Where barefoot luxury meets slow, sun-soaked living
Costa Rica is the first trip I ever took out of the country. At 8 years old, I got to ride horses on the beach and take surf lessons from a local shop. Twelve years later, I got to do it all again.
The second time around, I felt more comfortable and confident. We knew what we wanted to get out of the trip. While my parents went for an extra week, my sister and I flew into Costa Rica’s capital, San Jose. We then took a dingy little plane to Mal País (that literally only fit 4 guests) and set off on our adventure.
I spent a week here that felt like the best kind of dream: sun-drenched, a little wild and completely un-rushed.
Our villa, surrounded by palm fronds was our sanctuary (except for when the howler monkeys came out). Each morning, I woke up to the sound of waves, took a cool dip in the pool and drank fresh coffee, prepared by my dad, with my sister. Just as we planned… nothing at all. That’s the beauty of Mal País—its magic unfolds when you let go.
Highlights from the Week:
Private Horseback Riding on the Beach
My favorite moment of the trip: a private horseback ride arranged through a local friend. There were no other tourists—just us, the horses and the sea. It felt like a scene out of a storybook.
Jobbie’s Longboards and Surf Camp
Another standout? The local surf shop owned by a friend of my dad’s—no frills, all heart. We spent hours there, waxing boards, swapping stories and paddling out to catch the waves. It wasn’t about skill. It was about joy.
Private Chef Dinners
On three nights, we stayed in and let the flavors of Costa Rica come to us. Our private chef prepared beautifully curated meals, and the Indian dinner was a surprise favorite. The flavorful spices and storytelling made the dinner.
Lazy Days & Sister Time
Some of the best memories weren’t “activities” at all. Just lounging by the pool with my sister, reading, napping, laughing about nothing. Pure presence. My family took a yoga class at a local resort, where I was surprised by my balancing skills.
Meeting the Locals
After spending a week enjoying the local community and culture, we had to end the same way. This means taking an ATV along the beach to the airport. I rode on the back of Jobbie’s quad while my parents took the car and luggage behind us. We stopped at a local family farm and drank beers. We got to hear stories of their time in Costa Rica, learning about their day-to-day lives. It was incredible.
For Next Time…
We dipped our toes into everything from zip-lining and waterfall hikes to massages at the villa. With the help of our house manager and local friends, everything was effortless. I already know I’ll be back—and next time, I’m booking that massage for after surfing.
Planning a Bespoke Getaway to Mal País?
Let go of the schedule. Say yes to slow mornings, saltwater adventures and chef-cooked dinners. Bespoke travel isn’t about ticking boxes—it’s about sinking into the moments that matter and spending quality time with the ones you love.
With love, Ava
Ava Stepanian 