I’ve always been an explorer. When I was a child, my siblings and I would spend long afternoons roaming the thousands of acres of farmland surrounding our property. Mostly cotton and wheat fields, the open west Texas countryside became our playground. We searched for adventure—at least until sun set or until we heard our father’s whistle, both signaling it was time to head home.
That spirit of adventure only deepened as I grew older. During my enlistment in the Army, I loved spending time out in the field. As an infantryman, that often meant spending weeks camping under the stars and marching from range to range. We trained and qualified on different weapon systems, learning how to execute combat operations while trying to stay dry and warm—not the easiest of task in the rugged woods of upstate New York. One of my favorite exercises was land navigation, which required finding your way to multiple points spread across miles of dense woods using nothing more than a compass and a map. It was tough, but I was good at it—I’ve always had a knack for finding my way.
I spent the last year of my enlistment deployed to Baghdad, Iraq—my first experience traveling outside the U.S. Over that year, I met countless people and experienced a culture unlike anything I’d ever known. That early exposure to life beyond America taught me to never take the simple things for granted. A lesson that continues to shape how I experience each new place I travel.
It was also during my enlistment that I picked up my first real camera. I saved up and bought a used Canon Rebel DSLR with the kit lens. At the time, it made me feel like a “real” photographer, though mostly I was just trying to capture moments from that chapter of my life. That camera came with me on patrols, during downtime between missions, and into places I wanted to remember—and a few I didn’t. Looking back, I realize I was drawn to documenting the things that mattered: the quiet moments between the chaos. That instinct to capture raw emotion, mood, and meaning stayed with me—and still shapes the way I see the world through a lens today.
After the military, that sense of adventure didn’t fade. If anything, it grew into a deeper desire to see the world, experience new cultures, and seek out places that blend rugged beauty with warmth and hospitality. That’s what first brought me to Costa Rica—and why I felt compelled to return.
Why I Returned to Costa Rica
When I first visited Costa Rica in 2022, I didn’t know what to expect. Aside from a couple of resort stays near Cancun, I had never spent time in Central America. But my girlfriend, who had traveled there in high school, couldn’t stop raving about it. After watching a few YouTube videos, I was convinced—and it didn’t take much to talk me into going.
What I discovered was a country that instantly drew me in. The people of Costa Rica are incredibly friendly, always welcoming visitors and encouraging everyone to embrace the Pura Vida lifestyle. And the range of experiences is endless. You can hike through tropical rainforests and wildlife sanctuaries, explore adventure parks with ziplines and waterfalls, trek around volcanoes, or soak in natural hot springs. If you’re looking for adventure on the water, visitors can kayak or raft through the jungle rivers—or head to the coast, where surfing is woven into the culture. With warm water, consistent swells, and beaches for every skill level, Costa Rica is one of the best places in the world to learn.
On that first trip, I signed up for my very first surf lesson in Tamarindo. We booked with a company called SALT—Surf As Life Therapy, a unique surf school focused on connecting the body, mind, and soul with the rhythm of the ocean. Joining me were my girlfriend, my brother-in-law, and a friend from back home. Early one morning, we met our instructor, Ellias, on the beach. He broke down the basics in a way that was easy to follow and immediately put into practice. Despite being complete novices, his guidance had all four of us standing up and catching waves in no time. I’ll never forget the rush of that first ride—the crash of the surf and then the exhilarating glide as the wave carried me forward. It was an experience we’ll all hold onto forever. That surf lesson left me hooked—not just on surfing, but on Costa Rica itself.
Fast forward three years. Upon returning from a ski trip to Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia earlier this year, I found myself daydreaming about Costa Rica again. I told my girlfriend I wanted to go back—not just to relive the memories of our first trip, but to spend more time exploring Tamarindo and getting back on a surfboard.
After some discussion, we decided to book a five-day trip over Labor Day weekend. While this is technically the wet season, we opted for it to take advantage of off-season pricing and fewer crowds, all while enjoying the area when it would still be warm and pleasant. On August 28th, we woke up early, grabbed our bags, and headed to the airport—ready for our next adventure in Costa Rica.
Highlights of the Trip
Day 1 – Arrival and First Sunset
Our flight landed in Liberia on Thursday afternoon, and after navigating a crowded customs line, we picked up our rental car—a Suzuki Jimny, the little 4×4 we’d requested. In Costa Rica, you never quite know what kind of roads you’ll encounter—unpaved hills, muddy ruts, even streams crossing the road—so having the right vehicle makes all the difference.
On the drive toward Tamarindo, we stopped in Playa Del Coco for a late lunch at The Buzzed Monkey, a brewery and barbecue spot. Kristin ordered chifrijo, a classic Costa Rican dish, while I went for a Cuban sandwich—both were delicious. If you’re ever in Playa Del Coco, I recommend giving it a try. The afternoon was quickly winding down, so we began heading south towards Tamarindo.
By the time we reached Barsillito, the sun was starting to set. We pulled into the Beachouse Bar and Grill, grabbed a couple of beers, and watched as the sky exploded into vibrant shades of pink and orange across the bay. It turned out to be the best sunset of our trip—a pretty unforgettable way to start the adventure (see photo below).
That evening, after checking into our hillside condo overlooking Tamarindo, we wandered into town to explore the Thursday Night Market.
Between live music perfomances, artisan vendors, and street food stalls, it was buzzing with energy.
A sudden rain shower chased us under cover, so we ducked into a restaurant down the street called Little Lucha’s for tacos. Once the rain had stopped, we strolled down the street and ended the night at Sharky’s sports bar, watching tourists belt out karaoke.
The sun setting over Brasilito Bay.
Day 2 – Surfing with SALT
Friday morning kicked off with a surf lesson from SALT (Surf as Life Therapy), the same school we’d used on our last trip. To our surprise, we had the same instructor, Ellias, who actually remembered us. His ability to explain the rhythm of the waves and timing of the pop-up gave both Kristin and me the confidence to catch waves right away (photo by Leo Pinero). By the end of the session, we were grinning ear to ear. If you’re looking for a surf instructor in Tamarindo, I can’t recommend SALT enough.
That afternoon, we were supposed to have an intro scuba lesson (to prepare for a Scuba trip to Catalina Island on Saturday), but our instructor never showed. At first, we were disappointed, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise—the next day the ocean was rough and visibility was poor. Instead, we spent the evening at The Roof, a two-story bar with incredible views of the sunset and some of the best wood-fired pizza in Tamarindo. From there, we bar-hopped around town, ending up at Rumors, a lively cocktail bar.
Day 3 – Beach Hopping
With our Scuba Trip now cancelled and our schedule suddenly open, we decided Saturday would be for exploring the coastline south of Tamarindo.
We started at Playa Junquillal, a quiet stretch of sand that doubles as a turtle nesting site. Walking along the beach, we stumbled upon the Verdiazul Turtle Hatchery, marked by a giant turtle statue. From there, we headed to Playa Negra, a famous surf break featured in Endless Summer II. Standing on the dark volcanic sand, we watched surfers tackle 5-7 foot waves rolling across the reef.
By lunchtime, we were ready for a break and stopped at Barumis, a small burger spot near Playa Avellanas. I ordered a smash burger and Kristin ordered their chicken sandwich. The food here was delicious and easily one of the best meals we had on the entire trip. We spent the afternoon at Lola’s Beach Bar, sipping fresh pineapple cocktails and soaking in the laid-back vibe before heading back to Tamarindo for dinner. That night, we tried sushi at Bamboo Sushi, off the main strip in Tamarindo, and capped off the evening at El Mercado, a lively food court wrapped around a central sailboat-turned-bar.
Day 4 – Wildlife and Wipeouts
Sunday morning began with a tour of the Tamarindo Estuary. Our guide, Enrique, had an incredible eye for spotting wildlife—we saw crocodiles, monkeys, crabs, bats, and a wide variety of birds hidden among the mangroves. If you’re a nature lover, this tour is a must.
For brunch, we stopped at Tabu, a restaurant situated right on the beach, where you can listen to waves washing up as you dine. We both ordered the Huevos Ranceros, which were delicious! This was the best breakfast we had while in Tamarindo!
Fueled up, we decided to rent surfboards and try our luck without an instructor. It didn’t go as planned. The waves were much bigger than during our lesson, and I spent more time tumbling underwater than standing up. Frustrating, yes—but also humbling.
That evening made up for it through. We decided to try Capricho’s, a restaurant serving Argentinian and Italian cuisine. Their handmade empanadas were some of the best I’ve ever had (the cheese and onion was my favorite), and their chicken parm was spot-on. It quickly became one of our favorite spots in Tamarindo
Day 5 – Playa Flamingo, Grande Waves, and One Last Sunset
On our final full day, we headed north to Playa Flamingo. We grabbed tacos at Amigos Tacos y Beer, a quaint taco bar near the Playa Flamingo Marina. We each ordered the Taco Wrap Ron, a crunchy corn taco that is wrapped in flour tortilla with refried beans. It was very tasty and I had to go back for a second round! From there we headed down the street to the beach and spent a few hours relaxing, watching the waves crash over the sand. From there, we drove down to Playa Grande, where we watched surfers carving into massive 7-foot waves while the sun dipped lower in the sky.
By this time, Kristin and I were both craving a snack, so we grabbed pizza and craft beer at Los Olas Brewing, which I’d recommend to anyone passing through. Back at the condo, we toasted our last night in Costa Rica with a sunset drink on the patio before heading into town for dinner. We tried Chop House, a local burger spot. While known for their burgers, we opted to try a variety of different empanadas and see how it would compare to Caprico’s. While interesting, they were not as good as Capricho’s and I’d recommend sticking with the burger. While it wasn’t the best meal of the trip, it was a fun way to wrap up our Tamarindo food tour.
Photography in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a dream for photographers. From misty rainforests and rushing waterfalls to golden beaches and vibrant street scenes, the country offers endless opportunities to capture striking images—whether your focus is wildlife, landscapes, or candid moments of local life. Below are a few of my favorite shots from the trip.
When I travel, deciding what gear to bring is always a challenge. I never want to miss a shot, but practicality usually wins. Packing lighter makes it far more likely that I’ll carry my camera along on every adventure instead of leaving it behind. Here’s the kit I brought with me for this trip:
- Camera(s):
- Sony A7R4 – high-resolution landscapes and low-light photography
- GoPro Hero 10 – perfect for surf sessions, water adventures, and action shots
- Lenses:
- Tamron 16 – 28mm F2.8 – wide-angle landscapes
- Tamron 28 – 200mm F2.8-5.6 – versatile walk-around lens for everything from portraits to wildlife
- Sony 35mm F1.8 – ideal for portraits and street photography
- Lighting/Accessories:
- Vijim VL120 RGB Portable LED Light – for creative lighting anywhere
- K&F Concept Variable ND Filter – essential for long exposure shots in bright daylight
- DJI Mic Mini – captures crisp audio for video
- Multiple SD cards and storage case – to ensure I never run out of space
With this setup, I was able to capture the sweeping coastline, dense jungle wildlife, vibrant streets, and unforgettable sunsets that make Costa Rica such a photographer’s paradise. Traveling with just the right balance of gear allowed me to focus on the experience itself while still coming home with images that tell the story of the trip.
Closing Thoughts
Costa Rica has a way of speaking to my explorer’s heart. Each visit deepens my appreciation for its beauty, its people, and its rhythm of life. The adventures here—whether on a surfboard, hiking through mangroves, or chasing sunsets—remind me of the curiosity I’ve carried since childhood and the resilience I learned in the Army.
Travel isn’t just about seeing new places—it’s about reconnecting with the part of myself that thrives on discovery, challenge, and wonder. Costa Rica delivers all of that and more. I know this won’t be my last visit, because every trip leaves me wanting to explore even further. And that’s the magic of Pura Vida—it pulls you back, again and again.