Blog

  • A trip to Arenal Volcano (by Sophie)

    During my school break in October our family traveled to La Fortuna, a town near the Arenal Volcano. To get there, we took a bus from Monteverde down to the edge of Lake Arenal, and then took a boat across the lake. From there we got our first views of the Arenal Volcano! How impressive!…

  • Monkeys

    Check out this short video of a capuchin monkey jumping through the trees with a baby riding on her back! This was recorded in Bajo del Tigre reserve on September 11, 2025.

  • CASEM Coop… the local hangout!

  • A Visit to Finca Life: Coffee in Central America

    It is impossible to understand Central American history without paying attention to coffee. I learned this when I lived in El Salvador, where the ruling class (known as the “fourteen families”) consolidated economic and political power through the coffee economy. Shortly after independence, the legislature abolished communally held lands, stripping Indigenous communities of their ability…

  • Independence Day in Monteverde

    A kid with a farol during the Independence Day parade

    I thought I would share some pictures and thoughts about our recent experience of Independence Day or DĂ­a de la Independencia here in Monteverde. History As it is in much of Latin America, Independence Day is celebrated on the 15th of September. Interestingly, that date is actually the date of independence of all of Central…

  1. why did you write a report on agutis Sophie? Are they your favorite animal? ___ sage

  2. good job sophie you did a excellent job —luna

  3. Thank you, Pat, for this very useful article on the Maleku and their persistent culture and language against all odds.…