As we drove through the winding roads along the Pacific coast, I noticed a transition in the surrounding landscape and communities. The densely packed, bustling neighborhoods near Heredia gradually gave way to more spread-out homes, open spaces, and small local farms. Alongside this shift in scenery, there was also a noticeable change in language, from signs, storefronts, and advertisements being almost entirely in Spanish near the city, to a growing presence of English as we moved farther away. I think this shift in language reflect the increasing presence of international visitors in these areas.

Halfway through the bus ride, we stopped for lunch and saw many animals. I loved feeding the goats and petting the cat. I also thought it was fun to hear the cows moo.

After our conversation with Ricardo Guindon, I began to understand how this transformation connects to Costa Rica’s economic structure. I realized tourism, particularly ecotourism, plays a critical role in shaping not just the economy, but also the cultural and linguistic landscape of the country. 

Our discussion with Mr. Guindon also made it clear that many of the businesses and communities, at least in Monte Verde, heavily rely on the influx of tourists seeking nature based experiences. Despite the Quakers initial work in cattle ranching and dairy farming, the turnaround and rebranding to conserve the area has attracted many visitors. I believe this is beneficial as it shares the biodiversity and beauty of the area unique to Costa Rica. 

This experience helped me realize the extent to which Costa Rica’s economy and daily life are intertwined with the tourism industry and how that influence extends beyond just revenue and it also impacts language, development, and the identity of different regions.