June 2019

Jun 22, 2019

The RipJack Inn: More than just a hotel

The RipJack Inn is more than just a hotel, it is a home for the first time and the returning visitor to Playa Grande. Dave, Annie, Luli, and the entire staff at the RipJack Inn are all one big loving family. That warm family feeling is extended to everyone who sets foot here, whether in the hotel, the restaurant, the bar, or the yoga shalas. Even Playa Grande locals frequent the RipJack Inn for a post-surf breakfast, sunset cocktails, and weekly live music.

Perfectly positioned right across the street from one of the main beach access paths, the RipJack Inn is the epicenter of the coastal neighborhood of Playa Grande. It is a place where everyone knows or quickly learns your name. It a place where you know you can always go and feel like you belong there.

It is this friendly and welcoming energy that attracts surfers, yogis, families, couples, friends, and solo travelers from around the globe. It is also for this reason that many people who stay at the RipJack Inn once, often come back again. There is nothing quite like feeling like you are home and part of a community when you are thousands of miles away from your actual home.

In recent years, the RipJack Inn has also become a popular destination for yoga, surf, and fitness retreats; student group trips and weddings. Between two yoga shalas, two pools, a restaurant, a bar, and immediate access to the beach and surf, the location doesn’t get much better than this in Playa Grande. There is also a diverse selection of rooms, suites, and bungalows to choose from.

Wedding parties have rented out the entire RipJack Inn to host one of the most romantic moments of any couple’s life. Ceremonies are usually conducted on the beach around sunset, dinner is served upstairs, and the party carries on into the night around the pool. Of course, you can customize your day however you see fit. Your guests will likely be delighted that they get to celebrate your love in one of the most magical places in Northern Guanacaste. You’ll feel like you are getting married at a beloved family member’s home.

There is nothing impersonal about staying at and spending time at the RipJack Inn. You might arrive as a guest, but you will surely leave as a member of the RipJack Inn family.

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Jun 9, 2019

How to Ward Off Pesky Mosquitos the Al Natural Way

Did you know that the mosquito is the world’s most dangerous creature? These tiny assassins are responsible for over a million deaths and hundreds of millions of cases of dengue, malaria, yellow fever, chikungunya, and zika among other diseases every year. There are more than 3,500 different species of mosquitos and they especially love hot and wet environments.

Did you know that only the female mosquitos bite for blood and they only do so when they need the extra nutrients to produce their eggs? Male mosquitos are important pollinators as they feed on the nectar of all different types of plants. Mosquitos are actually one of the top pollinators of cacao, the raw ingredient that is used to make chocolate. So, while it is safe to say that everyone hates mosquitos, we actually need them.

To avoid contracting one of nearly a dozen mosquito-borne diseases, some of which can be potentially life-threatening, it is critical to protect yourself. If you are particularly prone to mosquito bites or are exploring a heavy mosquito-populated area, it might be wise to use a mosquito repellent with DEET. However, if you want to avoid this toxic chemical and you are taking other precautions (see note below) you will be pleased to learn that many natural insect repellents work well thanks to a combination of essential oils.

There are even some organic and locally-made insect repellents that you can purchase while you are in Costa Rica. These include Raw Botanicals Lemongrass Insect Deterrent and Alegria Soaps aloe-based insect gel.

When purchasing a natural insect repellent or making your own, look for a combination of the following natural essential oils:

Lemon eucalyptus

Tea tree

Cinnamon

Bergamot

Peppermint

Lavender

Citronella

Geranium

Thyme

Pine

Cedar

Basil

Do not directly apply essential oils to your skin. Make sure you have a carrier oil such as coconut or almond oil mixed in to avoid irritation.

Other precaution measures that you can take to reduce your risk of getting mauled by mosquitos is to wear lightweight and light-colored long sleeves and long pants, especially around dawn and dusk; eliminate any standing water around your home or accommodations; and burn citronella incents, coils, or candles. Mosquitos might be the world’s most despised pests, but with the right insect repellent, we can co-exist.

Check out the RipJack Inn’s little boutique or Pots and Bowls for local products, including natural insect repellent.

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