Red haired, surf style, tattoes, fine tan and a Pura Vida attitude. Few people could guess that Ellen Zoe Golden lived in the Big Apple for 13 years and that she worked as a PR in the entertainment industry for stars like Billy Idol. Now, she has her life in Costa Rica, speaks Spanish, eats “Gallo Pinto”, surfs and runs.

While Ellen lived in New York, she worked at JLM PR Inc. for  clients and campaigns that included groundbreaking music and clothing entrepreneur like Russell Simmons’ and his Hip Hop Summit Action Network. She also worked for Billy Idol’s return after a 12 year absence;  Chumbawamba, Violator Management (home to 50 Cent, Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, N.O.R.E. and more),  NFL Properties, Major League Baseball, United States Tennis Association, Cowboy Mouth, among others.

Some years back, Ellen visited Costa Rica and only after a few weeks she knew this country would be her future home. At the beginning she still worked from her room and through a dial up internet connection for some clients in the US. But after a few years, the manager of Best Western Tamarindo Vista Villas, offered her to be the Reservations Manager in his hotel. Ellen took the job and had great results.

Since March 2014 Ellen Zoe is our Star Sales Manager and the one that keeps the entire Costa Rica Vacations team up-to-date with everything related to music and the film industry. She is the one who will always ask you how you are doing and be actually interested in your answer. Ellen is constantly looking for new adventures to offer to our clients. She knows most of Costa Rica by heart and has a special sense that allows her to know what´s the best plan for every individual customer of Costa Rica Vacations.  She will be on top of every single detail of your trip and will not rest till she knows you are enjoying your days in this paradise. Ellen has her principles and one of them is to never recommend a place without having a personal experience. If she hasn´t been there, she will definitely tell you.

Yoga, running and surf life in Costa Rica

Ellen, as most of us, had been through tough moments so now you can notice how she embraces life to its fullest. She enjoys having a good lunch catching up  with the music industry news in front of her computer, she works harder and harder in our office and she also gives her best at the yoga lessons at Ser Om Shanti Yoga Studio. Late nights are part of her past, now she prefers to go back to her room at Best Western Vista Villas early and watch a movie with her lovely two cats or go out and have dinner with some friends. She may go for a run on Tamarindo Beach at 5.30 a.m. before going to the office. Or if the waves are good, she will surf at Playa Grande or Playa Avellanas.

That is her life now: simple, healthy and genuine. Like most of the lives of the people who chose to live near the ocean, like her life in Costa Rica.

Ellen is also a journalist and has been writing for the most important local newspapers and magazines: The Tico Times, Tamarindo News and The Howler Magazine. Being a surfer, she will write our new surf report so that you can know when to come and ride great tico waves.

We are very lucky to have her in our team. You are also very lucky to have her as your personal travel advisor.