Day 5: Pura Vida and Passport Panic: Mangoes, Monkeys, and Learning to Live Slow (written by Cailin Lennan)

The day started in La Fortuna with my bags packed and Mia and I both on the ground, looking under our beds for items we may have missed because, like Mia said to me, “I feel like I leave a little something in each place,” to which I agreed.

We packed our bags and headed to the beautiful breakfast buffet, where I got a little bit of everything, even if I didn’t know what it was. 7:35 hits, and we load ourselves onto the bus. I get my headphones on and am ready to sit back and relax for the couple of hours we’re going to be on the road. Bryan then asked the group if we had our passports. To which I didn’t really budge because why wouldn’t I have my passport? It’d be so silly of me not to bring—oh my God, I don’t have my passport.

This is so bad. I don’t have my passport or my room key. How do I even stand up and tell the whole bus I’m the one without the passport? I just have to do it. Stand up, Cailin. 

To make matters worse, I put it in the safe and didn’t even lock it. So there was no point in it being there. Really, all I did was place my passport on a tiny decorative shelf in a closet and hope for the best.

After an embarrassing confession and a lot of trust in a random man to drive me over in a van, I was now sitting back on our bus again with my passport in hand and my tail between my legs.

We hit the road for a long drive while stopping at San Luis for a midday pick-me-up and to use the bathroom. This is where I spent my time excited to try Costa Rican kombucha, which turned out to be below average. To a souvenir shop we went, where I was on the phone with each parent asking which one would like what better. I ultimately decided on hats, outdoor decorations, keychains, and ornaments.

Most of the day was spent on the bus, so that’s where we went next and eventually ended up at the crocodile tour location for lunch and a boat ride. I ultimately decided that some pasta with sauce and chicken was the best bet. Something familiar, after a couple of days of being outside my comfort zone, was exactly what I needed to jump back into the “when in Costa Rica” mindset.

Some of us side-quested to some mango trees and walked back with our hands full and hungry bellies ready to dive right in. They tasted exactly how you’d expect… delicious. So juicy, so fresh, so “I need another one right now.”

Instead of getting back on a bus, we went straight onto a boat and hit the sandbank right next to some crocodiles. We headed upstream, where we saw crocodiles ranging from less than 10 days old to about 90 years old. The most impressive part was seeing how many there were and how many babies there were. Who knew all crocodiles weren’t 12 feet long and terrifying?

We hopped off the boat and hit the road one last time, eventually ending up in Punta Leona, where we were met with beautiful views and beautiful rooms Mia and I were so excited to get into. As soon as we put the key card in… red light. Of course.

Thankfully, a worker was right next to us, so we were able to be let in with his access card and get a new one at reception. Heading to the black sand beach was next on the list, and it was nothing short of beautiful. Even the walk there was eventful. Martina, Mia, and I were walking on the path when we heard a bunch of things hitting the ground, so we looked up out of curiosity and BAM. Monkeys. More monkeys. Even monkeys on monkeys’ backs. Naturally, we all whipped our phones out immediately because apparently survival instincts disappear when monkeys are involved.

We started walking away since they were getting a little aggressive, and just as I was saying the words, “I’m going to get concussed one of these times,” two mangoes came straight down next to Martina and me and almost hit us on the head. We laughed as we put a little pep in our step and headed toward the opening of the black sand beach.

The reason I was so excited for this trip was right in front of me, and it was even more beautiful than I imagined it would be. The trees, the sunset, the sand, the waves, the vibes. Taking it all in one mental picture at a time. I had to FaceTime my parents in the middle of it all to show them just how beautiful the world could be if you live slow.

Everyone knows the saying here is “pura vida,” which means “pure life” or “simple life,” and that’s so beautiful. But the saying “live slow” really hits me when I’m here. Because that’s what this trip has felt like: slowing down enough to actually experience things. Taking risks. Facing fears. Taking chances. Doing things outside my comfort zone. Forgetting my passport.  And even getting almost assassinated by monkeys with mangoes.