Costa Rica Study Abroad 2020
During January of 2020 I went on a study abroad trip to Costa Rica. As a Liberal Studies major at San Diego State University, I am required to partake in an international experience. This trip marked the second time I had traveled outside of the United States. Even though I was in my element in regards to traveling, I was completely out of my element when it came to the social settings. The study abroad trip involved 22 of my Liberal Studies peers, a professor involved in our major, and two guides from EcoTeach, resulting in a total of 26 people all coming together for two complete weeks. Despite all the challenges that came with being with 25 people constantly for two weeks, I learned a lot about myself and I was immersed in a breathtaking country that I had no plans to ever visit. The biodiversity in Costa Rica is astounding and I could not believe my eyes for every part of the trip. This trip helped me realize how much more I wanted to be involved in nature and as a result, I am making adjustments to future career and educational plans and seeking opportunities to help educate others on what this world has to offer.
Overview of the Trip
January 4: Fly into San José, Costa Rica
January 5: Road Trip from San José to the Osa Peninsula
January 6: Osa Peninsula - Sea Turtles Project
January 7: Osa Peninsula - Mangrove Restoration Project
January 8: Manuel Antonio National Park
January 9: Canoeing at Jacó Beach
January 10: Kokoro Resort and Hot Springs
January 11: Arenal Volcano and Organic Farm
January 12: Proyecto Asis
January 13: Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park
January 14: Tour of Café de Monteverde
January 15: Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve
January 16: Coffee Picking at Café de Monteverde
January 17: Coffee Tasting at Café de Monteverde
Day 1: Road Trip from San José to Osa
Our very first full day in Costa Rica, we had to take a road trip from San José all the way south to the Osa Peninsula. The trip took up the entire day and took longer with all the stops we made. Our stops included passing a river overhead that had crocodiles lying on the banks, stopping to take photos of Jacó Beach, and lastly, checking out giant stone spheres. This road trip was the perfect opportunity for our guide to showcase what Costa Rica had to offer and he provided facts about the country.
Jacó Beach
For more information on EcoTeach check out their website https://ecoteach.com/
Days 2-3: Osa Peninsula
We stayed at the Osa Peninsula for two days and three nights. During our two day adventures, we had the opportunity to volunteer for the conservation organization L.A.S.T. (Latin America Sea Turtles). Our group of 23 students was split into two. On the first day, one group took the first lead working with sea turtles and the second group worked with mangrove trees. The second day the two groups switched projects. With the turtles, we were tasked in weighing, measuring, and note-taking of any turtles discovered that day. The first group was fortunate to have seen and recorded data from two different sea turtle species while the second group the next day did not catch anything. With the mangroves, we were asked to plant juvenile mangrove trees from their nursery in order to restore the coastal forest. I had never been involved in any sort of conservation work and research prior to this trip and I could not be more grateful to have been given this opportunity.
Mangrove Forest (First), Our First Sea Turtle of the Day (Second), and Juvenile Mangrove Trees in Nursery (Third)
For more information on L.A.S.T. check out their website http://www.latinamericanseaturtles.com/
Day 4: Manuel Antonio National Park
On day 4, we visited our first national park in the country. Manuel Antonio is truly beautiful and features an abundance of wildlife and scenery. Upon arrival, the group split into smaller groups. We were able to explore some of the hiking options and relax at the beach. The water was unbelievably blue and vibrant and all throughout our hike my group and I were stalked by Capuchin Monkeys looking for food. After our visit to the park, we drove to the next place we would be staying at. To everyone's surprise, the hotel was situated right next to the beach at Playa Hermosa and we were greeted with a stunning sunset to end our day.
A Capuchin Monkey (First), Manuel Antonio's Coastline (Second), Playa Hermosa (Third)
Day 5: Canoeing at Jacó Beach
Canoeing! I had no idea what to expect out of the day other than simply canoeing around in the water. Not only did we do that, but the business in charge of the rentals and tours brought us along to a small, private beach. They unpacked a full blown lunch for us, chairs for everyone to use, soccer balls, volleyballs, and snorkeling gear. About half of the group went out snorkeling with one of the guides and the other half explored and relaxed on the beach.
Watermelon and Pineapple on Our Canoe
Day 6: Kokoro Resort and Hot Springs
Most of the day was filled with traveling in the bus to La Fortuna. We arrived to this incredibly cute resort called the Kokoro and the entire place was surrounded by forest and colorful birds. To end the day, we went to hot springs nearby, heated by the Arenal Volcano.
Kokoro Resort
Day 7: Arenal Volcano & Organic Farm
We began the day taking up a short hike around the base of the Arenal Volcano. It was my second time exploring a volcano but this time around I was able to take in the whole view of the peak. The hike was short and breezy but filled with greenery and beautiful flowers. Later in the day, we got to have free time and explore the nearby city of La Fortuna. Afterwards, we visited an organic farm and we were introduced to all sorts of varieties of native plant and fruit species in the country.
Arenal Volcano (First) and Sinningia (Second)
Day 8: Proyecto Asis
We spent a majority of the day at Proyecto Asis, a rehabilitation center for wildlife. Wildlife are brought to the center when they are found injured, orphaned, or when pet owners realize they do not want to take care of a wild animal anymore (when they should not have been doing so in the first place). We were given a tour by a wonderful and caring guide and introduced us to some of the animals there. He shared background stories of the animals we were in front of. It was quite sad to hear their stories but knowing that they are in wonderful hands and that there is hope for release helped to brighten up their futures.
Two Macaws (First), Spider Monkey (Second), and Three Snapping Turtles (Third)
For more information on Proyecto Asis check out their website https://www.institutoasis.com/
Day 9: Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park
Before we began our journey in Monteverde, we spent the day at Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park located near Arenal Volcano. The day was spent exploring a park connected by suspension bridges. Walking along the bridges elevated, emotionally and physically, the feeling of walking through the rainforest. Then, we made our way to Monteverde where we spent the rest of our trip at. Before we got there however, one of our guides from EcoTeach had us stop at this cemetery beside the road. The cemetery tells a story about a small town that was engulfed in a flood years ago. Currently, that town is nonexistent and what is left is a lake and a cemetery.
Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park (First & Second) and A Tombstone from the Cemetery (Third)
Day 10-13: Monteverde
For the rest of our trip, we were staying in Monteverde. The highlight of this part of the trip was to be involved in the culture. Instead of hotels and resorts, we did home stays with some of the local residents and their families. During the day, we spent our time at Café de Monteverde. It is primarily a coffee farm that invites people worldwide to visit and volunteer with them. During our four days spent there we explored the coffee farm, picked coffee berries alongside some of the workers, had a coffee tasting, and discussed sustainability. Outside of the farm we spent time with our host families and became part of their daily lives. My host family was the absolute sweetest and we were able to learn more about each other's lives despite the language barrier. One of our days in Monteverde was spent exploring the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. This place was really special and it makes me feel lucky to know that I got to see a place like this in person. Cloud forests are another type of forest, are rare to find across the world, and hold many endemic species. Places like the Monteverde Cloud Forest are ones that we need to protect and preserve so that ecosystems within can thrive and generations to come may witness the same magic.
Salvia Japonica Held by my Host Mom's Nephew (First), Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve (Second) , Sunset in Monteverde (Third), Coffee Berries (Fourth)
For more information on Café de Monteverde check out their website https://cafedemonteverde.com/
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