From childhood, Cynthia Irish understood that the ocean could be much more than just a landscape: it was a place of freedom, discovery, and family connection.

She is originally from San Carlos, Alajuela—her mother’s family is from Zarcero—but she grew up in Playas del Coco, Guanacaste.

Her fondest memories are of a childhood spent by the sea: going out on boats with her family, fishing, and sailing, snorkeling, and spending hours in the water. These memories include sunsets, the freedom of growing up surrounded by nature, and the thrill of discovering nearby beaches and islands—all of which have undoubtedly shaped her love for the sea, adventure, and travel.

She currently lives in Playas del Coco, but spends much of the year traveling both within and outside the country, always seeking out new destinations, experiences, and stories to share.

Although she trained as a lawyer, her desire to travel led her to step outside her comfort zone and explore new cultures and destinations. Today, as a Costa Rican content creator and entrepreneur, she combines her love of nature with organizing fishing tours.

Cynthia’s story shows that, sometimes, the biggest career changes begin with a seemingly temporary decision.

Since her father was a ship’s captain and they spent so much time at sea, Cynthia’s childhood dream was to become a sailor. She imagined a life spent sailing, fishing, and exploring the world.

“Looking back now, even though I didn’t end up becoming a sailor, in a way I’m still living very close to that dream because my life continues to revolve around the sea, travel, and outdoor experiences,” she said.

The female traveler from Costa Rica is seen as a sensitive, observant, organized, and spontaneous person. She likes to approach life with curiosity and find beauty in simple things.

Among her virtues, she notes that she strives to be grateful, respectful, and adventurous. As for her flaws, she tells us that she’s quite a perfectionist and is learning to set boundaries, respect her own time, and understand that things don’t always have to turn out perfectly.

As we mentioned earlier, she has a law degree and about two years of professional experience. However, at one point she decided to step out of her comfort zone and travel. During that time, she told us she worked as a model, waitress, English teacher, and visual artist—and eventually found her passion as a content creator focused on travel, nature, and tourism.

“Each of those experiences taught me something different, and today they’re part of who I am,” she noted.

Cynthia told us that she now runs her own business.

This year, she officially launched a company dedicated to offering tourist experiences in Costa Rica, including fishing trips, catamaran tours, and surfing lessons, as well as helping travelers with personalized itineraries and recommendations so they can make the most of their visit to the country.

Their proposal aims to go beyond simply selling a service: it is intended to serve as a guide for each visitor, helping them create memories that will last long after they return home.

Her Life: Travel, Tourism, and Boat Tours

She began traveling in 2016 through a Work and Travel exchange program. Cynthia’s plan was to enjoy the experience for a few months and then return to practice law, but life had other plans.

“I discovered that I enjoyed the challenge of starting from scratch in a new country, adapting to different cultures, working, saving money, and then using that money to continue exploring the world. Over time, that passion became my profession,” she said.

For this Costa Rican, there are special and challenging aspects she has encountered as a traveler. “The most special thing is the freedom. Being able to organize my time, visit incredible places, and share those experiences with thousands of people is a privilege I value immensely.”

Among the biggest challenges, she believes, is accepting the uncertainty that comes with working independently. “You have to learn to trust, constantly adapt, solve problems, and stay disciplined even when things don’t go as expected.”

Three Destinations She’s Visited and What She Loved about Them

During the interview, we asked Cynthia to name three destinations she’s visited and what she liked most about them.

She chose Australia, Thailand, and Iceland.

In her opinion, Australia surprised her with its laid-back lifestyle and beaches. Thailand, on the other hand, stood out for the friendliness of its people, its culture, and the beauty of its islands. And she mentioned Iceland, which she loved for its unique landscapes, “where every kilometer seems like it’s from another planet.”

Although she discussed the three countries separately, she added that they all have something in common: they offer a very strong connection to nature and are destinations that inspire exploration.

Cynthia Irish noted that, after visiting several countries, she is even more convinced that Costa Rica is one of the best places to live.

“Here, it’s possible to lead a very healthy lifestyle, spend time outdoors practically all year round, and find beaches, mountains, volcanoes, forests, and rivers just a few hours away. Plus, the sense of community and closeness to nature make for a quality of life that’s hard to match,” she explained.

There’s one thing she values greatly: no matter how many countries she visits, she always feels immense happiness when she returns home.

She is inspired by the way Costa Rica has managed to build an identity centered on nature. She is inspired by its people, “the warmth with which they welcome visitors, the simplicity of our way of life, our traditions, our cuisine, and the immense respect we have for biodiversity.”

For the Costa Rican traveler and entrepreneur, exploring new destinations also means observing, respecting, and appreciating nature.

What she loves most about nature is the peace it conveys. For Irish, that connection represents an opportunity to disconnect from the noise of everyday life, recharge her energy, and remember how fortunate she is to live in such a privileged environment. She also recognizes that nature is a constant source of inspiration for her work.

Her commitment to conservation is expressed, above all, through her daily actions. She strives to reduce her use of single-use plastics, recycle whenever she has the chance, leave no trash behind at the places she visits, and respect wildlife. Through her social media accounts, she also promotes responsible tourism, convinced that showcasing the country’s beauty also means encouraging people to protect it.

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“I’m not formally part of an organization dedicated to biodiversity. However, I participate in beach cleanups whenever I have the chance and try to support local conservation initiatives,” she said.

Among his main goals for his fishing, boating, and surfing Tour Company is to grow it until she achieves financial freedom, create new job opportunities, and collaborate with brands that share values such as sustainability, respect for nature, and support for responsible tourism in Costa Rica.

Her vision for the future, however, goes far beyond professional growth. She envisions leading a peaceful life, close to her family, with good health and the freedom to continue exploring the world. She dreams of achieving a balance that allows him to spend time with the people she loves, embark on new adventures, and experience the satisfaction of dedicating herself to what she’s truly passionate about.

“My greatest desire is to build a life in which I feel truly happy,” She added.

In her message to readers and followers, Cynthia suggests taking a break from the daily grind to appreciate the things we often take for granted.

“I believe there’s always a reason to be grateful, even if our daily routines sometimes make us forget it,” she said.

Her message is an invitation to stop, look around, and appreciate the small details of each day: nature, family, friends, health, and the opportunities that come our way.

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In her view, living with gratitude also allows us to find more reasons to care for the environment, help others, and enjoy the journey. This perspective sums up her understanding of travel and entrepreneurship: as experiences that can open doors to discovery, but also raise awareness.

For Cynthia Irish, every destination has something to teach. Traveling means observing carefully, respecting differences, and appreciating the stories, landscapes, and people that make each place special. And although the world remains a constant invitation to explore, Costa Rica is still, for her, that natural home she always wants to return to…

Follow Cynthia Irish’s every move by following her on social media: Instagram @_cynirish, Facebook (search for Cynthia Irish), and TikTok: @cynirish.

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