A Few Things I’ve Enjoyed About Costa Rica

I’ve been spending some time in Costa Rica recently, and one of the things that stands out most is how connected everyday life feels to the natural world.

The landscape is remarkably beautiful. Mountains, forests, beaches, and tropical vegetation all seem to exist within a relatively short distance of one another. It’s easy to understand why so many people are drawn here.

I’ve also been impressed by the quality and freshness of the food. Fresh fruit is abundant, and many meals seem to begin with ingredients that were grown nearby. There is something refreshing about eating food that hasn’t traveled thousands of miles before reaching your plate.

Delicious plate in Costa Rica

Travel has a way of slowing you down and helping you notice things that are easy to overlook at home. The sound of birds in the morning, afternoon rain moving through the mountains, and the simple pleasure of spending time outdoors all seem to encourage a different pace of life.

Costa Rica viewpoint

One of the things I’ve always appreciated about travel is the opportunity to experience new places while being reminded of what matters most. Good food, beautiful surroundings, meaningful conversations, and time spent learning are universal experiences that tend to transcend borders.

Costa Rica has certainly provided plenty of opportunities for all of those things.

I’m looking forward to continuing to explore, improve my Spanish, and learn more about this fascinating country.

— Mark Edgington

Mark Edgington is a nationally syndicated broadcaster, commentator, writer, husband, and father. He writes about family, civic life, community service, travel, and lessons learned through experience.

This article also appears on Medium where you can learn more about Mark Edgington’s ongoing work.