TransTalamanca was one of the most rewarding and challenging things I have ever taken on. Everyday started when the sun rose and ended when it set. We saw stunning views a top mountains and incredible trees that we couldn’t help stopping to take pictures with. We camped next to pristine rivers every night and climbed up and over and down countless ridges. Our guides were amazing, so knowledgeable and eager to share the experience with us. This trek was unique and overall just fantastic!!

Scrambling to find adequate words to describe a quite stunning week in Gandoca, Costa Rica. Unlike any trip we have ever been on before, this was more a cultural immersion than a ‘holiday.’ We travelled to places only accessible by canoe; rode horses through the jungle; swam in waterfalls, rivers and lagoons; drank coconuts straight from the tree and ate sugar cane cut by the side of the road. We were generously hosted by a local family who grew our food, prepared our food, and shared their family dinner table. We walked across the border to Panama. Snakes, monkeys, iguanas, basilisks, vipers, caiman, sloth, spiders and Jesus Christ lizards (named because they walk on water – I love that), and SO many more creatures were at every turn. Finding a tarantula INSIDE our hotel room on night one was an unexpected ‘bonus’ I could have passed up (but it makes an awesome story)!
Heartfelt thanks to Allan Padilla who tailored everything for the Langfords – we are proud to be the first ever family group to have visited Canto del Mar Guest House. An experience we were totally unprepared for, but completely grateful to have had!

Okay, y’all. I am sitting in the San Jose airport right now blasting through my photos and I can’t stop thinking about how amazing my little trip was. And…how 1 week was NOT enough time to spend in Costa Rica. I have to give the biggest shout out to the BEST guide and friend in Costa Rica. Allan was amazing. His days were action packed; hiking, wildlife, scenery, you name it. But we also had ample time to rest, enjoy the beach, enjoy each others company, and become friends with the locals. I experienced so much in one week, that my little brain hasn’t computed most of it yet. We not only had Allan as our guide, but everybody he works with is beyond kind, welcoming, and wildly educated about their surroundings. Everything ran like clockwork, the food was spectacular, the surrounding company even more amazing. I cannot recommend him enough. If you guys want an amazing vacation please check out his page: Canto Del Mar GuestHouse. He tailors it to what you want and need. I can say right now, that I’m coming back, but for a much longer time. Thank you Allan for everything this week. You mean the world to me and I’m so glad I got to see your beautiful country with you leading us.

I want to take this opportunity to thank Allan for an amazing week in Costa Rica. Allan, your country is magical. You have such a gift of bringing your home alive to its guests. I will treasure the hikes, horseback riding, boat trips, snorkeling, waterfall swimming, beach walks, chocolate making, archery, and new friendships made.  The people of Gandoca are something special. Everything ran so smoothly due to your skilled work as a tour guide.
Thank you to Rosie, Elian, and Liam for sharing you with us this week!
To all – if you’re looking for an authentic taste and tour of Costa Rica, Allan is your man. His place, Canto Del Mar, is the perfect place for adventure and relaxation. Chris and I will definitely return. We love you Allan!

Lastly–the people. One of the main purposes of this trip for Chad and I was to be able to tell people what kind of experience awaited them at Canto del Mar Guest House. We honestly didn’t know what to expect, but what Allan and his family and friends have put together is a one of a kind opportunity. We didn’t see many other tourists on this trip. We were welcomed into people’s homes and ate with them and their families at their dinner table. We went to the favorite spots of the locals. It wasn’t a fancy resort, but we lived glamorously compared to the vast majority of the country there. Allan and Rosie have truly created an authentic Costa Rican experience. It’s the kind of trip that changes you a bit. I needed a few days after just to process all that is was. The people made it unforgettable–all of them–from the little details in our rooms by Rosie to our incredible private driver who took care of all our bags and kept his van sparkling clean (despite how dirty we always were from our adventures!), Marisol’s amazing food, Gilberto’s plantation/ lagoon/ horseback riding/kayaking/fishing tours, the kids who spoke little English and who we still managed to laugh and play with, Allan’s sister Magaly as our companion on many of our adventures and of course– Allan as our personal guide, our host, and interpreter through it all: we felt truly part of a new Costa Rican family. I now have a better understanding of what our guests feel when they leave the ranch–a part of you remains. We fell in love with Gandoca. We made precious friends. We spoke terrible Spanish (which we vow to fix). And we will be back.