Costa Rica March Break Trip Immerses Students in 'Pura Vida' Culture
By Mac Walmsley ‘25
This past March Break, 70 CDS students & staff had the incredible opportunity to travel to the beautiful destination of Costa Rica. Over our week-long trip, we got to experience unique traditions and cultures, meet countless new people and immerse ourselves in the vibrant communities of the country.
We began our trip with a five-hour flight to Liberia followed by a bus ride to our first hotel. Even in the face of washed-out bridges and unexpected detours, morale remained high thanks to the tour guides, bus drivers and everyone on the trip.
On our first full day, we were up bright and early, full of energy and ready to properly take in Costa Rica for the first time. After a delicious breakfast facing vast mountain views, we were off to the day’s three activities — a hanging bridges hike through the rainforest where we saw everything from howler monkeys to a tarantula, ziplining through and over the canopy, and an evening at naturally-heated hot springs (with a feature made by what’s quite possibly the world’s fastest waterslide).
Back
The next day, after touring around a small town, we got to spend the morning at a local school where we were treated to multiple dance performances put on by the students! We also got to help water their gardens, have lunch and play soccer with the school children. We then got to spend the afternoon and early evening at a nearby farm with some highlights including a fresh-grown fruit tasting, a scarlet Macaw sighting and making our own tortillas & coffee.
Fresh off of grinding our own coffee beans, we got up the following morning and took a tour of a coffee plant. We learned a whole bunch about coffee and the process that goes into harvesting, roasting, storing and sending it around the world! We then got to do a coffee tasting as well as try some chocolates also made there. We were far from done that day, as we re-embarked the buses and headed to the stunning La Fortuna Waterfall. After a 530-step descent to the falls, we got to swim in the water around the waterfall and refresh before continuing the day and travelling to the Arenal Volcano, where we hiked up and got to take in a breathtaking 360-degree view.
Next up — travel day #2, but not without taking a crocodile cruise first! This time, we were transferring to our second stay of the trip at an awesome beachside resort. We spent the late afternoon at the pool and the beach and in the evening learned some dance moves from Srta. Stefanescu!
The morning of March 12th found us at Kids Saving the Rainforest, an animal sanctuary and rehabilitation centre working to restore and protect the rainforests that so much wildlife calls home. We took a tour of the rescued animals before putting in some good work such as cleaning out animal enclosures or administering rescued animals their needed medications. In the afternoon, we got to spend some time on the beach, playing games and taking in the sunset.
Our final day took us to Costa Rica’s most popular national park: Manuel Antonio National Park. We could see why it was so popular right away— it is such a well taken care of and beautiful park. We hiked a short distance before arriving at an amazing beach, where we had time to swim and soak up the sun for a final time.
We then took another short hike through the park and drove to our last activity of the trip, a catamaran cruise! We got to spend the afternoon on the water with activities such as snorkeling, jumping off the boat and a built-in waterslide from the top level! After a brief hiatus in the evening, we returned to the boat and enjoyed our last meal together while docked at the marina.
We then took another short hike through the park and drove to our last activity of the trip, a catamaran cruise! We got to spend the afternoon on the water with activities such as snorkeling, jumping off the boat and a built-in waterslide from the top level! After a brief hiatus in the evening, we returned to the boat and enjoyed our last meal together while docked at the marina.
While it’s always nice to come back home, I think it goes without saying that everyone on the trip will certainly be missing Costa Rica— from the immersion in nature to the experiences we enjoyed and the perfect weather, it was an amazing trip that will certainly not be forgotten!
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
Junior, Middle and Senior Schools
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
