I’m a huge fan of mini vacations. 3 to 4 days of warm weather and limited internet access is enough to reenergize and re-inspire me at work, in dance, and in life in general. In the past few years, I’ve tried to take mini-vacations more often (every few months) instead of taking one long trip each year.
Perhaps there is less pressure because the trip itself is shorter, and so I enjoy them more.
Here’s what my mini vacation in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica back in December looked like:
- Three days on the beach
- A couple of surf lessons
- Lots of delicious food
That’s pretty much my recipe for a perfect mini vacation!
Where to Stay
Casa Cecilia (pictured above)
Directly on the beach!
Double rooms ~ $99 – $160
Casa Cecilia is truly one of a kind! This open-air house sits on the beach and exudes calm and tranquil vibes. The rooms are simple and on the smaller side (they all have a bed, dresser, bathroom, and mini-fridge). What you’re really paying for is the location, which I think is worth every penny, especially because the best times to enjoy the beach are in the mornings and evenings (it gets really hot during the day).
I loved watching the waves roll in as I drank my morning coffee and taking beach walks under the stars a night. So beautiful!
At times Casa Cecilia can feel a bit like a friend’s beach house. The staff is friendly without being intrusive or overly talkative. You’ll cross paths with the other guests during breakfast (included in your stay) or as you enjoy the hotel’s beachfront hammocks and chairs, but there’s enough space and the vibe is calm, so you’ll have plenty of space to yourself!
*The rooms don’t have a TV, but they do have free Wi-Fi, so if you think you might want to watch a movie at the end of a long day in the sun, bring an iPad or laptop with you.
What to Pack
My biggest packing tip? Don’t bring too much stuff! Especially if you’re flying directly into Liberia Airport (LIR) and planning to stay on the coast, you don’t need to pack a lot of clothes. I pretty much lived in my swimsuit and shorts and changed into the same dress every night when we went to dinner 🙈
Here are my essentials:
- A good book (or two!)
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Swimsuit
- Sarong
- Shorts & a couple of t-shirts
- Long flowy dress (or a long skirt and t-shirt)
- Light cover up (for windier nights)
- Plastic flip-flops (like Havaianas, so you can wash the sand off of them at the end of the day!)
- Pajamas & underwear
Do you have any recs for Santa Teressa, Costa Rica?