The Road to Arenal

If every day of the trip is as fun and smooth as our first full day in Costa Rica, then we are in for a great trip! Fueled by gallo pinto and fresh fruit, our students made their way to a coffee plantation on the way to La Fortuna. At the plantation, our students learned all about the coffee growing process, tasted a coffee drink so sugary and chocolaty it won over even the anti-coffee folks, and visited our first gift shop. With lighter wallets and arms full of souvenirs, we hit the buses.  

We wound our way to the other side of the mountains for lunch on the Sarapiqui River, where we were joined by iguanas, hummingbirds, and a range of colorful song birds. As the buses left the mountains, our tour guides made sure we enjoyed the ride by providing a steady stream of fresh strawberries (grown locally and purchased roadside) and fun tunes. 

As we approached La Fortuna, our stop for the next two days, the classically-shaped Arenal Volcano rising to the clouds greeted us. This area is a tourist hotspot for good reason, as the views and climate are quintessentially “tico”. After a short hike at the base of the volcano, we made our way to the hotels and dinner. Each bus is at a separate hotel tonight, but everyone seems happy with their accommodations, and we will see each other tomorrow for one of the trip’s true highlights: the water day!