Last weekend we celebrated 5 years of marriage in Costa Rica and I’m sharing all the details to help you plan your next trip! I visited Costa Rica nearly 15 years prior with my sister and still consider that trip to be one of the best trips I’ve taken. You may be wondering why Costa Rica considering the other amazing destinations I’ve traveled, like Bali and Greece. That trip, in particular, was special because we were able to hike to multiple waterfalls and enjoy them (just the two of us) thanks to a torrential downpour the previous night. Think muddy and dangerous (I realize that now) conditions that no one else ventured out in. That experience sparked my love for waterfalls and is the only time I’ve experienced the beauty of a waterfall without being surrounded by other tourists.
The Decision
My husband has heard all about that trip, so being able to experience Costa Rica with him was super special. We fell in love with this stunning vacation rental and set out creating the perfect anniversary trip centered around it. The property was located in an area called Portalon, 3-4 hours from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO). One of the biggest decisions was to drive or not to drive. For nearly $500 per person roundtrip, we could take a small plane (under 10 passengers small) from SJO to Quepos, a neighboring town. The plus side? Getting there in 30 minutes. The downside? We’d still need to rent a car, which was also around $500 given the high cost of full coverage for rental cars in Costa Rica.
We booked the small plane, then cancelled within the 24 hour cancellation period and decided to drive. After watching a few YouTube videos that showed the road conditions, I was confident in this decision. It was like driving from Orlando to Miami – a trip we make often – just in another country. We rented a car through Alamo, which was a short, complimentary shuttle ride from the airport. We used Waze to navigate and we were able to pay the tolls with a credit card. The views were beautiful. It was as if the clouds were kissing the mountain tops.
In House Chef
One of the best decisions we made for our trip was hiring Flavors506 to prepare dinner for us on the night we arrived. Chef Erick works with Osa Property Management frequently, so they were able to grant him access at 5:00 PM. We arrived closer to 6:00 PM and I can’t express how nice it was to walk into the villa to the aroma of fresh food after a long day of traveling. Chef Erick and his sous chef were personable and professional and the food was delicious. We opened a bottle of wine and had the most relaxing dinner. I was filled with gratitude to be in such a beautiful space with my favorite person.
Day 2 Goes Awry
The next day we had a photoshoot booked with La Vida in Life Photography at 4:30 PM. We had a slow Friday morning, then ventured off to Monarca Coffee Shop. If you’re in Quepos or one of the neighboring towns, I recommend stopping by for breakfast or lunch. The coffee shop is home to a butterfly garden (I think I’ve sold you on visiting based on that alone!) and the food is good. We decided on chai tea lattes and chicken paninis with fries before spending some time admiring the butterflies.
Before heading back to the villa, we decided we’d make dinner at home and relax after the photoshoot. We stopped to a supermarket and purchased steak and ice cream to go with the coconut rice, vegetables, and tres leches we had left over from the meal the chef prepared the night before. By the time we got back and poured a glass of wine – or two – it was time to get dressed for the photoshoot. The day was going perfectly until, as I was finishing my makeup, it started storming out of nowhere. We were hoping it would stop, but it didn’t. Cara, the photographer, arrived and we chatted for a bit. With no end to the rain in sight, we decided to reschedule the photoshoot for 6:30 AM the next morning.
We were grateful that we already had dinner figured out and did not have to venture out in the rain. The villa is in The Estates of Portalon high up a hill that’s only accessible with a 4×4 vehicle – not ideal terrain to drive in during a storm for foreigners. The locals are used to the terrain and are totally unbothered! My next dilemma was my hair. It was straight that day, but was already getting frizzy from the humidity. I knew that we were shooting the next morning rain or shine, so I begrudgingly washed it that night and braided it in two French braids. I figured washing it would enable me to control the outcome rather than starting with straight hair and the weather transforming it while shooting. Natural hair problems!
It’s Our Anniversary
The next morning, on our actual anniversary, we got up bright and early for photos before a horseback riding tour to Nauyaca Waterfall. The weather was beautiful despite storming through the night. I looked outside, looked at my hair, and instantly regretted washing it. With no time to do anything about it, I gave myself a pep talk and smiled through it. We had a great time taking the photos, but I just knew I wasn’t going to like any of them because I did not like my hair. I was pleasantly surprised when Cara sent us the gallery. I now feel grateful to have professional photos with my hair in its natural state for the first time. Book the shoot!
Chasing Waterfalls
After the photos, we changed and headed to the meeting spot for our tour. When I was a little girl, we had two horses named Polki and Palmetto. I’ve always loved horses, and you now know I love waterfalls, so this was the best tour we could’ve booked. My horse’s name was Paloma and he was the sweetest. We rode our horses on a path that took about 40 minutes, and even trotted through a small creek, before arriving at Nauyaca Waterfall. We spent an hour there soaking up the beauty, then saddled up for lunch. While we were eating, it started raining. This time, not a torrential downpour. It was more like a steady light to medium rainfall. How many people can say they went horseback riding in the rain? The rain made the experience even more memorable.
Massages + Dinner
Before we knew it, it was time to say goodbye to our horses and head back to the villa. We had in house massages scheduled at 4:30 PM with Serenity Spa Massages. We booked the deluxe couples massage, which consisted of a hot stone massage, foot scrub, and reflexology. It was one of the best massages we’ve received and we are no strangers to couples massages in the states with The Ritz Carlton Orlando being one of our favorites. By this time, I was feeling so grateful for the magical day we had celebrating year 5 together. Afterwards, we got dressed and headed to dinner at Terrazzo by Issimo. It was dark, so we missed the views, but the service and food were great. I could not have asked for a more perfect day.
Last Day in Paradise
Sunday was our last day in Costa Rica with Monday being a travel day. We decided to get a day pass at Playitas Beach Club & Restaurant. The resort was so hard to find! It was down a steep hill with no signs. Thankfully, right before giving up, we asked someone at another resort for help and he was able to direct us there. The beach club is inside Arenas Del Mar, which seems to be a beautiful place to stay if you’re looking for a resort in Quepos. We met a couple that has been staying there twice a year for 5 years.
For $100 per person, which goes towards your food and drinks, you can stay until 5:00 PM and enjoy the private beach and small pool. They provide daybeds and towels for you. Everything was good here and we will definitely return. I loved that it was very laid back, not a party scene at all. After spending the day at Playitas, we decided we’d stay in again and enjoy the villa for our final night in Costa Rica. We stopped to a different supermarket and bought fresh corn, lobster tails, and more wine. I realized that this trip marked the first time I actually cooked in another country! I enjoyed it – I think because I was obsessed with the house!
The next morning it was time to say goodbye to our beautiful 3-bedroom villa. We joked about how we should’ve invited other couples given the space. We made use of each room (wink wink) and enjoyed having the property all to ourselves. We timed everything perfectly and made it to our gate about 45 minutes before boarding – just enough time to grab Starbucks and head home. If you’ve considered visiting Costa Rica, I highly recommend you do so. The lush landscapes (I know that sounds so commercial, but it’s true), beautiful beaches, and laid back lifestyle is something you’ll want to experience. Rain or shine, you’ll have a great time!
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