Pura Vida with Purpose: My 6-Day Costa Rica FAM — Meetings, Mountains & Making Itinerary Magic

This was not a vacation — it was an educational FAM (familiarization) trip designed to build relationships and deepen industry knowledge so I can craft even better Costa Rica experiences for my clients. Over six full days I toured properties, inspected hotels and adventure sites, and met with local partners — including hotels, tour operators, destination management companies (DMCs), and transportation providers. I traveled with eight fellow travel advisors and returned full of ideas, partnerships, and memories. Here’s the trip, day-by-day.

Bridge in Costa Rica in the forest - Photo credit TMM

Day 1 - Arrival & Local Immersion (San José)
I woke at 4:00 AM to catch flights from Nashville → Houston → San José (a little airport hustle in Houston, but both flights were smooth).  Customs was a breeze, and our guide and driver were waiting for the group.  After checking in (my room wasn’t ready yet), we started walking to a nearby food court — the rain stopped us from walking all the way there, so the driver came back to scoop us up and take the whole group to lunch.  I happily served as a translator at the local restaurant (I was the only Spanish speaker in the group) — it was so much fun hearing everyone try their Spanish!
Back at the hotel, I explored a nearby fresh market, walked around the hotel to see their amenities, and squeezed in a hot tub session (until lightning sent us inside).  Worked for a couple of hours and rested up for a big day of meetings the next morning.

Day 2 - Trade Show & Road to Monteverde (San José → Monteverde)
This was our first trade show day, from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM, during which we held 33 meetings with Costa Rican tour operators, DMCs, hotels, and transportation partners.  These conversations were invaluable — technical logistics, new excursions, and ways to elevate guest experiences were all on the table.

After a hosted lunch at the DoubleTree by Hilton, we boarded a 4-hour bus to Monteverde along scenic highways and cloud-forest back roads.  Despite rain, the journey gave us a rainbow and a jaw-dropping sunset over the mountains — of course, we stopped to take photos.  That evening at El Establo Eco Lodge, a native guide and tourism-company owner welcomed us around a fire pit to share the area’s history and local perspective.  Dinner at Laggus Restaurant wrapped up the day.

Day 3 - Monteverde: Treetopia, Bridges & Brave Moments
We started with breakfast by a tranquil hotel pond, then headed to Treetopia Park. While some of the group did two hours of zip lining, I chose the aerial tram to capture the views and cheer everyone on. A steep one-mile trail led us to Hanging Bridge #5 — facing my fear of heights, I crossed it. I also tried the zipline bike after lunch (scarier than it looked) and gave tree climbing a go — the tree won that round. Highlights: hummingbird encounters, an onsite hotel inspection, and perfect weather that switched to rain only after we were safely back on the bus. We finished with a cozy site inspection of Fondavela Hotel and a traditional dinner.

Day 4 - White-Water Thrills & Hacienda Welcome (Tenorio → Hacienda Guachipelín)
An early breakfast and a 3-hour drive to Liberia set the tone for a full adrenaline day. At Tenorio Adventure we received a safety briefing and launched into a thrilling two-hour river rafting trip — rapids, rainforest, and non-stop laughs. After lunch we traveled to Hacienda Guachipelín, where the team greeted us with music, welcome cocktails, and keys already ready for rooms. Dinner that night was delicious — a perfect farm-to-table finish after a big adventure day.

Day 5 - Waterfalls, Hot Springs & Hacienda Site Inspections
This day mixed inspection with immersion. Morning site tours of Hacienda Guachipelín showed a wide range of accommodations: standard rooms, deluxe queens, a show-stopping suite (private jacuzzi, marble tub, outdoor patio), and even a glamping tent with its own jacuzzi. The property’s open-air yoga pavilion and a private event venue (capacity ~120) sit beautifully in the jungle with volcano views — I returned later to watch a stunning sunset from that spot.

We hiked to a mineral-rich waterfall (swinging bridges included!) — the water was freezing, but I jumped in and stayed about ten minutes. Then a restorative visit to the hot springs and a rejuvenating mud bath. The hacienda grows many of its own vegetables, which made dinner exceptionally fresh and delicious. (Rain moved in later and postponed horseback riding for some of us.)

Day 6 - Coffee Culture, Final Trade Show & Farewells (San José)
We departed early for Liberia, then boarded a small charter flight back to San José (our luggage rode back with our driver David, who drove four hours to reunite with us — gratitude!). After a delay at the airport, we visited the Britt Coffee Plantation for a fascinating tour and tasting — I left with locally roasted beans in my suitcase, of course.
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Back in the city we checked into Marriott Hacienda Belén then attended our second trade event at the Radisson San José, meeting 21 additional Costa Rican partners — hotels, tour operators, DMCs and transportation companies. These meetings are where deals and future collaborations begin, and I returned home with new contacts, product knowledge, and special offers to share with my clients. We closed the night with dinner, warm goodbyes, and heartfelt thanks to our guide Jesús and driver David for their incredible hospitality.

This trip = Education + Better Trips for YOU

This FAM trip was all about building relationships and knowledge so I can design confident, curated Costa Rica itineraries that deliver authentic experiences, reliable logistics, and insider access. Because I walked the trails, inspected rooms, tried the activities, met the guides, and sat with the people who make tourism happen here, I can recommend exactly the right properties and excursions for each traveler — from families to adventure seekers to luxury guests.

Ready to Experience Pura Vida?If Costa Rica is calling you, let’s plan a trip that matches your style — adventure, relaxation, culture, or a perfect mix of all three. I’ve seen the hotels, tried the activities, and met the partners who will make your trip seamless and unforgettable.

📩 Contact me today to start building your Costa Rica itinerary: reply to this post in a comment below, or email me at info@sheylaadventure.travel.
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Spaces fill quickly for high-season departures and curated departures — let’s make your Pura Vida happen.