In this photoset, I wanted to focus on observing wildlife, the beauty of museum art, and enjoying every step of the way on my study abroad journey. Through my eyes, I captured the essence of some of Costa Rica’s vibrant places, where nature meets art. In Parque la Sabana, I was met with reflections in the water with a sense of tranquility in the air—the pop of color from the small building to the distant mountains and clouds covering the area. 

The wonders of reflection at Parque la Sabana. 

Descending the trail to Bajos del Toro felt unreal. We were told it would be like an “Indiana Jones” movie to get to the waterfall, but we didn’t expect the cliffhanging paths and spiral staircase steps. There was a sense of power and balance going over the hanging bridge above a massive waterfall. “Not too many people at once” was what our tour guide said. Feeling suspended over rushing waters reminded me of a delicate balance between adventure and the true beauty of nature. 

Descending into the heart of the Bajos del Toro trail. 

Through the colorful corridors of Museo de los Niños, I walked with my peers for our Spanish class field trip. We went through several exhibits of professions, dinosaurs, the process of how bananas are made, and a step back in time to when the building was once a prison. 

Walking through a prism of colors in Museo de los Niños. 

In January term, I went with some friends on an excursion with a tour group to Puerto Viejo and through Cahuita National Park. My favorite sight from that adventure was tucked under a leaf and not visible to the naked eye had our guide not shown us. The two bats hanging upside down were adorable and one of the coolest pictures to capture. 

Two bats resting in the shadows of a leaf in Cahuita National Park. 

At the Museo de Arte Costarricense, where art meets architecture, I felt a connection between creativity and culture. The artistic pieces from artists like Ezequiel Jiménez to the large sculptures surrounding the building were a fusion of color and Costa Rican identity. 

Where art meets architecture at the Museo de Arte Costarricense. 

Lost in the colors and culture in Costa Rica’s art museum. 

On the beaches of Manuel Antonio, one of my favorite adventures so far, from the wildlife, the turquoise waters, and soft sand, we were able to capture a moment of peace and raw beauty. Laying out in the sun, hunting for seashells, and photographing the special moments was a weekend to remember. Another thing to remember was the mischievous monkeys eyeing our stuff. Referred to as “the mafia,” we were told, no food, and don’t let them take your belongings because they will. 

Turquoise waters and sandy feet in Manuel Antonio National Park. 

A moment of curiosity with nature’s mischievous observer. 

With every moment, whether it be the fiery-billed aracari perched in a nest beneath the yoga canopy at our hotel or the Pacific Ocean, each photograph tells a story of adventure and art. Costa Rica is an ever-evolving landscape we can learn from and keep being curious like a monkey about the colorful array of culture and wildlife. 

Nature’s splash of paint at our hotel’s yoga canopy; the fiery-billed aracari.