5 Fat Friendly Things to Do in Costa Rica
Costa Rica Edition: Big Girl, Bigger World
Costa Rica broke me in the best way possible.
I cannot stop crying tears of immense gratitude + joy.
Sometimes I forget to celebrate the small wins..
So when I have a life changing win like this happens..
My nervous system doesn’t know what to do with it.
I took 19 people on a fat positive mobility mindful retreat in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
It is an understatement to say that this trip was nothing short of m a g i c a l.
I seriously cannot tell you the last time I've belly laughed so hard or experienced so much JOY + beauty in a single day.
But I can unequivocally say that I have no recollection of ever sitting in one room with so many fat + fat positive people before.
In a past life, I would have missed out on an opportunity like this. So, current me wants to share 5 Fat Friendly Things to Do in Costa Rica so you don’t have to “keep waiting” to see this beautiful country.
1. Go visit the Arenal Volcano.
Through Costa Rica Sky Adventures, we booked an aerial sky tram that was super affordable and accessible (from a body size standpoint). We took the sky tram over the jungle and got to see the lush rainforest + breathtaking view. There were folks on the sky tram who were on their way to do zip lining – but I surpassed the weight limit to do that [plus have an unyielding fear of heights].
The Sky Tram adventure was a creative solution to be able to SEE the jungle without needing to hike or zip [I’d rate it 9 /10].
[I deducted 1 point because of the “safety weight limit” preventing folks from zip lining. Hopefully one day, some smart person can come up with a super creative + innovative solution that makes zip lining accommodating to any person who would like to do it.]
2. Visit the Hot Springs in La Fortuna
While near Arenal, you MUST visit the hot springs. The water surrounding the volcano is naturally heated because of it, creating an oasis of healing + relaxation. My work bestie Jana + I stayed at the Paradise Hot Spring Hotel.
The resort was super size accessible. It was really easy to get to the different pools, and all the pools had wheelchair accessibility.
The biggest thumbs down was the food. As an intuitive eater who is also lactose intolerant, I really struggle with fixed menus and was just utterly disappointed with most every meal. Plus the food wasn’t included so for the food to be below par + I had to pay for it, it definitely soured my overall experience.
We were given the advice from a friend to head off campus for a life changing meal – and that did not disappoint. If you are in the area you MUST stop at Don Rufino. It might have been the best meal of my life.
Overall, I’d give Paradise a 4/10. The hot springs were amazing though!
3. Stay at a resort that has beach access
My group and I stayed at the Dreams Las Mareas Resort. Overall, we had a lovely experience + would recommend this resort to others, especially if you have limited mobility.
There were some administrative hiccups that were super frustrating - especially in trying to advocate for my clients with mobility struggles but I would say overall the staff was kind + accommodating.
What I liked most is that they had golf carts; you could call a golf cart to go anywhere on the resort.
Some of the seating was inaccessible, but the hardest part was trying to sit 19 people down for one meal with all accessible chairs. The chairs are different from what they list on their website.
Our large group just broke off into separate little groups with the exception of 2 meals which allowed us to find the seats we needed.
The unsung hero of this trip was the beach.
I’ll admit, I didn’t get out to the beach right away because I was worried about the accessibility [and because the pool was RIGHT there…] This shot was captured by one of my group gals…
At the resort, it was a fairly short walk to the beach + the sand was really sturdy!
I was disappointed that there were not a lot of accessible tours, so if you are not an adventure girly and you are just looking to stay put, drink + swim - this resort is perfect for you. Even though it was the rain season, we got so much sunshine! [Also - don’t let anyone tell you that you won’t need AC - which all of the places I stayed had!] The humidity hits different in Costa Rica.
Again, we had some administrative hurdles [broken AC’s, misinformation on accessibility, king beds instead of doubles] so I’m only able to give the resort a 7/10. Overall a lovely experience.
4. Grab a Massage on the Beach [Request Angie Zapata]
Some of my folks took their vacation VERY seriously and entered into the Dreams Las Mareas Facebook group and found out that we could get massages right on the beach.
I didn’t get one – but several members of our group did and they RAVED about Angie.
I met her briefly. she was VERY nice + very strong [hehe she pulled me up off a little sand dune in one shot. I was like OK ANG, I SEE YOU!]
Join the FB group + DM Angie directly!
[I cannot rate because I didn’t get one, but my work bestie + co coach Jana did and she said she would give the massage experience (as a fat person) a 9.5 /10. Jana said, “it was totally accommodating and they had durable tables!].
5. Take a Sun Set Cruise Excursion
I almost didn’t go on an excursion because I was worried about accessibility. I was told the boat would be brought as close to shore as possible and I’d have to climb the ladder.
I told the guide I was worried about being able to climb on the boat and he promised if I couldn't get on, he wouldn’t charge me.
When the boat got to shore, I kneeled on the ledge and took my time getting over the side of the boat! I opted OUT of getting back off the boat for snorkeling – but we saw a pod of dolphins + the most gorgeous sunset I’ve ever seen.
I can’t believe I almost missed this experience.
I think that’s why this trip was so healing.
It was a reminder of all the missed opportunities.
All the times I sat one out, waiting for the day my body would fit in.
When we finally let go of the hope that we may exist in a smaller body , there is a burdensome fear that we will be destined to be in this struggle alone.
Body image work can feel a lot like you’re in a dark tunnel, straining your eyes to see the light at the end of the tunnel. But all you see is darkness.
What I tell my community is to stop looking for the light at the end of the tunnel, and instead, look for the people in the tunnel with you. It doesn’t make the work any less hard.. It just makes it a hell of lot less lonely.
I’m so glad I found my fearless adventurers in the tunnel with me.
They are my bright light; my anchor to hope, my purpose and meaning in my grief.
But we didn’t just arrive here. We had to claw our way through grief to get to the magic.
We don't get to have the magic, the best, biggest, sexy life without the hard stuff.
Without grief there cannot be joy.
The grief is inevitable. But doing it alone is optional.
Come join us in our community.
You deserve to travel. You deserve to take up unapologetic space. You deserve to live your biggest, best, sexy life.
You deserve to find accommodation that works for YOUR body.
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