Costa Rica Chronicles: Our Memorable Second Half of the Journey

Setting off on a family adventure in Costa Rica, we were filled with excitement, eager to craft cherished memories while immersing ourselves in the breathtaking landscapes of this Central American paradise. Little did we know that our journey would take an unexpected turn, leading us to make the tough decision to cut our trip short. In this blog, we share the reasons behind our choice to end our Costa Rican adventure prematurely and reflect on the challenges we faced while traveling with our energetic boys.

Exploring Costa Rica as a Family

Travel days with our boys were undeniably a challenge for all of us. Whenever we transitioned to a new location, it typically took our boys about three days to fully adapt. This experience underscored the significance of structure and predictability in their lives. However, amidst these initial challenges, we also witnessed some wonderful developments. Our children not only settled into each new place but thrived. It was heartwarming to see them learn to swim, ride horses, make new friends, and truly savor the journey. While my wife and I relished art galleries, shopping, and dining at charming restaurants, these activities proved rather dull for our boys. They craved entertainment, playtime, pizza, and ice cream, regardless of our location or the activities on offer. This made our trip a constant juggling act between pursuing our own interests and ensuring our kids remained engaged.

Stays in Various Places

Our last month in Costa Rica saw us exploring a range of places. Samara, a small town with an authentic feel, offered respite from the more touristy spots like Tamarindo and Playa Flamingo. Initially, we were a bit apprehensive about Samara, especially after leaving the vibrant atmosphere of Tamarindo. However, as time went on, we found ourselves enjoying our stay there. The only downsides were the beaches lacking surf, the absence of those magical beach sunsets, and somewhat murky waters. On the bright side, we discovered some delectable yet budget-friendly restaurants, and the presence of three full-service grocery stores simplified our meal planning. Samara’s paved roads were also a welcome change from the challenging roads we had encountered elsewhere.

Our initial accommodation, Casa Bamboo, had a striking bamboo construction and a promising pool. However, upon arrival, we were met with a smaller pool than expected (10’x17′) and a house overrun by various bugs, including bats, wasp nests, tarantulas, ants, and noisy geckos. We had originally planned to stay there for six weeks but decided to leave after just over two weeks due to these issues. This experience also highlighted our dissatisfaction with Airbnb, as it made changing our plans more complicated compared to hotels. Fortunately, the property owners agreed to let us leave early, but Airbnb’s reluctance and pushiness in this matter left a sour taste in our mouths.

Next, we stayed at Casa Pacifica, a beautiful house with a casita for extra guests, featuring an intriguing pool design that transitioned from 3 to 7 feet within a two-foot section. During our stay, our two best friends surprised us by bringing my brother and sister-in-law along, making it one of the most memorable parts of our trip. The house was conveniently located near Hideaway Hotel, offering exceptional food and outstanding ceviche. It also provided us with stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, bodyboards, and snorkeling equipment, making beach adventures a breeze. We even kayaked to Chora Island, an undiscovered gem in Samara.

Playa Guiones, with its beautiful beaches and surfer-friendly atmosphere, became another stop on our journey. The town had numerous restaurants and a fantastic skatepark for kids, complete with a bouldering wall and slackline. Grocery options included a fully stocked Rindemas store in Nosara and a smaller, albeit overpriced, Organico store in Guiones. However, the dirt roads leading to Playa Guiones were riddled with potholes, a local quirk that was rumored to protect the area from overdevelopment due to its status as a sea turtle nesting ground. Regardless of the reason, navigating Guiones was a challenge, except for the paved main highway from Garza to Nosara.

Our stay at Casa Peniche in Playa Guiones featured a three-story house with an ocean-view rooftop deck, an impressive pool, and a covered outdoor cooking area. During our time there, friends we had met in Tamarindo, Cuco, Lisa, and Lucy, came to visit. These wonderful people will surely become lifelong friends, and during their stay, Cuco proposed to Lisa, creating a lasting memory for all of us.

Monte Verde

Before leaving Costa Rica, we decided to take our boys to Monte Verde to experience the Sky Walk on the hanging bridges. The four-hour drive from Guiones started well, with decent roads by Costa Rican standards. However, as we ascended the mountain, the road deteriorated, featuring massive potholes and alternating between dirt and pavement. Two-way traffic, including tour buses, navigated this narrow, single-lane road in some sections, which added a touch of adventure to our journey.

We had booked what we thought was a fantastic hotel for the night, complete with a kitchen. Unfortunately, upon arrival, we discovered that we had booked a hostel with a shared kitchen. While it would have been manageable for my wife and me, the room had gaps in the windows and under the door, allowing mosquitoes to join us at night, compounding the mosquito problem that had already plagued us throughout the trip.

The following morning, we embarked on our Sky Walk adventure, and it did not disappoint. The kids loved exploring the hanging bridges and the rich flora and fauna of the cloud forest. The walk consisted of eight bridges of varying lengths, each offering stunning views. Of course, our boys’ boundless energy had them racing from one bridge to the next, missing some of the unique plants and trees along the way. After completing the Sky Walk, we visited the sloth tour, where we were lucky to witness most of the sloths being unusually active. Given that sloths sleep about 17 hours a day, this was a special experience for the boys, who got up close and personal with these fascinating creatures.

Alajuela

Our journey concluded in Alajuela, a bustling city where we stayed at the conveniently located Hotel Aeropuerto, a 12-minute drive from the international airport. The hotel featured an excellent restaurant with a microbrewery. During our brief stay here, my uncle Mike, who was in San Jose for dental work, visited us. We spent quality time in the hotel restaurant while the boys enjoyed video games, dominos, Jenga, mini cornhole, and other games provided in the play area. This made our visit with my uncle even more enjoyable. In the morning, we savored a budget-friendly and delicious breakfast at the restaurant, setting a pleasant tone for our travel day. The only downside was the dirty pool, which deterred us from letting the kids swim, especially since our son Fletcher had been dealing with skin infections.

Visits to the Doctors’ Office

Overall, our experiences with medical care in Costa Rica were on par with what we’d receive in doctors’ offices in the United States, with some aspects even surpassing our expectations, such as on-site pharmacies, imaging, and labs that reduced wait times. During our two-and-a-half-month trip, we visited doctors’ offices seven times.

I sought medical attention for back pain in Playa Flamingo, while Alli experienced stomach issues in Samara. Unfortunately, our son Fletcher developed a recurring skin infection, with swollen, pus-filled bumps appearing on his body. In Samara, a doctor had to lance one of the bumps, leaving the wound open to drain. This prevented him from swimming in pools or the ocean and using bug spray. He received three rounds of intravenous antibiotics over three days. However, when the infections returned on his legs in Playa Guiones, we decided to seek medical help again. This time, he was put on oral antibiotics. It was the tipping point for us. With the inability to protect him from mosquito bites outdoors and his exclusion from swimming activities, the fun of our trip was diminished. We were all suffering from relentless mosquito attacks during our Costa Rican adventure, and it became evident that the bug spray we were using lacked the necessary protection. This ultimately led to our difficult decision to cut our trip short.

Reflecting on Our Costa Rican Journey

In hindsight, our Costa Rica adventure was filled with unforgettable moments, unexpected challenges, and plenty of life lessons. While we had to end our journey prematurely due to unforeseen circumstances, the experiences and memories we gained along the way will remain with us forever. As we headed to Europe, we couldn’t help but reflect on the ups and downs of our trip, appreciating the beauty of Costa Rica while also acknowledging the importance of flexibility and adaptability when traveling with young children.

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Here are some other topics that may interest you.

• Week of First and Nostalgic Returns
• Embracing the Wild: Our Costa Rican Adventure with Bats, Spiders, and Mosquitoes
• A Comprehensive Guide to Tamarindo Costa Rica
• Tamarindo to Samara: A Journey of Adventures and Goodbyes
• Exploring Tamarindo, Costa Rica: Golf Carts, Hills, and Playa Langosta

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