Today we had the opportunity to walk through the canopy forest and do a walking tour of a sugarcane plantation, which was a blast. Although it did rain, I think that it added to the experience in a unique way. Due to our pre-departure meetings, I was prepared for the rain that would occur on our 2-week trip and was pleasantly surprised in Heredia where the rain was a rare occurrence during our stay. As we have traveled to Fortuna and towards the volcanic region of Costa Rica, the weather has become much more unpredictable, with rain and downpours occurring sporadically during the trip. Because we are prepared with raincoats and the expectation of the weather, the trip has remained enjoyable despite the rain. During the rainforest walk, we were able to cool down during the intermittent rain, and during our tour of the farm, they had covered areas throughout the tour in preparation in case it rained, which shows that they are prepared for the inconsistent weather as well.
It is understandable that tourists are less likely to tour during the rainy season, however throughout our stay I have seen evidence of how tourist attractions and companies are prepared for the rain. At the pineapple tour, the restaurant was covered and the tour took place in a tractor trailer that had an overhead cover, which would be perfect in case the weather quickly changes. Additionally, many of the attractions are water-based, such as the hot springs, the Fortuna waterfall, and La Paz, so tourists can expect water anyway. I think that the biggest challenge is being able to communicate that these tourist attractions are prepared for the rain and that the experience is not dampened by the weather, as long as tourists come prepared. Being in Costa Rica at the beginning of the rainy season is a part of the experience, and I think that being able to see both the “picture-perfect” Costa Rica and the other side is an amazing way to experience the country.