Say Hello: Costa Rica and Andrew Mattison of Rancho DiAndrew

Costa Rica. It’s hard to know exactly where to begin. Though my trip was over three months ago, it still feels like just yesterday I was soaking up the surreal scene around me, doing yoga under the hot sun in the front yard of our home overlooking the ocean and Playa Hermosa. Since returning from Costa I've dreamed about going back nearly every single day - maybe for a week, possibly a month...or for the foreseeable future? Sounds a little far-fetched I know, but if you had an experience like I did it's not all that hard to imagine. I still don’t know what the outcome will be; all I know is that I can’t wait to be back again.

Working on my headstand in our front yard

The unique opportunity to visit this incredible place seemed to pop up out of nowhere, catching me a bit off guard; yet somehow my decision to say yes required a surprisingly minimal amount of thought. “Use your passport and come to Costa Rica. Yoga, beaches, jungle, sunshine, happiness. Just do it.” With little effort I was coerced into traveling over 2,000 miles by myself to a country I’d never been to, not really knowing what to expect when I got there. I simply knew I had a place to stay with my friend Amanda, who would be arriving down there for her first time just two weeks before me. Beyond that, and my return flight home, no plans were made. Little did I know the life-changing adventure that was about to unfold, who I’d meet or how it would all impact me. Allowing myself to say yes to this experience was the best decision I've made yet.

Is this real life?

Heading through the jungle to Playa Ventanas

Though my time in Costa Rica was only one week of my life, it changed me forever. You know, there parts of this earth so incredibly beautiful, that beauty will seep through to your soul; that shit can and should have a profound effect on your life. Of course, seeing parts of this big ol’ world you've never seen before is sure to open your eyes, but only the lucky ones allow it to open their hearts.

Physically being in Costa Rica was completely surreal. Waking up in the mountains, surrounded by the rain forest, under a different kind of sunshine. The sound of monkeys and the occasional peaceful rain storm, followed by one incredible sunset after another and stars reflecting off the ocean at night. All of that would have been more than enough to bring me back, but it was the people I met and spent time getting to know in Costa who really made my trip unforgettable.

Heavenly

Amanda & I under my favorite tree at Playa Hermosa

Enjoying a rainstorm from the hammock on our front porch

Our friend Don

Hiking to see Ventanas de Osa

Ventanas de Osa | Windows to the Sea

Not my first time on a quad #countrygirl

While in CR I was able to seemingly live life as a local and not a tourist; the people I spent my days with all contributed to me having that experience. We lived in a house up in the mountains; I happily grocery shopped & cooked meals for friends; we hosted a dinner party; our friend Chris was by now a veteran of Costa, and also the musician playing gigs at the local bar (not to mention the one driving us all over Costa - thank you, Chris!); our friend Don took us on a 4-hour quad excursion through the jungle & hiking to see Ventanas de Osa - way more fun than having to pay a tour guide. Then there was Andrew - or Drew, as most people know him. Drew is one of those incredibly happy, unbelievably hard working, life-loving kinda guys. He literally whistles while he works, particularly when he's cooking up a storm for his friends or guests. And oh yeah - he also has some of the kindest eyes you'll ever see.

Andrew | photo: Rancho DiAndrew

Drew is a California transplant who's called Costa Rica home for 5+ years now - and his home isn't your average bungalow - it's a custom-built eco-compound complete with a main house - Casa Rica (his primary residence complete with yoga deck & guest quarters), second and third houses - Mango House & Casita, respectively, as well as two gorgeous cabins - El Jardin & Bird's Nest - complete with stunning ocean & jungle views. The property, dubbed Rancho DiAndrew after Andrew and his brother, Dionysos, was the realization of a dream that began many, many years ago.

Back in 1987, Andrew's father, Richard Mattison, took a surf trip to Costa Rica and fell in love with the lush coastal mountains that met the great Pacific. After a serendipitous meeting with a local Tico in a bar one night, Richard was invited to visit a beautiful one hundred acre farm in San Josecito. It was this land that stole Richard's heart - a lush jungle high up in the mountains, overlooking the ocean. When an offer was extended to him to purchase it at an incredible price, he couldn't pass it up. Richard bought the property the very next day and over the next 15 years he brought Di & Andrew to Costa for their summer vacations. It was during that time that Andrew fell in love with the culture & beauty of Costa Rica, and he decided to make it his life's goal to start a business and live life in CR. After graduating from California State University, Monterey Bay with a business degree in Hotel/Resort Management in 2008, Drew made his way back to CR to build Rancho DiAndrew and begin a new chapter of his life, and to this day he considers it the most rewarding thing he's ever done.

On our way up to Drew's

Dinner on my last night in Costa

After meeting Andrew, getting to know him & spending time in his world, it's obvious why he's so happy in CR. He works hard but loves what he does and where he does it, and his passion is infectious. Not only does he own & operate Rancho DiAndrew, but he's the most bad ass waterfall tour guide in Costa Rica (more info here!), an incredible surfer who loves giving lessons (sign up here!) and an excellent chef who will cook for you if you're smart enough to book your next retreat or vacation at Rancho DiAndrew.

Q&A with Andrew Mattison of Rancho DiAndrew

Ashley: What made you want to move to Costa Rica?

Drew: I have been traveling to Costa Rica with my family since 1991 to surf and experience the great culture. There is no place quite like the Southern coast of Costa Rica. Coastal mountains full of world class waterfalls that meet the ocean with incredible beaches and surf spots. It has everything I enjoy about nature in one region. Since I was about 15 I knew I wanted to make a life here. After working in the hospitality business for most of my life I realized this was my calling to make a living and enjoy Costa Rica.

Ashley: What do you love about living in Costa Rica?

Drew: I love being able to go for a surf and have an ice cold coconut and fresh ceviche once you leave the water. I love being able to work in and enjoy fresh jungle swimming pools that make you feel better than you have ever felt before. I love the community of Ticos and expats all living together and helping each other. This is an amazing thing that is hard to find anywhere. The people that live here and move here (for the most part) love what this place is and stand together to protect it from developers and people who don't respect the environment.

Waterfall tour | photo: Rancho DiAndrew

Andrew cliff jumping on his waterfall tour | photo: Rancho DiAndrew

Ashley: Do you plan to stay in Costa Rica?

Drew: I plan on staying in Costa Rica as long as it stays as good as it is now. People/Governments seem to have a way of going to the nicest places on earth and ruining them with hi density condos, pollution, etc. I will stay in Costa Rica until they ruin it. I hope it never happens this way here. We shall see...

Ashley: Why should people visit Costa Rica/Rancho DiAndrew?

Drew: People should visit Rancho DiAndrew for several reasons. It has the complete package of what you think of when you hear Costa Rica: jungle, wildlife, waterfalls, great beaches/surf spots, amazing views of the mountains and ocean, and every tour you can think of is available. Cliff diving, repelling, zip lining, white water rafting, kayaking, whale watching, ATV tours, horseback riding, sport fishing, etc. The list goes on and on. The focus at Rancho DiAndrew is on customer service, which explains why it's the number #1 ranked specialty lodging in the Uvita area (and has been for 2 years). Rancho DiAndrew also offers world class yoga retreats - like the upcoming STELLAR LIFE RETREAT (November & January dates!), surf adventures and waterfall tours to guests & visitors in the area.

Basically, Rancho DiAndrew and this area of Costa Rica have everything you could wish to do on your Costa Rican vacation. We make sure to do everything in our power to make your vacation the best it can be. Come check us out, you won't be disappointed!