10 countries. 40+ cities. 1 year. Whittling it down to just 10 of the best places I traveled in 2023? Not easy.

A quick, flight's-about-to-board recap of the final week and three days of my Costa Rica adventure, one that taught me through experience just what "pura vida" means.

Getting over my sinus infection, being a beach bum on sands all over the Nicoya Peninsula, and making friends with Capuchin monkeys that seem to make daily appearances in these parts of Costa Rica

Headaches and congestion weren't quite the start I had in mind for my Costa Rica adventure, but I'm learning to roll with it - and that I believe is the lesson.