Pura Vida: A New Year’s Journey Through Costa Rica (December 28, 2025 to January 2, 2026) 纯粹生活：哥斯达黎加跨年之旅（2025年12月28日至2026年1月2日）

Pura Vida! This greeting, etched into the very soul of Costa Rica, is both a daily pleasantry and the living philosophy of the entire nation. While it literally translates to “pure life,” its true meaning runs much deeper—it signifies that “all is well,” an invitation to “enjoy the moment,” and a spirit of “gratitude for what one has.” Ultimately, it is a life manifesto written by this small Central American country through its entire social and ecological landscape.

Nestled between the Pacific and the Caribbean, Costa Rica is small in size but vast in spirit. Long before Columbus arrived, Indigenous peoples called this land home. Since its peaceful independence in 1821—and the bold decision to abolish its military in 1949—the country has chosen harmony over force.

To bid farewell to 2025 and welcome the first dawn of 2026, a group of us from ACAP traveled to magical Costa Rica. Time seemed to slow amid the warm breezes, rich local coffee, and quiet moments immersed in a culture deeply rooted in its past. Here, nature reigns. Cloud rainforests drift in silver fog, volcanoes breathe beneath the earth, and nearly a quarter of the land is protected to shelter astonishing life. More than a place of beauty, Costa Rica lives its truth through Pura Vida—a quiet promise of simplicity, balance, and grace. However, rain graced our journey often, softening both the landscape and, at times, our itinerary; Poás Volcano remained shrouded in mist, quietly hinting at the wonders left unseen.

However, limited by both time and a fixed itinerary, I could only glimpse a corner of this nation’s magnificent landscapes and rich historical tapestry. My lens could capture but a little, yet these few photographs hold within them a reflection of my inner thoughts — perhaps even a longing.

This section focuses on landscapes, culture, and historic heritage. Birds and other wildlife are featured in Part 2: Rainforest Symphony: Birds & Wildlife of Costa Rica (2025-2026).

纯粹生活！这句被刻在哥斯达黎加灵魂深处的问候语，既是日常的寒暄，也是整个国家的生活哲学。字面译为“纯粹的生活”，实际蕴藏着更丰富的意涵——它可以是“一切安好”，是“享受当下”，是“感恩拥有”，更是这个中美洲小国用整个社会生态书写的生命宣言。

坐落于太平洋与加勒比海之间，哥斯达黎加疆域虽小却气度恢弘。早在哥伦布抵达之前，原住民已在此生生不息。自1821年和平独立以来——特别是1949年毅然废除军队的壮举——这个国家始终选择以和谐取代武力。

为告别2025年、迎接2026年的第一缕晨光，我们ACAP一行人造访了神奇的哥斯达黎加。这里的日子悠然流淌——温暖的空气、醇厚的本地咖啡，还有那些沉浸在深厚历史传统中的静谧时刻。在这里，自然拥有至高主权。云雾林在银灰色薄雾中漂浮，火山在地脉深处呼吸，近四分之一国土受到保护，孕育着令人惊叹的生命。这不仅是美景之地，更以“纯粹生活”践行着生存哲学——那是对简约、平衡与从容生活最宁静而坚定的承诺。雨水时常来访，柔和了景致，偶尔也调整了我们的计划；波阿斯火山始终隐于雾霭之中，以未示之貌留给我们遐想的空间。

然而，受限于时间和既定的路线，我只能窥见这个国家瑰丽景致与深厚历史画卷的一角。我的镜头也记录不了多少，但这些相片多少也反映是我内心的一些感想，甚至念想吧。

本篇内容主要聚焦于风景、文化与历史遗迹。鸟类及其他野生动物的照片请见第二部分：《雨林交响：哥斯达黎加鸟类与野生动物 （2025-2026年》。

Just a five-hour flight from New York City, we landed at Juan Santamaría International Airport in Alajuela, where our guide greeted us after a lengthy customs clearance—trading icy snowscapes for a warm, sunny paradise.

After a 30-minute drive, we reached our destination: San José, the capital of Costa Rica. Arriving hungry in the mid-afternoon, we went straight into the city. With daylight fading, we viewed landmarks such as the National Theater and National Museum from the outside and enjoyed a bus tour through the historic Barrio Amón, admiring its colonial cafés and vibrant street art. We caught glimpses of the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum and the bustling Central Market, overflowing with local scents and colorful souvenirs.

After a dinner at a Chinese restaurant, I walked to a nearby park and joined The Fiestas de Zapote—the year-end celebration at Campo Ferial Zapote. Though I couldn’t understand the lyrics, I was swept up in the heart-pounding energy and sheer joy of the crowd.

Impressions from the day: The city is not a picturesque postcard, but a genuine, energetic gateway where urban life meets the promise of rainforest adventures just beyond its streets—the perfect launchpad for our tour.

从纽约出发，仅五小时航程，我们降落在阿拉胡埃拉的胡安·圣玛丽亚国际机场。经过漫长的海关清关程序后与导游会合，我们便从冰封的雪景踏入温暖明媚的阳光天堂。

短短三十分钟车程，我们便抵达了目的地——哥斯达黎加首都圣何塞。抵达时已是午后，虽已饥肠辘辘，我们仍直接开始了城市游览。趁着天色尚早，我们外观了国家剧院和国家博物馆等地标，并乘车穿梭于历史悠久的阿蒙区，欣赏沿途殖民风格的咖啡馆和街头艺术。我们匆匆掠过了前哥伦布黄金博物馆和熙熙攘攘、充满当地气息与纪念品的中央市场。

在一家中餐馆用过晚餐后，我步行至附近的公园，参加了萨波特节——那是坎波·费里亚尔·萨波特区的年终庆典。尽管听不懂歌词，我却全然沉浸在人群中心跳加速的澎湃能量与纯粹的欢乐之中。

一天下来的印象：这座城市并非一张风景明信片，而是一个真实而充满活力的门户——都市生活与近在咫尺的热带雨林探索在此交汇，它是我们旅程最佳的起点。

Refreshed from a good night’s rest, we departed for Irazú Volcano National Park—a scenic drive of about an hour and a half. Before reaching our destination, we paused for lunch in the nearby town of Cartago, the former capital of Costa Rica. While the meal itself was forgettable, even a brief glimpse of the city left a distinct impression: charming, atmospheric, and full of character.

经过一夜休整，我们兴冲冲地前往伊拉苏火山国家公园。车程约一个半小时，沿途风景如画。抵达前，我们在火山附近的主要城镇，曾是哥斯达黎加的前首都卡塔戈用了午餐。午餐平平无奇；但卡塔戈城虽只是匆匆一瞥，它的风貌别致，韵味独特，却令人印象深刻。

The road to the volcano summit winds sharply back and forth, leaving me slightly dizzy. But the scenery along the way is breathtaking. Under the bright sunshine, the patchwork of potato fields,  farmers at work, distant farmhouses, and villages nestled beneath drifting clouds feels wonderfully fresh and expansive. The air is clean, sweet, and almost perfectly clear. It truly looks like a picture of paradise.

通往火山山顶的道路蜿蜒曲折，令人眩晕。但沿途的景色却美不胜收。明媚的阳光下，错落的土豆田、辛勤劳作的农民、远处的农舍，以及云霭轻笼的村庄，显得格外清新而开阔。空气清澈甜润，几乎纯净透明。眼前的一切，宛如一幅天堂般的画卷。

The volcano entrance is at the summit. While Irazú remains an active and closely monitored volcano, it has not erupted since its last significant activity from 1963 to 1965—a period that notably coincided with President John F. Kennedy’s visit to Costa Rica in March 1963. With an elevation of 3,432 meters (11,260 feet) (the highest volcano in Costa Rica), it features multiple craters, one of which often holds a striking turquoise-colored acidic lake, though water levels and hues vary with the seasons. Unfortunately, we were unable to see the lake during our visit.

The volcanic landscape itself is stark and desert-like, yet the surrounding vegetation thrives. Delicate yellow flowers sway in the breeze, while vibrant pink and red blossoms dot the crater beds—a vivid testament to life’s resilience even in such formidable terrain.

火山入口位于山顶。伊拉苏火山至今仍是一座活跃的火山，受到密切监测。最近一次喷发是在1963年至1965年，时间恰与约翰·F·肯尼迪总统于1963年3月访问哥斯达黎加的历史时刻重合，后再未喷发。火山海拔高达3,432米（11,260英尺） (哥斯达黎加最高的火山)，拥有多个火山口，其中一处常积蓄着一池醒目的青绿色酸性湖水，不过湖水的深浅与色调会随季节变化。遗憾的是，我们此行未能见到这片湖泊。

火山地貌本身荒凉如漠，但周围的植被却生机盎然。微风拂过，纤巧的黄花轻轻摇曳，而 火山口 的岩床上点缀着明艳的粉红与鲜红花朵——犹如生命在这严酷之地顽强绽放的生动宣言。

Upon returning from Irazú Volcano to Cartago, we visited the renowned Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels (Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles). This Roman Catholic basilica is Costa Rica’s most important religious shrine, dedicated to La Negrita—a small, dark‑skinned stone statue of the Virgin Mary believed to have miraculously reappeared here in 1635. Every August 2nd, millions of pilgrims journey here for the Romeria, many walking for days to seek blessings.

Behind the main building flows a blessed spring where visitors often wash their faces in a gesture of spiritual cleansing.

Architecturally, the basilica is a fine example of neo‑Byzantine style, distinguished by a large central dome and two smaller domes covered in gleaming grey tiles. Its stone facade is restrained, adorned with arched windows and a striking rose window. Inside, the Latin‑cross layout leads to a gilded marble altar that enshrines La Negrita. Despite its grandeur, the interior feels serene, with soft light filtering through stained glass and glowing on the high vaulted ceilings—a space where devotion and design gracefully meet.

从伊拉苏火山返回卡塔戈后，我们参观了著名的洛斯安赫莱斯圣母圣殿（Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles）。这座罗马天主教圣殿是哥斯达黎加最重要的宗教圣地，供奉着拉内格里塔（La Negrita）——一尊肤色深黑的小型石制圣母像，据信曾于1635年在此地奇迹般重现。每年8月2日，数百万信徒前来参加朝圣之旅（Romeria），许多人徒步多日，只为在此祈福。

圣殿主建筑后方有一处圣水泉，访客常以泉水洗脸，以此进行心灵净化的仪式。

从建筑风格上看，这座圣殿是新拜占庭式的杰出代表，最显著的特征是覆盖着闪亮灰色瓷砖的大型中央穹顶与两侧稍小的穹顶。石质外立面简洁庄严，饰有拱窗和精美的玫瑰窗。内部遵循拉丁十字布局，通往供奉着《拉内格里塔》的镀金大理石主祭坛。尽管整体宏伟，殿内却弥漫着宁静祥和的氛围，柔和的日光透过彩绘玻璃窗，洒在高耸的拱顶上——这是一处信仰与建筑艺术和谐相融的静谧空间。

Costa Rica is a deeply devoted Catholic country, where every town and village is centered around its own unique church. On our way to the Hacienda Orosi Hot Springs for the final leg of our tour, we encountered the Iglesia Colonial de Orosi (Colonial Church of Orosi) in the Orosi Valley. Built by Franciscan missionaries between 1743 and 1766, it is the oldest still‑functioning church in Costa Rica. The church represents classic Spanish colonial architecture, with its thick adobe walls and traditional terracotta‑tiled roof.

Beside it lies a small, lovely garden that attracts birds and butterflies, and just across the road stretches a large soccer field where children were playing—a fitting scene in a country known for its talented national soccer team.

哥斯达黎加是一个信仰虔诚的天主教国家，每个城镇和乡村都拥有自己独特的教堂。在前往奥罗西庄园温泉进行我们最后一程的途中，我们遇到了位于奥罗西谷的奥罗西殖民教堂。这座教堂由方济各会传教士于1743年至1766年间建造，是哥斯达黎加仍在使用的最古老的教堂。它展现了经典的西班牙殖民时期建筑风格，拥有厚实的土坯墙和传统的赤陶瓦屋顶。

教堂旁有一个美丽的小花园，鸟儿与蝴蝶流连其中；马路对面则是一片宽阔的足球场，孩子们正在场上玩耍——在这个以优秀国家足球队闻名的国度里，这就是最自然不过的写照了。

Our third day’s journey was fueled by excitement for wildlife exploration and the high anticipation of birdwatching. Unfortunately, heavy rain began as soon as we arrived and cut short our planned adventure into the Braulio Carrillo rainforest. We still took a canopy tram ride above the treetops, which offered fleeting, mist-veiled views into the jungle below. Our tour guide was both talkative and knowledgeable, so we were still able to learn about the jungle’s unique trees and ecosystem. By a stroke of luck, the rain paused during a brief window of cloudy skies, allowing us to happily observe several tropical trees and birds.

While our initial plan included hiking through the jungle after the tram ride, the persistent rain forced us to abandon that idea, and we had to return earlier than expected.

第三日的行程本来以观察野生动物与鸟类为主，所以我们满怀着探索自然的深切期待。然而抵达布拉乌略·卡里略雨林时骤降大雨，使既定的探险计划不得不缩减。我们依然搭乘了穿越树冠的观光缆车，在雨雾缭绕间俯瞰丛林，得以一瞥其苍莽气象。随行导游博闻健谈，途中为我们讲解了该地独特的树木物种与生态体系。所幸天公偶作美，云幕暂开、雨歇片刻，我们因而欣悦地观赏到若干热带林木与鸟类的身影。

按原定安排，缆车行程结束后本将深入雨林徒步，然持续不断的降雨迫使我们取消这个计划，最终提前结束了当日的旅程。

Coffee and Crocodiles Tours? Two seemingly unrelated experiences made up today’s unique adventure.

Our first stop was a coffee plantation for the Britt Coffee Tour. Although I am not a coffee drinker, I was well acquainted with the Britt brand. Our guide explained that Costa Rica cultivates some of the world’s finest Arabica beans, a quality attributed to the region’s ideal conditions—volcanic soil, high altitude, and a stable climate. Within the plantation, we saw coffee trees displayed at every stage of growth, from seed to mature plant. In the front yard stood several decorative statues, each accompanied by an inscribed plaque. Together, they told a story—one that spoke of wisdom, whether closely tied to the local coffee tradition or echoing themes beyond it.

咖啡和鳄鱼之旅？两段看似毫无关联的体验，拼凑成了今天这场独特的冒险。

我们的第一站是布里特咖啡之旅的咖啡种植园。虽然我并不喝咖啡，但对布里特这个品牌却早有耳闻。导游向我们讲解说，哥斯达黎加因拥有得天独厚的条件——火山土壤、高海拔和稳定的气候，从而培育出了全球最优质的阿拉比卡咖啡豆。在庄园内，我们看到了从种子到成熟植株不同生长阶段的咖啡树。前院伫立着几尊装饰雕像，每一尊都配有一块刻字的铭牌。不管内容是不是和咖啡有关，它们讲的故事里，都透着一种生活的智慧。

Our second stop was crocodile watching along the Tárcoles River. The scenery along the way offered plenty of interesting subjects worth photographing. We had lunch at a charming local restaurant along the way—while the setting was lovely, the food itself was nothing particularly memorable.

我们的第二站是前往塔尔科莱斯河观赏鳄鱼。沿途风景优美，有不少值得拍摄的风景。午饭是在一家颇具特色的当地餐厅解决的——环境虽好，食物本身倒不算特别出彩。

Upon arriving at the Tárcoles River, we boarded a boat for the excursion. To my surprise, besides the impressive crocodiles, the riverbanks were alive with diverse birdlife. I must say, this turned out to be the highlight of my entire trip to Costa Rica. I’ll share this remarkable experience in a separate post: “Rainforest Life Symphony: Birds & Wildlife of Costa Rica (2025–2026).”

抵达塔尔科莱斯河后，我们登船开始游览。除了令人开眼的鳄鱼，更让我惊喜的是河岸上还栖息着种类丰富的鸟类。不得不说，这成了我整个哥斯达黎加之行中最精彩的部分。这段与众不同的体验，我会另写一篇分享：雨林生命交响：哥斯达黎加鸟类与野生动物(2025-2026年)

On the way back to San José, we made a brief stop at a lesser-known beach just to breathe in the fresh coastal air—a quiet, refreshing end to a day full of contrasts and year 2025.

在返回圣何塞的路上，我们顺道在一处不太知名的小海滩稍作停留，只为呼吸几口清爽的海风——以这一份宁静而沁人的尾声，为充满反差的一天和为2025年画上句号。

Our final day’s plan was a tour of the Poás Volcano to celebrate the New Year. As we left San José, the sky was a clear blue and the sun shone brightly. En route, we made a brief stop in the city of Alajuela, specifically to visit and photograph the Monument to Juan Santamaría. Santamaría was a young drummer boy whose heroic sacrifice during the 1856 Second Battle of Rivas marked a pivotal moment in Costa Rican history, and he is now recognized as the country’s official national hero.

Up until that point, the weather was absolutely perfect.

我们最后一天的行程是游览波阿斯火山，以此来庆祝新年。离开圣何塞时，天空澄澈湛蓝，阳光灿烂明媚。途中，我们短暂停留于阿拉胡埃拉市，专程参观并拍摄了胡安·圣塔马里亚纪念碑。圣塔马里亚原是一名年轻的鼓手少年，他在1856年第二次里瓦斯战役中英勇牺牲，这一事迹成为哥斯达黎加历史上的关键转折点，他也因此被尊奉为该国官方认定的民族英雄。

一直到那一刻，天气堪称完美。

However, as we were approaching Poás Volcano National Park, mist, fog, and rain descended one after another. While certain areas shrouded in mist or fog were quite photogenic, the gradually increasing rain soon became a real problem.

Although we were still allowed to enter the park, the heavy rain made walking up the trails very difficult. Worse still, by the time we reached the edge of the crater, most parts had no visibility at all. Heavy rain and thick cloud completely covered the crater, leaving nothing to see. We wandered at the top, hoping the clouds and rain would clear, but in the end, we had to give up. As is often the case in the rainforest, it seems we may have to return another time for this sight.

然而，就在我们接近波阿斯火山国家公园时，雾气、浓雾和雨水接踵而至。虽然笼罩在薄雾或浓雾中的某些景致颇具画意，但逐渐加大的雨势很快就带来了真正的麻烦。

尽管我们仍被允许进入公园，但滂沱大雨使得沿小径上行变得十分艰难。更糟糕的是，当我们终于走到火山口边缘时，绝大部分区域已完全没有任何可见度。暴雨与浓云彻底遮蔽了火山口，什么也看不见。我们在山顶徘徊，期盼云开雨散，但最终不得不放弃。正如雨林中常见的情形一样，看来我们只能下次再来一睹它的真容了。

Following the disappointment of the Poás Volcano tour, we headed to La Paz Waterfall Gardens.

Upon arriving at the park, the weather turned marvelous. Under the sunshine, along the moist and clean roads, watching butterflies and birds—especially hummingbirds—was a thoroughly enjoyable activity. We also had an American-style lunch right there in the park.

在波阿斯火山之旅令人失望而归后，我们转而前往拉巴斯瀑布花园。

一抵达瀑布公园，天气竟变得出奇地好。阳光明媚，沿着湿润洁净的小路漫步，观赏蝴蝶与鸟类——尤其是蜂鸟——十足的享受。我们还在园内享用了一顿美式午餐。

Now comes the waterfall’s grand performance.

As we descended deeper from the garden toward the waterfall, the rain began to fall once more. Despite the slippery steps and the drizzle, as we drew closer, a deep and powerful roar struck our ears. The moment the waterfall came fully into view, I was instantly awestruck by its raw force. Carved by the Río La Paz flowing down from the slopes of Poás Volcano, the cascade plunges roughly 37 meters down a near-vertical volcanic cliff. Its tremendous power stems from an average flow of 10 cubic meters per second, fed by a 35-square-kilometer rainforest watershed—a year-round, thunderous spectacle of nature. We continued walking downstream along the river, passing several smaller falls along the way.

By the time we finished the full waterfall trail, we were soaked and weary, yet profoundly rewarded by the breathtaking wonder of nature.

现在轮到观看瀑布的盛大演出了。

当我们从花园深处向瀑布下方走去时，雨又渐渐落下。尽管台阶湿滑、雨水纷扰，但当我们逐渐靠近，一阵低沉而有力的轰鸣已率先撞击着耳膜。待瀑布全然映入眼帘时，我瞬间被它原始的力量所震慑。这条由拉巴斯河从波阿斯火山坡奔泻而下的瀑布，从近乎垂直的火山岩壁坠落约37米。其磅礴水势，来自平均每秒10立方米的巨大流量，由上游35平方公里的雨林流域汇聚支撑，终年不息，宛如一场永恒的自然雷鸣。我们沿河一路向下，途中还邂逅了好几处姿态各异的次级飞瀑。

走完整个瀑布观景路线后，我们虽浑身湿透、步履疲惫，内心却被这壮丽的自然奇观深深震撼与充盈——一切艰辛，在此刻都显得无比值得。

The rain stopped after we finished the waterfall tour, but it had already caused a traffic jam. By the time we reached the Starbucks Coffee plantation—the last stop of the day—it was nearly closing. Fortunately, the owner granted us special permission to visit the shop. Aside from the stars and the distant city lights, we could barely see anything else.

我们结束瀑布游览后, 雨也停了，但早先的降雨已引发了交通堵塞。等我们赶到星巴克咖啡种植园——当天的最后一站时，园区已临近关闭。所幸园主特别准许我们进入参观。暮色中，除了稀疏的星光与遥远的城市灯火，我们几乎什么也看不清了。

This concludes our five-day journey through Costa Rica. In truth, five days simply weren’t enough to satisfy our desire to explore this rich natural beauty. Next time, we may focus on specific tours, such as wildlife or birdwatching excursions, rainforest adventures, or beach relaxation. For now, farewell—we will certainly return.

我们为期五天的哥斯达黎加之旅，至此便告一段落。说实话，短短五日实在不足以让我们尽览这片土地的壮美。下次若有机会，或许可以安排更专注的主题之旅：比如深入雨林寻觅野生动物与鸟类，或是选一片宁静的海滩，真正地放松身心。暂别了，我们一定会再回来的。