Costa Rica 2020: A Pandemic Escape and a New Perspective
When COVID hit, it turned everything upside down. In March 2020, we were still hopeful that our planned trips for May would happen. Then school shut down. Then it felt like the world shut down, with no end in sight. By fall, our daughter was in remote school, our son was home with us, and my husband was working entirely remotely. The way we were living—everything about it—changed.
We realized that without physical ties keeping us where we were, we could travel. The idea of staying stagnant while the world felt so restricted just didn’t sit right with us. So we found one of the few places still welcoming tourists: Costa Rica.
We decided to stay for a month and picked a tiny expat town near Jacó, known for surfing and its proximity to the stunning Manuel Antonio National Park. We rented a house big enough for family and friends to visit, complete with its own pool. It was there that our son learned to swim—a milestone made even more memorable by the cold iguanas occasionally falling out of the trees above us. (Yes, that’s a thing. Beware!)
Costa Rica was a crash course in wildlife. From venomous snakes to sloths and monkeys, it was like stepping into another world. Our son developed a fascination with animals, and we spent Thanksgiving volunteering at an animal shelter, preparing banana pancakes and fresh fruit for recovering sloths and monkeys. I don’t think anything will ever top hand-feeding a hibiscus flower to a sloth on Thanksgiving. It was a powerful reminder that traditions can look different and still be meaningful. Thanksgiving didn’t need to be turkey with family; it could be about gratitude, shared in entirely new ways.
But the trip wasn’t without its challenges. We arrived during the rainy season and were immediately hit with monsoons that seemed to go on forever. Landslides blocked roads, turning what should have been quick trips into hours-long detours. At times, we had no idea what we were doing, trying to navigate a new country in the midst of chaos. And then there was the pit viper. One evening, we found it curled up in our garage. Armed with a shovel and a mix of terror and determination, we managed to move it outside without any injuries—but it was a moment we’ll never forget.
Friends and family came to visit often, and we saw so much of Costa Rica—the volcanoes, rainforests, and beaches. Spending an extended time in one place taught us the value of settling in rather than constantly hopping from one destination to the next. We could experience so much more when we stayed in one spot, and it opened our eyes to a slower, richer way of traveling.
One moment stands out above the rest. I remember standing at the base of a volcano and thinking, "I need to come back here and share this place." Costa Rica’s emphasis on eco-tourism and sustainability resonated deeply with me. It planted a seed that grew into something much bigger. I felt called to step beyond the bubble of consumerism that’s so prevalent in the U.S. and embrace causes that were larger than myself. It was a pivotal moment that eventually launched me into an unexpected career: leading yoga retreats and bringing people back to that very spot.
Costa Rica showed us that life doesn’t have to follow the same script to be meaningful. It taught us that gratitude isn’t tied to turkey or traditions, but to the connections we make and the ways we show up—for others, for the planet, and for ourselves. It was the reset we didn’t know we needed, and it changed us in ways we’re still discovering.
Lessons Learned:
Home Is Where You Make It: A month in one place allowed us to connect more deeply with the people and the environment around us.
Traditions Can Be Rewritten: Thanksgiving in Costa Rica with sloths and monkeys was unforgettable and just as meaningful as any traditional celebration.
Kids Thrive in New Environments: Watching our son learn to swim and develop a love for animals showed us how adaptable and curious kids can be.
Expect the Unexpected: From monsoons and landslides to pit vipers in the garage, travel comes with surprises—and resilience is key.
Sustainability Matters: Eco-tourism and mindful living can inspire transformative changes in how we approach life and travel.
Listen to the Nudges: Standing at the base of that volcano, I realized the power of following what resonates with your heart.
Practical Tips for a Long Stay in Costa Rica:
Choose a Central Location: Staying near Jacó allowed us to easily access beaches, national parks, and other attractions.
Embrace the Wildlife: Be prepared for all kinds of creatures—and pack accordingly (bug spray is non-negotiable!).
Prepare for Rain: If you’re visiting during the rainy season, expect monsoons and plan extra travel time for potential road closures.
Get Involved: Volunteering locally adds a layer of connection and purpose to your stay.
Rent a Home Base: Having a house with a pool gave us space to relax and host friends and family.
Be Open to New Traditions: Let go of expectations and embrace what feels meaningful in the moment.
Costa Rica in 2020 wasn’t just an escape from the pandemic—it was a gateway to new possibilities. It redefined what travel could mean for us and opened doors to a life more connected to the world, its people, and its causes. It was the beginning of something much bigger than we could have imagined.
