The group flies into San Jose, Costa Rica and meets their Global Works leader at the airport. Depending on arrival time, we play in a local soccer game, or participate in a scavenger hunt in San Jose. The evening we will dedicate to language and cultural activities in order to orient ourselves with our new surroundings. Our Bed and Breakfast just outside of San Jose provides lodging, a typical Costa Rican dinner for the entire group, and ample room for group activities. Here, we prepare for our upcoming homestays through role-plays, discussions, and interactive Spanish language activities.
Rafting one of the most beautiful rivers in the world is the perfect way to experience the biodiversity and beauty of Costa Rica. With experienced and knowledgeable guides, we journey through a tropical rainforest on Class II and III rapids. After a full day of adventure, we return again to the Bed and Breakfast. In the evening we have a salsa dance lesson with our professional instructor, Randall.
Homestays will take place in a rural communiy in the central highlands. Students, who will stay two per home, will live, eat, and share in the daily lives of the Ticos. The members of the host families do not speak English, so our Spanish language learning curve rises quickly! Upon arrival, we greet our new families and head to the welcome fiesta. The evening includes introductions of students and families, dinner, music, and dancing. During the morning and afternoon, we work alongside community members on meaningful service projects. Previous projects have included building the foundation for a community center, working in cooperative organic gardens, painting schoolrooms, and teaching English at the local elementary school. Meals and nights will be spent with our host families. The project specifics will be determined closer to the trip date.
Activities are not limited to service work and feature afternoons of activities such as soccer games, dances, talent shows, cooking lessons, and other types of intercultural exchange. The group will also have an opportunity for excursions including a zipline canopy tour or a canyoning tour.
Time to hit the beach! In the morning we depart from our homestay community, promising to stay in touch with our new families and friends. We travel by buseta to the Pacific Coast, famous for it’s unique combination of rainforest and ocean settings. We spend two days boogie boarding, snorkeling, enjoying nature-oriented adventure tours, and viewing wildlife. One of the mornings we challenge ourselves with surf lessons taught by professional instructors. The wave conditions at this beach provide the perfect opportunity for all levels to hang ten!
The final bus ride back to San Jose allows us time to share our memories before we fly home. Our final night is spent at our Bed & Breakfast just outside of the city limits where the entire group will enjoy a celebratory final dinner and time for reflection. The next day, we fly home to the United States. Our friends and family greet us when we arrive to share our new experiences. It is the end of a trip, but a beginning to a new awareness about yourself and new cultures. Please note that some of the locations of projects and activities reflected in this itinerary are subject to change.