What’s Big and Black and Real, Real Sticky? Costa Rican Sand.

First of all, aren't you so glad I'm writing this blog?

Second, this is probably something you haven't thought to research, am I right? I mean, who thinks of researching the consistency of a loose, granular substance resulting from the erosion of siliceous rocks? At the risk of seeming like a total OCD psychopath, I must tell you, however, TO PREPARE FOR THE SAND. Like, holy lemons, this is some serious sand.

You have never met sand the likes of this sand.

So you know how, with normal sand, you go to the beach, it's hot, you usually have to sprint over it as if you were running over hot coals, but then it is all over because you get to your chair and you brush it off and you are the master of your domain? Right. So Costa Rican sand is not as cute. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's actually beautiful, but it is kind of like going out with a really good-looking person and then discovering they are actually a Stage Five Clinger. Which is exactly what Costa Rican sand is: A STAGE FIVE CLINGER.

This sand. It's like supernatural sand. Once you touch it? You will not be getting it off. There is no brushing off this sand. Did you hear me? No brushing off this sand! Once it gets on your skin, it will be on your skin until you get in the water again. But even then! Even when I come home and take a shower, I have to physically scrub the sand off of my body, because it does not rinse off. You stick your leg under the shower head and hahahaha, good luck. This sand makes you #WERK, bitch.

So what's my advice? Why am I warning you about this in advance? Because the trick is: bring two towels to the beach. Because get this: the sand sticks to the towels, too. Evil, I know! So if you lay yours in the sand to sunbathe on top of it, and then plan on using the same towel to dry yourself after a little dip in the ocean, the entire universe is going to burst into an uncontrollable fit of laughter as you basically apply sandpaper to your skin and grimace into the sun.

But what kind of monster actually travels with one towel, let alone two? I know I can barely fit another vintage bathing suit from Asos in my luggage, let alone multiple layers of terry cloth. And that's where my other #protip comes in: everywhere in Costa Rica, they sell these colorful, thin and light sarongs. You won't be able to miss them, they are everywhere. And what's great about these sarongs? They're fantastic for sitting on at the beach and drying yourself off—but they also roll up realllllllly little and tiny into your purse. I love to use these when we hit up the beach, and they're only $5-10 to buy. And like I said, you can get them anywhere.

Alas, I hope that you feel mentally prepared, now, for Costa Rican sand so now I can rest in peace. On multiple sarongs. Under a palm tree. The end.