Costa Rica: The Most Expensive Souvenir We Brought Home

Costa Rica...where do I even begin?

This was one of the most beautiful vacations my family has ever taken. The rainforests, the beaches, the wildlife, the sunsets, everywhere we looked there was something that made us stop and simply say, “Wow.” It was everything we hoped it would be. The beauty of the country, the kindness of the people, and the time we spent together as a family are memories I will always carry with me.

Then, in less than ten minutes, everything changed.

As we checked out of our hotel, our hotel concierge recommended we stop by the beautiful La Sirena (Mermaid) statue in Esterillos Oeste. He told us it was a must-see and assured us it was a safe place to park near the hotel. He wasn't wrong about the view. It was low tide, and the statue looked beautiful. We parked where we were told, stepped out of the car, walked over to admire the artwork, and took a few family pictures. We couldn't have been away from our car for more than ten minutes.

When we returned, our vacation had changed.

Our personal belongings, laptops, electronics, chargers, gift cards I had been saving specifically for this trip, and the souvenirs we had already purchased were gone. There were no broken windows or obvious signs of forced entry. Just an overwhelming feeling of confusion, disbelief, and heartbreak. Our host from the airb&b was a lovely woman who helped us get in touch with the local police in Manuel Antonio, We immediately filed a police report with the local authorities. They were kind, compassionate, and professional. They explained that thieves sometimes use specialized tools or electronic devices to quietly gain access to vehicles without leaving obvious signs of forced entry, and that tourist areas like scenic stops are often targeted because people are distracted by the moment.

Looking back, it's incredible how quickly someone's decision can change the course of your vacation.

The biggest blessing in all of this was that we had our passports with us. I have never been so grateful for my little fanny pack.

For days afterward, I kept asking myself the same questions. Why us? Did I miss something? Should I have known better?

I've always believed in the goodness of people, and I still do. But I'll be honest, this experience hurt. Not because of the things themselves, although many of them were valuable. It hurt because someone chose to violate our trust. There is something deeply personal about realizing that while your family was enjoying a beautiful moment together, someone else was watching for an opportunity to take advantage of it.

As I reflected on everything that happened, I realized that maybe the biggest lesson wasn't about the robbery at all. Maybe it was about how we live and how we travel.

Somewhere along the way, we've forgotten how to truly disconnect. We bring our work with us. Our laptops. Our phones. Our tablets. Our chargers. Our smart watches. We pack our businesses, our emails, our schedules, and our stress right alongside our clothes. We're physically somewhere beautiful, but mentally we're still at work. And it doesn’t stop with adults. We’ve started doing it to our kids too.

Kids with laptops doing schoolwork between tours. Zoom classes from hotel rooms. Papers being submitted in between excursions. Families trying to “see the world” while still fully plugged into school and work obligations.

It makes me stop and ask a simple question.

Why? Why are we doing this to ourselves? Why are we allowing this pace of life to follow us everywhere we go? And why are we doing it to our children? When travel used to mean something completely different?

We tell ourselves we’re being responsible. That we can’t fall behind. That everything depends on us staying connected. But when we return home, does anyone really say, “I’m so glad you answered emails from the beach” or “I appreciate that you attended Zoom call while overlooking the ocean”?

Probably not. This is something we are putting on ourselves. And maybe it’s time we start questioning it. Somewhere along the way, we’ve convinced ourselves that we’re indispensable. That everything depends on our constant availability. But life has a way of proving otherwise.

Our families don’t need our partial attention.

Our kids don’t need split presence, half in the classroom, half on vacation.

And we don’t need to carry that pressure everywhere we go.

Maybe the bigger lesson is this: respect ourselves enough to set boundaries. Real boundaries. Not just talking about balance, but actually choosing it. Leave work at home when you can. Let school stay in school when you travel. Trust that a few days of true disconnect will not break anything, but might restore everything.

Vacations are not a luxury. They are an investment in presence. Because the moments you miss while answering one more email, or watching one more screen, or sitting in one more virtual class from a hotel room…those moments don’t wait for us.

At the same time, I learned another lesson that matters just as much.

Disconnect from work however never disconnect from awareness.

There is a difference. Be present. Be fully present. Put the phone away. Watch the sunset. Take the picture. Laugh with your family. Listen to the waves. Soak it all in. But don’t become so comfortable that you stop paying attention to your surroundings. Unfortunately, there are people who look for those exact moments, when attention is elsewhere and trust is high. That’s not just in Costa Rica. That’s everywhere.

This experience didn’t make me lose faith in people. I refuse to let one criminal define an entire country. Every Costa Rican we met was warm, kind, and welcoming. This wasn’t Costa Rica. This was crime, and crime exists everywhere.

What it did teach me is that awareness and trust can coexist. You can believe in the goodness of people while still protecting yourself and the people you love.

And when I look back now, I realize something that surprised me.

The most valuable things from our trip never fit inside a suitcase. Our family is irreplaceable.

The laughter we've shared is forever ours. Neither the sunsets, the adventures, nor the memories we created together can ever be taken from us. And no one could take away the way we leaned on each other when everything changed. We cried together. We problem-solved together. We supported each other. We kept going together.

That became the real souvenir.

Perspective.

So if I could leave you with one piece of advice before your next vacation, it would be this: travel lighter. Not just in luggage but in expectations, pressure, and constant connection. Be fully present with the people you love.

But stay aware.

Don’t leave valuables in your car, not even for five or ten minutes. Don’t assume that because someone says an area is safe, nothing can happen. Most people are good. Some are not. Prepare for both.

The computers will be replaced. The gift cards are gone. The souvenirs never made it home.

But the memories we created together…those stay.

And in the end, that’s what matters most.

Pura Vida.

Regina