During this year’s spring break, 29 Ledyard High School students had the opportunity to go on an unforgettable nine-day trip to Costa Rica. Accompanied by four chaperones and a local tour guide, the students went on a journey around the country, filled with a variety of experiences, including adventures in the rainforest, cultural exploration, a day at the beach, and many great memories that will last a lifetime. 

Upon arriving in San Jose, the group was greeted by warm weather as they went on driving through Costa Rica’s capital. On the first new day, after a morning travel to San Carlos, students spent the afternoon at a relaxing, warm, and fun place that created a time to remember at the bottom of the Arenal Volcano, as Junior Latham Fothergill says, “ My favorite memory was going to volcano hot springs and the crazy waterslides there in San Carlos.” As it was something he had never experienced. As the journey continued, students explored wetlands filled with wildlife all around them, such as monkeys, iguanas, caimans, and exotic birds, on a river boat tour. From there, the group headed to Monteverde’s cloud forest. In the rainforest, they hiked a trail surrounded by vegetation and wildlife, taking them across six increasingly long hanging bridges along the mountain. 

     A couple of days later, the group spent their morning riding horses for a relaxing ride through the sunny mountains, as sophomore Callie Rice says, “ I loved seeing all the views when going for a horse ride along the trails of the mountain.” They later found their way back to where they had hiked the bridges, but this time, enjoying an exhilarating zipline through the trees, which challenged some students to step outside of their comfort zones. As Junior Nicole Doty says, “My favorite memory of the trip was going ziplining, and seeing wildlife such as a poisonous snake.” As she can agree, it was a top hit. 

     When given downtime back at the hotels, students created many memories outside of the itinerary, as the group spent nights in the hot tubs and pools playing games and throwing around a football, and at hotels without pools, spending time before dinner, all playing kickball and manhunt later in the night. As Junior Nora Gambradella says, “ I liked hanging out with people before and after dinner, playing games like manhunt.”The group came together to create many more fun memories in times without any plans. 

     On the last adventure out, the students traded cloudy rainforests for sandy beaches in the Puntarenas region, where they left their surfer beach hotel for a day in the hot sun at two other beaches with clear water and crashing waves. Junior Leo Betajamin says, “ My best time in Costa Rica was hanging out at the beaches during the day with my friends and at the hotel at night.” Another popular favorite of the trip for many was time spent at the beach.

Throughout the week, the group explored Costa Rica’s diverse landscapes. Alongside this, making new friends, creating great memories, and trying new things, such as Costa Rican food.    

     Ledyard High School students, when asked, agree that this trip was full of great times and adventure, including the last unexpected night spent together sleeping in the airport after missing their connecting flight home, which added to their memorable adventure.

Emma Piatek, Staff Writer

Junior Emma Piatek is a staff writer for the 2025-2026 Colonel News magazine. She likes Summer, playing soccer, and being with friends.