Costa Rica has been on my bucket list for several years. Now that I am entering my upper-20s with some real means, I was finally able to make the trip. It was finally time to take the ultimate Costa Rica group trip.
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I have been organizing group trips since I graduated high school. As a huge fan of connection, I believe that these types of trips forge serious bonds between new and old friends alike.
These trips have included fishing in Ellensburg, Washington, lounging in Cabo San Lucas, and all-around fun on Andros Island in The Bahamas. However, something about this trip to Costa Rica was different. Tight lines, new dive certifications, and of course, great company made for the trip of a lifetime.
The Brainchild
This brainchild was conceived following a trip to The Bahamas with nine friends in 2023. That was the first major trip that many of us took as true adults without our families.
I grew up going to Grand Bahama Island, and having the chance to explore a new island with my friends was priceless. In fact, Small Hope Bay Lodge has become a bi-annual trek for me.
On that trip, I was already considering where I would like to go next with a large group. Bermuda, Hawaii, Belize, and others were all in the running. However, one of my friends mentioned Costa Rica, and I was immediately sold.
Planning began in 2024 as a couple of us tore through blogs and forums trying to figure out where to stay. We decided that the West Coast would have enough activities for everyone. By early 2025, we had found an Airbnb that would accommodate our growing group and booked it. The trip was on.
Arriving in Costa Rica
Traveling with a group of 15 can be difficult, but we made it quite easy on ourselves. Once in Costa Rica, we were picked up by a couple of vans associated with our Airbnb (Villa Santa Luz). They took us right to the villa, and staff members were ready to help us kick off our trip.
Using an Airbnb made our lives cheaper and easier. Not to mention, it placed everyone together rather than spreading us out at a large resort.
The staff members at Villa Santa Luz were extremely pleasant to work with. They provided a tour of the house, gave a rundown of their roles, and made sure we were comfortable.
Once we were through the pleasantries, everyone began to relax and enjoy being in Costa Rica.
Water-Based Activities
Some of us in the group were scheduled on basically every day. I myself had multiple days of fishing and diving on the docket. Others were ready to play it by ear. Both tactics worked perfectly, and we were easily able to coordinate rides with our van.
Fishing
Fishing was my No. 1 interest in Costa Rica. While the Caribbean side (East Coast) boasts world-class tarpon fishing, which I will absolutely return for in the future, the Pacific side is home to serious marine biodiversity that I simply cannot get anywhere in the United States.
I fished with Papagayo Fishing. A full review of their company can be found here.
The Papagayo Fishing staff were very good to my group and me. Our group contained anglers of all levels with various interests in fishing. I was in exclusive pursuit of fish with a fly rod, and the boats were well-crafted to accommodate all types of fishing.
Unfortunately, fishing was a bit slow during the week we were in Costa Rica. We caught a combination of bonita, needlefish, and blue runner, with some shots at yellowfin tuna and yellowtail jacks mixed in. While disappointing, that is a part of fishing, and it will likely compel us to return to finish what we started.
However, one of our group members caught a sailfish on a combined fishing/beach barbecue trip. Talk about a fish of a lifetime for someone who does not fish regularly. We set the fish free, but that was a joy to see for the individuals on that boat.
Overall, I left Costa Rica satisfied with my fishing opportunities. I enjoyed several great fights with fish I would not ordinarily have a chance to target. That is always going to be worth the price of admission.
Diving
Next on my list of priorities was diving. Four others and I in my group received our dive certifications from Summer-Salt Dive Center.
As a marine biologist, I am no stranger to being in and on the water. However, experiencing the marine environment completely submersed in a weightless state was unlike anything I had experienced before.
Diving also provided a special connection with my friends. We built camaraderie through a shared experience, and we shared many laughs through it all. Not to mention, anytime we do a tropical trip from here on out, we will always have the opportunity to dive together. That is pretty special if you ask me.
Another member of our group was already dive certified. He was able to participate in the more advanced dives offered by Summer-Salt. Having the opportunity to listen to his stories at the end of each day was priceless, and it got us more excited about our diving future.
Land-Based Activities
Much of the rest of the group was focused on hiking, jungle touring, and beach-going. Everyone who did so had a great time.
Some individuals traveled a couple of hours with our van driver, who gave them a tour of some of the more mountainous terrain in the area. He played tour guide for the group as he pointed out interesting animals and provided facts on what they were seeing.
The same individuals who went on that tour also found their way to Diamante Eco Adventure Park, where they were able to view indigenous animals and enjoy the Superman zipline across one of Guanacaste’s valleys.
Beach goers alternated between Playas del Coco and Playa Hermosa. Both were great options, whether you are interested in lounging, swimming, or grabbing a beachside bite to eat.
In all, there was never a shortage of activities to participate in.
Group Bonding
While the activities were certainly a highlight of the trip, it was the opportunity to strengthen relationships with friends, new and old, that made this trip so special.
We had what we began calling “fam dinner” every single night. We cooked, ate, and cleaned together, then turned around and laughed for hours each night while we recounted the day’s events.
What began as simple chicken and rice turned into feasts featuring beef tenderloin with roasted vegetables, with appetizers ranging from homemade ceviche to fried plantains.
Those fleeting moments at the table each night were certainly the highlight of my trip. Watching people from different facets of my life come together and become friends in their own right was special.
We also participated in two larger group activities: 1. A sunset cruise on board the Marlin del Rey catamaran. 2. The aforementioned fishing/beach barbecue with Papagayo Fishing.
Marlin del Rey
The evening on the Marlin del Rey fell right in the middle of the trip, and included everyone present. We got a chance to mingle with each other and other groups of people on the boat. We snorkeled, ate, drank, and watched the sunset, all in a complete togetherness.
The evening on the Marlin del Rey proved to be the turning point of the trip when the tone shifted from just another trip with friends to a special experience that none of us will ever forget.
Upon returning home that evening, we were greeted by a dinner prepared by the Villa Santa Luz staff. We ate fresh fish, shrimp, fried plantains, fruit, and greens. All this while continuing to strengthen bonds together. I can confidently say that was one of my favorite days of the trip.
Fishing and Barbeque
The fishing/barbecue was equally special. It only included 12 of the 15 group members, but it took place towards the end of the trip as a bit of a send-off. We even had two group members departing the following morning, so the outing was a great final day for them.
We spent the morning fishing, and the afternoon lounging on the beach, snorkeling, and eating fresh food prepared by the Papagayo Fishing staff.
The day had already begun on a high note with news of the sailfish permeating our group. However, sitting on a beach in group solitude stimulated fun conversation and fun interactions with the capuchin monkeys who called the beach home.
During our snorkeling time, we saw two sea turtles and a wide variety of fish that made every dollar worth it. Following that afternoon, several of the group members described that event as the highlight of their trip.
Honoring My Late Mother
I lost my mother in September, and some of my friends suggested we honor her on this trip. With two group members departing, I wanted to do something to honor her following a fantastic day. I am so very grateful for the suggestion to do so.
My mother was an incredibly special person, independent of what she meant to me. She was unbelievably kind, morally sound, and she knew how to talk to literally anyone. I strive to be just like here every day, and I miss her dearly.
I never had a chance to truly memorialize my mother in my own way. Doing so on this trip with most of my closest friends surrounding me was more than special. On the beach that evening, I said a few words, and we all shared our favorite moment/memory of our parents. Together, we laughed and cried, culminating in a big group hug at the end.
No one can ever take that short half hour away from us. I will carry that experience with me for the rest of my life. I felt a sense of relief in being able to share those moments with my friends. To everyone who was in attendance, I am forever grateful.
Looking Towards The Future
This was my toughest return to reality I have ever had following a vacation. I have had the privilege of participating in some magnificent vacations in some marvelous destinations, but nothing can compare to what I just experienced for a week in Costa Rica.
My quest to get together with friends began at the end of high school, with just a few friends at a time. It has now grown into a world-traveling large group that travels better together than anything I could have imagined.
I am already scheming up the next trip. In a perfect world, we will all travel somewhere together every couple of years until we simply cannot. I want to do my part to share my love of exploring new places and having new experiences with my contemporaries for as long as I can.
If I have learned anything in my 27 years of existence, it is that we cannot simply sit idly by while our lives pass by. We have to attack life and go experience the things that our means allow us to do.
I learned very recently that our lives could be yanked away from us at any moment. As such, I do not want to look back and wonder what I could have done differently. I want to look back and know that I lived life to the fullest. I want the same for my friends. The more we can do together, the more we can all feel fulfilled when it is all over.
Here’s to the most spectacular trip I have ever taken. I hope that there are many more to come.
