For the farming process of all the plantations we visited, I was surprised to learn that almost everywhere sourced their own materials for growing. For example, many plantations created their own fertilizers, pesticides, and compost out of natural materials from their grown plant scraps or animal waste. They also grew certain plants to source nitrogen…

Today we visited Sibö chocolate and learned all about their production, their beliefs, the general history of chocolate and the role that Costa Rica played in that journey. We also got to try many different forms and types of their chocolate, and they were very delicioso!  Coffee and chocolate are both famous in Costa Rica…

Today we visited some family farms that grow many tropical fruits, such as bananas, black pepper, and sugar cane primarily for local consumption. There are multiple barriers to entry that exist for someone in Costa Rica to engage in business, tourism, and economic partnerships. For example, the bureaucracy and judicial system in Costa Rica can…

Today’s journey through Braulio Carrillo National Park led us into the lush Caribbean lowlands of Costa Rica, where we visited an organic pineapple plantation. The supply chain for pineapples, like coffee, is global and involves lots of farming and harvesting. Pineapples must be harvested when they are still green often to survive shipping and not…

Today, we enjoyed a tour of Life Monteverde and learned all about their sustainable practices to growing coffee. The Tico farmers at Life Monteverde prioritize sustainability and education in everything they do. Their lives involve a lot of physical labor with planting, harvesting, taking care of animals, and more. They find lots of joy in…

For our adventure today, we walked through Monteverde’s beautiful cloud forest reserve. Originally, the Quakers tore down numerous trees in Monteverde to create space for their community’s endeavors, but it was later turned into an area dedicated to conservation. It was thrilling to see all the rich biodiversity that Costa Ricans work so hard to…

As we were driving to Monteverde, I noticed there was a significant increase in lush forest areas with an abundance of trees and plants. Overall, there were fewer houses and establishments than I had seen when walking or driving around Heredia. Also, due to the fact that we were driving to a higher altitude, I…

I think there are a couple of reasons why people spend a lot of money at Café Britt’s shop. For instance, Costa Rica is known for its high-quality coffee, so people want to try it for themselves and experience that aspect of its culture. Additionally, on the Britt tour, tourists hear all about how much…

Today, I had a fantastic time touring and tasting at the Doka Coffee Plantation and a Strawberry Farm. When comparing and contrasting the coffee and strawberry farms, I found many differences and some similarities. For example, coffee plants produce quality berries for 20-30 years before they are replaced with newer trees. On the other hand,…

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…