Lost in Wanderland

Preparing for Costa Rica was a whirlwind of excitement and curiosity for me. I couldn’t wait to discover new island paradises, and with most of my close friends who already enjoyed the land of Pura Vida, I was given many travel suggestions and great ideas on exotic excursions from my companions. First, and foremost, when traveling to hotter climates and when looking forward to beach lounging along with daytime hikes, it doesn’t take a neurosurgeon to figure out a fitted tank, jean shorts, sandals and of course, your favorite bikini is a MUST! Well… I had been told that Costa Rica’s nightlife is unbelievable and to be prepared to whip out my LBD and my little dance numbers in the blink of an eye. I over packed… but when is that a bad thing, honestly?! Stuffing my luggage with designer slit dresses to gorgeous sponsored items I couldn’t wait to sport, glittered mini-skirts and at least seven pairs of heels… I figured I was ready to go!
 

Once arriving in the heart of San Jose, my friends and I were ready to explore the city in our long, sheer maxi dresses. We quickly realized we could possibly be the most overdressed in all of San Jose. Luckily, the locals were more than kind and were very complimentary. With most cities having rocky gravel, and naturally, most beaches having soft sand… there really was no welcoming of the heels (devastating… but true!). After experiencing a couple nights of dancing and dining, we immediately discovered everything was calm and casual. I can easily say 2/3 of my heavy suitcase was not suitable for this trip. Despite my poor clothing choices, I still managed to bring the basic essentials which went a long way.

 

Before drilling into the fun and frolic of the trip, I am going to share my top outfit picks for Costa Rica.

 

(1)  Zahara swimwear: I am a very proud brand ambassador of Zahara’s swim line, and boy – oh boy – did they spoil me rotten for this trip. I was sponsored 8 different beautiful items including a white lace beach cover-up. Each swimwear piece was comfortable and so cute, all their styles genuinely work on many kinds of bodies and work great for girls with curves. I sported a Zahara piece almost every day even under my hiking clothing or night-out outfit. Check out their reversible and trendy bikinis at https://zaharaswim.com/

 

(2)  OhPolly magenta slit dress: Alright ladies, it comes to NO surprise that OhPolly items are super sexy! If you want that statement piece to make jaws drop, this online boutique is your best bet. I was so thrilled to collaborate with this UK based team for the first time. I was sponsored their Magenta silt dress, and they were well aware that I am a total sucker for large slits to showcase those stems! Haha. I scratched my head several times when in Costa Rica trying to figure out when and where I’d be able to rock that wild magenta magic, but it didn’t seem to be the right place for the beautiful, elegant piece. Luckily we stayed at the unforgettable Arenal Paradise Mountain Resort, and they did hold a formal dinner. The light bulb in my mind flickered strong, I knew this was the perfect opportunity to rock that OhPolly! Heads turned and compliments flew and I felt so sexy in their dress. If you plan on attending any type of formal event or even night club, I say – GO FOR IT!

 

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Here are some other beneficial items you’d be glad you brought.

 

(3)  Microfiber Towels: A must-have item you just can’t leave without is a microfiber towel. This is so important for several reasons; by simply folding this in your backpack or cross-purse you can quickly pull it out to use after hikes, jogs or any outdoor activities. A lot of Costa Rica’s outdoor beauty has natural waterfalls and hot springs. Because they are in national parks, there is nothing commercial about them. If you choose to dive in, it is entirely up to you to dry off. That is prime time to fling out your favorite towel.

 

(4)  Sunglasses: Some CR essentials would be sunglasses and sun-hats. If you choose to make Indiana Jones journeys, it may be wise to pick a temporary pair that you still find stylish, but don’t mind losing during your high incline hikes, zip lining, water rafting or ocean swimming adventures. It's more than standard to be taking a dip in the crystal blue ocean and accidentally having them sink down to the ocean floor, don’t let that happen to you and your favorite pair of designer glasses.

 

(5)  Sun-hats: Your vacation just got a whole lot easier with your favorite sunhat! As a self-proclaimed “hat person,” embarking on a trip with a beach hat can always be a challenge. Select a straw hat to easily fold in your bag and stay stylish while simultaneously keeping your skin safe from the glaring sun. Some fresh and useful designers that make it easy for you are Janessa Leone’s design that easily packable and fully crushable.

 

(6)  Sarongs: Ladies, do not forget your sarong or wrap if you’re visiting the beach. You can also buy them in souvenir shops for relatively fair prices. That is what I did, and I love mine, and I look forward to wearing it on future beach trips or even in my hometown of beautiful, Newport Beach. It is honestly as useful as a towel, but prettier! They are perfect to easily sling over your outdoor outfit or to keep your legs warm when the sun goes down.
 

Top places visited, and why I can’t wait to go again.

 

My friends and I made it a priority to see as much of the country as possible. We started in San Jose, then down to Jaco, voyaged to several islands including San Tereza and Isla Tortuga, we then traveled to Tamarindo and off to Monteverde, our last stop was magical Arenal. Each place had its own style and charm but several spots really resonated with me. 
 

Out of all the enchanting and exotic places we’ve been venturing to on this Costa Rica journey, I must say Arenal has stolen my heart. To reach the town and volcano, crossing city to city by boat was mandatory, and the views were ones I will never forget. Once we arrived at the astounding Arenal, we were immediately greeted by kind Tico’s who went well out of their way to assist us.
 

We chose to splurge and lodge in a tropical resort which was one of the nicest I’ve ever come across. Vibrant colored red and orange parrot flowers (Heliconias), Bamboo Orchids in bright fuchsias and deep purples with the sweetest fragrances surround us. Tropical fruits, ranging from papayas, mangoes, bananas, plantains, yucca… (I could go on and on) were growing on all nearby trees. Small chirps from black birds with neon red backs and tails and lively hummingbirds all swiftly swarmed round, while flying toucans roamed overhead.

It felt unbelievable to spend several days in paradise! Starting with the Arenal volcanic hike, to white water rafting, carved an unforgettable day of full adventure. Days following, we drank, dined, danced… (SALSA, OF COURSE!!!) And spent our third and final day in Arenal in the well renowned natural hot springs, Tabacon! La Fortuna’s magnificent waterfall, Catarata... or as the locals call it Costa Rica’s “secreto ultimo”(ultimate secret) and now I can see why! Cascading through an old volcanic crater called Serro Chato, this waterfalls beauty is extraordinary!

As the years go by... I’ve become more and more selective with where I’d like to spend my vacation time... I live for hotter and humid climates paired with warmer waters, but I had to make an exception when it came to this magical place! Cataratas waters felt colder than ice to me, but with the serene beauty, the crashing sounds of the falls and the amazing company by my side, my decision was easy to make! I jumped in what seemed like Arctic H2O and swam for at least 2 hours, walked through the rocky paths, and soaked in my surroundings. Take a chance, take a dip! “Your life does not get better by chance; it gets better by change.” 

Hope you enjoyed this quick read and that is was useful for you. Write again soon! XO