Costa Rica has long been known as a destination for lush rainforests, dramatic volcanoes, pristine beaches, and extraordinary biodiversity. Yet beyond its natural beauty lies a rich cultural soul expressed through art, tradition, food, music, and the daily rhythms of life. Jan Yatsko’s “Explore and Create in Costa Rica” Tour is a unique travel experience that brings these elements together, offering visitors far more than a typical sightseeing vacation. With an emphasis on art, culture, creativity, and personal expression, this tour invites travelers to slow down, observe deeply, and create meaning from their journey.
The tour is created and hosted by Jan Yatsko, an accomplished artist, writer, and long-time resident of Costa Rica. More information about Jan and her work can be found at www.janyatsko.com. Jan’s deep connection to Costa Rica, combined with her background in the arts, makes her an ideal guide for those who want to explore the country beyond the surface and connect with its heart.
A Journey Rooted in Art and Culture
“Explore and Create in Costa Rica” is not a conventional tour where participants rush from one attraction to another. Instead, it is designed as an immersive learning experience into the fabric of Costa Rican culture, with art serving as the lens through which the country is experienced. Jan carefully curates each itinerary to balance exploration, creative practice, and reflection.
Participants visit museums and art galleries where they meet local Costa Rican artists and learn about their creative processes, inspirations, and challenges. These encounters are often intimate and personal, allowing travelers to ask questions and gain insight into how art reflects daily life, history, and identity in Costa Rica. This direct interaction with artists fosters cultural exchange and a deeper appreciation of Costa Rica’s contemporary art scene.
The tour also includes visits to traditional communities, such as an indigenous Maleku village, where travelers learn how ancient traditions are preserved in the modern world. Here, participants gain insight into indigenous cosmology, craftsmanship, storytelling, and the importance of nature in Maleku culture. These experiences help travelers understand Costa Rica not only as a destination but as a living, evolving culture rooted in history.
Experiencing Costa Rica’s Natural Beauty
Nature plays an essential role in the tour, both as inspiration and as a setting for creative exploration. Costa Rica’s landscapes provide endless material for sketching, journaling, painting, and writing.
One unforgettable experience includes time spent beneath an almond tree on the white-sand beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park, where travelers observe playful monkeys, listen to the ocean waves, and watch the vibrant life of the tropical forest meet the sea. These moments encourage participants to pause, observe details, and translate what they see and feel into their art journals.
Another highlight is soaking in hot springs surrounded by lush rainforest at the base of the Arenal Volcano. The warmth of the mineral waters, the sounds of the forest, and the dramatic presence of the volcano create a powerful sensory experience. This environment fosters relaxation and reflection, helping participants reconnect with themselves while drawing inspiration from the natural world.
Creating a Personal Travel Art Journal
A central component of the tour is the creation of a personal travel art journal. Under Jan’s guidance, participants work daily on their journals, using materials and colors inspired by their surroundings. The journal becomes a space for collage, painting, sketching, and writing—an evolving record of the journey.
No previous artistic experience is required. Jan emphasizes that this is not about producing perfect artwork, but about self-expression, observation, and creativity. She provides gentle instruction and encouragement, helping each participant find their own artistic voice. The journal becomes a deeply personal keepsake, capturing emotions, memories, textures, and moments that photographs alone cannot convey.
This creative process allows travelers to engage more fully with their environment. By slowing down to sketch a scene, mix colors inspired by a sunset, or write about a conversation with a local artist, participants experience Costa Rica with heightened awareness and presence.
About Jan Yatsko
Jan Yatsko is originally from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where she developed her love for art, craftsmanship, and storytelling. She and her husband first came to Costa Rica on a bicycle tour and quickly fell in love with the country’s tropical beauty and the warmth of its people. What began as an adventure soon became a life-changing decision: they returned and made Costa Rica their permanent home.
They chose to live in Atenas, a charming mountain town known for its friendly community and famously pleasant climate. Atenas is often described as having one of the best climates in the world, with spring-like weather year-round. The town is home to Costa Ricans and a small but welcoming community of North Americans, creating a unique blend of cultures.
Jan’s life as an artist, craftsperson, and teacher has led her through many avenues of the art world. She has designed a women’s clothing line, created gift products for catalogs, and worked extensively as a visual artist. Her paintings—colorful, expressive, and narrative—are what she is best known for. They can be found in private collections throughout the United States, Europe, and Costa Rica, as well as in the Lancaster Museum of Art.
Writing, Reflection, and “Pura Vida”
In addition to her visual art, Jan is also a gifted writer. Her bi-monthly newsletter, “Pura Vida Costa Rica,” reflects her passion for art, nature, culture, and food. Through personal stories and observations, she shares what it means to live creatively and mindfully in Costa Rica.
The spirit of “pura vida”—a Costa Rican phrase that embodies joy, simplicity, gratitude, and appreciation for life—is woven throughout Jan’s tour and teachings. Participants often find that the experience not only enhances their creativity but also shifts their perspective on travel, art, and daily living.
In one excerpt from Jan’s April newsletter, she beautifully captures the essence of Costa Rica’s seasonal rhythms:
“The Costa Rica national bird, the Yigüirro, has filled the air with a chorus of melodious sounds for the past month of March. Their songs begin at 4:30 a.m. and continue all day until sundown. Costa Rica folklore says the Yigüirro is singing for rain.”
She continues:
“We are in the month of April, when the first rains come. The trees sprout new buds, the grass smells sweet, and the beautiful tropical landscape bursts into a thousand shades of green.”
These reflections mirror the experiences participants have on the tour—moments of connection with nature, culture, and the subtle changes of the environment.
Who Is This Tour For?
Jan Yatsko’s “Explore and Create in Costa Rica” Tour is ideal for travelers who want something deeper than a standard vacation. It is perfect for artists, writers, photographers, and creatives of all kinds, as well as anyone curious about art and culture. It also appeals to those seeking a meaningful travel experience that combines learning, relaxation, and personal growth.
Participants often leave with more than memories and artwork. They return home with renewed inspiration, new perspectives, and a stronger connection to their own creativity.
Learn More and Join the Journey
To learn more about Jan Yatsko, her artwork, and the “Explore and Create in Costa Rica” Tour, visit http://www.janyatsko.com. The website provides detailed information about tour itineraries, dates, pricing, and what to expect.
You can also sign up for Jan’s bi-monthly newsletter on her website to receive reflections, updates, and inspiration from life in Costa Rica.
Jan Yatsko’s tour is more than a trip—it is an invitation to explore, create, and experience Costa Rica through art, culture, and the simple joy of being fully present.