A Costa Rican Adventure

So, maybe our vacation wasn't really that big an adventure, but, the twist was that we didn't plan on going to Costa Rica until the day before we left - seriously. Our 2011 vacation has been the topic of many conversations and even a few disagreements. See, I wanted to go overseas. Like, way overseas - Budapest, Prague, maybe Copenhagen... Somewhere really fantastic where we could experience another culture and see some sights. The Hubs wanted to go to an all-inclusive resort. He basically wanted to experience our honeymoon all over again - in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. I wasn't feeling it.

However, ultimately - believe it or not - I let the Hub's win. For once. He earned it and to be totally honest, I was looking forward to relaxing a bit too. We booked a trip to an amazing (looking) all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana. The closer the trip came the more I was ready for some beach + book + frozen cocktail time!

Then came the bad news...

Yes, tropical storm Emily derailed our plans, just a bit. Oh, and see where it says "2 PM Wed." on the map above?!? That's when the storm would be right over Punta Cana. And that was the day of our arrival. 

Luckily, when I booked our vacation through Delta Vacations, I'd been inclined to purchase trip insurance. So, when we started to receive all of those concerned phone calls from friends and family, I called Delta to see what all of our options were. Well, the day before we were supposed to leave, I cancelled our trip to the Dominican and began researching other available vacation options. My guidelines were pretty simple - the weather forecast had to look good and it needed to be super relaxing, i.e. pool/beach (I'd become very attached to that plan of the Hub's). 

Well, due to tropical storm Emily basically the entire Caribbean was out - as well as the Gulf cost of Mexico. Next, I looked at the Pacific coast of Mexico... Well, low and behold, another little tropical depression looked like it was forming in that location at that time. Then, up pops Costa Rica as a great option. Surprise! So, Costa Rica it was. I found a top-rated all-inclusive resort , worked with the Delta agent to book our flights and it was on. 

Not only was it on, but it was amazing! Our last minute change of plans were a total blessing in disguise and we fell in love with Costa Rica! Here's a little recap of our recent vacation...

Flying into Costa Rica

The Hub's first beer of the trip on our balcony enjoying the fabulous view

Yay, we made it!

View out to Papagayo Bay from the main side of the resort

 

A long tailed raccoon - we'd been hoping to see a monkey

A spectacular sunset on our first night

The AM view from our room

So.... relaxed.

We read. A lot.

I think I read six books in seven days :-)

Finally, a picture of us

 

Mmm... one of my favorite cocktails - a mango mojito.

 

Another phenomenal sunset 

The resort had fun little trams to take us all around - it was super convenient!

Ready to go out to another great meal (I'm getting a lot of mileage out of that anniversary dress, ha!)

Wish all of our sunsets were like these...

Each day, when we returned to our room, we had cute towel art displayed on the bed - this elephant was my favorite :-)

A beautiful view from my lounge chair on the "adults only" side of the resort.

Ahhh... Couldn't get enough of them!

Costa Rica boasts some of the world's most beautiful beaches - many of them black sand, due to the volcanic geography. The water was beautiful and crystal clear...

View of our resort from our private boat tour.

It was so much fun!

Beautiful!

Gorgeous vistas...

The Hubs & I by the famous "Monkey Head Island"

We saw a sea turtle near here, but didn't get a picture :-/

Very cool cave

Enjoying a Costa Rican Imperial beer on the ride

Seriously, this water was amazing!

The next day, we explored all of the resort's hiking trails... I'm sweating my booty off :-)

The Hubs wasn't as sweaty.

We finally made it to the top of the mountain!

The views paid off for the mountain climb!

One day we kayaked all the way out there...

These little guys were all over the place, but very friendly.

We certainly took advantage of the all-inclusive cocktails :-)

Yum!

Maybe my favorite spot in the resort... laying out on the pool deck on the "adults only side."

We truly had an amazing time and I think we're already ready to go back :-) Things really do happen for a reason and I certainly feel very fortunate to have been able to experience Costa Rica... Even if it was spur of the moment. 

 I hope you all have been able to enjoy some lovely summer vacations as well!!!