Hermit Crab, Howler Monkeys and My Happy Place

You know that moment when your therapist says, “Close your eyes. Picture your happy place. Breathe”? I’m willing to bet most people envision a beach. Quiet. Remote. Maybe a hammock with a gentle breeze. I found that place. Actually, we found it—my husband and I—tucked away in Costa Rica.

Our first trip was inspired by a Conde Nast article featuring a tiny casita on a six-mile stretch of beach where the population was roughly 450… and zero of them were ever on the sand. On one side? Mangroves. On the other? The Pacific Ocean. No air conditioning, no room service—just howler monkeys acting as the loudest, most judgmental alarm clocks at sunrise.

Showers? Outdoors, naturally, and shared with the occasional blue land crab. When the rain poured too hard, scorpions sometimes decided to move in. (Free roommates—what a deal!) But somehow, we loved it.

Mornings were spent watching hermit crabs hustle like Wall Street brokers, Costa Rican coffee in hand. Hours slipped by, barefoot and makeup-free, because the few restaurants in Playa Zancudo sit directly on the sand. Shoes? Optional. Stress? Nonexistent.

When we weren’t scanning the six-mile beach for shells (or actual humans), we took mangrove and rainforest tours, or simply perfected the art of sipping Ron Centenario Rum at every possible meal.

This isn’t for the “I need a cabana boy and a cabernet” crowd. But if complete peace, natural beauty, and a touch of wild adventure are your vibe, Playa Zancudo might just be your happy place too.