A small country with so much to offer...
Right at the heart of Central America, Costa Rica is a small country with a wealth of natural riches and wonders to discover. In fact, this is one of the most biodiverse places in the world - home to roughly half a million species. That's the equivalent of 5% of all the species that exist on our planet.
Our Director of Operations and Sustainability, Reggie Lang, went on a recent recce trip to Costa Rica ahead of our upcoming 2025 departures. He reported back on the experience and described how it reminded him why he fell in love with this destination, many years ago.
Reggie: 'Back in 2011, I used to work for a youth charity in Costa Rica as Logistics Manager. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. My memory is filled with vivid reflections of the place, the people and the atmosphere.'
'Fast-forward to my recent recce trip and I was flying out to finish setting up a programme for SwimTrek. While my role might have changed, my passion for the country and travel was still just as strong.'
'On Day One, I touched down in San Jose and met our partners to travel across to the Guanacaste region. This is where our first ever Costa Rica trips will be happening in 2025. There is a closer international airport in Liberia (LIR), but I wanted to do the 5/6-hour overland drive across country to take in the environment. I also stopped at a few local roadside spots en-route to enjoy some arroz con frijoles and fresh papaya.'
The Programme
'Meeting our team on the ground was especially exciting as we prepped for the day and our first recce swims.'
'Before that I met up with flowlikeclaire to discuss the yoga plan for our YogaSwim trip to Costa Rica. We also toured the facilities and went through our swimming with yoga concept. After an invigorating session working with Claire, it was time to get out on the water with the crew.'
'We boarded our boats to complete a series of swims supported by our local safety team. We headed out to each of our intended swim sites and completed exciting recce swims on each one. Then we headed back to our beautiful jungle hotel for a restful evening.'
'Our trips this year will be operating from late May, throughout June. I’m obviously completely biased, but it’s an incredible country with inspiring people and so much wildlife you hardly know where to point your eyes.'
'Farewell Costa Rica, until next time. Pura Vida.'
The Environment
Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse countries with some half a million species on just 0.03% of the world's landmass. At all times, both in and out the water, you are surrounded by flourishing life.
20 million years ago, the Central American Seaway divided the large continents of North and South America. Undersea volcanos formed as tectonic plates shifted below the ocean. Gradually this led to the formation of an island chain, strung between the continents.
The collection of sediment prevailed over millions of years and a land bridge also rose up from the sea to connect the islands. Otherwise known as an 'isthmus', this bridge connected the two American continents after 150 million years of separation.
'At all times, both in and out the water, you are surrounded by flourishing life...'
Today, the country of Costa Rica stretches along the Isthmus of Panama. Many species evolved in isolation on the separate northern and southern continents. Yet now they live together after the landmasses were finally bridged.
Shouldered by both Atlantic and Pacific coasts, Costa Rica still exists today as an example of healthy biodiversity. The country has a diverse range of ecosystems and wide variety of species, which makes it irresistible to nature-loving travellers.
The People
Costa Rica is regularly rated one of the happiest countries in the world. Being back there, Reggie was reminded how much he loved living and working there with the local teams as well.
Costa Rica is home to many champions of biodiversity conservation. In fact, the country was awarded the inaugural Protect and Restore Nature Earthshot Prize and also became the first tropical country to reverse deforestation - setting an inspiring example for the rest of the world.
Ecotourism is embraced in Costa Rica too. The industry was projected to make over 5 billion dollars in foreign exchange income in 2024 (this includes money made from ecotourism). Eco-conscious travellers are often awed by local efforts to preserve the environment and protect the many different species of local wildlife.
The Culture
Blending with the SwimTrek ethos is the Costa Rican philosophy of ‘Pura Vida’, which also encapsulates the country's approach to conservation.
'Pura Vida' is a greeting, an expression, and a feeling too. It encourages an appreciation of the beauty of life in the present moment, valuing time that is relaxed, carefree and optimistic. This is something we could all do with a bit more of.
In Spanish, the phrase translates to 'pure life'. It represents the local attitude towards a more laidback existence in tropical surrounds. No matter where you are, or your circumstances in life, you can access the wisdom of this phrase, which is similar in essence to a powerful quote by writer Leo Tolstoy: 'If you want to be happy, be.'
