Flight to San Jose, Costa Rica
Airport Transfer
Check in, Refresh and Relax
Orientation Walking Tour - The group will become oriented with their neighborhood, the public transportation systems, nearby pharmacies, markets, ATMs, etc. Additionally, an in-depth safety briefing will be provided for what to do incase of an emergency.
San Jose Walking Tour with Chepecletas - TBC (according to the time of the group flight) - The capital city of San José is the economic, cultural and political heart of the country. This tour is run by Chepe Cletas a for-profit social business that is working to change perceptions about the capital city by showing new sides of the city, its history, and its culture to both national and international visitors.
Welcome Dinner - The group will be taken for an authentic dinner with a wide variety of menu options to cater all diets.
Breakfast & Day Briefing
Transfer to Cahuita (Approx. 6 hrs)
On Route Stop to Visit a Coffee Farm - We’ll visit a small coffee farm, led by a family that has been growing organic coffee for the last two decades. We will have tour of the coffee plantation and learn about sustainable coffee production and processing. The farmer/owner poses some very interesting questions about supply chain.
On Route Stop to Visit Irazu Volcano - the highest Volcano in Costa Rica. Walk along its crater and see it in its magnificence!
Arrive to Cahuita - Check In and Group Dinner
Breakfast & Day Briefing
Discussions of Projects and Community - Introduction to the activities that will be taking place throughout the duration of the program
Cahuita National Park Naturalist Walking Tour - In this amazing park students will see the best combination of jungle trek and beautiful Caribbean beaches just a few meters apart
Cahuita National Park Service Projects - Students will work with local naturalist guides on various projects inside the national park including - beach and park cleanup, installation of garbage and recycling containers, trail maintenance, and painting of ranger stations.
Group Dinner & Introduction to Local Dance & Calypso Music - Calypso music has a unique and interesting history behind its origin, popularity, and appreciation in the mainstream music scene. It is a type of folk song primarily from Trinidad though sung elsewhere in the southern and eastern Caribbean islands.
Breakfast & Day Briefing
Service Project - Elementary School - Meet elementary school students and enjoy a lively English conversation with them. In turn, learn more about their school environment and daily routine.
Structured Free time and Cultural Immersion
Traditional Caribbean Cooking Lessons - Enjoy a great time sharing and learning about Costa Rica Caribbean cuisine and Afro-Caribbean culture.
Costa Rican Caribbean cuisine is characterized by the use of species, herbs and coconut derivatives
Breakfast & Day Briefing
Bribri Indigenous Community Visit - (Medicinal Plants, Traditions, Chocolate Making)
Traditional Group Lunch
Bribri Waterfall
Return to Cahuita
Playa Negra - This is Cahuita’s long, black-sand beach. Top spot for swimming due to the clean, calm water.
Optional - Surfing Lesson
Breakfast & Day Briefing
Service Project - Elementary School - Meet elementary school students and enjoy a lively English conversation with them. In turn, learn more about their school environment and daily routine.
Free Time at the Beach
Optional - Snorkeling
Breakfast & Day Briefing
Travel to Manzanillo (approx. 40 mins)
Naturalist Tour of Manzanillo and Gandoca National Park – The Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge protects almost 70% of the southern Caribbean coast and includes some of the area’s most beautiful beaches. The refuge officially begins at the Cocles River (one mile south of Puerto Viejo) and extends 19 miles south to the Sixaola River at the Panamanian border. The refuge protects beautiful beaches, coral reefs, lowland tropical forests and several of the country’s most endangered habitats including the only jolillo palm swamp in Costa Rica.
Return to Cahuita
Group Dinner & Caribbean Farewell Party
Breakfast & Day Briefing
Bus Transfer to San Jose Airport (approx. 4 hrs)
Depart San Jose, Costa Rica for Home -
For this program itinerary is necessary to book a late afternoon flight