DAY 1: ARRIVAL AND HOST FAMILIES

Day 1: May 31 th

Welcome to Costa Rica — Pura Vida! The PK Yonge group has finally arrived, bringing with them a suitcase full of excitement for all the adventures that await them during these next days. Students are ready for everything they will learn and the people they will meet along the way. This is just the beginning of an unforgettable journey filled with new experiences, cultural connections, and incredible memories.

Day 1: May 29, 2026

We've arrived! World Strides has landed in Costa Rica. The journey was long, but the experience was worth it: sharing with local families, learning about sustainable agriculture, and of course, enjoying incredible food. But we didn't just come to observe; we've already started taking real action for the environment. We ended the day learning Latin music dancing. This is pura vida from day one!

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 1: March 14, 2026

We arrived in Costa Rica, where our CPI guide met us at the airport. We went to lunch and tried a traditional Costa Rican dish: casado, for the first time. It consists of rice and beans, salad, plantains, and a protein—¡Estuvo muy rico! Then we went to our hotel and jumped straight to the pool. We ended our first day ¡con un delicioso pollo asado para la cena!