I often 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 driving in the mountains there — and then, regardless that I’ve by no means actually ridden a horse, I may barely consider anything: the overwhelming greenery, the crisp mountain mist, the mushy clip-clop of horse hooves trotting damp earth. I had 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 means 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 find out how 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 children, and in-laws, the place we explored the surf of Tamarindo and the mountains of Arenal for every week in August throughout Costa Rica’s moist season. 

In Tamarindo, we stayed on the Resort Capitan Suizo

A captivating beachfront boutique lodge with unassuming integrity, heat employees, and distinct facilities that honor the native timber and wildlife. Resort Capitan Suizo opened immediately onto the seaside through 5 modest picket stairs. The fluidity between our keep and the sand created the right quantity of freedom for our multi-generational entourage.

We began day by day in 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 checklist. Useless to say, to strive and stand on the ocean was one of the crucial humbling experiences of my grownup life. 

After three mornings of (swish) 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 in the ocean because the solar was rising, beginning every day with the humility of doing one thing new and exterior my consolation zone. 

Tamarindo is thought for its sunsets

We loved unimaginable seafood — ceviche, purple snapper, and the Pangas Mariscada — on the Pangas Seaside Membership. We sat below twinkling lights on the seaside because the sky turned pink, orange, and purple. 

In each Tamarindo and Arenal, we beloved the native flavors of Costa Rica

We regularly paired our breakfast with a aspect of gallo pinto, Costa Rica’s conventional breakfast. In Arenal, we have 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, day by day. 

In Arenal, we acquired 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 could be. Reserving the primary tour of the day—8am!—on the Mistico Hanging Bridges gave our family 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 — virtually stress-free if you’ll — to hand the small print over to a trusted another person (all the things from determining transportation between factors to ensuring we have been supporting native and environmentally accountable companies all through our journey). Finally, I acquired the journey I needed and solely had to concentrate on the elements that would go away us with lasting recollections.