In 2017, I had the chance to attend my friend Meghna’s wedding in Costa Rica. I was honored (and a little nervous) to be invited — especially since it meant traveling internationally on my own for the first time. But as it turns out, I’m kind of built for solo adventures.
As I started calling around about accommodations and pricing out the trip, my curiosity grew. Then I called Costa Verde (where the wedding was) and they offered me a tiny little room near the pool — just steps from where the wedding would take place. Everything fell into place, and before I knew it, it was March 8th (International Women’s Day) 2017 and I was on my way to Costa Rica!
I landed at the airport and quickly connected with some of Meghna’s friends and family. We all hopped into a shuttle and headed off to Manuel Antonio to check into our lodging. I was the only one from the group staying at Costa Verde, so they dropped me off first. After checking out my cozy room, I wandered across the street to one of their restaurants for dinner and a glass of wine. Then it was off to bed for a good night’s sleep before a day of exploring.
Costa Verde was the perfect, centrally located home base. Each morning started with a fresh-cooked breakfast — eggs, gallo pinto, and warm tortillas — at the Anaconda Restaurant, perched with a view. From there, I’d set out for whatever adventure the day had in store.
One day, I joined an eco tour with a local family to visit a nearby waterfall. It was just me and a mother-daughter duo from Vegas — strangers at first, but fast friends by the end. We rode through the jungle to Victor’s land, where we hiked through lush trails to a waterfall and then shared a home-cooked meal with Victor and his wife. It was simple, real, and unforgettable.
It felt like home — like I was back in the Ozarks with my friends and family — only instead of biscuits and gravy, we were sharing chicken, beans, rice, and fresh tortillas. After lunch, Victor proudly showed off his rock collection and found objects from the land. He even gave us a demo on how to juice sugar cane! The whole experience felt so familiar and genuine, I couldn’t help but imagine my dad doing something similar — hosting travelers on his farmland in Arkansas.
The next day was all about exploring Manuel Antonio National Park. It’s a truly beautiful park with well-maintained trails and lush scenery. I skipped the guided tour and wandered at my own pace, which led me to a quiet beach that felt almost private — especially now that I’ve been to more crowded shores elsewhere.
Before I went in for a swim, the hotel staff gave me a heads up: watch your backpack — the monkeys are known for stealing tourists’ things! So, if you ever make it to Manuel Antonio, keep one eye on the waves and the other on your stuff. 🐒🌊
After my stroll through the park, I found an empty beach chair and settled in for some rest. Not long after, I ran into a few of the wedding party friends I’d met the day before — easy to spot thanks to the henna we all got the night before. We shared a few beers, swapped stories, and soaked up the sun.
Eventually, I started making my way back to the room to get ready for the evening’s festivities. But I got delightfully sidetracked by a little snack bar, where I treated myself to a cocktail and a bite to eat. After that, I called a cab and cruised back, sandy and smiling, ready for the night ahead.
Next up: wedding day! The ceremony was held right at Costa Verde, where I was staying, and the reception took place just up the hill in one of their event spaces. I literally walked to the wedding, walked to the reception, and then strolled back to my room — no cabs to call, no one to wait on. Just me, celebrating my friends, making new ones, and soaking it all in from a little corner of paradise.
How lucky am I?
On our last day in Manuel Antonio, the groom’s family treated us to a sunset catamaran adventure. There were about 40 of us on board, and it was truly one for the books — the sunset glowed in shades of pink and red, the smiles were endless, and we even spotted dolphins dancing in the waves.
That magical sail ended up inspiring what would later become our Yacht Rock collection. There’s just something about being on the water — the breeze in your hair, the salt in the air, and the sky painted in colors you can’t quite believe — that stays with you. Now, whenever I’m working on those nautical-inspired pieces in our Little Rock studio, I’m instantly transported back to that perfect Costa Rican evening.
On my last day, I ended up taking an earlier-than-planned shuttle back to San José. If you know me, you know I’m an early riser and an early-to-bed kind of gal. I thought I’d spend the day lounging by the pool, but the water was absolutely freezing — so that plan didn’t last long!
So after a quick lunch by the pool (and a firm no thanks to the freezing water), I booked a last-minute tour of historic San José, the capital city. It was the perfect fit — the tour picked me up at my hotel, showed me around, and dropped me back off afterward. We strolled through downtown, admiring statues, colorful murals, and soaking up the city’s rich culture.
Then we visited the Plaza de la Cultura where the Teatro Nacional, San José’s most revered building resides. After touring the beautiful theater we went to the Pre Colombian Gold Musuem, and then ended the trip at a jewelers studio.
How does a jewelry artist from Little Rock, Arkansas, end up at a metals exhibit and a jeweler’s studio in San José? I honestly don’t remember knowing that the Gold Museum or the studio visit were part of the itinerary — and to this day, I still wonder how I ended up in those places. Kismet? Magic? A well-deserved surprise? I’m not sure. Whatever it was, I’m just so grateful for the experience.
Have you ever been to Costa Rica? I’ve actually visited three different areas now — and I’ve got two more blogs coming soon to share those adventures. It’s truly one of my favorite places on earth. There’s something about Costa Rica that helps me fully unplug, recharge, and feel present.
Pura Vida! 🇨🇷✨
Check out our ocean-inspired Yacht Rock collection here - perfect for your next beach adventure!
Comments
Do you happen to know what catamaran company you all used?