Y'all, let me tell you about the time we decided to pack up our craziness and jet off to Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. It was me, my sister and her hubby (bless their hearts), my ride-or-die and her man, plus my boo and our trio of mini-me's. We landed ourselves in the lush lap of Tulemar Resort, and baby, it was like stepping into a screensaver!
The journey from the airport had us all acting like we were on a safari. We stopped at this spot called the Alligator Bridge, and yes, it's exactly what it sounds like. We saw those gators lounging like they owned the place, and I couldn't help but joke about who was going to volunteer as tribute for a closer look. Lunch was at this cute little spot where the view was almost as delicious as the food. Almost.
Tulemar Resort was our slice of paradise. Picture this: villas tucked into the side of a hill, ocean views for days, and a private beach where the boys could run wild and we could sip something tropical in peace. It was like the universe said, "You need a break, honey," and delivered.
Now, onto the adventures—because you know we couldn't just sit pretty on a beach the whole time. Zip lining through the jungle was like starring in our own action movie, minus any actual danger, because let's be real, I wasn't about to mess up my hair. The waterfalls were like something out of a fantasy, except the hike there definitely reminded us that gravity is a thing, and it's not always our friend.
Downtown Manuel Antonio was a vibe. Markets, music, and that kind of hustle and bustle that makes you want to dance—or at least nod your head a bit. We were all about soaking up that local flavor and maybe bargaining a little too hard for souvenirs. Sorry, not sorry!
But let's talk about the real MVPs of the trip: the monkeys. These little entertainers had more personality than half the people on my Instagram feed. Watching them do their thing was a daily dose of nature's comedy show. And the private chef? Listen, having someone cook for you is nice, but having a culinary wizard whip up Costa Rican delights every morning and night? That's the kind of luxury that makes you question every life choice that led you to not living like this 24/7.
Looking back, it wasn't just the postcard-perfect scenes or the thrill of the adventures that made our trip to Manuel Antonio unforgettable. It was the laughter, the inside jokes, the shared looks when one of the kids did something wild, and yes, even the moments of pure, blissful silence (rare as they were). It was a reminder that no matter where you go, it's the people you're with that turn a vacation into an epic adventure. Costa Rica, you were a dream, but it was our squad that made it legendary.