Sep 12, 2024
Independence Day in Costa Rica

Independence Day in Costa Rica: A Celebration of Freedom and Tradition

Costa Rica’s Independence Day, celebrated on September 15, is a significant event that unites the country in a display of national pride, history, and culture. It commemorates the day in 1821 when Costa Rica, along with other Central American nations, gained independence from Spanish rule. For Costa Ricans, this day is a reflection of their dedication to peace, democracy, and their rich cultural heritage.

The Lantern Parade

On the eve of Independence Day, the country’s children participate in a lantern parade. The lanterns, known as “faroles,” symbolize the light of freedom. These lanterns are handmade, often resembling traditional Costa Rican houses or national symbols, and are proudly carried through the streets.  Each school organizes a parade every year.  Make sure and keep your eyes peeled on Saturday, the 14th for the local Playa Grande Parade.  The parade will happen as soon as the sunsets to allow the lanterns to illuminate.

The Local Dishes

Costa Rica’s Independence Day is not only about national pride but also an opportunity to indulge in the country’s culinary delights. Traditional dishes such as gallo pinto (a rice and beans dish), tamal (a corn-based meal wrapped in plantain leaves), and chifrijo (a mixture of rice, beans, pork, and avocado) are enjoyed by families as they gather to celebrate.

Costa Rica’s Independence Day is more than just a holiday; it’s a celebration of the country’s identity as a peaceful, democratic nation. Make sure and join us in the restaurant at RipJack Inn on Sunday the 15th of September to enjoy the best Chifrijo in town!

Pura Vida!

Chifrio typical Costa Rican food for Independence day
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Jan 8, 2021
Playa Grande – One of the world’s best beaches

Looking for a quiet, off the beaten path travel destination for your next vacation?  Welcome to Playa Grande, Costa Rica.  Hands down one of the most beautiful beaches you will ever visit.  At low tide there are miles of white sand beach to explore and warm gentle water to swim in.  At high tide there is some of the most consistent surf in all of Costa Rica, and did we mention how warm the water is?  The sunsets are so magical that you won’t be able to stay away and why would you?  Grab a happy hour drink in the restaurant and walk 30 seconds down a magical sandy path and pick your spot to watch the sun slowly sink into the water and the sky come alive with color. And that’s just the beach! Book Now!

Earthing on the beach

Earthing is basically the practice of making a skin to earth connection. The best way to do this is by going barefoot. According to Yogapedia, “with this connection to the Earth, the body takes in free electrons, which are believed to serve as antioxidants. Antioxidants are molecules that block oxidation of other molecules, preventing the development of free radicals, which harm the body.”

The benefits of this skin to earth connection have been studied and it has been reported that earthing can help reduce inflammation, improve circulation, reduce toxins in the body, promote healing, reduce stress, increase energy, relieve muscle tension and headaches, improve sleep, and normalize the body’s biological rhythms.

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Mar 3, 2019
A Few Reasons Why Playa Grande, Costa Rica Should Be Your Next Vacation Destination

Do you have itchy feet? Are you currently watching the snow flurries fall while daydreaming about piña coladas and palm trees? Do you need some sunshine kisses on your skin and a warm salt water hug? If you are on the fence about where you would like to spend your next chunk of leisure time, you should consider Playa Grande, Costa Rica.

Here are a few reasons that might persuade you to book a trip to this quaint little town by the sea.

Space

Unlike the more developed towns that surround Playa Grande where nearly every conceivable space is occupied by a hotel, home, hostel, or shop of some sort, you will find much more open space here. Playa Grande has just the right amount of stuff. There are a few restaurants, two surf shops, a couple of hotels, and little clusters of homes.

There is far more green space in Playa Grande than there are humanmade structures. For this reason, Playa Grande is also home to a diverse population of wildlife. Playa Grande is part of the Las Baulas National Marine Park, so aside from a few houses at the northern end of the beach, there is no development on the beach. You can walk for miles in both directions and see few if anyone else on the beach.

Playa Grande vacation destination
Morning choir / Photo courtesy of Jenn Parker

Serenity

Playa Grande is a very peaceful place. It is a town that attracts yogis, surfers, families, nature-lovers, and serenity-seekers. Around sunrise and sunset, you can hear a symphony of howler monkeys, parrots, blackbirds, and magpie jays mixed in with the sound of the waves crashing against the shoreline. The town goes quiet once the sun goes down. It is here that you can let the sounds of nature lull you into a state of calm and contentment.

Playa Grande, Costa Rica
Calm sea, calm mind

Stretch, Sweat, and Surf

Playa Grande isn’t a party town, and because there isn’t much of a late nightlife scene here, many people who spend time here choose to take advantage of the daytime hours. If you want to practice yoga, take some fitness classes, and or catch some waves, Playa Grande is the place for you. The RipJack Inn has two yoga shalas and is located directly in front of a beach path that ends at the central surf zone. There is also a new fitness studio in town that offers a variety of classes and open-gym hours.

Costa Rica vacation destinations
Come to Playa Grande to play

No-Stress

Playa Grande is a convenient home base to set out on a fantastic variety of day trips. However, if this vacation is more about just kicking back and relaxing, you don’t need to leave Playa Grande. Everything that you might need and want is available right in town. Playa Grande is the perfect place to settle into and enjoy all that this charming beach town has to offer.

We look forward to seeing you on your next vacation!

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Jun 25, 2018
The Benefits of Barefoot Beach Walking

The tide is dropping as the sun is rising. The sand is free of footprints and freshly packed by the retreat of the sea. The air is cool and thick with salt. Your toes grip the damp grains as if silently saluting the day. North or south is the only decision you have to make now.

Henry David Thoreau believed that “an early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.”

Playa Grande is the perfect beach to saunter along barefoot, especially at a lower tide. It is around 4 kilometers/2.5 miles long, and if you want to go even further you can continue north and walk the length of Playa Ventanas and over to Playa Carbón.  Taking a barefoot beach walk while you are staying in Playa Grande is something you should definitely treat yourself too often. The benefits of walking barefoot in the sand are quite powerful and even life-changing.

Strengthening, slimming, and stabilizing

Walking on the beach is actually great for strength training. It takes you more than double the amount of energy to walk on the sand than it does to walk the same distance on a hard surface. Walking in the sand really targets your calves, quadriceps, and glutes. You also burn double the number of calories! Walking on uneven and soft terrain also forces you to engage your abs more in order to keep your body stabilized. Doing this often will help improve your overall balance and core strength.

Playa Grande sunset in Costa Rica
Dreamy backdrop for a long stroll in the sand | Jenn Parker

Moving meditation

Talking a long stroll on the beach is often very meditative. Between the sound of the waves crashing on the shoreline, the soft crunch of each step that you take, the song of the sea birds, and the aesthetic coastal landscape, a long walk often induces a meditative-like state. For some, this is their preferred form of meditation. The benefits of a moving meditation include stress and anxiety relief, present mindfulness, improved sleep quality, better focus and memory, an overall feeling of peace and joy, and a deeper connection to the self.

Bahia Piratas, Costa Rica
A different day, a different beach | Jenn Parker

Earthing on the beach

Earthing is basically the practice of making a skin to earth connection. The best way to do this is by going barefoot. According to Yogapedia, “with this connection to the Earth, the body takes in free electrons, which are believed to serve as antioxidants. Antioxidants are molecules that block oxidation of other molecules, preventing the development of free radicals, which harm the body.”

The benefits of this skin to earth connection have been studied and it has been reported that earthing can help reduce inflammation, improve circulation, reduce toxins in the body, promote healing, reduce stress, increase energy, relieve muscle tension and headaches, improve sleep, and normalize the body’s biological rhythms.

RipJack Inn, Playa Grande, Costa Rica
Each step leaves a signature of a second far gone | Jenn Parker

The benefits of spending time outdoors, surrounded by nature, and next to the sea are often very personal, as well as abundant. Take advantage of being just steps from the beach by taking a lot of steps on the beach while in Playa Grande. Your mind, body, and soul will thank you graciously.

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