One moment that sticks in my mind was on a boat trip out at sea. As Uvita is known for whales passing by from time to time, I was hoping to see one. Then suddenly it happened: I was sitting at the very front of the boat and a whale appeared out of nowhere right in front of us.
Laura traveled to Costa Rica for a month with WanderWorld Travel. There she experienced many unforgettable moments in the hostel in the middle of the Uvita rainforest. In this report, she talks about her time on site, her experiences and adventures in the project, as well as her free time.
I really enjoyed my first two days in San José. I didn't have any culture shock, as I had actually expected. It was very interesting to see this huge city. I was all the more looking forward to my stay in Uvita, away from the big city. Early in the morning of the third day, I took the bus to Uvita and my excitement increased. I was also a bit scared, but in a positive way, as I had no idea what to expect. The hostel was located in the rainforest and, luckily for me, it was raining heavily when I arrived. However, the rain was nothing like the rain I knew from home. Everything was much more tropical and the jungle that awaited me there was definitely the most impressive place I had seen so far. Nevertheless, it took me a few days to get used to the temperatures, the humidity and the routines. After that, however, I was able to feel completely at home in my new home.
A typical day in the Hostel usually started for me at around 18:00. As I was able to work the late shift right from the start, I had almost the whole day to do things on my own and explore the area. I usually had something to eat before 18:00 and then went on duty. The shift went until 22:00, but sometimes everything was done earlier. My duties included keeping the kitchen clean and putting the dishes away. This meant I was always chatting to the guests who were cooking or eating and there were always interesting conversations. I also helped other employees when they needed help in other areas. I was happy to be able to get to know everyday life in the hostel without having to take on too much responsibility.
I organized my free time differently every day. Sometimes I slept in, but mostly I woke up at sunrise and spent the morning alone and quietly on the beautiful terrace with a view of the sea and jungle. I could sometimes sit here for hours, write down my thoughts or read a book. Of course, I also enjoyed talking to family and friends on the phone when the opportunity arose. Afterwards, I had breakfast and chatted with the other guests or staff. I often spent the whole day at the hostel. Sometimes I also walked to the beaches. First you had to walk through the jungle and then you would end up on a beautiful, tropical beach, sometimes with only a few other people. There was also the opportunity to visit the national parks in the area, such as the Parque Nacional Marino Bellena. As there are always new corners to explore here, it is worth making several visits. I often walked through the rainforest alone or with other guests, without a specific destination. We wandered through the forest for hours, listening to the animals and marveling at the different plants.
I was greeted with "Pura Vida" as soon as I arrived in San José. I already felt well looked after at the airport as everyone was very friendly. Even when I took the bus to Uvita, the locals helped me to find the right bus and made sure that I got a seat. At the hostel, I didn't really get to know the people myself as I was mostly surrounded by travelers from all over the world. However, on my excursions or when I went to restaurants, I always realized how open and friendly the Ticos (Costa Ricans) are. Whether they know you or not, they are always very happy to offer their help.
I had many wonderful moments that I will never forget. One moment that sticks in my mind, however, was on a boat trip on the sea. As Uvita is known for whales passing by from time to time, I was hoping to see one. Then suddenly it happened: I was sitting at the very front of the boat and out of nowhere a whale appeared right in front of us. I could hardly believe my eyes. Being able to see such an animal up close and in its natural environment is an indescribable experience that I can hardly put into words.
Definitely the beach in the national park in Uvita. It was the best place to enjoy the wild and untouched nature and it overwhelmed me every time. It was also where I felt most at home, as you can completely merge with nature.
I am definitely enthusiastic about this country. It has an overwhelming nature that I have never seen before. It's also suitable if you don't have a lot of travel experience, as a lot of things are geared towards tourism. Someone always spoke English and helped when needed. A stay in Latin America offers so much. From great food to a culture with warm people.
My trip to Costa Rica made me grow beyond myself. I learned to deal with many things more calmly. Once you leave your comfort zone, you realize how small the world is at home. Supposed problems seem less serious. I was able to gain a lot of valuable experience and learn how to integrate into everyday working life and find my way in previously unknown situations.
I can recommend a stay abroad to anyone. I've only been to one country in Latin America, but I've still become a huge fan. It was an experience I would never want to miss again. The great thing about it is that you now have a thousand memories that nobody can take away from you. As a tip, I can summarize that it is good to start completely without expectations and to be open to everything that may come. In my opinion, this is the only way to appreciate every experience, no matter how small. There is so much to see and life is too short to miss out on these opportunities.
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