- Program
- Pura Vida Service, Costa Rica
- Traveled
- July 2025
- Hometown
- Hermosa Beach, California
- Traveled with
- three friends
- Program Leaders
- Annie and Gabby
In this first-person account, Tucker Olsen of Hermosa Beach, California, looks back on Rustic Pathways’ Pura Vida Service program in Costa Rica in July 2025, with photos from the trip.
Tucker describes zip lining and rafting for the first time, going in with three friends and coming out with more, and thanking the counselors Annie and Gabby.
Tucker’s Unbelievable Week of Pura Vida Service in Costa Rica
Hi! My name is Tucker Olsen, and I just came back from the Costa Rica Pura Vida Service. This trip was truly unbelievable. I tried new food, made new friends, and got to explore Costa Rica while also feeling good about myself for helping out the community.
Zip Lining and Rafting for the First Time
It is so hard to pick a favorite memory from this trip because there were so many things to do, but I especially enjoyed zip lining and rafting because I’ve never gotten to experience those activities before. But to also have been able to do them and laugh about it with my friends made it so much better.
Tucker Goes In With Three Friends and Leaves With More
I went into this trip with three of my friends and although some of them hadn’t met each other before, by the end of the trip it felt like we’d all been friends for years. I also got the opportunity to make even more friends and get to know them and learn what their life was like outside of Costa Rica.
Annie and Gabby, the Counselors Who Made It Special
Another thing that made this camp really special were the counselors. Both Annie and Gabby had to deal with us every day and night and still were super kind especially after some noise complaints.
Thank you so much Rustic for giving me this amazing experience that I will remember for the rest of my life!
Tucker describes zip lining, rafting and friendships that felt years old. The memories concern the July 2025 session, and Tucker first shared them on the Rustic Pathways Instagram account on July 29, 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, plus ziplining through the rainforest and whitewater rafting. See the program page for the current itinerary, dates and activities.
