The Journey Has Begun

We have embarked on a six-month adventure that will take us to Costa Rica, Portugal, Spain, and Italy. Our family, including our two young boys aged five and three, eagerly join us on this incredible journey. During the first week, we were accompanied by my brother-in-law in the breathtaking Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. As we continue, we look forward to reuniting with my wife’s mom and stepbrother in Tamarindo and meeting our good friends, Reuben and Justin, in Samara Costa Rica in August. The excitement level is soaring, reaching new heights.

The Flight

Our journey began with a midnight departure from LAX, bound for Liberia International Airport in Costa Rica. With our little ones in tow, we made the wise decision to take a red-eye flight. Thankfully, the kids slept soundly throughout the five-hour journey, despite the turbulence and an hour-long electrical storm. Unfortunately, my wife and I couldn’t find rest, partly due to our excitement and partly because of the discomfort of airline seats.

The Arrival

Nevertheless, we arrived in Costa Rica at 6 am without any major hiccups. After going through customs, we met our driver from LIR Shuttles and set off for Playa Flamingo. The scenic drive through the lush jungle treated us to the sight of monkeys and even a caiman. However, upon reaching our Airbnb, we faced our first challenge—the check-in was scheduled for 3 pm, and here we were at 7 am, with no place to store our bags. Thankfully, a kind woman named Hazel offered us the use of her condo to store our belongings for the day and even gave us a ride down the hill to a restaurant. Regrettably, we didn’t anticipate the need for swimwear and found ourselves in hot airplane attire without a suitable place to change. Since we needed groceries for the week, we decided to rent a car with air conditioning from Economy Car Rental in Flamingo. It was there that we met Ricardo, a super cool guy who would play a significant role in our adventure. And so began our wild journey of learning how to drive in Costa Rica—an experience that evoked excitement in some and apprehension in others. I’ll let you guess who felt which way.

The Beach

Once we finally settled in, our water-loving family wasted no time and headed straight to the beach. With an air temperature of 86 degrees and a water temperature of a balmy 82 degrees, the allure of the water was irresistible. Our Airbnb’s private tropical beach, nestled within a bay without imposing waves, provided a safe haven for our little ones to explore the water without the threat of strong riptides. The beach also revealed delightful tidal pools teeming with life. In just the first few days, we were fortunate enough to spot brittle stars, pufferfish, rays, an array of colorful reef fish, and, of course, the favorite of my boys—hermit crabs.

The Waterfalls

On Wednesday, we embarked on an adventure to Bagaces, which led us to the magnificent Catarata(waterfall). The sight of the massive falls left our children awestruck. It was a truly incredible place to swim, and the local guides ensured our safety in the shallow, sandy river beneath the falls. With countless waterfalls to explore, our plan for the next three months is to witness as many of these wonders as possible.

The People

Happy, warm, friendly, welcoming, humble, generous—these are the words that come to mind when describing the people we have encountered thus far. Our experience has shown us that the hospitable nature of the Ticos extends well beyond the tourist areas; it is ingrained in the fabric of the country itself. A shining example of this kindness is Ricardo, the car rental employee who has become a pivotal figure in our journey. After completing the rental process, our conversation veered toward my lifelong passion for motocross. Ricardo informed me of the popularity of motocross in Costa Rica and introduced me to his friend Bellsario, who shares the same passion. Engaging in heartfelt discussions, Bellsario invited me to join him for a ride and a meal at his home. The cherry on top of this incredible encounter is that he is allowing me to borrow gear and a motorcycle to compete at Motoland on July 6th. If everything falls into place, I’ll share the GoPro footage of my race online. I couldn’t be more thrilled.

As the first week of our remarkable six-month adventure draws to a close, gratitude fills our hearts for the incredible experiences we have already encountered. From the exhilarating flight that transported us to Costa Rica to the warm embrace of the people we met along the way, each moment has reaffirmed the beauty of exploration. The stunning beaches, the captivating waterfalls, and the genuine kindness we have encountered, represented by Ricardo and others, have unveiled the true essence of hospitality that permeates this extraordinary country. Filled with anticipation and unforgettable memories etched deep within our souls, we eagerly await the forthcoming chapters of our journey, knowing that even more incredible adventures and genuine connections lie ahead in the weeks and months to come.

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Here are some other topics that may interest you.

• A Comprehensive Guide to Tamarindo Costa Rica
• Embracing the Wild: Our Costa Rican Adventure with Bats, Spiders, and Mosquitoes
• Week of First and Nostalgic Returns
• Costa Rica Chronicles: Our Memorable Second Half of the Journey
• Tamarindo to Samara: A Journey of Adventures and Goodbyes

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