The trip started off at Jaco Beach, a beautiful black sand beach on the pacific ocean. We explored the local beach town and ate Comida Tipica. The next day we had our first lecture on the economic landscape of Costa Rica. Learning about the Costa Rican economy early on in the trip was very helpful. As we visited businesses later in the trip, understanding the Costa Rican economy enabled us to ask questions about how their businesses operate. My biggest takeaway from the trip was how difficult it is for Costa Ricans to start a business, as well as how hard it is to continue operating due to the high taxes. For example, in 2018 Costa Ricans paid 85.1% in taxes on their earnings. We learned that businesses in Costa Rica get few tax breaks and because of this many local business owners have been pushing for a more liberal economy. Even PYMEs(small and medium-sized businesses) have high operating costs due to social security contributions and other mandatory fees when having employees. Visiting local businesses has been very fun and educational. We also got to meet a local indigenous group, the Quitirrisi, who taught us how to mold clay and make natural corn tortillas. My favorite part of the trip was the three days we spent in La Fortuna. During those days, we went ziplining and hiking and explored the local town. The food was excellent and the experiences made with my new friends were incredible. I also formed a great relationship with my homestay. Getting to live with a Costa Rican family during the trip allowed me to have a very unique experience, one that would not have been possible by staying in a hotel or a resort. Overall the whole trip was great, I learned about the Costa Rican economy and how businesses operate, met incredible people, and got to experience an amazing culture. Pura Vida!
