Ann Bermudez Sample Itin

Day 1 ----------- Arrive and Travel to Homestays (Sitio de Mata Homestays)

MEET HOMESTAYS

Today we will meet you at the airport and make the 2 hour drive to the homestays. If you arrive from Tennessee to Costa Rica on a mid-afternoon flight we will have time to make the drive directly to the homestays on day 1. When we arrive we will have a central meeting area where everyone will meet their homestay families. We will have different activities to break the ice and get everyone introduced to the village and the visiting guest. The first meal we will all eat together upon arrival giving more time for everyone to get comfortable with everyone. After the ice breakers and dinner you will go to your homes and spend the rest of the evening with your family. (Meals: Dinner)

Day 2 ----------- Homestay Activities (Sitio de Mata Homestays)

Today we will wake up and all eat breakfast at our homestays and then meet up for the day activities. The day will start with visiting a local school. Many of the kids in the homestay will be attending school and chances are we will be visiting their school. We will do an activity of culture exchange where we pair the students up with local kids and learn about different things in their culture. This is a great day to get to know more people in the community and use those Spanish skills. After a morning in the school we will make our way to our homestays and enjoy lunch. After lunch you will have some rest time and a chance to enjoy your family or just walk around the village. We will meet back at 3pm when we will do tortilla classes & gallo pinto classes. This activity will take us into dinner time where we will eat the food we prepared. Today your students are cooking for their homestays which is always fun and interesting considering some of the tortillas usually come out shaped like Tennessee and not the perfect moon circle the locals have mastered. In the evening we will have a meeting where we will talk about the experience so far and try and get some feedback from the kids. After the meeting it is time for dance classes. It will be a full salsa and merengue class. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 3 ----------- Turrialba Scavenger Hunt (Sitio de Mata Homestays)

Today is another full day of activities of experience the culture. Everyone will enjoy breakfast at the homestay and then you will be given 100 colones (20 US cents) from your homestay mother where you will have to wait outside of your house to catch the local bus to Turrialba. We will all be traveling together as a group. We will then arrive to the small town of Turrialba where teams of 4 will be given list of things to buy along with a member of your homestay to help guide along if it is too difficult. This is a true immersion of kids having to use their Spanish in a real setting of out in the real world. IN the evening we will have dinner and then do dance classes again. Our plan is to master a dancing skills for the final night fiesta.  (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 4 ----------- Community Service (Sitio de Mata Homestays)

Today we are going to give back to the community after they have given so much to us. Our community service project will depend on what you are looking to do. We often do different eco-projects which the community really enjoys getting the kids outside. There are a number of things to do and help is always welcomed. The community service will be a morning activity and then lunch at their homestays. At 3pm we will get a soccer game going which is often the highlight of the trip. After the soccer game you will make your way to your homestays and shower up for the last night fiesta. This is a full on show of local culture, food, and dance. We will be pro's at salsa dancing and ready for the fiesta with all of the friends we have made in the last few days. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)


Day 5 ----------- Enter Pacuare River (Pacuare Tent Lodge)

Today we will say good-bye to our families and make our way to what National Geographic has listed as one of their top 3 rivers on the planet for scenery. We will spend the afternoon rafting through the tropical rainforest and sleeping in a beautiful lodge on the side of the river. We sleep in tents but they are above ground tents with bathrooms, showers, and a dinning area. It is camping but it is not roughing it by any means. We will be your cooks for the night and will prepare for you a river lunch and dinner during your stay. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 6 ----------- Leave Pacuare & Travel to Arenal Volcano (Casa Luna Lodge)

A night in the jungle!

Today we will raft the famous Pacuare Canyon. This is the most scenic part of the river that is filled with waterfalls and canyons. It also has some of the best rapids on the river which will keep everyone student soaked from start to finish. After we make our way out of the river we will drive to the famous Arenal Volcano. Here you will be staying in the Casa Luna Lodge which is a beautiful hotel that has views of the volcano from every room. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 7 ----------- Zipline & Visit La Fortuna Town (Casa Luna Lodge)


Today we will be doing the zipline. This is a chance to zip through the rainforest and have excellent views of the Arenal Volcano. The kids always love this adventure and makes for a great thing to do on the last day. After the zipline we will have the afternoon to enjoy the pool at the hotel and visit the town of La Fortuna where they can souvenir shop. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 8 ----------- Fly Home!


Today we will make the 2 1/2 hour drive to the airport. It would be best to not have a very early morning flight on this day if possible. (Meals: Breakfast)