- Program
- Pura Vida Service, Costa Rica
- Traveled
- July 2026
- Hometown
- Maynard, Massachusetts
- Program Leaders
- Gaby, Dan and Jacqie
In this first-person account, Sammi Alphen of Maynard, Massachusetts, looks back on Rustic Pathways’ Pura Vida Service program in Costa Rica in July 2026, a first service trip, with photos from the trip.
Sammi describes traveling alone and nervous, time with the local kids at a school in La Fortuna, and teaching them about home.
Sammi’s First Service Trip, Alone to Costa Rica
Hiii I’m Sammi and I went on the Pura Vida service trip this July in Costa Rica!! This was such an amazing experience, and I made so many new lifelong friends and memories. I went on this trip alone and was so nervous but ended being with the best group of people, who I miss so so much!!
Kids at the School in La Fortuna
I decided to go because I wanted to help out in communities and schools that need it and had the best time with all the local kids at the school in La Fortuna. Seeing them smile and teaching them about my home was such an amazing experience!
What Sammi Took Home From Costa Rica
This was my first, but definitely not my last, service trip. Rustic is such a great program to start out with for people my age who want to travel and make a difference outside their country.
I am beyond thankful for our Program Leaders Gaby, Dan, and of course my Massachusetts buddy, Jacqie!!
Sammi describes a first service trip that will not be the last. The memories concern the July 2026 session, and Sammi first shared them on the Rustic Pathways Instagram account on September 14, 2026.
The program still runs as Costa Rica: Pura Vida Service. It runs 8 days for students ages 14–18 from a base house in La Fortuna and includes about 16 hours of community service near Arenal Volcano, improving a local school and maintaining park trails, with ziplining and whitewater rafting. See the program page for the current itinerary, dates and activities.
