From Miami to the Mountains: My Costa Rican Adventure

Name: M. Hukleshaft
School: Private School, Miami, Florida
Trip: Costa Rica Cultural & Adventure Tour with Evolve Tours

When I first signed up for our school trip to Costa Rica, I expected beaches and sunshine — something like home, just a little wilder. But what I got was something entirely different: volcanoes, waterfalls, rainforests, and people who taught me more about connection and gratitude than I ever imagined.

Q: What made you decide to go on the Evolve Tour to Costa Rica?
Honestly, I’d never traveled outside the U.S. before. I love my city — the energy, the palm trees, the ocean — but I’d always wondered what life looked like beyond it. When my Spanish teacher mentioned the trip, I thought it would be a cool way to practice my Spanish and try something adventurous. I didn’t realize how much it would change my perspective.

Q: What were some of your favorite experiences on the trip?
The day we went whitewater rafting was incredible — I’ve never laughed so much in my life. Our guide told us stories about the river and the surrounding forest, and between the splashes and screams, I remember looking around and thinking, this is the most alive I’ve ever felt.

But the most meaningful day was when we visited a local cacao and coffee farm. We learned how farmers grow both crops side by side — coffee trees under the shade of taller cacao plants. I helped crush roasted cacao beans and make traditional hot chocolate sweetened with cane sugar. It was rich, smoky, and pure — nothing like the cocoa I grew up with.

Q: What surprised you most about Costa Rica?
How genuinely happy people are. Even in small rural towns, people smile and wave. They care deeply about nature, about community. It’s part of their culture — pura vida isn’t just a phrase, it’s a way of life.

Q: What did you take away from your experience with Evolve Tours?
That real adventure isn’t about adrenaline — it’s about openness. It’s about learning from people, tasting new things, and being okay with getting muddy, wet, or lost. When you let go of trying to control everything, that’s when the real magic happens.

I came home to Miami a little different — calmer, braver, and more curious. Every time I drink coffee now, I think about the people who made it possible, and the week in Costa Rica that helped me evolve.

📞 Let’s Start Planning
Email: info@evolvetours.com
Phone: 1-888-222-5066
Website: www.evolvetours.com