From Dream to Reality: Our Journey to Costa Rica and Building My Cosy Lodges in Playa Negra
Sometimes life gently nudges you toward something different. Other times, it calls you loudly — asking you to slow down, breathe deeper, and rethink what truly matters.
For us, that call led to Costa Rica.
What started as a simple desire for a more balanced, nature-connected lifestyle slowly turned into something much bigger. A new country. A new rhythm of life. And eventually, a dream brought to life in one special place: Playa Negra.
That is where everything truly began — and where My Cosy Lodges was born.
This is the story of how a dream turned into a project, and how a project became a home.
Why We Chose Costa Rica
Like many people, we reached a point where we began questioning the pace of modern life. Everything felt fast, structured, and disconnected. We weren’t looking for an escape — we were searching for alignment. More time outdoors. More simplicity. More presence.
Costa Rica kept appearing on our radar.
At first, it was just curiosity. Then fascination. Then something deeper.
The country offered exactly what we were longing for:
- A lifestyle centered around nature
- A strong sense of community
- A culture that values balance and well-being
- A philosophy of life built around Pura Vida — living simply and meaningfully
But what truly captured us wasn’t just the landscape — it was the energy. The warmth of the people. The respect for nature. The feeling that life here could be lived more intentionally.
Our first impressions were powerful. Lush greenery everywhere. Wildlife crossing your path like it belongs there — because it does. Warm air. Ocean sounds. Sunsets that make you stop whatever you’re doing.
Moving to Costa Rica wasn’t originally part of a detailed plan. It was a feeling we chose to follow. And that feeling led us to Guanacaste.
Discovering Playa Negra, Guanacaste
When we first arrived in the region, we explored many places along the Pacific coast. Beautiful beaches, lively towns, growing communities — each with its own personality.
Then we found Playa Negra.
There was something immediately different about it. Quieter. More grounded. Less polished, but more real. A place where the jungle meets the ocean without interruption. Where surf culture exists naturally, without trying to impress anyone. Where people greet each other by name.
Playa Negra felt untouched in the best possible way.
Life here moves at its own rhythm:
- Early mornings shaped by the tide
- Long walks on empty beaches
- Evenings defined by sunsets, not schedules
- A strong sense of connection — to nature and to community
Guanacaste, with its dry tropical climate, wild landscapes, and peaceful energy, perfectly matched the lifestyle we had been searching for. It offered space — physical and mental — to build something meaningful.
We didn’t just fall in love with Playa Negra.
We recognized it as the place where our vision could grow.
From an Idea to a Project
The First Vision
In the beginning, the idea was simple.
We wanted to create a place where people could experience what we had discovered — calm, nature, simplicity, and connection. Not a hotel. Not a resort. Something more personal. More human.
A place that feels like arriving somewhere you instantly belong.
The concept of My Cosy Lodges grew from this intention. We imagined small, thoughtfully designed spaces surrounded by nature. Places where guests could slow down, breathe deeply, and experience Costa Rica beyond the surface.
The word cosy became central to everything:
- Cosy spaces
- Cosy atmosphere
- Cosy experiences
- A feeling of comfort and ease
It wasn’t about luxury in the traditional sense. It was about emotional comfort — the kind that stays with you long after you leave.
The Reality of Building in Costa Rica
Dreaming is the easy part. Building is something else entirely.
Creating a vacation rental project in Costa Rica came with a steep learning curve. Administrative processes moved differently than what we were used to. Construction timelines required patience. Communication styles were new. Flexibility quickly became essential.
We learned to adapt. To let go of rigid expectations. To trust local expertise. To accept that progress doesn’t always happen in straight lines.
There were challenges — many of them — but each one taught us something valuable:
- Patience is not optional here — it’s part of the process
- Relationships matter more than speed
- Solutions often appear when you stop forcing them
- Trusting the rhythm of the place makes everything easier
Building in Costa Rica changed how we work, but also how we think. And slowly, step by step, My Cosy Lodges began to take shape.
There were challenges — many of them — but each one taught us something valuable:
- Patience is not optional here — it’s part of the process
- Relationships matter more than speed
- Solutions often appear when you stop forcing them
- Trusting the rhythm of the place makes everything easier
Building in Costa Rica changed how we work, but also how we think.
And slowly, step by step, My Cosy Lodges began to take shape.
Creating My Cosy Lodges in Playa Negra
My Cosy Lodges was never meant to be just accommodation. It was designed as an experience rooted in atmosphere and connection.
What makes it different is the intention behind every detail:
- Small-scale, intimate spaces
- Close connection to nature
- Calm, unhurried surroundings
- A sense of privacy without isolation
- Authentic local atmosphere
It’s a place for people who want more than just a place to sleep.
Couples seeking quiet time together. Surfers chasing morning waves. Nature lovers wanting to wake up to birds instead of traffic. Travelers who prefer meaningful experiences over busy itineraries.
Everything is designed to help guests slow down — and feel at home while doing so.
Because that is what Playa Negra gave us. And that is what we want to share.
Life Lessons from Our Costa Rica Journey
This journey has shaped us in ways we never expected.
We learned how to slow down — truly slow down. Not just physically, but mentally. To accept that not everything needs to be optimized, scheduled, or controlled.
We learned to let go. Plans change. Weather shifts. Things take time. And most of the time, that’s perfectly okay.
Perhaps most importantly, we learned the value of connection. With the local community. With the environment. With everyday moments that once felt ordinary but now feel meaningful.
Costa Rica didn’t just give us a project.
It gave us perspective.
Why Playa Negra Still Feels Like Home
Even now, Playa Negra continues to inspire us daily.
Life here is simple in the best way. Morning light filtering through trees. The sound of waves in the distance. Familiar faces around town. The quiet comfort of routines shaped by nature.
What hasn’t changed since day one is the feeling — the sense that this place invites you to live more consciously. To pay attention. To appreciate small moments.
That is why Playa Negra still feels like home.
Not because we built something here — but because something here changed us.
What Surprised Us About Costa Rica
Before moving, we thought we understood what life in Costa Rica would be like. But living here revealed many unexpected things.
The depth of biodiversity — wildlife is truly everywhere. The strength of community bonds. The way nature shapes daily life more than any calendar ever could.
But perhaps the biggest surprise was how much this place teaches you about yourself. Living here gently removes distractions. It shows you what you actually need — and what you don’t.
Costa Rica doesn’t just welcome you.
It transforms you, if you let it.