PVCC – Costa Rica, 2023

Depart Home for San Jose, Costa Rica 

Arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica 

Airport Transfer 

On-ground Briefing
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. 

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 by truck to the Pacuare River – This river is amongst the top 10 rivers with the best scenery in the world for rafting.

Rafting Pacuare River – This is about 6 hrs rafting adventure with some stops on the way, lunch on the riverside including delicious local fruits. Get ready for some action rapids class 3 & 4 

Rafting end point – Here there will be showers and changing rooms. When the group is ready, we get on the road to the beach! 
Transfer to Cahuita (approx. 2.5 hrs)

Check In & Orientation Walking Tour

Discussions of Projects and Community – Introduction to the activities that will be taking place throughout the duration of the program
Cahuita Welcome Lunch 

Playa Negra – This is Cahuita’s long, black-sand beach. Top spot for swimming due to the clean, calm water.

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.

Group Dinner & Discussions 

Breakfast & Day Briefing 

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 Lunch  

Service Project – Elementary School – Each student will be assigned a local elementary student who they will work with for 30 minutes per day Monday – Friday with English conversation and cultural exchange. Additionally, we will have the opportunity of working with the students installing and enhancing the school’s gardens (food, pollinator, or medicinal gardens), improving waste, recycling, and composting  infrastructure and collection efforts, and educational arts and crafts activities.
Service Project – Community Garden 

Group Dinner & Discussions 

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 

Bribri Indigenous Community Visit – (Medicinal Plants, Traditions, Chocolate Making) 

Traditional Group Lunch

Bribri Waterfall 

Return to Cahuita 

Service Project –  Community Recycling Center 

Service Project – Community Fruit Tree Planting

Group Dinner & Caribbean Farewell Party 

Breakfast & Day Briefing 

Surfing Lessons 

Group Lunch 

Service Project –  Elementary School 

Service Project –  Community Recycling Center 

Free Time & Cultural Immersion 

Group Dinner & Discussions 

Nocturnal Wildlife Tour Hike – During the walk through the jungle you will have the opportunity to observe many animals and species that are very rarely seen during the day.

Breakfast & Day Briefing
Cahuita National Park – Coral Reef Snorkeling 

Group Lunch 

Service Project – Community Painting & Murals 

Farmers Market 

Caribbean Cultural Center – Natural Products, Medicinal Plants &  Artisanal Jewelry

Group Dinner & Discussions  

Breakfast & Day Briefing 

Bus Transfer to Tirimbina (approx. 4 hrs)

Group Lunch – Try some of the local seasonal  tropical fruits 

Hanging Bridges – Explore the rainforest from another perspective walking on the hanging bridges of this Biological reserve. Let’s spot more wildlife!

Breakfast & Day Briefing
Relax and Explore by yourself 

Bus Transfer to San Gerardo de Dota  (approx. 4:5 hrs) – Reach the Cloud forest!

Along the drive we will stop at a waterfall next to the main road to take some photos

Group Dinner

Breakfast & Day Briefing 

Waking up with a nice cup of coffee from the CR highlands we will get ready to look for the incredible Resplendent Quetzal and talk about the special Area we are in.

Group Lunch 

Nature Walk along our property  

Group Dinner

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Drive back to San Jose

On route stop to visit Irazu Volcano – the highest Volcano in Costa Rica. Walk along its crater and see it in its magnificence!

Basilica de Nuestros Angeles – The most important cathedral in the country located 40 mins away on the road to San Jose

Group Lunch 

Arrive in San Jose

Farewell Dinner and Program Closing

Breakfast & Day Briefing 

Bus Transfer to Airport 

Depart San Jose, Costa Rica for Home