Creative Travel - Nosara, Costa Rica
I just spent a week on the Nicoya Peninsula, in Nosara, Costa Rica. I went for a creative retreat hosted by my friend Michaela Trimble - and I returned a better version of myself.
Last September, my friend Michaela (journalist, novelist and teacher based in Baja, Mexico) invited me to attend her January 2025 creative retreat as a teacher (I taught a natural pigment watercolor workshop) but more importantly as a participant of the retreat. As someone with a creative professional lifestyle spanning design, writing, photography, I was so excited to be included and to have the perfect excuse (“work trip”) to accept the generous invitation. I had a hunch that by the time the new year rolled around, I would be ready to realign myself with my creativity – because finding inspiration takes practice. It’s true that a part of me felt a bit overindulgent to justify flying to another country to tap into my creativity, but Michaela’s alluring itinerary and unique offer was too tempting to pass on.
After a 1.5 hour flight from Guatemala City to San Jose, Costa Rica, I walked over to a smaller domestic airport where I boarded a Sansa Airlines, twin engine “hopper” plane for a 45 minute flight to the adorable, beach town of Nosara. Not long after an easy and exciting lift off (I always feel so adventurous in those little planes) we started to descend. Flying in over the long, pristine Pacific coastline, the Purkinje blue water was dotted with surfers like pins on a map – each one waiting for the next perfect wave to carry them home. We smoothly banked left as we passed Boca Nosara, otherwise known as Nosara river mouth where the inland river cuts diagonally through jungle and beach to meet the open ocean. Our little plane narrowed down towards the long, local tarmac lined with lush trees all around, mountains golden in the background with the afternoon sun low in the sky. I was thrilled to be arriving, already thanking myself for prioritizing this trip – “another romantic getaway” as my husband likes to call my solo travel :)
I was handed a perfectly chilled coconut with a paper straw while checking into our gorgeous accommodations, which only reinforced the fact that I had arrived to a tropical paradise. I was steps away from a barefoot laden pathway to the beach on my left, and in just a few blocks to the right I could reach the center of Nosara - a Goop-esque beach village straight out of a movie set. The clean streets and chill vibe of town are accentuated with cute boutiques, coffee shops serving Costa Rican bean brews, farmers market stands, and a tiny organic grocery store that rivals Erewhon both in inventory and price point. Where dusty old ATV’s are the main source of transport and the local attire is a swimsuit and rash guard with a surfboard tucked swiftly under one arm, healthy, happy dogs usually tagging alongside their sun kissed owner, ready for another day on a seashell decorated beach. Nosara is famous around the world for it’s one of a kind surf break and soft sandy bottom both of which are ideal for beginner surfers to seasoned professionals.
For five nights I was absorbed in a local, rejuvenating, idyllic pace of life. Waking up before the sun to a chorus of howler monkeys socializing in the tree tops. In addition to this luxurious and simplistic reality I rolled into, the creative retreat was an invaluable experience full of reflection and expansion. Plant medicine and cacao ceremonies were led by Amalia Moscoso and so many beautiful photos were captured by Michelle Ospino.
Through thoughtfully guided workshops, journaling, breath work, brain trusts and introspective connection, Michaela led 14 of us through such a vibrant week of creativity. Combined with daily stretching, swimming and surfing in the mornings, my nervous system began to rhythmically notch its way down into a vibration that felt lighter, my awareness more keen. Connecting with nature and seeing how highly respected the environment is in Costa Rica, observing wildlife (dolphins, boa constrictors, hermit crabs and iguanas) laughing (so much) with new, brilliant friends, I came home a changed person. Rooted more deeply in myself, grateful for the opportunity to take this trip and for the luxury of slowing down in a world full of distractions.
The combination of variables that made up my last week helped me realize that presence of mind, stillness in body, true connectedness to myself, others, and the moment - whether through meditative breathing that can be practiced anywhere, or being a beginner on a surfboard trying to find my pace in the rhythm of a wave - is a gift. To be truly, mindfully present is a joy in life that I strive for, a practice that takes effort and one that gently guides me to hone my ideas and beliefs, and expand my creativity, too.
As they say in Costa Rica, “Pura Vida” and that, it really was – a pure life. This past week has and will continue to impact every area of my creativity and self-awareness in such a positive way. I am so grateful.
Michaela’s next retreat is in October in Greece and I am really excited (get your name on the list here if you’re interested) . My only hesitation is how/when to notify my family that I plan to attend. I think I’ll wait a little while until I let them know that I am scheming “another romantic getaway”.
In the meantime, I’m happy to share some tips and suggestions of notable spots to stay, eat, shop and special people to connect with whenever you get the chance to go to Nosara…