UTT – Costa Rica, 2023

DAY 1 – DEPARTURE – Monday, March 13

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. 

DAY 2 – SAN JOSE/CAHUITA – Tuesday, March 14

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Bus Transfer to Cahuita (Approx. 4 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.

DAY 3 – CAHUITA – Wednesday, March 15

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.

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.

DAY 4 – CAHUITA – Thursday, March 16

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 

DAY 5 – SAN JOSE – Friday, March 17

Breakfast & Day Briefing 

Bus Transfer to San Jose (approx. 4 hrs)

Lunch 

Local Crafts Market 

Farewell Dinner & Program Closing

DAY 6 – RETURN – Saturday, March 18

Breakfast & Day Briefing
Airport Transfer

Depart San Jose, Costa Rica for Home