Pura Vida! Road Scholar Ronda’s Tips for Flying Solo in Costa Rica
- Road Scholar Ronda embarked on a solo adventure to Costa Rica as a retirement and birthday celebration. She recounts her advice for a successful experience.
- Ronda recommends checking out the suggested reading materials prior to the program, as well as being open to the new connections you might make on your adventure.
- About 30% of Road Scholars travel independently each year. Ronda encourages others to join that number and embrace the challenges and joys of solo travel.
I had been counting down all year to my retirement and 70th birthday, and I knew a big celebration was in order. Every time a Road Scholar catalog arrived in the mail, it was like a dessert buffet where my celebratory feast was waiting. I would dog-ear pages from the menu of delicious-looking adventures around the world and weigh the possibilities.
Because my dear father and I had shared a love for animals and nature, Costa Rica called to me. So did a picture in the Road Scholar catalog of a red-eyed tree frog peeking through green leaves in a lush tropical forest. I spoke with a friendly, knowledgeable Road Scholar customer service representative, who steered me to just the right program: Costa Rica: Three Jewels in Paradise.
While I have always loved travel, my husband is a homebody. So, the plan was to fly solo, literally. In my younger years, I had studied by myself in France, seen the former Soviet Union and explored many countries in between. Having those experiences under my belt helped me feel confident with the idea of going alone on a Road Scholar program.
These are my tips that made this solo adventure a success.
Savor the Planning
Before my program officially began, I immersed myself in Costa Rica guidebooks to learn about the country’s geography, history, culture and attractions. My account on the Road Scholar website was also a treasure trove of information. It outlined everything from airport transportation and hotel descriptions to required documents and suggested items to pack, like a portable neck fan and biodegradable sunscreen. I felt like I was prepared for what lay ahead and in good hands with someone else handling the details.
Be Open to New People
While I may have arrived alone, I quickly became part of a welcoming community. Led by native Costa Rican and naturalist Stiven Matute Obando — a warm, engaging and top-notch expert — our group brought together 13 kindred spirits from across the U.S. who enjoyed exploring and learning. We were a harmonious bunch even though we had different backgrounds — there were two couples, two women who’d been best friends since college, two women who met as soccer moms and now travel together, a grandmother and her teenage grandson and three of us solo travelers.
Our nine-day program spanned elevations from sea level to 10,000 feet and included sightings of monkeys, sloths, resplendent quetzals, scarlet macaws, toucans, a colorful array of hummingbirds and butterflies and much more. Though we all came from different places, our group shared a love of learning about these amazing species that call Costa Rica home.
Know Your Needs
Road Scholar offers different options to suit different needs. For instance, although I was pleased with our mixed group, I could also have chosen a comparably priced Costa Rica program for only women if that would have made me more comfortable. As an introvert who enjoys time alone to recharge, I was also happy that I paid a modest additional fee for a single room. Anticipating and planning for these needs can make all the difference once you’re in a new place.
Count Your Blessings
I was in good company — about 30% of Road Scholars travel solo each year. If you need encouragement to join them, take this perspective from social psychologist Dr. Bella DePaulo: “Instead of feeling self-conscious, feel proud that you realized it was a challenge for you to do this.”
Whichever learning adventure you choose, celebrate your courage to step outside of your comfort zone, seize opportunities and explore the world. As a first-time Road Scholar, I am deeply grateful for many happy memories and new friendships from my magical journey to Costa Rica.
Ronda Robinson is a travel writer and lifelong learner who hails from Tennessee. She enjoys exploring and writing about different cultures in the U.S. and abroad. Her passions also include yoga, hiking, biking, swimming, music and volunteer work with children, animals and her spiritual community.
