"Book a beach villa through Batik Costa Rica, a really nice hotel. Ask for Rayo Verde, a home that’s not listed on its site but is one of its more special offerings in that it’s bigger than others and is set in the most beautiful jungle landscape; it fits ten people and has a pool, a yoga palapa, an outdoor shower, and a path right down to the beach."

"Once you reach town, around lunchtime, you’ll want to eat at Couleur Café up the street. I order a fresh green juice and the veggie sandwich because it’s simple and on panini that’s delicious."

"I like to start my days at Pranamar, a nearby hotel on the beach that offers yoga classes (from $15) at 10 a.m."

"Then, I head to the supermarket Super Ronny’s #2 to stock up on fruit (pineapple, papaya, banana, melon) and basic ingredients to re-create the local dish, gallo pinto: white rice, black beans, avocado, scrambled eggs, and quesadillas."

"Meanwhile, my husband, because he can’t fit his longboard on the mini-plane, stops by the surf shop Jobbies Longboards. To rent a decent board, it’s $20 per day; he rode a Robert August 7’6” on our last trip this past April. You can also rent boogie boards for the kids, although I just buy them at one of the local supermarkets because they’re so cheap."

"Dinner is at our friend Jim Kelly’s place called Rocamar, a really casual beach café. It’s all about the fish tacos and margaritas."

"There is a restaurant by this New York City chef called Koji’s. The vegan tuna roll is really great. If you can pull it off, go without your kids — it’s known as one of the best places around."

"Get in the car and go to Santa Teresa, which is in the middle of the strip. It’s fun, and there’s loads of hot, single people — backpackers and surfers are all on bikes in bikinis, likely heading toward Selina, the surf beach."

"For lunch, just walk to Eat Street, a little area where there are lots of upscale food stands, or head to health-conscious spots like Ani and Earth Café."

"There are all these cute little boutiques around, too. I like to buy at least one long dress, and maybe a straw basket if mine falls apart by the time we land at the small clothing and jewelry boutique Pacific Wolf Factory."

"On days when the surf is too big, you’ll want to take an excursion over to the other side of the peninsula, at Playa Los Cedros. It’s very secluded with all these little rock pools, a really pretty cove, and all these cool shells for collecting."

"Near there, in Montezuma — a little hippie town known for its beautiful waterfall, the Montezuma Falls — there is a lovely restaurant with a great view of the beach called Playa de los Artistas. It’ll be the best meal you’ll have the entire trip. The menu is handwritten every day and adapts to what is fresh and available. They have really good sharing dishes, like spicy hummus, and a good wine menu too, which isn’t easy to find."

"You’ll likely wake up wanting to ride your ATV. We take it along the coastal road up to Manzanilla. It’s super-nice and feels really remote."

"Have lunch back in town, this time at Café Social or Nami, the latter of which has great sushi."

"I like to get in at least one sunset-yoga class, and Horizon, which is on a hill and has beautiful views of the ocean, is my favorite place."