Jocelynn Vigil-Madrid - Blog Abroad
Blog #1
After a seven-hour journey, I arrived in Costa Rica. I departed from the Albuquerque International Sunport, then to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, and finally arrived at Juan Santamaría International Airport. My first impression of Costa Rica was its greenery, rain, and humidity. Once I collected my luggage and made it past immigration and customs, I went outside and found my transportation, which took me directly to my homestay. Upon arrival, I was greeted and welcomed by my host mom, whom I now refer to as my “Mamá Tica.” She immediately offered me a meal and began to explain the rules and dynamics of the household. The next morning, I met the rest of the family, including the father and their young daughter. I have my own space in an apartment that is connected to my host family’s house. The apartment consists of two bedrooms and a bathroom. I really enjoy the dynamic of the household and feel that it works perfectly for me. For the first month, I will be living alone in the apartment. However, at the end of September, I will be joined by a roommate, who is also an American college student. I am glad that I will experience both living abroad independently and sharing the experience with a roommate. I chose to live in a homestay because I wanted the most immersive and authentic experience possible. I am currently studying abroad at Universidad Veritas in San José, Costa Rica. When people think of Costa Rica, they often imagine the beaches and the jungle. However, many overlook the cities in the Central Valley, where most of the population lives. San José is an interesting place. Certain parts slightly remind me of a borough in New York City. Although it is considered a large city, it has a sense of community. Within San José, there are many barrios. These neighborhoods include small mercados, carnicerías, cevicherías, farmacias, and sodas. You can find a soda in almost every barrio. A soda is a small, affordable, family-owned restaurant. They typically serve traditional “Tico”-style meals, though you can also find options such as hamburgers, chicken strips, fries, and pizza. Overall, my initial experiences in Costa Rica have been welcoming and educational. I look forward to adapting to and learning from the “Tico’” lifestyle throughout the semester. Arrival in Costa Rica!
September 2025
Blog #2
After a month in San José, I finally feel more accustomed to life in Costa Rica. Throughout the first month, I have completed an intensive Spanish course. As a Chicana, I have a Spanish background. Furthermore, the Spanish language courses and immersion have significantly improved my speaking and communication abilities. I have also grown closer to my host family. I love talking with them and listening to their stories. My Spanish has been improving simply by speaking strictly in Spanish, as this is one of the rules in my homestay. My familia Tica is always giving me recommendations and advice, which I very much appreciate. One of the things I enjoy most about the city is the mercados. My favorite is Mercado Municipal in Cartago. In these mercados, you can find fruits that you can’t find anywhere else in the world. Some of these native fruits include Cas, Naranjilla, Zapote, Jocote and Guaba. My favorite is Cas. To me it tastes like a mix between a green apple, a pear and a lime. It is a perfect refreshment for the warm temperatures here. Cartago is another city in the Central Valley, about fourty-five minutes away from San José. Cartago was the first capital of Costa Rica. It is often recognized for the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles. I love visiting all the churches, as they are beautiful and I find that they bring me comfort and peace. The food is delicious! My familia tica provides me with desayuno and cena. A common Costa Rican desayuno is Gallo Pinto. Gallo Pinto is a mixture of leftover rice and beans, typically served with a fried egg. For almuerzo, I often go to a Soda, where I will order a Casado. A Casado is a traditional Costa Rican plate which includes meat or fish, with rice, beans, salad and fried plantains. I find that the way my familia Tica cooks is similar to the way my family cooks in New Mexico. On the weekends, I like to explore outside of San José. There are many good hiking spots that are close to the city. You can also often find breathtaking waterfalls. I find this time in nature to be a good break from the city, and a good way to reset for the next week. I can’t wait to explore even further and see the coasts! Life in San José!
November 2025
Blog #3
The first excursion that CEA CAPA took us on was to Monteverde. It quickly became one of my favorite places in Costa Rica! Monteverde feels completely different from the city. The air is cooler, the pace of life is slower, and everything is surrounded by breathtaking green mountains. Waking up to the sound of pure nature every morning felt extremely peaceful and refreshing. It felt like stepping into another world, one that is centered around coexisting with the nature around you. One of the highlights of Monteverde is the cloud forest. Walking through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve was an experience that I will never forget. The forest is constantly covered in a light mist, giving it a magical feeling. The trees are tall and covered in moss and flowers, and there is wildlife everywhere. It’s important that you pay close attention because an animal can be right in front of you, and you might not even realize it. I was able to see colorful birds, butterflies, and monkeys hanging high in the trees. Being surrounded by so much biodiversity reminded me of how important conservation is in Costa Rica and how much pride the country has when it comes to protecting and preserving its natural beauty. Another unforgettable experience was zip lining through the forest canopy. At first, I was terrified, but once I stepped off the platform, all my fear pretty much disappeared. The feeling of flying above the treetops and through the clouds was exhilarating. The views were absolutely breathtaking, and it felt like I was part of the forest itself. Zip lining allowed me to see the cloud forest from a completely different perspective, and it pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way possible. Monteverde is one of the more touristy spots in Costa Rica, so the food was a bit expensive. However, all the food I ate was good, especially at the hotel. I always enjoy talking with the locals and hearing their stories, and just getting more information about the area. Monteverde taught me to slow down, appreciate nature, and face your fears. It is a place that left a lasting impression on me and one I will always remember as a highlight of my time in Costa Rica! Monteverde
Blog #4
The second excursion that CEA CAPA took us on was to Manuel Antonio. It felt like a completely different side of Costa Rica. The warm weather, ocean breeze, and relaxed atmosphere immediately made me feel at ease. Manuel Antonio is the perfect combination of lush rainforest and beautiful beaches. I would say it was one of the most unique places I have visited during my time here. One of the most memorable experiences was visiting Manuel Antonio National Park. We had a guide with a telescope and binoculars to spot all of the animals. It is really incredible how these guides are able to spot the animals so easily, whether it be a sloth in the trees or tiny insects on tree branches. As soon as we entered, we began to see wildlife everywhere. There were a ton of monkeys, including both white-faced capuchin monkeys and howler monkeys. I didn’t realize just how loud the howler monkeys were until I actually heard them in the national park. We were also lucky enough to see two sloths resting high up in the trees. Watching them move so slowly and peacefully made me appreciate their calm rhythm of nature. The park truly feels alive, and each trail offers new surprises. On top of the wildlife, Manuel Antonio was just as special for its beaches. It is known for having the only white sand beaches in Costa Rica, which automatically makes it stand out from the rest of the country. The contrast between the bright white sand, turquoise water, and deep green rainforest is absolutely beautiful. Playa Manuel Antonio quickly became one of my favorite beaches. The water was warmer than I would have expected, and it was surrounded by nature on all sides. Seeing monkeys near the beach made the experience even more unique. However, the monkeys are incredibly smart and will go through or even take your stuff if you aren’t paying attention. The town of Manuel Antonio is lively and welcoming. It is pretty touristy, so the prices are a little higher, but not as expensive as Monteverde. There are many restaurants with a good amount of variety and some stores. The sunsets were breathtaking, with the sky turning shades of pink and orange over the ocean. Manuel Antonio showed me again just how much biodiversity there is within Costa Rica and how important it is to preserve it. It is a magical place where the jungle meets the ocean, and I will forever remember its beauty.Manuel Antonio
Blog #5
The third and final excursion that CEA CAPA took us on was to La Fortuna. After spending most of my time in San José, being surrounded by the lush landscapes of this small town felt extremely refreshing and grounding. La Fortuna is known for its natural beauty, and being there reminded me why Costa Rica is such a unique country. One of the highlights of my visit was Catarata de La Fortuna. After hiking down many stairs for about fifteen minutes, I was rewarded with the most breathtaking view. The waterfall is surrounded by dense greenery, and the sound of the water crashing into the pool below was both intimidating and calming. Standing directly in front of the waterfall, I felt completely present. The waters were pretty rough. Although I did not swim in the water, I felt it, and it was pretty cold. Even the mist coming off the waterfall gave me chills. However, it was refreshing after all the stairs. Moments like these make me appreciate how connected nature is to everyday life here. Another unforgettable experience was seeing Volcán Arenal. Even though it is no longer erupting, its presence is still very prominent. I was very fortunate to get a nearly clear view of the volcano. I was talking with some of the locals, and they said some people come just for the volcano and are disappointed with nothing but fog for days. Waking up and seeing the volcano in the distance made me feel small in the best way possible. Hiking around the volcano allowed me to learn more about Costa Rica’s geology and history, and I admired how the land has regenerated over time. It was inspiring to see nature’s resilience so closely. After a long day of exploring, relaxing in the natural hot springs was exactly what I needed. Soaking in the warm mineral water while surrounded by tropical plants felt peaceful and healing. It was the perfect way to slow down and reflect on everything I had experienced. My time in La Fortuna reminded me of the importance of balance between adventure, rest, and, most importantly, appreciation. Costa Rica continues to teach me to slow down, stay present, and find my role in nature. I am so grateful for experiences like this and can’t wait to continue exploring all that this beautiful country has to offer.La Fortuna
Blog #6
Traveling to Limón felt like stepping into a completely different side of Costa Rica. The Caribbean coast has its own rhythm, culture, and energy that immediately drew me in. From the music to the food to the way people interact, Limón felt vibrant, warm, and full of life. One of the first things I noticed was the strong Caribbean cultural influence. Afro-Caribbean traditions are deeply rooted here, and you can feel that pride everywhere. Walking through the town in Puerto Viejo, I heard reggae and calypso music playing from small shops and passing cars. Everyone always greets each other, and there is a sense of community that feels both welcoming and genuine. Life in Limón moves at a slower pace, which encouraged me to slow down and enjoy the present. The food in Limón was definitely one of my favorite parts of the trip. Caribbean food is bold, flavorful, and unlike anything I had tried before in Costa Rica. A popular dish and a must-try is called rice and beans. It is cooked in coconut milk and often served with chicken, beef, or fish. The coconut flavor adds a richness that is absolutely delicious. I also had patacones, which are fried plantains that are very crispy. This was a cultural difference for me because I had never heard the name patacones; to me, they are tostones. I am not a fan of seafood; however, my friends said it was some of the freshest-tasting seafood they had ever had. Everything felt very homemade and full of love. Limón is also known for its beautiful beaches and lush nature. My favorite places are Playa Cocles and Puerto Viejo. Cahuita is another great place in Limón to spot wildlife at the national park. I really appreciate the contrast between the blue ocean, green jungle, and colorful town life. I loved watching surfers, walking along the shore, and staring off into the distance, simply listening to the waves. Nature here feels wild and alive, yet calming at the same time. What makes Limón truly unique is how its culture, history, and environment blend together so seamlessly. My time there taught me that Costa Rica is not just one experience, but many. Limón showed me the beauty of diversity and reminded me how important it is to appreciate different cultures. Puerto Viejo will forever be one of my favorite places in Costa Rica, and I have been and will continue to come back.Limón
Blog #7
Guanacaste
Blog #8
Leaving Costa Rica and Returning Home
