Returning to a beloved place for the third time brings a special kind of magic. After settling in at Maraya and pushing my own limits with hiking and freediving, the rest of my stay became all about the people. There’s a comfort in knowing your way around, and I loved being able to introduce new friends to my favorite spots, like the little sweets shop Duci or the lovely rocks of Playa La Hornilla.
But at the same time, there’s a thrill in knowing there are still new discoveries to be made—and that the best ones are often made together.
An Adventure on the Rocks
On one of my previous stays, I had gone climbing with Dave, one of the owners of Maraya. This time, I came prepared with my own climbing gear, excited to get back out there. A small group of us—Dave, my new friend Amelie, and her partner—all went out to Barranco Hondo for the day. But wow, it was SO hot. We didn’t actually get to climb very much because of the heat, but it didn’t even matter. It was just one of those perfect days, laughing and enjoying being out on the rocks with great people. It was a wonderful reminder that sometimes the adventure is more about the company than the activity itself.
A Secret Stargazing Night
Another evening, one of the other guests, Magda, told us she knew a nice, quiet spot where we could watch the sunset, away from the busy official miradors. A group of us piled into a car and drove up above the clouds. The feeling was incredible. It was amazingly hot as long as the sun was out, and then the second it dipped below the horizon, the temperature plummeted and it became sooo cold. Thankfully, we were prepared with extra clothes and blankets! We huddled together, watching the sky shift from fiery orange to a deep, dark blue blanketed with more stars than you can imagine. It was a secret, special moment shared between new friends.
Dancing in the City
One of my favorite hobbies back home is lindy hop dancing, and I was excited to share it. I managed to get a couple of people enthusiastic enough to join me for a ‘clandestino’ in the capital city, Santa Cruz. It’s a social dance where people just gather on a street corner and dance together. The night started with a quick introduction class, and even though it’s a difficult dance to get the hang of in just an hour, I think everyone really enjoyed it. There’s a unique joy in sharing something you’re passionate about and seeing your friends laugh and try something new right alongside you.
The Real Takeaway
Looking back on all these adventures—the climbing, the stargazing, the dancing, the freediving—a clear theme emerges. When I think of my time at Maraya, what I remember most isn’t just what I did, but who I did it with. For the second time now, I found myself part of such a good, kind, and fun group of people.
And that’s the real magic of a place like this. The landscapes are stunning, the adventures are thrilling, but it’s the people who make the experience truly amazing. Sharing those moments, big and small, is what turns a simple trip into a cherished memory.
