Exploring history and relaxation at Casa Palopó

Over the past few months I’ve traveled to Aruba, Costa Rica and now Guatemala and to sum it up for those who aren’t sure what type of vacation they are looking for, I thought I’d offer you a brief synopsis.

If you’re looking for a tropical getaway but still need that European/Americanized flair complete with luxury shopping, then Aruba is the right place for you. If you’re looking for more of an adventurous excursion with resorts only feet away from tropical forests, then it’s Costa Rica for sure. But if it’s peace and quiet with old world culture and handcrafted goods, then Casa Palopó in Guatemala is the perfect fit.

 The hidden gem in Central America

I’m never one to pass up an opportunity to travel somewhere tropical and exotic. I had never been to Costa Rica and wasn’t sure what to expect. I knew it was a surfer’s paradise but was curious as to what else this small, eco-friendly country had to offer. I would soon realize that Pura Vida, pure life, is certainly true. When we landed at San José Airport, there was an unusual amount of police activity. Little did I know that President Obama would be arriving in less then 24 hours and the airport would be on lockdown. I, however, would be two hours away in Playa Esterillos Este on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast at the exotic Alma Del Pacifico Resort.