Pura Vida! Travel Club’s Costa Rica Trip

Over April break, Mr. D’Amico’s Travel Club, consisting of 29 students, journeyed to Costa Rica for a week to explore the rainforests and experience what life is like in Central America.

While the weather was amazing and there were plenty of picture-perfect moments, the trip ended up being about much more than that. Students got a real introduction to the “Pura Vida” lifestyle, which is basically all about enjoying life and appreciating the little things. Instead of just being tourists, everyone learned about the culture and what everyday life looks like there.

Some of the highlights were the traditional dances everyone got to take part in, the amazing authentic Costa Rican meals, exploring the rainforests and seeing exotic animals. Students even took part in ziplining through the forest and horseback riding on the beach!

One of the Travel Club’s goals is to help students see the world from a different perspective.  Students stepped outside of their comfort zones and learned to better understand and appreciate different cultures and the natural world. 

“I always enjoy watching students grow over the course of an international trip.  While they learn about new cultures, they also discover more about themselves.  Somewhere along the way, they form new friendships and strengthen existing ones as they navigate the world together.  Plus, the monkeys are really cool.” ~Anthony D’Amico

“Costa Rica was the first stamp in my passport book. I was super excited to get the opportunity to travel with the group. My favorite day was the horseback riding and zip line day because it was full of adventure. I also loved the catamaran ride because we got to dance on the deck and I got to swim with a senior who never went in the ocean before. It was a trip of a lifetime. I will remember it forever.” ~Melissa Castka