Costa Rica: Sustainability and Community Development
Length
12 days
Price
$3,695 – Ratio 10:1*
$3,595 – Ratio 12:1*
*Program price stands as an estimate until ticketing is finalized.
Dates
May 17-28, 2023
Program includes
- Roundtrip Airfare
- 11 Nights of Accommodation
- All Ground Transportation (inc. Transportation Pass)
- All meals
- Full Time Local Guide
- 24/7 On-Ground Emergency Support
- Travelers Health Insurance & Liability InsuranceÂ
- Tips & Gratuities
Program Highlights
- Pacuare River Rafting
- Community projects – schools and environment focus
- Cahuita National Park
- Bribri Indigenous Community VisitÂ
- Introduction to Natural Products, Medicinal PlantsÂ
- Traditional Caribbean Cooking LessonsÂ
- Introduction to Local Dance & Calypso Music
- Playa Negra
- Tirimbina Biological Station and Hanging Bridges
- San Gerardo de Dota
- Irazu Volcano
- BasÃlica de Nuestros Angeles
Itinerary
DAY 1 – DEPARTURE – Wednesday, May 17
Depart Home for San Jose, Costa RicaÂ
Arrive in San Jose, Costa RicaÂ
Airport TransferÂ
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.Â
Welcome Dinner – The group will be taken for an authentic dinner with a wide variety of menu options to cater all diets.
DAY 2 – SAN JOSE/CAHUITA – Thursday, May 18
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 & 4Â
Rafting end point – Here there will be showers and changing rooms. When the group is ready, we get on the road to the beach!Â
Transfer to Cahuita (approx. 2.5 hrs)
Check In & Orientation Walking Tour
DAY 3 – CAHUITA – Friday, May 19
Discussions of Projects and Community – Introduction to the activities that will be taking place throughout the duration of the program
Cahuita Welcome LunchÂ
Playa Negra – This is Cahuita’s long, black-sand beach. Top spot for swimming due to the clean, calm water.
Traditional Caribbean Cooking Lessons –Â
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 & DiscussionsÂ
DAY 4 – CAHUITA – Saturday, May 20
Breakfast & Day BriefingÂ
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 Â
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 GardenÂ
Group Dinner & DiscussionsÂ
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.
DAY 5 – CAHUITA – Sunday, May 21
Breakfast & Day BriefingÂ
Bribri Indigenous Community Visit – (Medicinal Plants, Traditions, Chocolate Making)Â
Traditional Group Lunch
Bribri WaterfallÂ
Return to CahuitaÂ
Service Project –Â Community Recycling CenterÂ
Service Project – Community Fruit Tree Planting
Group Dinner & Caribbean Farewell PartyÂ
DAY 6 – CAHUITA – Monday, May 22
Breakfast & Day BriefingÂ
Surfing LessonsÂ
Group LunchÂ
Service Project –Â Elementary SchoolÂ
Service Project –Â Community Recycling CenterÂ
Free Time & Cultural ImmersionÂ
Group Dinner & DiscussionsÂ
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.
DAY 7 – CAHUITA – Tuesday, May 23
Breakfast & Day Briefing
Cahuita National Park – Coral Reef SnorkelingÂ
Group LunchÂ
Service Project – Community Painting & MuralsÂ
Farmers MarketÂ
Caribbean Cultural Center – Natural Products, Medicinal Plants &Â Artisanal Jewelry
Group Dinner & Discussions Â
DAY 8 – CAHUITA/TIRIMBINA BIOLOGICAL STATION – Wednesday, May 24
Breakfast & Day BriefingÂ
Bus Transfer to Tirimbina (approx. 4 hrs)
Group Lunch – Try some of the local seasonal tropical fruitsÂ
Hanging Bridges – Explore the rainforest from another perspective walking on the hanging bridges of this Biological reserve. Let’s spot more wildlife!
DAY 9 – TIRIMBINA/SAN GERARDO DE DOTA – Thursday, May 25
Breakfast & Day Briefing
Relax and Explore by yourselfÂ
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
DAY 10 – SAN GERARDO DE DOTA – Friday, May 26
Breakfast & Day BriefingÂ
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 LunchÂ
Nature Walk along our property Â
Group Dinner
DAY 11 – SAN GERARDO DE DOTA/ SAN JOSE – Saturday, May 27
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 LunchÂ
Arrive in San Jose
Farewell Dinner and Program Closing
DAY 12 – RETURN – Sunday, May 28
Breakfast & Day BriefingÂ
Bus Transfer to AirportÂ
Depart San Jose, Costa Rica for Home
For any additional information or questions please email us at: Info@studyabroadassociation.com
Payments Schedule
$500 due and payable with initial application, refundable till December 28, 2022.
50% of the remaining amount is due and payable by February 26, 2023.
The final payment of the remaining balance is due and payable by  March 28, 2023.
For any additional information or questions please email us at: Info@studyabroadassociation.com