06/27/2026
Eight days ago, we arrived in Costa Rica as excited travelers. Today, we leave as a traveling family with a deeper appreciation for this incredible country.
Our final day took us from La Fortuna back to San José along one of Costa Rica's famously winding mountain roads. We climbed into the cool cloud forest just as a local dairy farmer guided his herd through a quiet mountain village, a perfect glimpse into the rural traditions that have sustained these highland communities for generations. We enjoyed fresh Costa Rican strawberries with rich local cream and chocolate before visiting Café Britt, one of the country's pioneering specialty coffee roasters. There, we learned how coffee helped shape Costa Rica's economy and reputation around the world while tasting some of its finest flavors.
After navigating the energetic streets of downtown San José, we celebrated our final evening with a traditional fiesta dinner high in the hills overlooking the city. The night ended with vibrant Costa Rican folkloric dancing, where students quickly traded the audience for the dance floor and became part of the celebration.
As we reflect on these last nine days, it's hard to believe how quickly they passed and yet it feels like we've shared a lifetime of memories. We've come up close to crocodiles, explored rainforests and cloud forests, restored mangrove habitat, kayaked volcanic lakes, ziplined through the canopy, spotted incredible wildlife, and experienced the warmth and generosity of the Costa Rican people.
We hope the mangroves we planted will grow into thriving forests that shelter wildlife, strengthen coastlines, and help protect communities for generations to come. It's a small footprint, but one we're proud to leave behind.
Thank you, Costa Rica, for the adventure, the friendships, the lessons, and the reminder to slow down and appreciate life's simple joys. Tomorrow we return home to our families, friends, and our community of Madras with fuller hearts, broader horizons, and memories that will stay with us forever.
Pura Vida.
