My expectations prior to Costa Rica were that is was going to be super hot and always rainy. However, now that I am here, the temperature is absolutely perfect. The warm afternoons are just what I need after the cold Pittsburgh winter. Additionally, the cool evenings and nice breeze are perfect for walking around and exploring the city. As for the rain, so far our group has thankfully not been negatively affected by this yet. Even though in the future this may change, the rain does a good job of cooling down the temperatures.

My first impressions of Costa Rica were the beautiful mountains and volcanoes right when we walked out of the airport. I was also taken aback by the low height of the clouds in comparison to back home. This is likely due to the high elevation and common rain. Also, it was interesting to see the different types of billboards that Costa Rica has compared to the US on our drive to Heredia. One thing that is very similar to back home are the malls. The types of stores and restaurants were very recognizable. Overall, Costa Rica is a country that is very different from the United States but not in a bad way. The country is beautiful, peaceful, and hospitable and I can’t wait to see what’s in store.