A Land of Many Souls — My Love Letter to Costa Rica’s Richness

Eu Molina
May 21
3 min read

Costa Rica is not one place.It’s a mosaic of worlds — layered, wild, grounded, rebellious, and divine. You can drive for two hours and feel like you've entered a whole new country. And that, to me, is where the magic lives.

We are a small but ridiculously rich nation — not in money, not always in mindset — but in land, energy, and soul. We have two coasts stretched wide like open arms: the Pacific and the Caribbean. They carry different rhythms, different moods. One dances to reggae, the other to reggaetón — and both are intoxicating in their own way.

In between them? Mountains that hum. Valleys that breathe. Volcanoes that crack open clouds like divine punctuation marks — reminding us of the fire beneath the surface.Costa Rica is not quiet. It's alive.It whispers and roars.

The Pacific — Where Vibes & Waves Collide

Along the Pacific Coast, towns like Tamarindo and Flamingo offer a rare blend of city-meets-sand. You’ll find everything you need: restaurants, markets, good internet (finally), and a buzzing social scene wrapped in golden hour sunsets. You can party, surf, and meet people from all over the world — all while walking barefoot back to your rental with sand stuck between your toes. It’s international, yet still somehow intimate. Locals blend with expats. Yoga mats roll out on rooftops. Cafes serve oat milk lattes with a side of Spanish lessons. You’ll see families, entrepreneurs, lovers, retirees, and digital nomads — all orbiting the same sun.

Keep driving south, and you’ll hit Playa Negra, Marbella, and Ostional — surfers' playgrounds, wild and untamed. These aren’t polished tourist towns. They’re raw, real, and drenched in salt. There’s something about watching a sunset here that makes you believe you’re in on a secret. From there, if you're feeling bold, take the “hidden” road to Nosara — no, Waze won’t help you. You’ll cross rivers and question your vehicle, but trust me: it’s worth it.That road is a rite of passage.

And Santa Teresa? That’s another portal entirely. A seductive, jungle-covered magnet for wanderers, creatives, and mystics.But let’s not spoil the spell — those two towns deserve blog posts of their own (coming soon).

Further South...

Down the coast, Manuel Antonio in Quepos welcomes you with lush jungle and wildlife so close it might steal your breakfast. Then comes Bahía Ballena and Uvita, where time slows down and the whales put on shows no influencer can compete with. These places are laid-back, less about buzz and more about breath. Nature isn’t just scenery — it’s the main character.

And if you keep going?You’ll find Pavones — the crown jewel for surf lovers, home to one of the longest left-hand waves in the world. It’s hypnotic, tucked away at the edge of the country like it’s guarding a secret only the ocean knows how to keep.

The Caribbean — Wait for Her

And then there’s the Caribbean.No, I’m not going to unpack her here.She deserves her own altar, her own story.And she’ll get it — in another post soon. Because to speak of the Caribbean in a paragraph would be a disservice to her wild beauty. And you’ll feel why.