Zippity Doo Dah Costa Rica Style

Vivid colours of the jungle whipped past as she learned to lean in and let go…

DAILY POSTCARD  | THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026 Dear International Living reader, High above Monteverde's misty rainforest, a reluctant traveler takes the leap of a lifetime.  What begins as fear on a zip line becomes a lesson in trust.  As she flies through the jungle and warning calls from howler monkeys fill her ears, Karen L. Cummings learns to release her fear and lean into the experience. Her Costa Rican adventure was only just beginning… P.S. There are only a few hours remaining to put your name on the Priority Access List for the only Fast Track Costa Rica Conference we'll hold in 2026. There's no obligation, but when you put your name down here, you'll be among the first to get every detail of this event as it's announced—plus a hefty, exclusive discount. This chance goes away at midnight tonight, so don't delay—join the Priority Access list here now. Recommended Resource: Last Chance for Priority Access to Costa Rica Sign up for Priority Access to all the details of our 2026 Fast Track Costa Rica Conference. You can guarantee your seat at the biggest discount. No commitment required, but today's the last day to add your name. Click here now.   Zippity Doo Dah Costa Rica Style By Karen L. Cumming Soaring high above the Costa Rican jungle, it wasn't a bird… it wasn't a plane… It was me! Roaring down the zip line, wind tearing at my cargo shorts, the rainforest was a green blur all around me. The apprehension had been mounting as I climbed higher and higher to the point of takeoff but the fear washed away the moment I launched off the platform.  Trust me when I tell you… I did not intend to do this. Really. Earlier that morning, I'd heard the folks in my tour group talking about what fun it was going to be. Fun? After a moment of consideration, I knew that I had to silence my fears and take the plunge.  High above Costa Rica's rainforest, a reluctant zip line ride becomes a simple lesson in trust and letting go. Photograph: Aventura I knew I had to zipline. Tiny droplets of cool mist floated in the sweet mountain air above Monteverde as I closed up my backpack and boarded the gleaming white tour bus that would chauffeur me to my highly anticipated adventure. This was it. I was as giddy as a kid on the first day of school. Bag stowed, I quickly grabbed a seat, peeled my breakfast banana and broke into a nervous grin. It was official: I was in my element.    A few minutes later, the driver cranked up the engine and began to navigate the perilously steep hairpin turns through the mountains of the north-central highlands. More than once, I dug my fingernails into the scratchy wool upholstery under my bare thighs and stifled a squeaky "Yikes."   Finally, up in the distance I saw it through the haze: Monteverde's epic adventure park. As I hopped out of the shuttle, one of the expert guides on staff introduced himself and directed me to a wide-open space inside the facility, filled with gear. In a flash, he buckled me into my red helmet and snapped me into a harness. The process was over so quickly, my newly helmetted head spun.  Courage in hand, I stood in line to wait for my turn. A quick glance in the mirror confirmed that I looked as if I were about to be shot out of a cannon. I digress…  Before you could say Pura Vida, I was standing on a dizzyingly high metal platform in the treetops, hooking onto the first cable.  Looking down over the tangled canopy, the colors softened and bled together, like watercolor, punctuated by flashes of vibrant flowers. The jungle smelled like rain and earth and botanical perfume.  Howler monkeys called in the distance like guard dogs. Low mysterious growls, heard but not seen.  And then the most remarkable thing happened.   I realized I had no fear. None.   I trusted the process. I had faith that I was being supported and guided. And I felt an odd certainty that I was safe.  As I stepped off the platform it felt like a trust fall into nothingness. The zip line held taut with my weight and the adrenaline spiked. Wind sped past my face, the cable hummed above me, and my stomach dropped. I felt neither panic nor chaos. I felt the freedom of a liberated bird. It was a profound metaphor for life and a lesson in personal transformation. If I could trust the zip line, I could trust my life to take me where I needed to go. Editor's Note: If you'd like to embrace low-stress living in Costa Rica, then you should join us for our Fast Track Costa Rica Conference. All of our Costa Rica experts and knowledgeable expats will be on-hand to answer every question you might have about life in this warm-weather retirement haven.  Click here to add your name to the Costa Rica "First in Line" list and get all the details of this event before anyone else—plus access to the biggest discount we'll offer. Recommended Resource: Get a 2nd Passport in 3 Months? A 2nd passport is the key to protecting your freedom, independence, and security—especially in uncertain times. Plus, you may never have to pay US taxes again. Here's a quick, easy, and lowest-cost way to check out your options.  But hurry...time is running out on some of the best.   10 Reasons Costa Rica Makes More Sense Than Ever for Americans in 2026 By International Living Inbox too crowded? Don't worry—if you can't keep up with our International Living Postcards every day, click here to switch to the Weekly Best of IL Postcards instead. If you no longer wish to receive IL Postcards, click here to unsubscribe. Your feedback is very important to us, so if you would like to contact us with a question or comment, please click here. © 2026 International Living Publishing Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Protected by copyright laws of the United States and international treaties. This newsletter may only be used pursuant to the subscription agreement and any reproduction, copying, or redistribution (electronic or otherwise, including on the world wide web), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without the express written permission of International Living, Woodlock House, Carrick Road, Portlaw, Co. Waterford, Ireland. Registered in Ireland No. 285214 Website: www.internationalliving.com Nothing in this e-mail should be considered personalized advice. Although our employees may answer your general customer service questions, they are not licensed under securities laws to address your particular situation. No communication by our employees to you should be deemed as personalized advice. NO-SPAM PLEDGE: We Value Your Privacy. We will NEVER rent, sell, or give away your e-mail address to anyone for any reason. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read the International Living Privacy Policy. Reference Number: