Day 1: May 23rd
Costa Rica welcomed us with a delicious gallo pinto, fresh papaya, and a cup of coffee. After breakfast, we took the Vara Blanca route — it was winding, but totally worth it. Along the way, we had the chance to get closer to the clouds, a preview of Monteverde, which will host us for the next few days. We saw some very funny monkeys, butterflies, and those amazing jungle cats. There were also lots of steps and beautiful waterfalls to explore. After that, we tried the best strawberries, and everyone got to taste queso palmito. By the end of the day, Doña Mildred welcomed us to her restaurant with lots of spice and a Caribbean touch. Finally, to end the day on a sweet note, we went out for some ice cream at POPS.
Day 2: May 24th
This was a long day, but we enjoyed it very much. Our first stop was the Santa Ana farmers’ market, which was such a nice start — full of colors, flavors, and aromas. We tried new fruits and discovered apretados (also known as chiriviscos). It was such a lovely place, with music playing, kids playing in the water, and some people attending mass. Overall, we immediately felt the warmth of Costa Rican culture — everyone was so kind and friendly. After that, we made a strategic lunch stop in Puntarenas before heading up into the mountains of Monteverde. As we drove uphill, we were all amazed by the landscapes along the way. When we finally arrived, we met our host families. We felt both very happy and a little nervous to meet them.
Day 3: May 25th
Monday was a great start to the week in Santa Elena. The group enjoyed a cooking lesson at CPI, where they prepared and shared lunch. They made a traditional Costa Rican dish: a potato and arracache picadillo served with corn tortillas. Right after that, the students participated in a dance class. The instructor taught them some Latin rhythms such as bachata, merengue, and salsa, but their favorite was swing criollo, a Costa Rican style of cumbia. Finally, it was a fun way to explore the town and take pictures around Santa Elena.
Day 4: May 26th
The group traveled to the Santa Elena Reserve for an afternoon hike through the beautiful cloud forest. Doña Marcela was the tour guide, and she explained a great deal about Costa Rica's ecosystem and biodiversity. The students enjoyed the fresh mountain air, the incredible scenery, and the opportunity to learn more about Costa Rica’s biodiversity and conservation efforts.
Day 5: May 27th
Wow—officially five days in the “pura vida” country! The days start early, but it’s much easier with fresh fruit and coffee. After their morning classes, the students headed to the Trapiche tour. They learned a lot about sustainable farming practices, including coffee and cacao production. Of course, they also got to try 100% cacao and enjoy a delicious cup of coffee. They couldn’t visit the trapiche without making some sobado, a traditional Costa Rican candy made from cooked sugar cane.
