Costa Rica Hotel for Sale, But Not The Memories or Lifestyle
In February of 2011, we published this article about a boutique hotel in Cahuita: http://theticotimes.wordpress.com/2011/02/14/from-luxury-yachts-to-luxury-bb-bungalows-in-caribbean-cahuita/, Owners, Joe and Chris, wrote to update us on their status, and we found their heartfelt expressions so poignant as to why many foreign residents appreciate Costa Rica, that we decided to publish their account in its entirety.
____________________________
We previously had written about the joy of moving to Costa Rica and pursuing our dream of having a small hotel near the beach and living Pura Vida after having originally started with meeting each other while working as crew members on private mega yachts, which together was our first great adventure.
Now, after making a very difficult decision to fully retire and sell this well established and successful hotel business (www.hotelforsalecostarica.net)so that we can move on to our next great adventure, we realize at times we have some very strong regrets! We are moving on to enjoy retirement, to travel and visit some of the many great people we have met here at our hotel from around the world, who we promised we would come see some day, while keeping Costa Rica as our base.
Now, “some day” has come.
Since we met each other over 25 years ago, we have always seemed to hop off our present adventure, whatever it may be, and onto a new one every 6 to 8 years. So, again we are hopping off this one and onto another.
A few weeks after we jumped into the decision to sell the hotel, we started getting sellers remorse. We will still go through with a sale when one comes, ready to chase new adventures, but we had a long hard talk about our experiences here, and came to realize what a fantastic experience this has been in Costa Rica.
When we arrived here in Cahuita, we were coming from two very stressful executive careers in the USA and living in the fast track, working 12 hour days, six day weeks. We accumulated lots of stuff and wasted lots of money. It took us a while to calm down and appreciate Costa Rica, Cahuita, the people, the lifestyle and what we have here in Cahuita.
What our discussion made us realize, is how much it has changed us – the way we think, the way we live, our wants, needs and desires, our outlook and opinions on people and life in general. It has been a great education, both mentally and physically and one we are really happy we have experienced. It will be tough to leave.
Our previous executive lifestyle had taught us, pushed us, to live with more, always more. We never really and truly enjoyed it. We were taught that is what you are supposed to do. This Pura Vida life has taught us how to live with less, yet enjoy it more. We have learned to shun the trappings of consumerism and accumulating “stuff”, of spending more and making more.
Living here has taught us the true beauty of a sunrise over the beach at Playa Negra every morning when we walk and run the dog and watch the Pelicans skim the waves, and every afternoon as the sun sets and leaves the sky a plethora of colors and the ocean a calm gray. It really does bring a smile to your face and calmness to your heart every day.
This experience has taught us to live healthier, eating more fresh fruits, vegetables and fish and less meat. And because of the weather, to eat less. We have learned to exercise more and to worry less. We have learned the Pura Vida way” “It will happen, do not worry, it will just take some time;” ‘Tranquillo man, it is not that important”.
It took a while to realize that the trappings of materialism and consumerism are not relevant. What is, are the great friends and neighbors we have grown to know here. The wonderful relaxed lifestyle, friendships, camaraderie and acceptance of who you are as a person now, rather than what you do and what you have, who you were or what you did.
No one here has ever asked what we did before we got here or what we have before getting to know us, and best of all, no one cares. They just care that you are who you are, and that if you need help, they are there, and if they need help, you come through, and that we all help each other – almost a kind of a utopian lifestyle. There are the normal relationship problems, of course. You just cannot get along with absolutely everyone all the time. But it is different here.
Living Pura Vida has taught us the use of plants, herbs and flowers for health and healing, without using pharmacological imitations of what is natural. It has taught us to eat more organic foods, which are so readily available and to breath fresh air that is so clean all the time here on the coast. It has taught us to enjoy our walks, hikes, Yoga, dance, swimming and using our bodies to enjoy our health rather than sustain our existence.
In moving on from this great little hotel and the life style we have grown to love, to our new adventures, will we have regrets? Absolutely!! It has been a wonderful and fulfilling adventure. We will take with us a new life and a new way of living. A new way to live with what you need rather than what you are supposed to have, a way to eat what is good rather than what is easy, a way to meet and enjoy new and old friends just for the friendship rather than for their status, position or usefulness.
We hope and pray that whoever steps into our place here in Cahuita will have the same wonderful and fulfilling and enduring experience as we have.
Pura Vida!
Joe and Chris
Explore posts in the same categories: Business, Costa Rica Retirement, Ecology, Food & Dining, Health, Hotels, Real Estate
