Traveling the world as a wedding planner sounds like an idyllic dream, but for someone who thrives on details and faces the reality of living with celiac disease, every border is a logistical challenge. Yacxel Cruz—affectionately known as Yacxie—knows this duality well. Caught between the fear of falling ill in a distant country and her fascination with international architecture—specifically that of Vienna—she has forged an identity as a tireless traveler who never forgets her roots in Liberia, Costa Rica.

In this interview, Yacxie opens up her travel journal to share her favorite destinations, the fears that still accompany her, and the reasons why, after experiencing the grandeur of the world, she continues to choose the lush greenery of Alajuela and a good plate of gallo pinto as her way of life.

Although life took her in other directions from a very young age, Yacxie carries her origins deeply embedded in the very core of her identity as a Costa Rican: her ID number.

“I was born in Liberia, Guanacaste, although my roots are in Tilarán and Arenal. Being ID number 5 is one of the most beautiful gifts I’ve ever received,” she said. Although she moved to Alajuela at age two, her connection to the land of eternal sunsets was never broken. For her, Liberia isn’t just a dot on the map; it’s the place that welcomed her into the world and that she’s come to love over the years.

She didn’t grow up where she was born, although she always returned to visit her family. She remembers visiting her aunt and uncle at their farm, fishing in the Arenal lagoon, and running freely through the pastures.

When asked what she dreamed of becoming as a child, her answer was very spontaneous: “I don’t remember. I’d love to make up a story about how I fulfilled a childhood dream, but the truth is, I don’t think that was something I worried about as a child.”

That sense of freedom stayed with her into adolescence, when her curiosity about human behavior drew her to psychology. However, fate had other plans for her, leading her to become the professional she is today—someone who connects emotions and destinies.

Today, Yacxie’s GPS marks La Garita de Alajuela as her safe haven. A place that, to her city-dwelling friends, seems to be at the end of the world, but which for her is paradise itself.

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“My friends say I practically live on the beach because it seems far away to them. But the distance comes with a reward that concrete can’t offer. At her home, nature takes center stage: ‘Here, you can still enjoy the greenery. Two toucans visit me; I’ve seen rabbits, armadillos, and, every now and then, even a manatee makes an appearance.’”

For the wedding planner who lives surrounded by schedules and logistics, this corner of Alajuela isn’t just her home; it’s a daily reminder that, no matter how much you travel, you always need a place where your true self remains intact.

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A genuine shyness surfaces when Yacxie Cruz is asked to look in the mirror. “This is really hard for me. I feel embarrassed describing myself.” For her, the outside world—its landscapes and other people’s happiness—is usually the main focus, which makes speaking in the first person feel like almost uncharted territory.

However, behind that humility lies a woman of enviable clarity. When reflecting on her strengths, she doesn’t boast about logistical achievements or stamped passports, but rather about a unique lens through which she views life: gratitude. “I realize that I’m someone who always manages to see the good in things, in people, and in situations. That’s what makes me happy,” she said.

If anything defines Yacxie’s success in an industry as demanding as wedding planning, it is her determination. For her, difficulty isn’t a wall—it’s a filter. “When something is difficult, I just think that what matters is that it’s possible. If it’s possible, it doesn’t matter that it’s difficult, because few people reach what’s difficult.”

Unlike those who seek static perfection, Yacxie embraces imperfection as a driver of change. When asked about her flaws, she doesn’t offer a list of common weaknesses; she prefers to define herself as a work in progress. “I am entirely a sculpture in the making. Every day is an opportunity to refine who I was yesterday.”

When asked what inspires him about her country, Costa Rica, Yacxie’s answer focuses on the big picture. In her view, “Pura Vida” isn’t a slogan for tourists, but a vibe he finds on rural roads and during hikes along endless trails.

That connection to biodiversity and the power of Costa Rican landscapes goes beyond her hiking boots. Yacxie has managed to “absorb” that peace and beauty and bring it to her drawing table. Her events aren’t just celebrations; they’re experiences with a distinct identity, where creative design always has a common thread that grounds us in the earth.

As we mentioned, Yacxie is a wedding planner with over a decade of experience, but here’s a crucial question: What has that journey of growth been like, and what led her to devote herself fully to this field?

It turns out that her story didn’t begin directly in the world of hospitality, but rather in the very essence of service. She studied Food and Beverage, but soon realized that to create memorable experiences, she needed a broader set of skills. That’s why she immersed herself in digital marketing and residential design—she wanted to understand not only how an event works, but also how it is visually presented and how a brand communicates.

That curiosity led her to earn international certification. For her, simply organizing isn’t enough; one must know about etiquette, official and corporate protocol, and understand the psychology behind a social event versus a business event.

After eight years of intense training in the hospitality industry—where she learned that the margin for error must be zero—she decided in 2014 to take the leap and launch her own venture. “Today, ten years later, I run two firms with very distinct identities: Creative Lights Wedding Planner, where we focus on the emotional fabric of weddings and social events, and Corporate Event Planning, our division for the corporate world,” she explained.

In Yacxie Cruz’s view, every event is a love story or a success story that she treasures. Her commitment extends not only to logistics but also to the professionalism and dedication that every client deserves.

What sets this talented Costa Rican apart in a saturated market is her academic background. Her resume is a roadmap to excellence: a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis on Food and Beverage, multiple specializations in Ceremonial and Protocol (both official and corporate), and elite certifications such as the Wedding Planning Expert (which she has renewed year after year in 2018, 2021, and 2022).

Together with her team, she has been internationally recognized as the “Best Wedding Planner in Costa Rica” at the Latin American Wedding Awards.

In addition to being an International Wedding & Event Planner, Yacxie has successfully integrated disciplines such as advertising creativity, brand design, and interior decoration. This 360° perspective allows her to coordinate everything from an international conference to a destination wedding in any corner of the world, always guided by the principle that responsibility and commitment are the foundation of any unforgettable celebration.

But Yacxie’s path to this fulfillment has not been a straight one. Behind the successful entrepreneur lies a story of sacrifice and a necessary life lesson.

“Starting a business doesn’t happen overnight; it takes a lot of determination.” However, that very conviction pushed her to her limits. Overwork took its toll: a breakdown, anemia, and a schedule that left no room to breathe. It was in that moment of darkness that the mountains appeared as a refuge.

The change was radical. By letting go of stress and lacing up her hiking boots, Yacxie discovered that the silence of the peaks was the best remedy for her creative blocks. “Ideas began to flow more easily, the anemia went away, and my whole environment improved.”

Today, this Costa Rican creative’s world is a perfect ecosystem where her three great passions coexist: travel, events, and nature. What began as a way to accompany her husband on business trips around the world ended up sparking her curiosity about other cultures and lifestyles, further fueling her creativity.

Whether she’s designing a dream wedding on a secluded beach or conquering a new peak, Yacxie Cruz demonstrates that true success isn’t about always being busy, but about knowing how to bring the strength and peace of nature into everything we do.

Yacxie Cruz believes that being a wedding planner isn’t just about coordinating vendors; it’s a form of almost sacred accompaniment.

“I accompany people on a journey toward one of the happiest days of their lives. Seeing that dream come true after months of waiting… that’s something very special because it’s my day-to-day,” she emphasized.

But what makes a Yacxie wedding different from the rest? The answer lies in curiosity. Yacxie doesn’t design events—she designs stories. She immerses herself in in-depth interviews to uncover even the tiniest details about each couple. Her goal is for guests, upon entering the venue, to see not just trendy decor, but the pure essence of the bride and groom. “That leads me to always do things differently, and I love it. I never stop learning.”

“I’m not one to cry, but I cried a lot.”

Behind the sparkle of the crystals and the perfection of the flowers, a wedding planner’s career is full of uncontrollable variables: the weather, technical glitches, and managing expectations. However, nothing prepared her for 2020.

The pandemic hit the events industry particularly hard. The very nature of her work—bringing people together to celebrate—became off-limits overnight.

“I’m not one to cry. Actually, I have a hard time crying. But I cried a lot. I was very sad and scared,” she added, noting that amid the fear, resilience emerged. Instead of giving up, she became an unconditional source of support for her clients. The result was a managerial feat: they rescheduled 100% of their events. No one was left behind.

The Yacxie who emerged from the pandemic is not the same as before. Although her academic training and experience in the hospitality industry are the pillars of her approach, she is certain that life experience is what matters most.

These days, her approach has taken on a spiritual dimension and a newfound appreciation for the everyday. She has learned a great deal. Now she values her work, her health, and her team even more. That gratitude isn’t just words; it has become a ritual. Before and after each event, she pauses, closes her eyes, and offers a prayer of thanks.

“No one travels and comes back the same” is a phrase the Costa Rican woman said, and I thought it was wonderful because it’s absolutely true.

She says that the magic lies not only in the destination, but in the capacity for wonder. Whether for work or pure pleasure, her compass always points toward nature. It is there, amid the greenery and silence of remote landscapes, that she finds a spiritual connection with life.

However, even for an experienced traveler, the journey has its challenges. When asked about the “lows” of her travels, she says she hasn’t encountered any yet. Although, as someone with celiac disease, the culinary landscape can sometimes become complicated territory.

“I’m always really afraid of traveling and not having enough information about celiac disease. Getting sick far from home is a real fear.” It’s certainly a limitation that forces her to be cautious, sometimes sacrificing total immersion in the local culinary culture—a small regret she makes up for with the visual richness of her itineraries.

When I ask her to close her eyes and choose three places on the planet that have left a lasting impression on her, Yacxie doesn’t hesitate…

First, Yacxie spoke of the High Tatras in Slovakia: “It was like living in a fairy tale. The snow-capped mountains that seem to touch the sky, the warmth of the traditional wooden architecture, and those lakes that take your breath away.” In her opinion, it’s a hiker’s paradise, a place she’d return to a thousand times just to get lost on its trails.

Second, she described the Cordillera Blanca in Peru: “The impact here was all about the colors. The number of lakes in shades of blue, turquoise, and sky blue was simply breathtaking.” Amid glaciers and waterfalls, Yacxie not only discovered a stunning landscape but was also won over by the Peruvian hospitality and culture that welcomed her with open arms.

And third, she talked about Vienna, Austria: This is where the Wedding Planner comes in. “Vienna is the ultimate inspiration. Its imperial architecture, the weight of history on every street, and the art that permeates the city are the perfect creative fuel for someone who makes a living designing beauty.”

For Yacxie Cruz, the journey continues. Because as long as there’s a trail to discover or a city to explore, there will be a new version of herself waiting to be found.

Finally, we talked about what makes Costa Rica the ideal destination to put down roots after experiencing so many horizons. She pointed out that Costa Rica is home to nearly 5% of the planet’s biodiversity. “We are, by definition, a green country. And although we’re aware that there’s always room for improvement and much to protect when it comes to environmental issues, we remain a people who don’t give up—a people who defend and fight for conservation.”

Yacxie maintains that the country’s wealth lies not only in its forests, but in the foundations of its society. “Living in a strong democracy is an enormous blessing that we don’t take for granted. Add to that the fact that we have one of the highest literacy rates in all of Latin America—and, well, we eat gallo pinto!” he added with a laugh.

In this way, Yacxie left us with a reflection that sums up the sentiment of those who call this piece of land home: “We are a country with challenges, yes, but those challenges never manage to overshadow the greatness of our hearts.”

Follow traveler and wedding planner Yacxie Cruz on social media to see every step of her journey: Instagram @hikingpuravida and @creativelightsweddingplanner. On LinkedIn, you can find her as Yacxel Cruz Campos. On Facebook, she’s listed as Creative Lights Event Planner. You can also visit her website at https://www.creativelightscr.com/ to learn more about her services.

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