Pura Vida: My Environmental Experience in Costa Rica

Hello everyone!

During spring break in April, I was lucky enough to travel to Costa Rica, a small Central American country known for its incredible biodiversity and the "pura vida" (pure life) lifestyle of its people.

When I was there, I noticed how nature and the people really seemed to be in harmony, with towns and cities seamlessly blending in with the wild rainforests and mountains of the country.

In this post, I want to talk about the things I saw in Costa Rica that focused on conservation and the environment and what ideas I experienced there I think should be made commonplace worldwide.

The property of my hotel was right in the middle of a rainforest, so monkeys were able to be seen leaping from tree to tree. Throughout the property, strange green wires were able to be seen linking trees. I asked about these wires, and a hotel guide told me that they were for the monkeys to climb across.

I thought this was a really neat idea since it helps the monkeys traverse the rainforest while also keeping them out of the way from guests. I was thinking something like this should be instated where I'm from in New Jersey, where hundreds of unsuspecting animals get hit by oncoming traffic on major highways. I was thinking that there should be a bridge or wire of some sort that can help the animals go over the highways rather than risking their lives trying to dodge all the vehicles. That way, wildlife and people can be equally prioritized, allowing nature to coincide with busy roads.

One thing that really stood out to me was the beautiful art that was scattered across the streets. Below is a piece made entirely from recycled materials:

If you look closely, you are able to pick out the little metal parts that make up the tree and sky. I really like the idea of eco-friendly art because not only is it beautiful, but it also raises awareness about our environment and sustainable practices.

In America, publicly displaying art pieces like this can encourage passers to recycle and focus more on doing tasks sustainably.

To sum it up, Costa Rica is one of the leaders in sustainability and could serve as a model for other countries like the United States. Implementing Costa Rica's eco-friendly ideas worldwide can make the world a purer, harmonious place for both us humans and the wildlife we share the planet with.