Gliding along the lush, jungle treetops of Nosara, Costa Rica, in a 4

HONEYMOON
hideaways
Honeymoon
Hideaways
By: C arolyn G erin
Gliding along the lush, jungle treetops of Nosara, Costa Rica, in a 4-seater
prop plane, it’s easy to conjure up the fantasy that the two of you are
journalists for National Geographic or jet setters bound for your private
seaside villa. Nosara, invites fantastical musings: remote, romantic, and less
crowded than your predictable honeymoon destination, it takes a bit more
effort to get there, but on arrival, delivers abundantly.
You step off onto a tiny runway and your shoulders
relax: after months of wedding planning and
festivities, this time is about connecting with each
other, and disconnecting from everything else. The
tropical breezes tickle your face and the warmth
envelopes. As you bump along the road in your
rental car, you can’t believe your eyes: an entire
family of monkeys in the teak trees welcoming you
to paradise, and barefoot, smiling children waving
at you from their bikes.
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You pull up to your rental house recommended by
your Honeymoon Hideaways concierge
(www. destinationidomag.com/honeymoon_hideaways/),
and think there must be come kind of mistake:
isn’t this Donald Trumps beach house? With three
outdoor porches, a palapa gazebo, a bed the size of
the QE2, an infinity pool overlooking the ocean, a
‘houseboy,’ chef and masseuse, you are channeling
celebrity style a la Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony
at Casa Libelula. And to think that you were actually
considering a beach front high-rise!
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HONEYMOON
hideaways
Casa de Sueños, offers the same lovely views with a
more edited floor plan and price tag.
Before you can say, Pura Vida, you are “in it” and
despite your protestations: the tropical and seductive
cool/warm evenings, an adventurous morning
surf with the locals, a lazy lunch of fish tacos and
Imperials, followed by a “siesta” (the international
term for mid-day nookie) lulls you into a sense of
euphoric contentment. You start to question why
you work like a demon all year when every day could
be like this. Then you push that thought from your
head like a lazy bumblebee, because thinking about
anything other than pleasure and relaxation is just too
taxing. So you mix a batch of frosty margaritas and
swim to the edge of the horizon (your private infinity
pool) to watch the fuchsia sunset before a romantic
dinner is prepared for you on the veranda by your
personal chef.
What you don’t see: a cluster of production line
hotels or resorts that cater to other honeymoon
couples (wasn’t the idea to get away from it all?),
crowded beaches, overpriced, mass-produced cuisine,
blue cocktails, the bling brigade: high heels, string
bikinis, and diamonds the size of gumballs poolside,
and pre-programmed activities to fill your every
waking hour. Not so, Nosara: welcome to ‘sarong
central’ where dressing up is throwing on a tee and
flip-flops and heading to the nearest thatched palapa
for a smoothie. If you are looking for a big ‘scene,’
look elsewhere. But be on the “who’s who” lookout:
celebrities and rock stars come here frequently to
get away from it all for a reason, the tranquility and
pleasure principle makes it a closely guarded secret
(isn’t that Bono and Ali over there?).
Aaaah, Nosara! Even the name sounds like a
whispered breeze off the Pacific. Located on Nicoya
Peninsulas’ mid-Guasacaste Coast, this off-thebeaten-track gem offers stunning beaches, most
notably, Playa Guiones, a 6 km expanse of pristine
white sand running in a straight line from Punta
Pelada to Punta Guiones in the south. For surfers it
offers gentle, rolling waves (great for beginners), and
bigger waves for the shredders a short distance away.
One of the best surf spots on the Peninsula, Playa
Guiones offers easy access with long beach breaks,
with both lefts and rights. Playa Rosada (beach
of pink sand) offers sun-warmed tide pools and
excellent snorkeling.
| S P R I N G & S U M MER 2008 | www.destinationidomag.com
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HONEYMOON
hideaways
If you’ve entertained the idea of surfing, but never
had the nerve, some of the towns’ secret weapons
may improve your luck. Coconut Harry’s Surf
Shop boasts a battalion of Tico teachers who
started surfing about the time they could walk.
Charming and patient, Diego fixed my “pop up”
(the classic surfer stance) in one session.
www. coconutharrys.com
For an intense personal surf session with a native
Nosaran, look no further than El Punto, (“The
Point”). Juan Surfo, owner, doesn’t want to be
your best friend, but he does want you to be the
best surfer. He gives you an honest skill assessment
and then kicks your butt. [email protected].
For lounge lizards who dare to venture from the
poolside chaise, fishing, diving, zip lining, and even
a world class yoga retreat will help you burn off
some of those calories from last nights Bacchanal.
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HONEYMOON
hideaways
For great fish and cold beer, try the Gilded Iguana. For
sunsets cocktail overlooking Playa Pelada, try La Luna
or the Sunset Bar at La Garta Lodge. Fresh sushi, a
swim up bar and a steel band on Sundays makes the 506
the go-to locals hot spot. Casa Tucan offers bamboo
tiki glamour: great pizza and icy beers. Marlin Bills
is the spot for fresh tuna or Dorado sandwiches and
cerviche.
My favorite restaurant in town for food and romance
(and surprisingly well priced) is Chef Debbie Bishops
Vista Del Paraiso. Try the Black Squid Ink Pasta with
Jumbo Shrimp or the Ginger Caramelized Ahi Tuna
(caught 2 hours before). Where else can you dine
poolside, overlooking a cliff with a full ocean view, and
share a fresh fruit tropical cocktail and cerviche with
your objet d’amour? www.paradiseviewvillas.com
Nosara: it’s not for everybody, especially those that crave
the organization of cruise ship life (or social butterflies
who crave the nightlife). But for those of you who
like to take it down a notch and think that relaxing in
a hammock with a book is perfectly acceptable activity
(as is surfing at 6 am, or having a beer at lunch), then
it might just be the ticket. The Nosara experience is the
fabric of memories.
CREDITS:
Photos: Kranti Gil, Juan Surfo, La Garta Lodge
Jewelry: Jennifer Stone, Jenstones.com
Surf Boards/Lessons: Coconutharrys.com,
[email protected]
Food: Chef Debbie Bishop, Vista Del Paraiso