Playa Grande Archives

Apr 28, 2019

Nine Waterfalls within Driving Distance from Playa Grande, Costa Rica

Even though Guanacaste is the driest of the seven provinces, there is no shortage of waterfalls to chase around this diverse region of Costa Rica. From Playa Grande, there are ample opportunities to gaze up at several glorious waterfalls. The waterfalls in this particular list are all within driving distance from Playa Grande and can be visited as part of a day-trip to several other popular natural attractions.

Llanos de Cortés

Llanos de Cortés is an easily accessible waterfall just outside of Liberia in the town of Bagaces. This is the perfect place to stop by on your way to or from other attractions like Rincón de la Vieja National Park, La Fortuna, the Tenorio National Park, or the Puma Rescue Center. After paying a small entrance fee and taking a short walk down a path from the parking lot, you will arrive at a magnificent waterfall and pristine natural swimming pool. This spot is also ideal for an afternoon picnic, as many locals like to do on the weekends here.

day-trips-from-playa-grande-costa-rica-beachfront-hotel-surf — Picnic by a waterfall/ Photo Courtesy of Me

Four Main Waterfalls in the Rincón de la Vieja National Park

waterfalls-in-costa-rica-guanacaste-rincon-de-la-vieja-national-park — A great way to escape the Guanacaste heat/ Photo Credit: Patrick Nouhailler-Flickr

Oropéndula

This 82-foot waterfall is conveniently located near the Las Pailas entrance to the Rincón de la Vieja National Park. You can assess this impressive waterfall on horseback or on foot. At the base of the falls is a crystal clear turquoise swimming hole.

Chorreras

There are actually two waterfalls that cascade down a canyon in the Rincón de la Vieja National Park. What’s unique about this particular waterfall(s) is that the pool beneath is a majestic sky blue color thanks to the high concentration of minerals in the water. On horseback, you can reach this duel-waterfall in 25-minutes.

Victoria

Victoria waterfall is located on the Rio Negro and plunges 115-foot into an inviting natural pool. The Rio Negro is a famed river tubing destination within the Rincón de la Vieja Nationa Park. You can certainly tube the river and explore this waterfall in a day’s adventure.

Cangreja

The Canjrega waterfall is located deep in the biodiverse and beautiful forest of Rincón de la Vieja. Cooper from the nearby volcano turns the water that pools at the base of this 130-foot waterfall a heavenly blue color. From the park’s entrance, you can easily hike to this jaw-dropping forest waterfall.

Waterfalls at Sensoria

waterfalls-costa-rica-sensoria-playa-grande-national-park — A great place to chase waterfalls/Photo Courtesy of Sensoria

Sensoria: Land of Senses and Magical Rainforest is a privately owned and protected property in Guanacaste that is host to four spectacular waterfalls, natural thermal hot springs, blue rivers, and abundant wildlife. Only a few guests are granted access to Sensoria daily, so if you make a reservation, you can rest assured knowing that you won’t be bothered by crowds of people while you are enjoying the waterfalls and natural attractions of this little slice of paradise. The four waterfalls are Buenos Aires, Aguilar, Jicara, and Dantas.

waterfalls-nature-day-trips-costa-rica — Visit Sensoria for a waterfall filled day/Photo Courtesy of Sensoria

While many visitors from around the world flock to Guanacaste’s golden beaches, the interior of the province is host to waterfalls, diverse forest ecosystems, and an incredible collection of wildlife. If you are staying in Playa Grande, you can enjoy both the salt and fresh water features of this unique place in Costa Rica.

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Apr 14, 2019

Fruit Feature: Papaya, the Miracle Worker of the Tropics

Papaya is the ultimate tropical fruit! Papaya flourishes throughout Central America, the Caribbean, Florida, and India. This widely available fruit grows year-around in the tropics. You will find papaya at every fruit stand and food market throughout Costa Rica, as well as being a common ingredient for smoothies and juices. While papaya is a tasty fruit, it is also one that possesses an incredible amount of vitamins and nutrients. This powerhouse fruit offers an impressive array of health benefits to anyone who regularly consumes it.

Plus, find out how papaya leaves are used to treat a common mosquito-transmitted illness.

playa-grande-costa-rica-beachfront-hotel-surf — Papaya plantation in Costa Rica

Papaya contains…

Zeaxanthin: an antioxidant that has been proven to help eyes filter blue light (light from your computer, phone, and television screens) and ward off macular degeneration.

Beta-carotene: an antioxidant that helps reduce the risk of cancer.

Vitamin K: improves calcium absorption and reduces calcium elimination in the body.

Papain: an enzyme that aids in digestion and helps reduce inflammation in the body.

Chymopapain: an enzyme that reduces inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation has been linked to nearly every chronic disease.

Potassium: reduces the risk of developing heart disease. A diet that is high in potassium and low in sodium is essential for heart health.

Choline: a nutrient that supports sleep, memory, and muscle movement. It also supports the structure of cellular membranes.

Vitamin A and C: promotes healthy skin and hair.

Papaya is also chalked full of B vitamins, vitamin E, calcium, and lycopene, an antioxidant that is also found in tomatoes.

cures-for-dengue-fever — Nature’s medicine

Papaya fights dengue!

Dengue is a mosquito-transmitted illness that affects millions of people every year throughout the tropics. There are several different strands of dengue, but some can lead to hospitalization and the need for a blood transfusion. One of the most dangerous aspects of this viral infection is that it causes your blood platelets to drop significantly, and in some severe cases this can lead to internal bleeding.

Papaya leaf extract or juice has been proven to help prevent platelets from dropping to dangerously low levels and even prevent platelet destruction all together when infected with dengue.

This natural treatment has also been known to help reduce the other symptoms that are associated with dengue, such as high fever, severe headache, and debilitating body aches.

https://youtu.be/l4qaKEHXVj4

While papaya is available in North America and other regions where it is not locally grown, make sure you enjoy some fresh papaya from the source the next time you are in Costa Rica.

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Mar 31, 2019

How to Stay in the Know in Playa Grande, Costa Rica

Get the inside scoop about what’s happening in and around Playa Grande by utilizing these amazing free online and in-print local resources.

The Howler Magazine

The Howler Magazine was established in 1996 and became Guanacaste’s first English language magazine. It has long served as a source of entertainment, information, and inspiration for both visitors and locals alike. This free monthly magazine is a great resource and can be picked up at the Wilmart, the RipJack Inn reception, Pots and Bowls, Las Tortugas Hotel, the Automercado, and many other local establishments in and around Playa Grande.

Playa Grande, Costa Rica — Local knowledge

The Swell Dealer

The Swell Dealer is a free publication and website where you can find out about what’s happening in Playa Grande, Tamarindo, Langosta, Brasilto, Surfside, and Potrero. This is one of the best sources for finding out about locals events, fundraisers, live music, parties, happy hours, fitness classes, and all sorts of different specials and discounts. You can find The Swell Dealer at the Automercado and other supermarkets, as well as an online and continuously updated social calendar.

costa-rica-guanacaste-playa-grande — Local deals and events

RipJack Inn Bulletin Board

At the entrance of the RipJack Inn bar and restaurant to the right, you will find a bulletin board with flyers and information about yoga classes, live music, and other local happenings.

La Comunidad Playa Grande Facebook Page

This Facebook page is a useful resource if you are staying in Playa Grande long-term or full-time. You will find emergency phone numbers and information about what is happening in Playa Grande.

beachfront-hotel-surf-playa-grande-guanacaste-costa-rica — Know before you go

RipJack Inn Blog

Twice a month we share an article related to surfing, yoga, wellness, nutrition, events, local advice, recommendations, and tips.

RipJack Inn Instagram

Stay up-to-date on the day-to-day at the RipJack Inn and Playa Grande. @ripjackinncr

Grande Real Estate Blog

The Grande Real Estate blog offers local insight into life in Playa Grande. You will also find helpful information about education, relocation, activities, wildlife and adventure tours, surrounding beaches, surfing, and local culture.

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Mar 17, 2019

Four Free Activities to Do Around Playa Grande, Costa Rica

Coco Chanel once said, “the best things in life are free.” The second part of that quote is, “the second best things are very, very expensive,” but that’s beside the point we are going to make here!

You’ve made it Costa Rica, you’ve paid for your plane ticket, your transportation, and your accommodations. You will pay for your tours, meals, souvenirs, happy hour cocktails, and likely several other things. While vacations aren’t necessarily cheap, you can save a few bucks by enjoying some of the free activities a place has to offer.

While you are staying in Playa Grande, take advantage of the following four activities that won’t cost you a penny if you don’t want it to.

Take a stroll and a swim

Playa Grande is literally a big beach! A walk from the RipJack Inn beach path to the most southern end of the beach before the estuary takes around forty minutes. If you walk the other way and continue past the rock and ontop Playa Ventanas the distance is only slightly less. When the tide is low, the sand is firmly packed in and ideal for long strolls along the sea. It is not uncommon to walk and see no one else.

This peaceful and wholesome activity is entirely free!

Enjoy some live music

Every Wednesday there is live music for free upstairs at the RipJack Inn. Every Friday there is free music at the Wilmart. Occasionally, on Saturdays, there is free music at Las Olas Beach Club, as well as on Sundays at Pots and Bowls. For being such a small town, there are actually ample opportunities to enjoy some free live music.

RipJack Inn, Costa Rica — Enjoy the show

Check out the night markets

Night markets are a relatively new thing in the area. They have quickly gained popularity and are free to attend. Of course, if you decide to buy something while you are there, then they aren’t completely free. On Monday there is a night market in Flamingo, on Wednesday there is one in Playa Grande at Las Olas Beach Club, and on Thursdays, there is one in Tamarindo. You will find live music, local artisans selling their wares, and food vendors. This is something fun for the entire family.

Watch the sunset

You absolutely cannot spend time in Playa Grande and not take advantage of one of nature’s most spectacular daily shows. Watching the sunset is a free activity that both locals and visitors embrace while spending time in this beautiful part of the world. Every evening is different, and often it is right after the sun sets that the sky really comes to life. It is a good ritual while you are in Costa Rica to end the daylight hours on the beach.

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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.

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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Feb 17, 2019

4 Traditional Costa Rican Dishes You Must Try Upstairs

I may be a bit biased (but I doubt it!) because I adore everything about Costa Rica, but the traditional cuisine of this incredible little country is definitely one of the many reasons you should visit. Staples in the Costa Rica diet include rice, beans, corn tortillas, queso fresco, plantains, papaya, bananas, various types of squash, locally-caught seafood, and free-range chicken and meat.

costa-rica-typical-food-seafood — Food to fuel your adventures

If you want to experience the best local cuisine, you can find it at nearly any soda. A soda is a restaurant, typically family-owned and operated that serves traditional Costa Rican food. These small restaurants are very budget-friendly! Every town in Costa Rica has at least one soda. In Huacas, you will find multiple sodas, including Soda Guanacaste. If you make it to Villa Real, the town before you turn in to go to Tamarindo, Soda Las Palmas is a must!

Eating a soda is a great way to have an authentic cultural experience while you are visiting Costa Rica. If you don’t feel like venturing out of Playa Grande though, you can enjoy some local favorites around town. Upstairs at the RipJack Inn, our menu features several of those must-try dishes.

Gallo Pinto

Gallo pinto is synonymous with Costa Rica! A perfectly married blend of rice, bean, cilantro, onions, pepper, and other spices is a breakfast basic. At the RipJack Inn, the gallo pinto is made with brown rice and is served in some breakfast and lunch dishes including the grilled breakfast wrap, desayuno tipico, and veggie hummus wrap.

traditional-costa-rica-food — Gallo pinto is a must-eat!

Patacones

Patacones are a favorite local snack. Green plantains are cut, fried, pressed into a disc-shape, and fried again. They are typically accompanied by refried beans and salsa fresca. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like patacones!

costa-rica-traditional-food — The perfect afternoon snack

Ceviche

You can’t go to the coast and not enjoy some ceviche! While ceviche is not a dish exclusively found in Costa Rica, it is one that is done well here. The basics of a ceviche include fresh fish, a lot of limes, cilantro, some veggies like chile dulce, salt, other seasonings, and often a good splash of ginger ale.

This dish is the epitome of fresh and really hits the spot on a hot tropical day at the beach. Ceviche is usually served with homemade tortilla chips, plantains chips, or if you are lucky patacones.

Cascado

A cascado is what Costa Ricans call a typical plate of food. Cascados can be served at breakfast, lunch, or dinner and frequently Costa Ricans have more than one a day. This plate always includes rice and beans and then a combination of salad, sweet plantains, queso fresco, and either fish, chicken, beef, or pork. There are all different combinations, and everyone place does their cascado a little differently.

This is the ultimate Costa Rican dish. If you are surfing while you are in Playa Grande, a cascado is the ultimate surfer’s food.

Traditional Costa Rica food is all made from locally grown and sourced ingredients. While you are in Costa Rica, do yourself a favor and try a variety of local food. I promise you that you won’t regret it!

Buen provecho!

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Feb 4, 2019

How to Make Your Smoothie a Power Smoothie

Today’s day time high was 36 degrees Celsius/98.6 degrees Fahrenheit! January through April are some of the hottest months in Costa Rica, especially up in Guanacaste. The saving grace is that during this time of the year there is barely any humidity, the water is clear and cool, and there is typically a steady breeze.

Few things are better during the heat of the day than an icy cold fresh fruit smoothie. Costa Rica is home to an extensive collection of exotic tropical fruits, which makes our smoothies some of the best. After spending the morning surfing, practicing yoga, or taking a long beach walk, enjoying a custom-made smoothie from our shaded canopy-level restaurant is a great way to cool off and rejuvenate.

You can choose from a delicious assortment of fruit, vegetables, and herbs, such as banana, pineapple, mango, lime, beet, celery, cucumber, carrot, apple, mint, ginger, and basil. All of the fruit and vegetables at our smoothie bar are locally grown. If you can’t make up your mind or are new to the smoothie creation game, fret not, we have a menu of smoothie combinations that are sure to quench your thirst and cool your soul.

Smoothies in Costa Rica — Treat yourself to a super smoothie at the RipJack Inn

What’s unique about our smoothie bar though is that we offer a selection of add-ins to take your smoothie to the next level. Superfood add-ins are a tasty way to treat your body to some powerful nutrients and minerals. You can add moringa, flaxseeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, and or amaranth to any smoothie.

These five plant-based ingredients are incredibly nutrient-dense and highly beneficial to your body. These ingredients are also what I like to call sneaky powerhouse foods. They will not affect the taste of your smoothie or whatever else you add them into, but they will provide a burst of amazing vitamins and minerals.

Moringa

Moringa is most commonly found in powder form and comes from the leaves of the moringa tree. The pods, roots, bark, flower, and seeds are also edible and nutrient-rich. This superfood is chalked full of vitamin A, C, and E, calcium, potassium, and protein. Moringa is a highly effective anti-inflammatory, as well as an antioxidant. It has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties and helps support the heart, brain, and liver.

If you haven’t already started adding moringa to your smoothies, today is a great day to start.

Flaxseed

One tablespoon of flaxseed contains a great deal of protein, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids. Flaxseed is an excellent source of plant-based protein. This seed may also help lower blood pressure, control blood sugar, improve cholesterol, and reduce the risk of cancer.

superfood smoothies — Super nutrients in just one tablespoon

Chia Seed

Chia seeds are an omega-3 and protein-packed superfood. They are also high in antioxidants, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. These teeny tiny seeds promote healthy skin, reduce signs of aging, support the digestive system, strengthen bones, and protect the heart. There is no reason not to add these to your smoothie!

Hemp Seed

Hemp seeds are rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. A healthy dose of these fatty acids helps to promote cell growth. In a sun-drenched environment like Playa Grande, adding hemp seeds to your smoothie can help repair sun-damaged skin.

Amaranth

Amaranth is a grain-like seed, but don’t worry; it’s gluten-free. Amaranth contains anti-inflammatory properties and is a strong supporter of the immune system. This ancient seed contains vitamin A, C, E, K, B5, B6, folate, niacin, and riboflavin. It is also loaded with calcium, magnesium, zinc, potassium, copper, and phosphorus. These minerals help to build strong bones and muscles, aid hydration, and increase energy levels.

Try one or any combination of these add-ins in your smoothie and start reaping the benefits of these powerhouse plants!

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Jan 18, 2019

Five Fruits You Must Try While You are in Costa Rica

The fruit in Costa Rica is exquisite and exotic. The variety of fruit that naturally flourishes in this tropical utopia is quite impressive. Widely known fruits like bananas, avocados, papaya, and pineapple are available at nearly any market. Fruits like guanabana, cas, maracuyá, pitaya, and mamón chino, however, might be entirely new and unknown to you.

It would be a shame not to experience some of Costa Rica’s most delicious fruits just because you weren’t sure what they were or how to eat them. Here is a little guide to five fruits that you might have never tasted before but definitely should while you are in Costa Rica.

Guanábana

Guanábana, also called soursop, is a strange looking fruit that is native to Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America. Guanábana is relatively large with a green and slightly spikey exterior. The inside of the fruit is white and fleshy with a circular arrangement of medium-sized black seeds.

This fruit is commonly served as a juice or just sliced and eaten whole. What makes the guanábana very special though is its natural cancer-fighting properties. The leaves and fruit also have anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-parasitic properties. Guanábana is pleasantly sweet and widely available in Costa Rica.

Exotic fruit in Costa Rica — A strange and sweet super fruit

Cas

Cas, also known as guava, is an abundant powerhouse fruit found throughout Costa Rica. This pear-shaped (although sometimes round) fruit is lime-green on the outside and pink on the inside. Often served in a juice, jelly, or jam flavor in Costa Rica. The health benefits of this hearty fruit are quite impressive though.

Guava is high in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin E, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, sodium, zinc, niacin, dietary fiber, folate, thiamine, and riboflavin. Regular consumption of this fruit promotes a healthy immune system, regulated blood pressure, improved eyesight, and enhanced brain function. It also helps alleviate digestive problems and symptoms associated with the common cold.

Maracuyá

Maracuyá, known in English as passionfruit, is a widely loved snack in Costa Rica. To eat it you must cut it in half and then scoop out the insides with a spoon. Maracuyá is also commonly used in desserts and drinks in Costa Rica.

Maracuyá is a great antioxidant-loaded fruit to incorporate into your Costa Rica vacation diet!

Fruit from Costa Rica — All you need is a spoon

Pitaya

Pitaya or dragon fruit is a beautiful exotic fruit locally grown in Costa Rica. The exterior is vibrant pink, and the inside is white and dotted with tiny edible black seeds. There are however several varieties of dragon fruit. Pitaya is a fruit that many pass up because they don’t know what it is or how to eat it. But it is one that you should try while you are in Costa Rica.

Pitaya is full of antioxidants and other vitamins and minerals that are extremely beneficial to your overall health and wellness. This fruit helps support the cardiovascular, immune, and digestive system; as well as combats cancerous cells, reduces inflammation and promotes radiant and healthy skin.

Mamón Chino

Mamón chinos are a type of lychee. They are called rambutan in other parts of the world. This seasonal treat (usually harvested and sold between July and October) is genuinely delectable and is the ultimate roadside snack. During the season, you can find mamón chinos everywhere. Street-side vendors usually sell them by the kilos.

This funny looking fruit looks like something out of a Dr. Seuss book! To eat them you remove the outer shell and eat the sizeable grape-like fruit inside. Be careful of the seed in the middle. It is nearly impossible only to eat one!

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Jan 8, 2019

Will the Wind be Offshore Tomorrow in Playa Grande, Costa Rica?

You may have noticed that it is particularly windy these days. If you are a surfer, you have definitely noticed that those strong winds are predominantly offshore. Every year, starting sometime in December and usually lasting through March, the Papagayo wind returns to the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.

With these winds come perfectly groomed waves and colder water temperatures. You can also expect the occasional sand blasts to the body on the beach and falling tree branches; so, watch out! The summer months in Costa Rica rival the cliché Groundhog’s Day. Every day is sunny, dry, and very windy. Record wind gusts have been recorded at 70 mile per hour!

Have you ever wondered why though? Why is this wind so predictable and where does it come from?

Without getting too technical, here’s a brief breakdown of the seasonal phenomenon known as the Papagayo wind. Simply put, wind is caused by air flowing from high pressure to low pressure areas. The strong offshore wind that you are experiencing right now actually originates in North America and flows across the Gulf of Mexico.

There are three zones in Central America were these high-pressure systems escape to low-pressure areas. Lake Nicaragua is one of these zones, and the one that affects Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast.

NASA explains this wind activity quite precisely.

“In winter, cold high-pressure weather systems move southward from North American over the Gulf of Mexico. These high-pressure systems create strong pressure gradients between the atmosphere over the Gulf of Mexico and the warmer, moister atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean. Just as a river flows from high elevations to lower elevations, the air in the high-pressure system will “flow” downhill toward lower pressure, but the Cordillera mountains block the flow of air, channeling it through Chivela Pass in Mexico, Lake Nicaragua in Nicaragua, and the Gillard Cut in Panama.”

offshore winds in Playa Grande, Costa Rica — Part of the food chain

These consistent gusty winds also cause the warmer surface water in the ocean to mix with the cooler nutrient-dense water the lies just a bit deeper. An entire food chain actually depends on the algae blooms that take place along the Pacific Coast when the nutrients are brought up from the depths.

Aside from blessing surfers with perfect surf winds, this seasonal wind is one of the main ingredients for the summer feast that takes place in the ocean.

summer in Playa Grande — Surfing in Summer in Costa Rica

The Papagayo winds are here to stay for the next couple of months, so brace yourself and enjoy the summer surfs in Costa Rica! And to answer your question, yes it will be offshore tomorrow in Playa Grande.

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Dec 21, 2018

Tomorrow is a Big Day! Find Out Why!

The end of this week brings with it two very significant cosmic occurrences. Friday, December 21 is the start of the winter solstice and Saturday, December 22 is the last full moon of 2018. The moon will appear completely full on the 21^stthough. The winter solstice and the full moon will not be this close occurring to one another again until 2094!

And as if it couldn’t get any more magical, the Ursid meteor shower will also be visible in the mid-Northern hemisphere on the 21^st.

The full and new moons and the solstices have long been celebrated and revered by many different cultures, communities, and tribes around the world. Whether you have tapped into your spiritual side or not, this dual event is a special opportunity to appreciate the beautiful raw energy and power of our moon and sun.

This full moon, known as the Full Cold Moon and the winter solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year is a particularly perfect time to reflect and set your intentions for the new year to come. This full moon is also rising in Cancer, which will evoke excitement, positive change, and pleasant surprises according to Astrology King.

The winter solstice is a time to embrace quiet energy and reflection. It is an opportunity to examine our past year and put into motion the changes that we want to make within ourselves.

This is a time of personal awakening, if you allow it to be. It is a great time to rid yourself of anything that is no longer serving you well. It is a time for patience and rest. “Nature teaches us that resting and drawing inward for a time, is present in all living things. Rest is necessary for growth that comes later in the season,” according to Mystic Mamma’s short interpretation of the significance of the winter solstice.

The events and expectations that accompany the Western celebration of the winter holidays aren’t always conducive with rest, patience, reflection, and quietness. However, even taking just the night of the winter solstice and full moon to come back to the self and honor the universe and your place in it will have immediate and long-lasting benefits.

This sacred day can be celebrated all day long as the short daylight hours are just as special as the long dark moon-filled night. Rituals can include anything from journaling about your past year, writing down your intentions, sitting outside and watching the moon rise into the sky, seizing the sunshine by spending the day at the beach, creating a candle-lit space for a meditation, or just embracing a few quite moments in stillness and solitude.

Make sure that you look to the east behind Playa Grande once the darkness has settled to see the full moon rise above the mountains and into the clear December sky.

If you happen to be in Playa Grande tomorrow evening, Stacy Jane and Travis McClure will be hosting a pranayama (breath work), yin yang yoga, kundalini meditation, and intention setting gathering at the RipJack Inn yoga shala from 6 to 8PM. This is an extraordinary opportunity to join other open-minded individuals from the local community and abroad in a shared full moon and winter solstice celebration. I encourage everyone to join, as it will be a gathering you won’t soon forget!

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