Now that I have had a little space from that first week, I can say this trip has shifted my entire internal thought process. It started out as a kind of survival mission. I was drenched in sweat, covered in bug bites, and dragging myself through the rainforest, but somewhere between getting totally muddy during data collection and falling asleep to the sound of rain outside the cabin, something deeper started to click. I stopped thinking of ecotourism, or what I consider to be the trip I am on now, as just an educational concept and started feeling it as something that touches real people, real land, and real life.
One of the moments that really stuck with me, and honestly has been my favorite so far, was the visit to the sustainable pineapple farm. It was definitely a great blend between education and a break from data collection. We got on a tractor, drank some of the best pineapple juice I have ever had, and started learning about how they grow things without harming the land. What surprised me most was how long it takes to grow a pineapple: it takes a year or more for just one single pineapple. That made me think about how often I grab fruit from Kroger without even considering how much work went into it. The farm also used the nearby forest to block wind carrying pesticides from other areas, so instead of fighting the environment, they work with it, and that mindset changed the way I see farming, food and its accessibility in general.
I was also pretty miserable physically that day. My toe was in bad shape and I ended up calling my mom out of desperation, but that low moment helped me realize something I would not have understood otherwise. Being uncomfortable, especially in places that are new to you, can actually bring you closer to the world around you. You notice things more when your body is hurting or tired. You stop trying to control every detail and instead start paying attention. I was learning so much, even while I was not at my physical best.
The pineapple farm gave way to the banana farm we went to, which felt very different. It was not a big operation. It looked like someone’s colorful backyard with plants and fresh fruits growing everywhere while still appearing well maintained. They had starfruit, dragonfruit, jackfruit, papayas, and more growing, but what caught my attention most was the house. It was small and pieced together, with open spaces where windows and doors might usually be. The woman who lived there told us she had built it herself without loans. She did it slowly, piece by piece, and I could see how proud she was. That moment made me rethink what sustainability means. It is not just about systems and labels. Sometimes it is about building a life that fits the land you live on and doing it in a way that respects your own limits. I was extremely happy to get a glimpse of how those native to Costa Rica choose to live, and if I spent my time here in hotels or resorts, I would have missed out on that huge piece of culture.
After we left La Selva, I felt myself appreciating it in a way similar to the banana farm. Even though I had been uncomfortable there, it felt authentic. In contrast, La Fortuna was beautiful in a different way. It was more developed and full of tourists. English was everywhere. At first, I kind of felt like I was back home, but then we visited the waterfall and even though it was raining the whole time, it felt magical. We laughed, we got soaked, and it turned out to be one of my favorite moments of the trip. I realized then that nature does not have to be untouched to be special. It just needs to be respected. Despite being a tourist attraction, I was very pleased with their advocacy to not take pictures, or selfies as their signs said, with the animals, and this gave yet another lens to humans living compatibly with their environment. Sometimes, its best to let nature do its thing without playing influencer.
Even the resort we stayed at after felt like it was made with the land in mind. The buildings were tucked into the hillside and surrounded by greenery. Some space was cleared with paths and specific species all marked for tourists, but overall it did not feel like it was trying to take over the area, and even advocated through beautifully made, wooden signs to not disrupt or disturb the wildlife. That made me realize something else about ecotourism. It does not mean giving up comfort altogether. It simply means finding comfort in an environment that does not come at the cost of the environment or the people who live there. I am not entirely sure, this could have just been to make tourists happy, but there were many flowers planted around the premises which was attracting pollinators and benefiting their environment maybe even without their intent.
Monteverde felt like a breath of fresh air. The temperature was cooler, the air felt lighter, and I actually slept really well for the first time in days. I finally found a handmade ring I had been hoping to buy. It was simple, with a turquoise bead and some twisted brass wire, but it felt perfect. Something about wearing it reminds me of how far I have come this week and how much this trip has shifted my perspective. I knew when I came here that I wanted a souvenir for myself that was handmade to not only give back to the economy to the best of my ability, but to als feel good about my consumption. Sometimes, ecotourism is also the feelings that surround your purchases as a tourist.
On the way to Monteverde, we passed a group of wind turbines. They were just slowly turning in the mist and it made me stop and think about the wind turbines in northern Indiana a little over two hours from my house back home. Something about that view made me feel hopeful. Like maybe it is still possible to live in a way that supports both people and the planet. It made me think about how even small towns in Costa Rica are leading the way in terms of clean energy. They are trying, and it is being implemented in other areas across the world. That is more than I can say for some places that have way more resources unfortunately, but it reminded me that trying matters, even if you are not perfect.
One of the biggest things this trip has taught me is that I do not need to be in control all the time. I could not control the heat or the rain or the spiders, which really freak me out on the night hikes, or my own body sometimes, but I could still choose how I responded. I could choose to keep learning about my environment and its culture. I could choose to be present. I could choose to listen more and talk less, and that kind of understanding of such a beautiful place is something I want to carry home with me.
Now that our second week has came to an end, and we are over halfway through the trip, I feel like a different version of myself. I am not more confident in the traditional sense, but I am more grounded. I notice things I used to overlook. A breeze through a window. The feeling of dry socks. Quiet measures making loud impacts. The sound of birds at sunrise. These are the kinds of details I want to hold onto in leaving Costa Rica.
Costa Rica is continuing to give me more than I expected. It gives me clarity, connection, and a deeper understanding of what it means to live responsibly. It has also made me want to plant a garden when I get home and learn how to make more typically processed foods like butter!
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