths, monkeys, toucans, macaws, cormorants, and tons of iguanas. And we got to hang out and enjoy some down time by the pools and at the hotel beach.
Finally, we celebrated New Year’s Eve at the hotel party. It started with the most amazing spread of food at the buffet line that I’ve ever seen. (I’m sorry I didn’t get pictures, but there were SIX carving stations for about 170 guests.) Then the DJ started playing and we danced the night away, not understanding a word of the music they were playing. Finally, it was time for the count-down: “Quatro…tres…dos…uno…Felize Ano Nuevo!!” And then the hotel fired off a HUGE (okay, probably only ten minutes but it was right overhead and beautiful) fireworks display. So much fun!
We were one exhausted group for the (very quiet) ride back to the airport the next morning.
Amazing. Costa Rica, you’ve won my heart. We hope to see you again soon!