Welcome to Peligro Life!
Hey everyone, it’s Daphne here! You might know me as the calmer half of this duo, but Adam likes to call me “Daffy Danger” — still not sure how I feel about that one! We met in Costa Rica seven years ago when we were both living and teaching here. He’s originally from Arizona, and I’m from Oregon, but Costa Rica brought us together. We started our journey in the bustling little corner of San José, Santa Ana, before moving back to Oregon so I could finish grad school. We now have an adorable little Zaguate (Costa Rican street dog) named Kira, who often steals the show in our YouTube videos!
After seven years in Oregon, we started longing for that laid-back “Pura Vida” life and the warm Costa Rican sunshine. So we did what any crazy couple would do — quit our jobs, rented out our house, crammed all our stuff into storage, and hopped on a plane back to Costa Rica! And now, here we are, living out of Airbnbs and rediscovering this beautiful country, one town at a time.
If you haven’t met him yet, Adam (aka Mr. Peligro) is an adventure junkie. He’s got a wild obsession with venomous reptiles and adrenaline. His love for “danger” earned him the nickname Peligro, meaning “danger” in Spanish. Me? I’m happily teaching kids to say “snake” instead of “nake” via teletherapy, while filming Peligro Life on the side.
Our New Adventure as Digital Nomads
We touched down in Costa Rica on August 27, 2024, but couldn’t settle on where to live. So we decided to try the digital nomad life — hopping between Airbnbs, soaking up the different vibes of towns we might want to call home.
First stop: Heredia, just outside of San José. Picture this: We’re living in a giant 20-story apartment building, dodging crazy city traffic that feels straight out of Mad Max while hunting for a car. A week of city chaos later, we scored a diesel Nissan Navara with a canopy (to keep our stuff dry during Costa Rica’s wild rainstorms), and off we went!
Esterillos Oeste – Jungle Bliss and Beach Vibes
Next, we headed two and a half hours southwest to the sleepy beach town of Esterillos Oeste. We stayed in a cute Airbnb down a long, bumpy dirt road, deep in the jungle. The beach was just five minutes away, so our mornings were all about beach walks, surfing, and grabbing sandia naturales (blended watermelon juice) from local Sodas. We spent our days exploring every inch of this chill town, capturing stunning footage for Peligro Life.
Esterillos Oeste is a quiet paradise with black sand beaches, towering waves, and a jungle teeming with wildlife. The beaches here are great if you want to drive your car up to the beach and hangout with your friends with very few people around. We spotted everything from scarlet macaws and squirrel monkeys to tarantulas and caimans. We even made friends with a local coati named Pancho. While we loved the calm, quiet vibe, we realized Esterillos was a bit too sleepy for us to call home permanently. Also, the closest town to buy groceries is a bit on the party/seedy side (Jaco- why you so dirty?). But Esterillos will forever be a place we can escape to when we need to unplug and unwind.
Off to the Caribbean – Puerto Viejo’s Wild Side
After much debate (and the lure of incredible snorkeling), we couldn’t resist spending two weeks in Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean coast. The Caribbean in October is magic – calm, crystal-clear waters, perfect for diving, snorkeling, and spear fishing. Plus, this side of Costa Rica is bursting with wildlife.
Puerto Viejo is a unique blend of rustic beach vibes, Caribbean culture, and a bit of an edge. You’ll find backpackers, beach parties, and some of the best food in the country. But beware – crime is more prevalent here. On our first beach day, someone tried to steal our bag while we were swimming! We were prepared and thankfully nothing was taken, but it’s a good reminder to be vigilant in places like this.
Our stay was full of ups and downs. We booked what was supposed to be a cute hillside cabin, but it turned into an adventure just finding the place. The Wi-Fi was too slow for my work, the kitchen was a hot plate, and there were way too many bugs for my liking (hello, kissing bugs — aka, stuff of nightmares). But, of course, there was beauty too — howler monkeys, sloths, toucans, and even a trio of sloths hanging out in our driveway one night! We also spent a lot of time snorkeling and spearfishing, and I even shot some giant spiny lobsters to feast on! Delish!!!
La Fortuna – A Well-Deserved Treat
After our slightly chaotic time in Puerto Viejo, we treated ourselves to two blissful nights in La Fortuna, near Arenal Volcano. This Airbnb was pure heaven — volcano views, a private hot tub, and the kind of cleanliness and luxury we were craving. We hiked (and maybe trespassed a little) to a hidden lake on the volcano, took refreshing dips in secluded swimming holes, and relaxed in the beauty of nature.
Our next stop is a charming Tico-style house in a small village outside of La Fortuna. It’s surrounded by avocado and banana trees, and while it’s simple, it feels cozy and safe. Once settled into this Airbnb we decided to find a Soda (diner) for lunch. We ended up driving 30 minutes up a dirt road to a very secluded restaurant (which only had chicken wings left) and the world’s most amazing view. On the way back down- a tree had fallen across the road! We thought we would be spending the night up there, with poor Kira at home, but some locals showed us a tiny little road- not on any maps, that lead us out to the highway, phew!
We’ve got more adventures ahead, but for now, we’re soaking up the tranquility before the next Peligro Life escapade.
Thanks for following along on our crazy adventure! Stay tuned for more from our Costa Rican digital nomad life — and don’t forget to check out the latest videos of our wildlife encounters, beach days, and everything in between.
Pura Vida!
PELIGRO LIFE 