Day 1 --- Arrive & Travel to Central Pacific (La Cusinga Ecolodge)
Today we will meet you outside of the San Jose Airport. Hoping you arrive on an early afternoon flight, we will make the drive to the Central Pacific area and be staying at a pioneer ecolodge called La Cusinga. The founder of La Cusinga is responsible for really getting conservation started in Costa Rica and La Cusinga is one of the pearls when it comes to a beach front lodge living in harmony with nature. The views are spectacular, the food is fabulous, and it is an all around great spot for learning and education. (Meals: Dinner)
Day 2 --- Zipline, Community Service, & Nature Hike (La Cusinga Ecolodge)
We will start off with a fun adventure at the nearby Osa Zipline. This is one of our favorite ziplines right where the mountain meets the sea. We ride atop the ridge at an elevation of 1000ft above sea-level when we take off. We'll zip on 14 different cables with breath-taking views of the Pacific coastline below. This canopy is surrounded by primary rainforest and makes for the perfect first day intro to so much of what Costa Rica has to offer.
In the afternoon it is back to La Cusinga Ecolodge where we will take part in some team building and nature awareness activities. Our team building will be set up in the form of community service as we divide the kids up into different groups and they are asked to assemble a compost system. It is a great project watching the kids work together and use their imagination to discover what their making and how it works. At the end the kids are told what they are building, we tweak their minor mistakes, and then they have to research with material we have about the compost system. When all is said and done the kids will be prepared to donate their compost system to a local school we'll visit during the week. Here they'll give a lesson and demonstration of how the composter works and why it's important to start using one.
After dinner we take the kids on a night hike and get them involved in a little nature awareness activities. We will have them listen, smell, see, and feel different parts of the natural world as we spend some time outside in some of the most biodiverse jungles of the planet. Take in mind all of these activities are done at La Cusinga Ecolodge with absolute jaw-dropping views of the Pacific coastline. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 3 --- Surf Classes & Hike to Cave (Sleep Behind Waterfall)
Today we'll have a morning of surfing. This is a great activity and a chance for the kids to test their skills on the water and enjoy the ocean. This will take the better half of the morning and then we will head back to the La Cusinga to have a hearty lunch and get ready for the hike.
In the afternoon we'll drive to where our hike to the cave begins. It is quite the strenuous hike, not long but it is steep. Just imagine being on a stair master for 1 1/2 hours. We take it slow and we do not rush. It is quite the hike but student groups do it regularly and we've taken kids as young as 7 years old. As strenuous as is the hike it is without question, worth it. It's one of the most beautiful places on the planet and a true gem for Costa Rica. We will have everything prepared for you and although you are sleeping behind a waterfall you are not roughing it. All pillows, linens, and everything you need to be comfy are supplied. You have showers and bathrooms and the sleeping areas are very spacious. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 4 --- Rappel Waterfall, Visit Pools, Organic Garden Tour, & Sunset atop 600ft Waterfall (Sleep Behind Waterfall)
This is a full day of fun and adventure in the jungle surrounded by an myriad of different waterfalls in all directions. The first waterfall we will visit is a 130ft high and we will rappel down. This is an adventure the kids will never forget on one of Costa Rica's most scenic waterfalls.
After the rappel we'll hike to some pools in the area but stop at an organic garden on the way. This is a chance for the kids to learn the importance of our food system and the benefits of growing organically & locally. We will not only be touring the garden but we plan on doing a lot of smelling, tasting, and touching of many of the exotic tropical fruits. When we get to the pools all the kids will love jumping off a 15ft waterfall into a pristine pool surrounded by tropical jungle in a paradise of different waterfalls.
In the evening we will enjoy dinner back behind the original waterfall and make a very short hike to the top of Costa Rica's tallest waterfall, Diamante. This is without question one of the most scenic areas in all of Costa Rica. We'll sit at the top of the waterfall and look out over the coastal mountain range and watch the sun drop into the deep blue waters of the Pacific.
In the evening it is time to enjoy some fun around the camp-fire! (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 5 --- Travel to Sitio de Mata Homestays (Homestay)
We will get an early start today and hike out, making our way to the bus for the drive to the Sitio de Mata Village. This is a beautiful drive over Costa Rica's tallest mountain range giving us more buena vistas of the Caribbean coast and Pacific coast at the same time which is a very unique experience. We will also be driving past Costa Rica's famous Paramo which is a certain elevation in tropical regions that make for very unique biomes.
We'll get to Sitio de Mata around lunch time and be introduced to our families. Then it will be an afternoon of culture, immersion and fun. Everyone will have time to spend with their families and in the evening it is a full-on culture fiesta as we experience the best of what Sitio de Mata has to offer. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 6 ---- Culture Activities in Homestays (Homestays)
Today is a full day of fun and culture activities in the village of Sitio de Mata. Today we will have the chance to visit the local school and play a soccer game with many of our homestay friends. in the evening we will have a farewell fiesta where we will be saying good-bye to our new family and friends. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 7 --- Raft Pacuare River & Enter Bribri Reservation (Bribri Reservation)
The Pacuare River is rated as one of the top scenic rivers on the planet by National Geographic, and we'll have a full day of fun and adventure rafting it. This trip will take us through beautiful canyons and astonishing waterfalls from start to finish. We will have lunch prepared for you on the river.
When we take out of the river we will head to the Caribbean side and inland into the Talamanca mountain range where we'll travel deep into the Bribri indigenous tribe reservation. We will be staying in the village of Soki that sits on the banks of the Uren River. Here we will be experiencing the indigenous culture to the fullest as we prepare to be immersed fully for the next two days. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 8 --- Community Service (Bribri Reservation)
Today we will spend the entire day working in the village of Soki giving back to the community all we can for the day. We will have a project planned that will keep us busy. Pre-planning on this project will be key having the kids from both schools energetic and excited about the day of community work.
In the evening we will experience some of the finest of the Bribri culture. This is a rural village where the culture is still rich and the local language is spoken. Much is needed in the village and a chance to change lives on both ends of the spectrum can be made as we make this the highlight of the trip. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 9 --- Travel to San Jose (La Condesa)
Today is a travel day back to the San Jose area. We will say our good-byes to our new friends made in the village and then be on our way. This will be a journey that takes us by boat and bus. Our final destination is the La Condesa Hotel where you'll get a good night's rest before your flight home. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 10 --- Fly Home!
Today you will be transfered to the San Jose airport to catch your flight home! (Meals: Breakfast)
Today we will meet you outside of the San Jose Airport. Hoping you arrive on an early afternoon flight, we will make the drive to the Central Pacific area and be staying at a pioneer ecolodge called La Cusinga. The founder of La Cusinga is responsible for really getting conservation started in Costa Rica and La Cusinga is one of the pearls when it comes to a beach front lodge living in harmony with nature. The views are spectacular, the food is fabulous, and it is an all around great spot for learning and education. (Meals: Dinner)
Day 2 --- Zipline, Community Service, & Nature Hike (La Cusinga Ecolodge)
We will start off with a fun adventure at the nearby Osa Zipline. This is one of our favorite ziplines right where the mountain meets the sea. We ride atop the ridge at an elevation of 1000ft above sea-level when we take off. We'll zip on 14 different cables with breath-taking views of the Pacific coastline below. This canopy is surrounded by primary rainforest and makes for the perfect first day intro to so much of what Costa Rica has to offer.In the afternoon it is back to La Cusinga Ecolodge where we will take part in some team building and nature awareness activities. Our team building will be set up in the form of community service as we divide the kids up into different groups and they are asked to assemble a compost system. It is a great project watching the kids work together and use their imagination to discover what their making and how it works. At the end the kids are told what they are building, we tweak their minor mistakes, and then they have to research with material we have about the compost system. When all is said and done the kids will be prepared to donate their compost system to a local school we'll visit during the week. Here they'll give a lesson and demonstration of how the composter works and why it's important to start using one.
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| Lets go Surfing! |
Day 3 --- Surf Classes & Hike to Cave (Sleep Behind Waterfall)
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| Watching Sunset at Diamante Waterfall |
In the afternoon we'll drive to where our hike to the cave begins. It is quite the strenuous hike, not long but it is steep. Just imagine being on a stair master for 1 1/2 hours. We take it slow and we do not rush. It is quite the hike but student groups do it regularly and we've taken kids as young as 7 years old. As strenuous as is the hike it is without question, worth it. It's one of the most beautiful places on the planet and a true gem for Costa Rica. We will have everything prepared for you and although you are sleeping behind a waterfall you are not roughing it. All pillows, linens, and everything you need to be comfy are supplied. You have showers and bathrooms and the sleeping areas are very spacious. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
 |
| Still sleeping... |
This is a full day of fun and adventure in the jungle surrounded by an myriad of different waterfalls in all directions. The first waterfall we will visit is a 130ft high and we will rappel down. This is an adventure the kids will never forget on one of Costa Rica's most scenic waterfalls.
After the rappel we'll hike to some pools in the area but stop at an organic garden on the way. This is a chance for the kids to learn the importance of our food system and the benefits of growing organically & locally. We will not only be touring the garden but we plan on doing a lot of smelling, tasting, and touching of many of the exotic tropical fruits. When we get to the pools all the kids will love jumping off a 15ft waterfall into a pristine pool surrounded by tropical jungle in a paradise of different waterfalls.
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| The Cave Kitchen! |
In the evening it is time to enjoy some fun around the camp-fire! (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 5 --- Travel to Sitio de Mata Homestays (Homestay)
We will get an early start today and hike out, making our way to the bus for the drive to the Sitio de Mata Village. This is a beautiful drive over Costa Rica's tallest mountain range giving us more buena vistas of the Caribbean coast and Pacific coast at the same time which is a very unique experience. We will also be driving past Costa Rica's famous Paramo which is a certain elevation in tropical regions that make for very unique biomes.
We'll get to Sitio de Mata around lunch time and be introduced to our families. Then it will be an afternoon of culture, immersion and fun. Everyone will have time to spend with their families and in the evening it is a full-on culture fiesta as we experience the best of what Sitio de Mata has to offer. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 6 ---- Culture Activities in Homestays (Homestays)
Today is a full day of fun and culture activities in the village of Sitio de Mata. Today we will have the chance to visit the local school and play a soccer game with many of our homestay friends. in the evening we will have a farewell fiesta where we will be saying good-bye to our new family and friends. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 7 --- Raft Pacuare River & Enter Bribri Reservation (Bribri Reservation)
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| Rafting Pacuare River |
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| Indigenous Culture |
Day 8 --- Community Service (Bribri Reservation)
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| Helping to Rescue Ancient Knowledge for future generations |
In the evening we will experience some of the finest of the Bribri culture. This is a rural village where the culture is still rich and the local language is spoken. Much is needed in the village and a chance to change lives on both ends of the spectrum can be made as we make this the highlight of the trip. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 9 --- Travel to San Jose (La Condesa)
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| See you soon Watkinson!!! |
Day 10 --- Fly Home!
Today you will be transfered to the San Jose airport to catch your flight home! (Meals: Breakfast)
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