Episode Title: Episode 29: How Do We Do Worldschooling in Costa Rica?

Hosts: Astrid & Clint, creators of The Wandering Daughter

(Intro clip sourced from 9:43 — Clint defending the wildlife sightings in Manuel Antonio after Astrid's raccoon joke)

Costa Rica holds a special place in the worldschooling journey of Astrid and Clint — it was their honeymoon destination in 2009, and they returned years later with their kids. In this episode, they answer the question: how do I world school in Costa Rica?

They open with what makes the country exceptional: though small, Costa Rica contains roughly 20% of the world's biodiversity, making ecotourism its defining draw. Clint and Astrid run through the logistics — flying into San Jose, the surprising prevalence of English over Spanish (especially compared to Mexico), getting around by bus, rental car, or private shuttle, and what to know about the cash-heavy economy, US dollar acceptance, and the spotty internet that often surprises digital nomads who choose it as a base.

The highlights section comes alive with personal stories from the two regions they know best: Manuel Antonio and La Fortuna. In Manuel Antonio National Park, they describe beautiful beaches, boardwalk-style hiking trails, and extraordinary wildlife sightings — sloths, monkeys, and more. A return visit where they hired a local guide named Eli transformed a nature walk into an interactive wildlife classroom: he spotted animals the family never would have found on their own, brought a telescope to get the kids up close, and ran animal trivia that turned creature superpowers into learning moments for their Wild Kratts-obsessed kids. In La Fortuna, a guided tour to the Arenal volcano and a soak in the hot springs gave the family a completely different dimension of the country's natural world.

Astrid and Clint also reflect honestly on what Costa Rica offers culturally — and what it doesn't. Spanish colonialism has diminished much of the indigenous presence, though a museum in San Jose provided some historical grounding. The episode closes with a candid safety conversation: petty theft is a more visible issue here than in Mexico, and arriving prepared at the San Jose airport — knowing your ride before you land — can save the whole family a lot of stress.

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👉 For full show notes, resource links, and a complete episode guide, visit: https://thewanderingdaughter.com/episode-29-worldschooling-in-costa-rica