New years are for setting new goals, right? Well getting out of the country and striving for more spontaneity is always high up there for us…And we got two for the price of one on this trip! Just spent a long weekend on the western coast of Costa Rica, and two weeks ago we didn’t know this trip existed. The best kind of scramble!

A villa through Exclusive Resorts on Peninsula Papagayo became available, so…We booked it, called up a couple of college friends who said yes over the phone and we were on our way! Never could I have anticipated the wonder I would experience throughout the stay. I knew Costa Rica would be beautiful, but I wasn’t expecting breathtaking at every turn.

DAY ONE

To get to the western part of the country, it’s easiest to land at Liberia International Airport. Flight travel was fairly easy from Dallas—quick connection in Houston— and we picked up the car we booked just off airport grounds. A single, one-lane highway riddled with tiny supermercados and melon stands connects you from the airport to Peninsula Papagayo. Following the traffic signs was simple, and once we made that turn toward the peninsula, it was like watching the gates of Heaven opening before us. Our awe was audible from the rental car! Not to mention that Costa Rican sunset…

We stayed in Venado 2 through Exclusive Resorts, which was simply fabulous. A golf cart, full service, a couple of private beach clubs. What more could you want or need?! Our entire group was reunited and ready to go! Also on the peninsula is a gorgeous Four Seasons that we walked to for a fresh seafood dinner that first night, morning coffees and acai bowls. Our group kept echoing the same sentiments the entire trip: “Life is not real here!” The privacy, staff, adventure options, wildlife and scenery were unparalleled. It feels as though you’re on your own island, and that island is Jurassic Park. But the menacing dinosaurs are replaced with adorable monkeys who want to steal your chips and guac.

View from our rental car. Highway connecting Liberia Airport to Peninsula Papagayo.

DAY TWO

The first morning will be seared in my brain forever. Chris and I woke up early to enjoy a quiet morning with books and coffees on the balcony while a chef came to prepare breakfast. Lost in our reads, we looked up to see a troop of white-faced, Capuchin monkeys descending onto our deck! I immediately started talking to them, wanted to feed them snacks…And Chris was busy moving all of our belongings inside. (I call them cute, locals call them thieves.) We couldn’t believe what we were seeing! Our friends can vouch for me here—from that moment on, I had a tough time paying attention to much more than when the monkeys would visit next.

We spent a good deal of the day at the two beach clubs on the property— Poro Poro and Prieta. Aside from being the perfect place to lounge and enjoy a couple of Imperial beers, both locations also offered a wide variety of beach activities. We borrowed snorkel gear, kayaks, and booked a boat excursion for the late afternoon! Four hours of marine bliss. Our guide took us ashore into caves, tubing and snorkeling out at sea—Wish I had an underwater camera, because he was handling puffer fish and starfish for our group to examine up close! All of the action followed by good music, fresh fruit and another cotton-candy sunset.

That night we had Exclusive Resorts bring us a grill pack so that we could relax at home over dinner! Highly recommend. We threw six steaks over the coals, decanted some red wine and played cards the rest of the night. The perfect end to a perfect day.

Morning robes + monkeys! My favorite part of the trip.

DAY THREE

No monkeys the next morning over breakfast, unfortunately. But another great day of relaxation and adventure at Poro Poro Beach Club! Hot tubbing, reading, poolside lunch to name a few. And that afternoon we booked a new thrill— Electric mountain biking!

I will be the first to say that trail biking is not in my wheelhouse, but experiencing something new always is. We had a great guide who took us for a sunset ride, helped us summit to some unbelievable views and taught us a lot about the peninsula itself. I think all of us are now trying to justify how we buy electric bikes for the city…Those things pack a punch.

For the last supper, we drove to a tapas restaurant called Chao Pescao. We mass ordered from every page on the menu, toasted the holiday weekend and sipped our final “island” cocktails. It really was a trip to remember.

FAREWELL

The next day, the group departed at different times. Back to home, back to reality. I think I speak for all of us when I say we were very sad to see the trip come to an end. And for me, another reminder that memories, time and experiences are the most precious gifts we have. Call up the old friends, get out of town, stamp that passport and see the world. There’s so much out there to appreciate if you’ll just say yes…And book the ticket. Have heard from so many of you with Costa Rica questions—Ask me anything and I’ll try to help. And a travel vlog coming soon! xo.