- Program
- Pura Vida Service, Costa Rica
- Traveled
- July 2025
- Hometown
- New City, New York
- Program Leaders
- Dan, Annie, Mila, Gaby and Dani
In this first-person account, Liara Nelson of New City, New York, looks back on Rustic Pathways’ Pura Vida Service program in Costa Rica from July 10 to 17, 2025, with photos from the trip.
Liara describes digging fields and zip lining through the rainforest, casado at dinner and game nights, and how friends, the group and the locals made the hard service worth it.
Liara’s Pura Vida Service Trip to Costa Rica
Hi! I’m Liara Nelson, and I went on the Pura Vida Service trip to Costa Rica this summer. It was truly one of the most amazing experiences of my life!! I met the most amazing people and made unforgettable memories, whether we were digging fields or zip lining through the rainforest!
Casado, Game Nights and Service in Costa Rica
From mornings at Kenko, to enjoying some delicious Casado at dinner, to game nights playing Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, I loved every moment! While some might think the service was tough and boring, the support from friends, and sense of community from Rustic Pathways, as well as the locals, made everything worth it!!
What Liara Took Home From Pura Vida Service
Shoutout to Room 2: Ella, Jolie, Padgett, Maddie, Katie and Zoe. As well as everyone else on the Pura Vida trip July 10th – 17th that made this such a special experience!!! And I couldn’t forget to shoutout my amazing counselors: Dan, Annie, Mila, Gaby and Dani!!
If you’re thinking about doing this trip – DO IT!! I highly recommend it!! (And pro tip: don’t forget rain boots)
Liara describes the friends and sense of community that made the service worth it. The memories concern the July 2025 session, and Liara first shared them on the Rustic Pathways Instagram account on July 24, 2025.
The program still runs as Costa Rica: Pura Vida Service. It runs 8 days for students ages 14–18 and includes about 16 hours of community service near Arenal Volcano, helping improve local schools and maintain park trails, plus ziplining through the rainforest and whitewater rafting. See the program page for the current itinerary, dates and activities.
