As the new year begins, I’ve found myself thinking less about where we’re going next and more about how we want to travel.
Not faster.
Not farther.
Not more packed itineraries.
Just… more intentional.
Life has a way of filling up quickly. Even the good stuff. And over the past couple of months, travel slowed down a bit for us, not because the desire wasn’t there, but because reflection was. Sometimes the pause is the point.
And now, as we step into a fresh year, that familiar pull is back. The kind that isn’t about checking destinations off a list, but about reconnecting with place, with people, and with ourselves.
Why Intentional Travel Matters More Than Ever
For a long time, travel felt like something to consume. See everything. Do everything. Come home exhausted but with photos to prove you were there.
These days, that just doesn’t feel good anymore.
Intentional travel is about:
- Slower mornings
- Fewer plans, deeper experiences
- Choosing places that restore instead of overwhelm
- Letting go of “shoulds” and listening to what you actually need
It’s sitting with a cup of coffee and nowhere to be.
It’s walking instead of rushing.
It’s conversations with locals, not just other tourists.
It’s coming home feeling grounded, not depleted.
Why Costa Rica Keeps Calling Us Back
There’s a reason Costa Rica continues to pull us back again and again.
It’s not just the beauty (though it’s everywhere). It’s the way of life, and seeing the monkeys for me. The rhythm. The reminder that joy can be simple, days don’t need to be overfilled, and connection matters more than productivity.
This year, we’re headed back again soon, this time for the Ocaso Music Festival, which we’re really excited about. Music, community, energy, and nature all coming together in one place feels like the perfect way to start the year.
But as always, the festival is just part of the story.
There will also be slower days, beach walks, good food, local spots we love, and likely a little exploring beyond our usual routines. That balance between celebration and stillness is exactly what intentional travel looks like for us now.
Traveling Differently in This Season of Life
- Travel changes as we change.
- What once felt exciting can start to feel exhausting. What we crave now is:
- Comfort without excess
- Adventure without chaos
- Experiences that feel meaningful, not rushed
This season of life asks for something different. That’s not a loss, it’s an upgrade.
We’re choosing trips that allow space to breathe. Places that invite us to slow down and actually feel where we are. Travel that supports well-being, creativity, and connection instead of pulling us away from them.
Pura Vida as a Way of Traveling
“Pura Vida” gets tossed around a lot. On t-shirts. On souvenirs. In airport gift shops.
But lived properly, it’s not a phrase, it’s a practice.
It’s:
- Being present
- Appreciating what’s right in front of you
- Letting go of urgency
- Choosing joy in simple moments
When you travel with that mindset, everything shifts. You don’t need to see it all. You don’t need to do it all. You just need to be there.
That’s the heart of Pura Livin, at home and on the road.
Looking Ahead
This year, travel for us will be about intention. About choosing experiences that align with how we want to live, not just how we want to escape.
There will be Costa Rica (of course). Music, nature, connection. And likely a few other adventures woven in thoughtfully, not impulsively.
If you’re feeling called to travel differently this year too, slower, deeper, more aligned, you’re not alone. Maybe this is the year you choose meaning over more.
Wherever you go, I hope you travel in a way that brings you back to yourself.
Pura Vida,
Heidi