Stargazing in Playa Lagartillo
There are moments when time slows, the night breathes, and the sky tells a story older than civilization.These remote places the stars feel closer, where the night sky doesn’t just hang overhead—it speaks. One such place is Playa Lagartillo, nestled along Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, home to Drift Away Lodge and one of the most unforgettable stargazing experiences we've ever had.
On the night of August 20, 2024, a guest at Drift Away captured a rare and beautiful photograph. In the frame: nine brilliant stars scattered across the sky—crisp, glowing, and perfectly clear. What were those stars? No camera tricks, no lens flares. Just the universe in its rawest form, hanging above the palm-fringed coast.
But these weren’t just any stars. But what are they…a mystery, a myth, and maybe a memory of something ancient. They may be part of a celestial story told across centuries—a tale of seven goats, ancient myths, and the stars that guide us home.
Where Earth Meets Sky: Stargazing at Drift Away Lodge
Here at Drift Away, our connection to nature goes beyond the beach. We’re tucked away from city lights, wrapped in jungle and ocean breeze, under one of the clearest skies in Costa Rica. Our commitment to sustainability—natural materials and minimal light pollution—creates the perfect setting for reconnecting with nature and the cosmos above.
It’s no surprise that when our guests look up, they don’t just see stars—they experience them.
On that calm August night, facing east to northeast, the photo revealed something unusual: a tight group of nine intense points of light, hovering with intention. Naturally, the question arose:
What stars are those—and could they be the legendary “seven goats” from Latin history?
The Pleiades: From Seven Sisters to Seven Goats
The Pleiades star cluster, also known as the Seven Sisters, has captivated human imagination since the dawn of time. In Greek mythology, they were the daughters of Atlas, chased across the heavens by Orion. In Latin American folklore, particularly in indigenous stories, they are sometimes reimagined as seven goats or seven little kids, hiding in the sky to escape danger.
Astronomically, the Pleiades are a tight cluster of stars located in the constellation Taurus. While they’re known as the “Seven Sisters,” there are actually over 1,000 stars in the cluster, with at least 9 being visible to the naked eye in ideal conditions.
And conditions don’t get much more ideal than Playa Lagartillo in August.
On August 20, 2024, the Pleiades rose in the east-northeast sky around 11 PM, shining higher and brighter into the early hours of the morning. With the lack of light pollution and a clear Costa Rican sky, the camera didn’t just catch a moment—it may have captured an ancient myth in motion.
The Seven Goats and the Nine Stars
A Starlit Story from Playa Lagartillo
Long ago, before clocks and calendars ruled time, people looked to the sky for answers. In the quiet corners of the earth, where the jungle hums and the sea whispers to the shore, the stars told stories—softly, faithfully, eternally.
One such story began with seven little goats.
They lived close to the Earth, among the fields and forests, playful and wild. But danger crept in—a hunter, a drought, a shadow. So the goats did what no creature had done before:
They climbed into the sky.
One by one, they rose above the treetops, past the clouds, until they became stars—safe, glowing, scattered in the eastern sky. The people who loved them watched and waited, and soon learned their pattern.
When the goats returned each year—just before the rains or the planting or the harvest—life itself returned, too.
But the story doesn’t end with seven.
Two more stars followed them: a wise mother and a strong father, keeping watch just nearby. With them, the goats were never alone. With them, the night sky wasn’t just beautiful—it was complete.
Here on the coast of Costa Rica, where the land sleeps softly beneath the moon, the goats still return.
They rose above Playa Lagartillo on an August night—nine stars shining above Drift Away, reminding us that rest is sacred, stories live in the sky, and sometimes, relaxation is not just an escape…
It’s a return to the myth inside us all.
Jupiter, Aldebaran & The Cosmic Cast
But the story doesn’t stop with the old world stories and Pleiades. On that same night, Jupiter—one of the brightest objects in the night sky—was also rising in the east. Nearby, Aldebaran, the red eye of the bull in the constellation Taurus, added its glow.
Together, these celestial bodies may have joined the Pleiades in the frame, explaining why nine brilliant lights appeared instead of just seven. Some stars were likely members of the Pleiades cluster; others, nearby travelers shining just as boldly.
It’s as if the sky assembled a cast of characters to tell a story older than time itself—one that Drift Away guests had front-row seats to witness.
Why the Night Sky Matters at Drift Away
At Drift Away Lodge, we believe that luxury is found in quiet connection—to the land, the ocean, and the sky. Watching stars from your hammock, hearing howler monkeys in the distance, and feeling the hum of the jungle at night—that’s the magic we live for.
When we reduce light pollution, turn down the noise, and lift our heads, we rediscover something timeless: wonder.
And when you see the Seven Sisters—or Nine Goats—shining above you, you’ll feel it too.
Planning Your Own Stargazing Getaway in Costa Rica
At Drift Away Lodge, we don’t just offer a place to stay—we offer a place to reconnect. Whether you're chasing sunsets, surfing warm waves, or stargazing from your private hammock, the natural world is always part of the experience.
If you're a stargazer, storyteller, photographer, or just someone looking to reconnect, consider visiting Drift Away during the green season (July–September).
During these months:
- Skies are clear and crisp
- Temperatures are cooler at night
- Star clusters like Pleiades, planets like Jupiter, and constellations like Scorpius come alive
Bring your camera, your curiosity, and your sense of awe.
Because sometimes, the best show in Costa Rica isn’t the surf—or the wildlife—it’s the night sky.
Book Your Stay at Drift Away Lodge
Looking for the perfect eco-luxury retreat in Costa Rica? Experience the beauty of Drift Away Lodge, where nature, adventure, and tranquility come together. Whether you're interested in surfing, stargazing, tide pooling, or just relaxing under the warm Guanacaste sun, our lodge is designed to provide an unforgettable experience.
- Book Your Stay – Secure your dream getaway today!
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Discover the magic of Costa Rica’s coastal treasures with Drift Away Lodge. Immerse yourself in the serenity of tide pools, stargazing at night, the thrill of adventure, and the rejuvenating power of Pura Vida.
