As I write my final blog post from Costa Rica, I am very sad that this experience is coming to an end because I truly do not want to leave. Over the past two weeks, this trip has given me such a wide variety of experiences that made it both educational and unforgettable. We were able to learn about sustainability, community development, social enterprise, renewable energy, ecotourism, and business practices, while also experiencing thrilling activities and immersing ourselves in Costa Rican culture. It is impossible to choose a favorite experience because there were so many memorable moments throughout the trip. Just a few of my favorites included attending the Heredia vs. Saprissa soccer game, spending the day at Tortuga Island, visiting the waterfalls and wildlife at La Paz Waterfall Gardens, and the zip lining presentation at Arenal Mundo Aventura. I also found my group’s project theme of community development and social enterprise interesting because it connected so many of the experiences we had throughout the trip. Before diving deeper into the experiences that most shaped my understanding of this topic, I also want to give a shoutout to my amazing group members, Joelle, Lila, and Brooke, who made this experience even more enjoyable and memorable.

Our visit to Dos Pinos was the experience where my understanding of community development and social enterprise truly clicked. The tour was extremely educational, and I enjoyed seeing workers actively operating one of the most important cooperatives in Costa Rica. What began as a cooperative founded by only 25 dairy farmers has now expanded to approximately 1,900 participating farms producing nearly one million liters of milk every day while employing over 6,000 people. Unlike traditional corporations where outside investors mainly provide capital and profits are distributed to shareholders, Dos Pinos is owned by the farmers themselves. Individual farmers may not have enough power or resources independently, so they pool resources, contribute annual dues, collectively purchase equipment, and vote democratically on major company decisions. While this consensus-based process can sometimes be less efficient, it ensures that the benefits are distributed among cooperative members rather than concentrated among executives or outside investors. Another thing that stood out to me was how deeply the company integrates sustainability and social responsibility into its operations. Dos Pinos recycles wastewater for reuse during production, earned Costa Rica’s Blue Flag environmental award, and repurposes recyclable packaging into materials such as roofs and desks that are donated to schools. They also promote healthier lifestyles for children through educational programs and mascots while supporting workers through discounted product stores for employees and cooperative members. Even small details, such as limiting air conditioning in hallways to reduce energy waste, reflected the company’s commitment to sustainability. Dos Pinos demonstrated how a cooperative business model can combine economic growth, environmental responsibility, and community development while still remaining competitive internationally.

The Café Monteverde Coffee Tour was another experience that expanded my understanding of how cooperative business models and sustainability work together. This was one of my favorites because it was not only educational, but also interactive through the scavenger hunt, mini group presentations, and helping pull weeds in the coffee fields, which made me feel like I was actively contributing rather than only observing. During the tour, we learned that the farm operates through a cooperative association of 21 farmers who pool their resources together to gain access to government loans and purchase equipment like irrigation systems. I also found it interesting that the farm originally focused on both dairy and coffee production before transitioning entirely to coffee, and that since 2008 they have expanded into educational tourism by partnering with universities from both Costa Rica and the United States. Today, approximately 50 percent of their revenue comes from coffee production while the other 50 percent comes from tours, showing how ecotourism has become essential for agricultural businesses. What stood out to me most was how deeply environmental sustainability was integrated. Half of the property remains protected forest because healthy forests are necessary for growing high-quality coffee. We learned how coffee plants depend on biodiversity, including birds, insects, and wind for pollination, and global warming is making coffee production increasingly difficult each year. The farm emphasized the three pillars of sustainability: environmental, social, and economic, and demonstrated that preserving forests and biodiversity is essential to maintaining the quality of the coffee itself.

La Paz Waterfall Gardens showed me how ecotourism can successfully operate as a social enterprise. La Paz Waterfall Gardens is a social enterprise because it uses tourism revenue to fund wildlife rescue, environmental education, conservation efforts, and local employment opportunities. Throughout the park, we encountered rescued animals such as monkeys, jaguars, toucans, butterflies, snakes, and hummingbirds that could no longer survive in the wild because of injuries, illegal captivity, or habitat destruction. Rather than using these animals for entertainment, La Paz focuses on education by teaching visitors about biodiversity, conservation, and the environmental impacts of human activity, deforestation, and climate change. This made the experience feel much more meaningful because visitors leave with a greater understanding of why protecting ecosystems is important. The company also maintains waterfall trails that use the natural beauty of the rainforest itself as part of the business model. What stood out to me most was that La Paz’s profitability depends on protecting the environment rather than exploiting it. In addition to conservation, the business creates jobs for local residents through positions such as tour guides, restaurant workers, maintenance staff, and animal caretakers while also supporting nearby hotels and restaurants through tourism spending. Overall, La Paz demonstrated to me how social responsibility, environmental protection, and economic success can all positively support one another at the same time.

Our visit to Riverside Gastropub showed me one of the strongest examples of community development and sustainability working together in a Costa Rican business. The owner, although originally American, grew up in Costa Rica and explained that his entire goal was to create a business model that was financially, environmentally, and socially sustainable. One thing that stood out to me was how the restaurant itself was built from the ruins of a burned-down disco tech. Instead of tearing everything down, he kept the name “Riverside” and repurposed parts of the original structure by combining old and new materials together. The restaurant also grows organic produce in gardens outside that is used directly in menu items such as salads and pizza toppings. Any organic food waste from the restaurant is then composted and reused as fertilizer, creating what the owner described as a “farm-to-table and table-to-farm” cycle. Beyond environmental sustainability, the business also strongly supports the local community through live music performances, displaying and selling artwork from local artists where 100 percent of the profits go to the artists. Even the wood furniture throughout the restaurant was either sustainably milled or repurposed. Riverside showed me how a business can intentionally prioritize community support and environmental responsibility.

Costa Rica expanded my understanding of community development and social enterprise by showing me how deeply these ideas are integrated into everyday life and business practices here. Whether it was the cooperative structure at Dos Pinos, the sustainability-focused farming practices at Café Monteverde Coffee Tour, the conservation and education efforts at La Paz Waterfall Gardens, or the community-centered business model at Riverside Gastropub, every experience demonstrated that businesses can prioritize people and the environment while still remaining economically successful. One thing that especially stood out to me throughout the trip was how these values extend far beyond individual businesses and are reflected throughout Costa Rica as a whole. The country’s commitment to generating nearly all of its electricity through renewable energy sources, along with its strong emphasis on conservation and sustainability, demonstrates how seriously Costa Rica takes protecting both the environment and future generations. I also think the phrase “Pura Vida” now means much more to me than it did at the beginning of the trip. Before arriving, I mainly understood it as a saying associated with relaxation and happiness, but after experiencing Costa Rican culture firsthand, I now see it as a mindset centered around community, balance, sustainability, and appreciating life. This experience will have a lasting impact on the way I view business because it showed me that long-term success does not have to come at the expense of communities or the environment, and that businesses can actually become stronger by supporting both.