Day 1: July 13th, 2025
The adventure officially began as the students arrived in Costa Rica, filled with excitement and curiosity about what’s to come. After a warm bienvenida and a quick stop at the super to grab a tasty merienda, the group headed to CPI Heredia. There was a buzz of energy as they finally met their host families — lots of hugs, big smiles, and warm welcomes from their mamás ticas and papás ticos. From day one, they’ve started soaking in Costa Rican culture, language, and hospitality.
Day 2: July 14th, 2025
The students met their profesores y profesoras and headed off to class to kick off their learning adventure at the school. After class, they got hands-on in a fun cooking class, where they made their own tortillas and picadillo de verduras. Once everything was ready, they sat down to enjoy the delicious meal they had prepared themselves. After lunch, y con las panzas llenas, they went on a walking tour of San Joaquín, wrapping up the day with a sweet treat — a refreshing helado de sorbetera.
Day 3: July 15th, 2025
After their morning classes and a shared lunch with the group, the students hopped on a short 20-minute bus ride to Heredia. There, they explored el Mercado Central, where they got to taste and buy new fruits like uchuvas and nances — definitely a hit with some students! They continued on to El Fortín, climbed all the way to the top, and took in the amazing view of the city. To finish off the afternoon, they passed by the historic home of former president Alfredo González Flores and got a glimpse into Costa Rica’s past.
Day 4: July 16th, 2025
The morning was all about practicing Spanish in class. During the break, some of the students took on the challenge of climbing the árbol de aguacate at the school — and came down with a few avocados to take home and enjoy later!
Day 5: July 17th, 2025
On this day, after their Spanish lessons, the students traded their notebooks for dancing shoes in an energetic clase de baile. They learned the basic steps (and a few turns!) of popular bailes típicos costarricenses y latinos like merengue, salsa, bachata, swing criollo, and even cha cha cha. There was laughter, a few missteps, and lots of rhythm as they discovered that dancing is not only fun — it’s also a great way to connect with the culture.
Day 6: July 18th, 2025
After class, the students had a special charla with one of the CPI teachers about the Borucas, an indigenous group native to Costa Rica. They learned about La Fiesta de los Diablillos, a vibrant celebration full of symbolism, history, and cultural pride. The students learned about the story behind the festival and its deep roots in Boruca identity and resistance.
To bring the experience to life, each student got to choose and paint their own máscara Boruca, inspired by the traditional designs used during the celebration. With paint-covered hands and lots of creativity, they created colorful reminders of everything they learned — a perfect blend of culture, art, and memory to take home.
Day 7: July 19th
On this day, the students kicked off the morning bright and early with a visit to one of the biggest ferias in Heredia—fresh fruits, local snacks, and all the pura vida vibes. After soaking in the feria atmosphere, they headed to San José for a dramatic (and hilarious!) guided tour of the iconic Teatro Nacional. Right after, they hit the streets for a walking tour through downtown San José, discovering the rich layers of Costa Rica’s history and culture hidden in every corner.
Following a delicious lunch (because food is always a highlight!), the group explored the Museo Nacional, diving into Costa Rica’s precolombina, colonial, and modern-day culture and history. Total brain food to wrap up an unforgettable day.
Day 8: July 20th, 2025
The adventure shifted to one of Costa Rica's most iconic destinations: Manuel Antonio. ¡Vamos a la playa! The day was packed with pure natural beauty, starting with an exciting journey into the National Park. It has incredible biodiversity, spotting monkeys swinging through the trees, lazy sloths hanging from branches, and many many crabs.
Day 9: July 21, 2025 to Day 11: July 23, 2025
¡Unas mañanas llenas de aprendizajes! Every morning the group started their day with energy and very prepared to gain even more vocabulary and knowledge in spanish, plus they learned many new things about Costarican culture and traditions. ¡Bailaron con la mascarada y música de la cimarrona!
Day 12: July 24, 2025
¡Una última mañana de clases en Heredia! The last morning of classes was full of emotions, the students learned more about the culture of Costa Rica and more vocabulary to put into practice. The whole group celebrated de unión del Partido de Nicoya witha typical dish and traditional dances. Plus! Everybody got to day a bomba! Uyuyuy Bajura!
Day 13: July 25, 2025
¡Vamos para Isla Tortuga! Ready? Set? Go! A full day on a beautiful island awaited the group, snorkeling and the banana boat fue muy emocionante. ¡Bailamos mucho! Top five, and its the first!
Day 14: July 26, 2025
¡A morning of farewell! With lots of love the familias ticas in Heredia said goodbye to the students wishing then the best of luch and fun during the new adventures that awaited for them. The group headed to Fortuna! Another beautiful part of Costa Rica to discover, they enjoyed their afternoon in the hot springs near the Arenal Volcano.
Day 15: July 27, 2025
After a delicious breakfast we were ready to walk toward an incredible waterfall. Stairs after stairs we marveled at the beautiful sight nature gave us. ¡El agua estaba fría! But that didn´t stop us we still got in! On the evening the students traveled to Montreverde in Puntarenas to meet their new families with a big smile.
Day 16: July 28, 2025
¡Buenos días! New day, new house & new professors; the morning started with introductions to the professors that would guide the students during their time in CPI Monteverde. For lunch, the students became chefs on more time, cooking our famous costarican chalupas! ¡Tienen un amuy buena mano para cocinar!
