In the summer of 2017, I went to Costa Rica independently, mainly to visit for the first time and to stay in a culturally immersive ranch, where only Spanish was spoken. This was definitely quite an interesting experience overall for me, because I had absolutely no Spanish knowledge other than what I’d picked up from living in California, as I had taken French in high school. However, that did not stop me from having one of the best experiences of my life.
One of my favorite memories from the trip was a day that I had just dedicated to visiting and exploring new beaches. As the weather was so tropical, the water on every beach was perfect, and it was expected for everyone to go in and play in the water. Each beach that I visited had its own unique beauty, and I had never felt so calm or relaxed as I did that day. In some places I swam, in some, I read a book quietly, in some I ate amazing local food on the shore, and in some I played volleyball or frisbee. The day ended before I knew it, and I was so exhausted yet satisfied. It was honestly an unforgettable time, and the experience made me feel more in touch with everyone that I had met there. One day, I really hope that I am able to go back to Costa Rica. If I do, the main thing I would change is dedicating more days to exploring some of the best beaches I’ve ever been to in my life.
