06/12/2025
Trail Spice Travel: Pura Vida Diaries – Part 3 🇨🇷
After my homestay with Rita, it was time to head to the first stop on my G Adventures journey. The Ocean Waves & Sunsets adventure kicked off in San José with a “get to know you” meeting, followed by a welcome dinner and drinks.
Each G Adventures trip has a CEO (Chief Experience Officer) who’s with you every step of the journey. It’s a huge plus when you’re traveling somewhere new and may not feel totally comfortable going it alone the first time. Our CEO, Suyen, also shared some important things to know about Costa Rican culture and travel.
My favorite moment of the night? When Suyen explained that a soda is a budget-friendly local restaurant serving traditional Costa Rican food. Picture a casual, open-air setup with plastic chairs, checkered tablecloths, and the aroma of simmering rice and beans wafting from the kitchen. One of the girls on the trip exclaimed she had been searching all over town for soda shops, thinking everyone must be raving about the best soft drink ever (yes, gang, if you’re reading this, I’m talking about Shannon 😂).
This particular tour was part of G Adventures’ “18-to-Thirtysomethings” travel style—designed for younger travelers who love high-energy trips with a fun, community vibe. These tours are all about group bonding, flexibility, and memorable local experiences.
Not in your 30s? No worries! G Adventures offers a wide range of travel styles for every kind of traveler.
This was our first group photo. At the time, we were still learning each other’s names and starting out as strangers. But that feeling didn’t last long 💛