Costa Rica: Service and Sand Session 1, 2026
June 27, 2026
Saturday night we arrived in Alajuelas after the group flight and were met by our other two guides at baggage claim. The guides we met at the airport were very welcoming and made the expectation for the rest of this trip fun. We briefly introduced ourselves and got on a bus to the hotel we stayed at for the first two nights. It’s located on a hill with a beautiful view of the province below. Pizza was waiting for us, and we started to get to know each other through a nighttime meeting.
June 28, 2026
As we woke up this morning we could smell the breakfast awaiting us. It was made by a woman who was very kind. After breakfast we talked about expectations and plans for the trip. Although the plan of talking was boring, our guides made it fun. After that, we got ready and went into the town. The town was new to us with the way it was built and how people interacted with us. We did two mini scavenger hunts which were interactive and fun. We got to learn about some of the history at the first park we were at as well as ask questions in Spanish to the locals to practice. We got ice cream and headed back to the hotel we are staying at for now. Once we came back from our outings we had two hours of free-time to do whatever we wanted. During this time we relaxed in the pool and played some games in the pool, such as Marco Polo and a number game. After that, we had time to relax and shower after the hot day. Once we were done we had dinner and had a community meeting where we played games and discussed what we shall do tomorrow.
By Abby, Alex and Noah
June 29, 2026
This morning we woke up at 5:00 in the morning to embark on a 3 hour bus ride which seemed like a long struggle until we made it to a delicious breakfast of pineapples, papayas, strawberry yogurt, eggs, rice, beans, and toast. We locked our suitcases in a large locker and only took our day packs back onto the bus which dropped us off at a wooden buggy that was lugged around by a tractor. The buggy ride took us deep into the Costa Rican forest where we saw a three toed sloth, bright orange flowers, a variety of trees and insects as well as very friendly locals.
Once we arrived at the river we split into three different group and suited up with life jackets and helmets to ensure our safety on the upcoming white water rafting adventure. Once we positioned ourselves in the rafts, our guides directed commands in order for us to safely make our way through the rapids while also squeezing in fun little activities such as splashing the other rafts, surfing the rapids, and taking a couple plunges. Along the way we stopped at a large rock that we jumped off of and swam towards a shore where we would then hike to a tiny waterfall that had a pond for us to swim in at the bottom. There we dunked each other, raced one another, peacefully floated and even tried to breathe through an air pocket in the waterfall. As we headed back to the main river there was some yummy pineapple that the guides cut up for us as a snack and then we went back towards the rapids. Today we only experienced rapids that were classified as level two while tomorrow we are supposed to take on level four rapids. The level two rapids already tossed us around quite a bit so wish us luck for tomorrow. Aside from being tossed around, some of us took a pause from our position and sat all the way in the front as a little roller coaster ride down the calmer rapids.
Once we arrived at the campsite, we grabbed our towels and sheets for our tents and showered with the cold water that comes from the mountains, then changed into dry clothes. Some found it refreshing while others not so much. Our guides cooked us DIY style lunch of burritos with a side of chips and guacamole. After such a hearty meal, we hung out on the second floor of the communal gazebo where there are hammocks, couches, chairs, as we listened to music, took a nap, and had some more conversations to get to know each other better. Before dinner, we came together with the leaders by telling some jokes, asking some questions about how we are feeling, and ending with a fun game of mafia. For dinner we ate chicken and rice with a side of vegetables before some more games such as the human knot where we had to untangle ourselves from one another to form a circle, and swamp, where there was a lot of “hua!” sounds. To finish off the night we recapped about our day with a rose and thorn (or highlight and lowlight) and headed off to bed for part two of our white water rafting adventure.
By Camila, Gigi G (lil g), Luke
June 30, 2026
Many of us started the day with a cold shower in nature. The walls of the shower were the rainforest, and water fell from the inside of a bamboo shoot. Then we moved onto a delicious breakfast which contained pancakes, eggs, plantains, and toast. After breakfast we packed up and headed for day two on the river. We got on our helmets and life jackets and we started our rafting adventure. Then after a fun time of tumbling across level four rapids we stopped and ate some pineapple along the river. We watched the fish eat some of the pineapple as we tossed some in. We got back on the river and along the way we spotted tiger heron, fish, lizards, and butterflies. We finished the journey and had a lunch at the base of the river. Lunch was delicious: burritos with chicken, lettuce, potatoes, and rice. After lunch we got back on the bus for a drive to the farm. Before arriving at the farm we made an important stop: picking up a cake for the leader Karina’s son Bastian’s birthday. When we made it to the farm we went for a swim in the pool and met the adorable kids that live on the farm. Next came the birthday celebration for Bastian. Dinner was pork with rice, beans, and salad. We drank refreshing mango juice with the meal. After dinner we watched a traditional dance performance and even got to try it ourselves after. We continued dancing and playing with the balloons, which the little kids loved. Then we ate slides of the Dulce de leche cake which Bastian handed to us himself. Finally it was time for the piñata. Bastian swung with all of his might and with the help of the other little kids (and eventually some of the bigger people too) the candy went flying out of the piñata. After things settle down we finished the day with our meeting and entertainment. Today’s entertainment was musical chairs which one of the kids on the farm won! Bastian gets an honorable mention for selflessly giving up his chair. Happy birthday Bastian!
By Kai, Ariel, Thomas
