March 25: Hurry Up and Wait
The adventure begins with a thrilling* (*not thrilling) afternoon flight to Calgary, where we’ll have hours to kill before the real journey starts. Nothing like an airport layover to get into the vacation spirit! At least we’ll have Paul and Brenda to entertain us—assuming we can find them somewhere in the terminal. A drink and a snack (or two) seem inevitable.
Then, the real fun: an 11:15 p.m. red-eye to Liberia. Because nothing says “vacation ready” like attempting to sleep upright in a flying metal tube. Thankfully, we’ve got Premium seats, so there’s a chance of some shut-eye—though we suspect it’s more likely we’ll just arrive in Costa Rica slightly more Premium versions of exhausted.
March 26: Running on Fumes and Pura Vida Dream
Landed in Costa Rica at 6:00 a.m. No sleep. No energy. Just pure, unfiltered exhaustion. Customs? A breeze. Spotting our driver? Easy—nothing like seeing your own name on a sign to make you feel like a VIP, even if you currently resemble a zombie.
Then comes the gauntlet: a throng of taxi drivers aggressively vying for our attention and one overly enthusiastic entreprenuey assisting our driver who apparently moonlights as the airport’s unofficial welcome committee. He entertains us until the van arrives so we then are obligated to give him a tip. Now, just a simple drive to Tamarindo. Except it’s fricking hot and fricking slow.
We finally arrive at the property management office, where we immediately change into shorts and anything remotely breathable. The luggage gets stashed, and we set off to explore. Did I mention it’s fricking hot? Because it is. And we have hours to kill before the rest of the gang arrives.
Step one: find a cool drink. Step two: wander through some shops. Step three: attempt more walking but quickly surrender to the heat. Step four: accept our fate and settle into a beach bar. It’s 10:30 a.m., and we are officially drinking. Welcome to vacation mode!
A couple of cold beverages later, we decide it’s time for the dreaded first grocery run. Because we enjoy making questionable decisions, we walk there—on a road that clearly was not designed for pedestrians. At least the grocery store is air-conditioned, which almost makes up for the fact that we’re sleep-deprived and responsible for picking out actual food. Essentials are secured (including a well-stocked bar), and we summon an Uber to haul us. Appartently we didn’t see the option in the Uber app for a vehicle that has a working hatch so we have to drop the seats and load our survival rations through the back seat! Back to the property office we go.
And then? We wait. And wait. At one point, all four of us are sprawled out in the lounge area, attempting to nap like a bunch of toddlers! Clearly, the office staff either felt sorry for us or just wanted us gone, because next thing we know, they’re handing us a bottle of wine. A+ hospitality.
Then, the true hero of the day emerges: Adriana from the property management team. She loads us and our luggage into her vehicle and drives us up the hill to our VRBO. Adriana, you’re a saint.
And oh wow, what a house. Absolutely stunning. And we have a daily housekeeper , Hilary who also prepares our breakfast and snacks. Win, win!!
Property no.: 21660116 Casa Ventana
Arrive: 26 Mar. 2025 Depart: 5 Apr. 2025 Tamarindo
We want to unpack, but exhaustion wins, so instead, we throw on swimsuits and sink into the pool. Instant relief. Cold water, shade, and nothing on the agenda but lounging. Finally, a taste of Pura Vida.
A few hours later, the rest of the crew—Barry, José, Cathy, and Terry—arrive. The all-important bedroom draw takes place (friendships remain intact), bags are unpacked, and cocktails are poured. Neil and I whip up mango pineapple salsa, fresh fish, and pico de gallo, and we all sit down for our fish taco meal.
By 8:30 p.m., we can’t keep our eyes open. Thirty-six hours since our last sleep we finally collapse into bed. The first official day in Costa Rica? A sweltering, sleep-deprived, wine-fueled success.
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March 27: Sleeping in, Steep Hills and a Vacation Workout
After an epic 12-hour sleep (who even are we?), we finally emerge around 9:00 a.m., in desperate need of coffee and food. A leisurely breakfast hits the spot, and we kick off the day by celebrating José’s birthday with the appropriate level of fanfare. And Cathy and Terry surprise us all with little Harrods pouches, colourful eye glass strings and homemade red pepper jelly.
Feeling semi-functional, we decide a walk to the beach sounds like a great idea. What we didn’t fully appreciate? The very steep trek down. The beach is beautiful, but the estuary comes with some not-so-welcoming signage warning about crocodiles. Swimming? Hard pass.
Cathy, Barry, and José continue wandering toward town, while Brenda, Neil, and I make the wise (if grueling) choice to hike back up the hill. Did I mention it’s steep? Because yikes. Pretty sure we just earned our cocktails.
Back at the house, we fully embrace vacation mode—lounging in the outdoor living area, cooling off in the infinity pool, and, of course, initiating morning cocktails (because, well, vacation). When the others return with groceries, the rest of the afternoon is a blur of snacks, games, swimming, and—you guessed it—more cocktails. Including Limoncello Spritz compliments of Paul and Brenda’s homemade Limoncello!
.
All set for dinner, we enjoy a cocktail on the deck as a van pulls up to the house below, dropping off new guests. I suggest asking the driver for a lift to the restaurant instead of calling two Ubers. Barry makes it happen, and just like that—viola! We have a ride. A win for us and a little extra cash for the driver.
As we descend the steep hill and venture farther into town, we stumble upon a whole part of Tamarindo we hadn’t seen before—bustling with shops, restaurants, and plenty of energy. Definitely worth a visit on Saturday.
We arrive at Fish and Cheeses, where the evening is perfect, the food is incredible, and the fresh, house-made burrata is a standout. We sing happy birthday to Cathy and Jose, and just as the celebrations wind down, we hear a howler monkey. Holy crap—those things sound terrifying!
An Uber home, a final nightcap, and then it’s off to bed.
March 28: Rinse and Repeat – Ditto Day
A laid-back day. Some of us went for a walk, and some of us fully embraced the concept of vacation and didn’t. Barry, Jose, Neil, and I trekked down the hill to the Auto Mercado because, apparently, one can never have too many grocery runs. An Uber whisked us back to our oasis, and straight into the pool we went.
The day unfolded in a predictable but glorious rhythm—floating, reading, snacking, drinking. Repeat.
Our chef arrived in the evening to whip up a seafood feast: ceviche in coconut, crispy fried plantains, lobster, and sea bass with local veggies. Dessert was some kind of poached fruit—pear? Costa Rican apple? Who knows, but it was delicious.
As the sun set, we turned into amateur photographers, capturing every moment with an excessive number of photos and videos. Then, the real show began—stargazing. The sky was dazzling, filled with more stars than we’re used to seeing back home. We spotted what looked like an upside-down Big Dipper, but a quick Google search informed us that being 10 degrees north of the equator meant that was highly unlikely. Theoretically, we should see stars from both hemispheres, but honestly, who really knows?
Meanwhile, Barry and Neil decided it would be a great idea to try and communicate with the local howler monkeys—by blasting a howler monkey call from Google through a speaker. Genius. As if we actually wanted a troop of them showing up on our deck. That little experiment was shut down immediately.
The grand finale was supposed to be spotting the International Space Station. We had it all planned out—north and east, perfect timing… except it was a total no-show. Turns out, if we’d just stayed up another 40 minutes, we would’ve caught it in the western sky. Classic. Instead, we all went to bed, slightly bitter but still content.
March 29: Markets, Margaritas, and More Sunsets
The morning mission: the downtown market. Yep, two Ubers were required—again. The market itself was a mix of fresh veggies, meat, but mostly jewelry, clothing, and hats. We wandered over to some nearby shops, where I picked up a Costa Rican Christmas ornament, because nothing says “holiday spirit” like a reminder of tropical sunshine in the middle of winter.
Then, jackpot—I stumbled upon a swimwear shop where they hand-make all their bathing suits and tailor them to fit. Sold. My custom suit will be ready on Monday, just in time for maximum pool lounging.
Next stop: lunch at The Green Papaya. Cool, shady, and serving up delicious food—exactly what we needed.
After that, another essential grocery run. But let’s be real, it was mostly an alcohol restock. Hydration is important.
Afternoon plans? Pool, obviously. Some of us went for a walk, but the rest of us chose to float, sip, and soak up the good life.
Then, sunset time. Should we take a ridiculous number of photos again? Obviously. It never gets old.
Tonight’s chefs, Neil, Terry and Paul are on shrimp duty, whipping up something delicious with a creamy salsa sauce. Another tough day in paradise.
March 30: Waterfalls, Mud Baths & a Bumpy Ride
What a day.
Our adventure started bright and early with a 7:00 AM pickup, heading off to La Leona Waterfalls (Catarata La Leona), somewhere in Parque Nacional Rincón de la Vieja—at least, that’s what Google says. By 8:30, we were geared up in life jackets and water shoes, then loaded into the back of a truck for a ride to the trailhead. “Bumpy” doesn’t even begin to cover it. Standing was the only way to survive the pothole-induced whiplash.
We were repeatedly assured this was a moderate hike. Lies. Well, maybe not for people with functioning Achilles tendons, but Terry was nursing an injury, so we had our doubts. The trail involved a lot of climbing, some ladders, and scrambling over rocks and tree roots. Our guide, Luis, was fantastic—pointing out useful things like red jasper rock residue (which can be used as paint), a ceiba tree (which makes an excellent distress signal if you bang on it), and less useful things like tiger ants (don’t let them bite you). We also passed by caves and spotted some bats—because what’s an adventure without a little wildlife?
As Terry’s limping worsened, Luis helped everyone navigate the tricky terrain until we finally reached the gorge entrance. The pool was packed with people waiting their turn to grab the rope and swim through the narrow passage leading to the waterfall. Luis gave us a quick rundown of what to expect, and Terry and Brenda wisely decided to stay back and lounge on a rock.
Then, it was go-time. The water was refreshing. The rope section was easy, but once inside the gorge, the sheeswim into the gorger power of the water was inbelievable. I was grateful for every push-up I’ve ever done as I clawed my way forward, eventually getting yanked up by one of the gorge workers. As I turned around—holy moly.
The waterfall was spectacular. The force, the sound, the mist—just pure nature flexing on us. We stood there, soaking it all in, before squeezing in a group photo (Paul, Cathy, Barry, Jose, Neil, and me—pretty impressive for a bunch of oldies). Then came the easy part—floating our way back out, elbows tucked, completely relaxed. Viola.
More Waterfalls, More Bridges, More Wow
The way back was mostly easier—some riverbed walking, a few ropes to cross the stream, and then another bumpy truck ride back. We were starving.
Raphael, our driver, took us to a local buffet near Hacienda Guachipelín, where we demolished tilapia, shredded beef, chayote, salad, fresh fruit, rice pudding, and cinnamon pumpkin. Everything hit the spot.
Next up: Oropéndola Falls. A short drive and a relatively easy walk—except for the swinging bridges, one of which dramatically slopes downward over the gorge. No pressure. Terry opted for shade while the rest of us made our way down to the falls. The water? Frigid. But the view? Incredible. Another National Geographic moment as we stood there, just staring.
Mud, Sweat & (No) Regrets
Final stop: Río Negro Hot Springs. Now, jumping into steaming hot pools when it’s already 35°C outside might sound like a questionable life choice, but oh wow—our sore legs needed this. We soaked in a few different pools, each one hotter than the last, before fully committing to the experience by slathering ourselves in mud. Instant spa treatment. Photos were taken. We rinsed off, and our skin felt amazing.
By this point, the heat was oppressive, and unfortunately Raphael didn’t start the van until we were all loaded in. WTH
The drive home got dark fast, but we still managed to make two crucial stops:
- Fresh fruit stand (because balance).
- More alcohol (because reality).
We finally rolled in after 12 hours of adventure, inhaled some leftovers, and collapsed into bed early.
What. A. Day.
March 31: Shopping and Kick back
Up early for a relaxing morning. Then we head to the Tamrindo scenic lookout. great views in all directions.
The actual site not so much to look at. Closed off run down. We walk downtown to pick up my custom swimsuit. Fits great.
Back to VRBO to veg for afternoon.
April 1: Sun, Sand & Seniors’ Moments
A lazy morning, with all of us glued to our electronic devices—reading, scrolling, and catching up on the latest news of these disastrous times. The wisdom of age comes the realization that hydration before cocktails is essential. So, we dutifully chugged water before shifting into pool mode.
By early afternoon, Barry, Jose, Neil, and I decided to venture to the beach. We stayed well away from the estuary because there are Crocodiles! Don’t have a desire to see one of those! The walk along the black and grey volcanic sand was gorgeous—made even better by the fact that it was leading us to happy hour. Drinks in hand, we soaked up the sound of the crashing waves, the rising tide, and… the wandering tuba band (yes, really).
Meanwhile, the beach vendors were out in full force. We must have said “No, gracias” at least 20 times in an hour. No, we do not need bird sound toys, sunglasses, bracelets, or wooden trinkets. Very annoying.
The walk back along the beach was peaceful—until reality hit. Time to tackle the hill. Now, I’ve done my fair share of steep climbs, but 35°C heat turns even the most manageable incline into absolute torture. Before the ascent, I had a classic seniors’ moment, stopping to swap my sandals for runners because I knew what was coming. Brutal.
Back at the villa, the pool was the only logical place to recover. Terry saved the day with his famous cream cheese and red pepper jelly appetizer—delicious, as always.
Evening Feast at Dragonfly
Come evening, we Ubered into town for dinner at Dragonfly, a covered but open-air restaurant with a great atmosphere. The tuna tartare and empanadas were outstanding, proving once again that Costa Rica does not mess around when it comes to food.
Afterwards? Gelato, obviously. Because no meal is complete without something sweet.
Side note about Tamarindo: If you think dining in Costa Rica will be cheap—think again. Prices here are equal to (if not higher than) Canada. Paradise comes at a cost!
April 2: Nostalgic Vibes, Floating Happy Hour & Dolphins
The morning followed a familiar and perfect routine—lounging with our coffee, scrolling, reading, and catching up on the latest news (somehow never good). But at least we’re doing it in paradise, with the added luxury of Hilary preparing our breakfast. Not a bad way to start the day.
The highlight of the afternoon? A catamaran adventure.
Snorkeling, swimming, and soaking up the sun—it’s the perfect way to spend the day. Even better, it’s a throwback for our group of eight, bringing back memories of our previous catamaran sailing trips in the British Virgin Islands. Same crew, same good vibes—just a different, equally stunning backdrop.
Well, that was an afternoon to remember.
Our adventure began with a ride to Playa Flamingo Marina in Potrero Bay, where we hopped aboard the Manta Ray catamaran. Our crew? Captain Jesús, chef María José, and first mate Kalid—all clearly experts in both sailing and keeping a group of slightly overindulgent tourists happy.
We set sail, cruising past the Islas Santa Catalina and toward a secluded bay to the north. Won’t be snorkeling there because apparently there are sharks. Off in the distance? Nicaragua. But let’s be honest—our focus was on beverages. From beer to piña coladas to local Cacique sugar cane liquor, we were well-stocked and well-hydrated (in the loosest sense of the word).
Anchored in a stunning bay, it was time for the real highlight—floating bar mode. Into the bathtub-warm water we went, drinks in hand, living our best lives. Floating, laughing, and soaking it all in, we officially declared this bay our new favorite spot in the world.
Once we reluctantly dragged ourselves back on board, chef María José spoiled us with delicious local food—because nothing works up an appetite like extreme floating. And just like that, it was time to head back.
But wait—cue the dolphin show!
Just as we were settling in for the sunset cruise home, a pod of dolphins appeared, putting on a fantastic performance. Even Captain Jesús was impressed, telling us it was rare to see so many at once. He turned the boat around multiple times just so we could soak up every second of it. Absolutely incredible.
As the sun began its dramatic descent, we naturally took a group photo op with the glowing sky behind us—because you can never have too many sunset photos. We watched as the sun slipped into the ocean, capping off a perfect day.
Back at the villa, we chilled on the deck, exhausted but happy, before calling it an early night.
Pura Vida.
April 3: Lazy Days & BBQ Nights
Another morning of coffee, scrolling, and a news check-in (still bad). At least breakfast magically appears, thanks to our wonderful Hilary.
Today’s agenda? Absolutely nothing.
We fully embraced the art of lounging, with a steady rotation of snacking, sipping beverages, and floating in the pool. Tough schedule, but someone’s gotta do it.
Tonight, our chef returns with a grill menu, and we’re more than ready to feast!
First a sunset to enjoy. Ahhh
Ok back to Chef. And wow—he did not disappoint. What. A. Spread.
We kicked things off with local appetizers: crispy cassava (yuca) cups filled with guacamole and pico de gallo, plus juicy chicken skewers. Then came the main event—a massive wood platter piled high with grilled beef and chicken, zucchini, mushrooms, carrots, and the star of the show: roasted cauliflower (seriously, it was that good).
To pair? We cracked open some delicious Spanish wines—a crisp Albariño and a bold Priorat. Let’s just say, they did their job.
Dessert brought churros with dulce de leche and ice cream, and yes, we somehow found room.
Just as we were sliding into food comas, we heard a rumble on the roof. WTF? Definitely not wind. Has to be… howler monkeys. Neil, of course, goes out to investigate—and proceeds to taunt them. Naturally. A furry head eventually peeks over the edge. Yikes. Time to call it a night.
The rest of the evening was spent soaking in the warm air, with a refreshing night swim before heading to bed. No International Space Station. Damn. Another tough day in paradise.
Pura Vida!
April 4: Soaking It In & Stretching It Out
Same start, different day—coffee, screens, and a whole lot of scrolling. It’s our last full day, so we’re committed to soaking up every last drop of paradise. We can hear the Howler Monkeys again. Damn they were close.
There’s just enough food and alcohol left to justify some grazing and sipping, and the pool is practically begging us to jump in one more time. Who are we to say no?
Tonight, we’re heading out for a final dinner at Pangas Beach Club, conveniently located at the bottom of our hill—which means one last sweaty climb up or just grab an Uber like sensible people.
Down the hill we went. We caught one last sunset and, of course, snapped a few final photos—because no evening is complete without documenting the view. Dinner was excellent, though the portions were surprisingly generous. I had a chilled avocado and cucumber soup that was refreshing, followed by tender grilled octopus. Neil started with Wahoo carpaccio and, not wanting to miss out, also went for the octopus.
The restaurant had a laid-back beach vibe, with string lights giving everything a warm, relaxed glow. Signs around the area reminded us that howler monkeys live here too—and we’re all guests in their space. Even if they occasionally leave… unexpected gifts on your table.
After dinner, some of us took on the walk back up the hill, while others opted for a more efficient (and less sweaty) ride home. Both solid choices.
April 5: The Long, Slow Goodbye
It’s pack-up-and-leave day—never the highlight of any trip. But with pickup not scheduled until 10 a.m., we managed to squeeze in one last slow, peaceful morning. Coffee by the pool, a bit of lazy chatting and the usual dance of getting everything back into the suitcases that have seemed to be expanded over the week just like our waistlines.
We said our goodbyes to Hilary, our wonderful housekeeper, who somehow kept things running smoothly despite the chaos we probably brought with us. Then it was time for the drive to Liberia.
Paul, Brenda, Neil, and I were dropped off at the Hilton Garden Inn, since our flight isn’t until tomorrow. The rest of the crew headed straight to the airport, and we said our goodbyes—hugs, waves, a the many “until next time “
The four of us had a quiet afternoon by the pool, rotating between napping, reading, and just soaking up a final bit of Costa Rican warmth. We grabbed an early dinner and turned in early—tomorrow starts before the sun does.
April 6: The Travel Gauntlet Begins
The day began at 3:45 a.m.—a time that should really only exist for catching sunrises or regretting late-night tacos, not checking out of hotels. But up we got, bags in hand and bleary-eyed as we caught the shuttle to the airport.
We breezed through security, did a little duty-free browsing (because it’s never too early to shop for socks and salsa), grabbed a quick breakfast, and I even managed to squeeze in some work on this very blog—all before 6 a.m.
Our flight out of Liberia was slightly delayed, which added a bit of suspense to the next leg: clearing customs in Calgary and making our connection to Kelowna. Fingers crossed, passports ready. Let the travel games begin.
Travel day was a long one, but we made our connection—and so did our suitcases—despite a mad dash through the entire length of the Calgary airport thanks to customs and security delays even with Nexus TSA preapproved cards . And just like that, another incredible adventure comes to an end. So many laughs, memories, and Hawkins Cheezies shared with some of our favourite people. Until next time, Costa Rica… Hasta la vista!”
Wine and Cheezies Travels 