A Thanksgiving in Costa Rica 2021
Santa Teresa, Costa Rica is the perfect tropical escape for couples and families alike. One of the few ways to get there is by a small propeller plane that carries only 12 people. That experience is something different than any other form of transportation and was a blast, even coming from someone who is skeptical of planes. On the short 20-minute plane ride, I was able to see a whale, as well as a sea turtle. Once we arrived at Nantipa, a Tico experience, you can find something everyone in the family loves. The service at Nantipa was unlike any other place I have visited. The staff takes time to get to know you even before your arrival, so it was a more personal experience.
The first day staying at Nantipa, our family took a group surf lesson where we each got paired with a professional and were taught the basics and correct form before going out into the ocean. All of us were able to go at our own pace while being encouraged the whole time by those teaching us. Our second trip was a boat tour of “insert here”. We boarded a small ship with a captain and his wife. On an exciting boat trip that felt much like a roller coaster, we were shown an underwater volcano that reaches the surface of the water, which is one of very few in the area. The captain got the fishing poles out, and two Mahi Mahi fish were caught within 10 minutes of each other that would be brought to shore to cook later on. If you are not prone to seasickness and love to fish, offshore fishing would be a definite suggestion. The third day, we woke up bright and early and headed to a waterfall canopy tour at Sun Trails. Here, we rode a total of eight different ziplines where you had to brake using your own hands. It was very efficient, and we got to meet two other tourists from Switzerland. In the middle of ziplining, we stopped at a beautiful waterfall where we were able to rock jump into the pools below. It was extremely refreshing and exhilarating, and the guides even took their own snorkels down into the water. After each adventure every day, we would spend the rest of the afternoon at the beach at Nantipa to enjoy food, drinks, music, and beautiful scenery unlike any other beach. It was the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation.
Every morning, we enjoyed breakfast at Manzu restaurant located right on the beach. They offered a breakfast meal every day as a courtesy when staying at Nantipa. The restaurant offered a wide variety of food from classic American dishes to the Tico (a reference to Costa Ricans slower paced and calmer lifestyle) classic breakfast and meals with more Costa Rican flare. They also offered a romantic couple dinner that was specially arranged on the beach with tiki torches and rose petals. One night during our stay, we went to the restaurant El Facon Grill and Bar in Santa Teresa. We ordered delicious cocktails and the food was absolutely delicious. We also enjoyed dinner at Casa Del Mar which was a very different experience and location. If this is somewhere that you happen to visit, the garlic bread and butter and the calamari are two appetizers you cannot pass up. The atmosphere compared to no other, and really made these restaurants memorable with all outdoor dining.
There is truly something for everyone in the family to enjoy in Santa Teresa and the Nantipa resort. Those who are more adventurous have endless options to explore, and those who like to soak in the sun and scenery can spend afternoons and evenings doing just that.
