Custom 9 day Itinerary for
Hammond School Group 1, 2012
Volcano Adventures
Caribbean Snorkeling and Wildlife
Community Service and Culture
Day 1: Friday, March 16th
After a long day of travel, enjoy the tropical climate while we meet our guides and get oriented to our new surroundings in the capital city of San Jose. We leave the city far behind to begin the adventure of a lifetime! We drive to the base of Arenal, Costa Rica’s most active volcano, and rest up for the next 8 days of adventure.
Overnight: Hotel Linda Vista, La Fortuna
Day 2: Saturday, March 17th
After breakfast, we take a short drive to fly!!! Expert guides assist us on our jungle canopy tour as we fly on zip lines from treetop platform to treetop platform. Keep your eyes open because you may spot a howler monkey or toucan in the treetop canopy! From the canopy we enjoy a wonderful lunch and then we go cave exploring at Las Cavernas Venado, which were formed during the Miocene period, 15 - 20 million years ago. See limestone rocks, stalactites, stalagmites and corals, and the stone formations created by the underground river that formed most of the caves. In the evening we’ll bathe in soothing natural hot springs, hoping for a clear view of the lava-streaked volcano. Afterwards, we search for a perfect spot to view the lava!
Overnight: Hotel Linda Vista, La Fortuna
Day 3: Sunday, March 18th
An early start this morning takes us to a breathtaking canyon where we rappel some of the most spectacular waterfalls in Costa Rica. Trek through the forest on trails in the shadow of the Arenal Volcano, discovering along the way the secrets that lie hidden deep within the canyon. From the first waterfall, rappel down from the top into the beautiful and pristine canyon below. There are 4 rappels, 3 of which are alongside or right in waterfalls, and one on a dry rock face. A short trek out of the canyon will lead us back to the base camp for lunch. After lunch we drive past miles of banana plantations and through the port city of Limon on our way towards the Southern Caribbean coast. In the evening we have a delicious dinner at one of town’s local restaurants.
Overnight: Blue Conga, Puerto Viejo
Day 4: Monday, March 19th
We get an early start; a local guide will take us through the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge where the path travels from the beach into the jungle. Our guide will show us the wonders of his ‘backyard’ while explaining the medicinal and edible uses of many of the trees, fruits and plants along the way. This will be our first opportunity to see wildlife up close as we search for sloths, monkeys, iguanas, birds and more. After the hike we have a picnic lunch on the beach. Then, enjoy the afternoon at Punta Uva, one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica, where the rainforest practically pours into the sea.
Overnight: Blue Conga, Puerto Viejo
Day 5: Tuesday, March 20th
Today we will take a snorkeling tour in Cahuita National Park. The park has the largest system of Coral Reefs in Costa Rica, including 6 species of coral, a wide range of colorful tropical fish, and the occasional encounter with a harmless reef shark or stingray. This beach has a horseshoe shape, with the entrance of the park at one end and beautiful Punta Cahuita at the other end. We start with a scenic 20-minute boat ride to have two snorkeling sessions. After snorkeling we get dropped off at the Punta Cahuita to enjoy a delicious fruit and snack break on the beach followed by a 1 hour guided hike in this wonderful coastal forest: monkeys, sloths, birds, poison dart frogs, iguanas and other interesting encounters are common. After the hike, we relax with a picnic lunch on the beach. Explore the beachside trails or soak up the sun after lunch before we head out of the park. In the afternoon we visit Petronila’s Farm, a locally owned and operated farm where a family grows and sells cinnamon, chocolate, ornamental plants, and crafts.
Overnight: Blue Conga, Puerto Viejo
Day 6: Wednesday, March 21st
From Puerto Viejo we make our way to the Homestay portion of our trip in Tres Equis, where we will meet our homestay families at the Salon Comunal. Spend the evening getting to know our new families and acclimating to our new hometown.
Overnight: Homestay, Tres Equis
Homestays
We are honored to be able to offer homestays with rural Tico (Costa Rican) families where students can live within the home of a local family for several days or more. The idea is for the student to become part of the family and do what the family does. This unique experience not only exposes students to a different lifestyle and culture, but it also allows them to practice their language skills with their new family. Daytime activities may include local service projects, organized visits with schools mixed with local young people, and exploration of the village and surrounding areas. Breakfasts and dinners will always be eaten with the families.
Day 7: Thursday, March 22nd
Spend a day of cultural immersion partnered with local high school or elementary school students. We may attend classes at the local high school and meet as a group to discuss the similarities and differences among our cultures or receive a cultural dance from younger students and do a reading activity. This will be mixed in with a Community Service project, where we collaborate with locals to lend a helping hand. The day always ends with a soccer or Frisbee game at the local field in town.
Overnight: Homestay, Tres Equis
Day 8: Friday, March 23rd
Today we’ll say goodbye to our homestay families and continue on our adventure. This morning we head to the banks of the Pacuare River for an unforgettable day of white water rafting on class III and IV rapids. This most scenic and famous river slices through pristine rainforest and mountain gorges, which drop the most beautiful waterfalls right alongside our raft. Afterwards we head back to the capital city of San José, where we have a farewell dinner.
Overnight: Rosa de América, San Jose
Day 9: Saturday, March 24th
We board the plane with memories to last a lifetime and fly home to share stories with friends and family from our Costa Rican Adventure!
Overnight: Your Bed!
Custom 9 day Itinerary for
Hammond School Group 2, 2012
Caribbean Snorkeling and Wildlife
Community Service and Culture
Volcano Adventures
Day 1: Friday, March 16th
We land in Costa Rica’s capital city of San Jose where we are greeted by our guides and begin the adventure of a lifetime. We leave the city far behind as we enter Braulio Carrillo National Park with its elephant ear plants and cascading roadside waterfalls. We drive past miles of banana plantations and through the port city of Limon on our way towards the Southern Caribbean coast. We end our long day of travel at our lodge and prepare for the next 8 days of adventure.
Overnight: Perla Negra, Puerto Viejo
Day 2: Saturday, March 17th
We get an early start; a local guide will take us through the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge where the path travels from the beach into the jungle. Our guide will show us the wonders of his ‘backyard’ while explaining the medicinal and edible uses of many of the trees, fruits and plants along the way. This will be our first opportunity to see wildlife up close as we search for sloths, monkeys, iguanas, birds and more. After the hike we have a picnic lunch on the beach. Then, enjoy the afternoon at Punta Uva, one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica, where the rainforest practically pours into the sea.
Overnight: Perla Negra, Puerto Viejo
Day 3: Sunday, March 18th
Today we will take a snorkeling tour in Cahuita National Park. The park has the largest system of Coral Reefs in Costa Rica, including 6 species of coral, a wide range of colorful tropical fish and the occasional encounter with a harmless reef shark or stingray. This beach has a horseshoe shape, with the entrance of the park at one end and beautiful Punta Cahuita at the other end. We start with a scenic 20-minute boat ride to have two snorkeling sessions. After snorkeling we get dropped off at Punta Cahuita to enjoy a delicious fruit and snack break on the beach followed by a 1 hour guided hike in this wonderful coastal forest: monkeys, sloths, birds, poison dart frogs, iguanas and other interesting encounters are common. After the hike we relax with a picnic lunch on the beach. In the afternoon we visit Petronila’s Farm, a locally owned and operated farm where a family grows and sells cinnamon, chocolate, ornamental plants, and crafts. In the evening we have a delicious dinner at one of town’s local restaurants.
Overnight: Perla Negra, Puerto Viejo
Day 4: Monday, March 19th
This morning we head to the banks of the Pacuare River for an unforgettable day of white water rafting on class III and IV rapids. This most scenic and famous river slices through pristine rainforest and mountain gorges, which drop the most beautiful waterfalls right alongside our raft. From there we make our way to the Homestay portion of our trip in Tres Equis, where we will meet our homestay families at the Salon Comunal. Spend the evening getting to know our new families and acclimating to our new hometown.
Overnight: Homestay, Tres Equis
Homestays
We are honored to be able to offer homestays with rural Tico (Costa Rican) families where students can live within the home of a local family for several days or more. The idea is for the student to become part of the family and do what the family does. This unique experience not only exposes students to a different lifestyle and culture, but it also allows them to practice their language skills with their new family. Daytime activities may include local service projects, organized visits with schools mixed with local young people, and exploration of the village and surrounding areas. Breakfasts and dinners will always be eaten with the families.
Day 5: Tuesday, March 20th
Spend a day of cultural immersion partnered with local high school or elementary school students. We may attend classes at the local high school and meet as a group to discuss the similarities and differences among our cultures or receive a cultural dance from younger students and do a reading activity. This will be mixed in with a Community Service project, where we collaborate with locals to lend a helping hand. The day always ends with a soccer or Frisbee game at the local field in town.
Overnight: Homestay, Tres Equis
Day 6: Wednesday, March 21st
Today we’ll say goodbye to our homestay families and continue on our adventure. After breakfast we drive to the base of Arenal, Costa Rica’s most active volcano. Upon arrival we go cave exploring at Las Cavernas Venado, which were formed during the Miocene period, 15 - 20 million years ago. See limestone rocks, stalactites, stalagmites and corals, and the stone formations created by the underground river that formed most of the caves. This evening we enjoy a typical dinner in town.
Overnight: Arenal Kokoro, La Fortuna
Day 7: Thursday, March 22nd
After breakfast, we visit a local school in the small town of Tanque where we take a tour of the school and receive a cultural dance by the local students and probably join a quick game of soccer or a potato sack race! After the school experience we enjoy a wonderful lunch and then
we take a short drive to fly!!! Expert guides assist us on our jungle canopy tour as we fly on zip lines from treetop platform to treetop platform. Keep your eyes open because you may spot a howler monkey or toucan in the treetop canopy! In the evening we’ll bathe in soothing natural hot springs, hoping for a clear view of the lava-streaked volcano. Afterwards, we search for a perfect spot to view the lava!
Overnight: Arenal Kokoro, La Fortuna
Day 8: Friday, March 23rd
An early start this morning takes us to a breathtaking canyon where we rappel some of the most spectacular waterfalls in Costa Rica. Trek through the forest on trails in the shadow of the Arenal Volcano, discovering along the way the secrets that lie hidden deep within the canyon. From the first waterfall, rappel down from the top into the beautiful and pristine canyon below. There are 4 rappels, 3 of which are alongside or right in waterfalls, and one on a dry rock face. A short trek out of the canyon will lead us back to the base camp for lunch. Afterwards we head back to the capital city of San José, where we have a farewell dinner.
Overnight: Ave del Paraíso, San Jose
Day 9 : Saturday, March 24th
We board the plane with memories to last a lifetime and fly home to share stories with friends and family from our Costa Rican Adventure!
Overnight: Your Bed!
Custom 9 day Itinerary for
Hammond School Group 3, 2012
Community Service and Culture
Caribbean Snorkeling and Wildlife
Volcano Adventures
Day 1: Friday, March 16th
Pura Vida and Welcome to Costa Rica! After a long day of travel, our guides will pick us up at the airport in San Jose and take us to our hotel. After checking in we head out to take a city art tour of San Jose. In the evening enjoy dinner and fresh tropical fruits, settle in, and get some rest before we hit the road tomorrow.
Overnight: Casa Conde, San Jose
Day 2: Saturday, March 17th
This morning we head to the banks of the Pacuare River for an unforgettable day of white water rafting on class III and IV rapids. This most scenic and famous river slices through pristine rainforest and mountain gorges, which drop the most beautiful waterfalls right alongside our raft. From there we make our way to the Homestay portion of our trip in Tres Equis, where we will meet our homestay families at the Salon Comunal. Spend the evening getting to know our new families and acclimating to our new hometown.
Overnight: Homestay, Tres Equis
Homestays
We are honored to be able to offer homestays with rural Tico (Costa Rican) families where students can live within the home of a local family for several days or more. The idea is for the student to become part of the family and do what the family does. This unique experience not only exposes students to a different lifestyle and culture, it also allows them to practice their language skills with their new family. Daytime activities may include local service projects, organized visits with schools mixed with local young people, and exploration of the village and surrounding areas. Breakfasts and dinners will always be eaten with the families.
Day 3: Sunday, March 18th Spend a day of cultural immersion partnered with local high school or elementary school students. We may attend classes at the local high school and meet as a group to discuss the similarities and differences among our cultures or receive a cultural dance from younger students and do a reading activity. This will be mixed in with a Community Service project, where we collaborate with locals to lend a helping hand. The day always ends with a soccer or Frisbee game at the local field in town.
Overnight: Homestay, Tres Equis
Day 4: Monday, March 19th
Today we’ll say goodbye to our homestay families and continue on our adventure. After breakfast we drive past miles of banana plantations and through the port city of Limon on our way towards the Southern Caribbean coast. In the afternoon we visit Petronila’s Farm, a locally owned and operated farm where a family grows and sells cinnamon, chocolate, ornamental plants, and crafts. In the evening we have a delicious dinner at one of town’s local restaurants.
Overnight: Perla Negra, Puerto Viejo
Day 5: Tuesday, March 20th
We get an early start; a local guide will take us through the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge where the path travels from the beach into the jungle. Our guide will show us the wonders of his ‘backyard’ while explaining the medicinal and edible uses of many of the trees, fruits and plants along the way. This will be our first opportunity to see wildlife up close as we search for sloths, monkeys, iguanas, birds and more. After the hike we have a picnic lunch on the beach. Then, enjoy the afternoon at Punta Uva, one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica, where the rainforest practically pours into the sea.
Overnight: Perla Negra, Puerto Viejo
Day 6: Wednesday, March 21st
Today we will take a snorkeling tour in Cahuita National Park. The park has the largest system of Coral Reefs in Costa Rica, including 6 species of coral, a wide range of colorful tropical fish and the occasional encounter with a harmless reef shark or stingray. This beach has a horseshoe shape, with the entrance of the park at one end and beautiful Punta Cahuita at the other end. We start with a scenic 20-minute boat ride to have two snorkeling sessions. After snorkeling we get dropped off at Punta Cahuita to enjoy a delicious fruit and snack break on the beach followed by a 1 hour guided hike in this wonderful coastal forest: monkeys, sloths, birds, poison dart frogs, iguanas and other interesting encounters are common. After our hike, we relax with a picnic lunch on the beach. In the afternoon we drive to the base of Arenal, Costa Rica’s most active volcano.
Overnight: Hotel Linda Vista, La Fortuna
Day 7: Thursday, March 22nd
An early start this morning takes us to a breathtaking canyon where we rappel some of the most spectacular waterfalls in Costa Rica. Trek through the forest on trails in the shadow of the Arenal Volcano, discovering along the way the secrets that lie hidden deep within the canyon. From the first waterfall, rappel down from the top into the beautiful and pristine canyon below. There are 4 rappels, 3 of which are along side or right in waterfalls, and one on a dry rock face. A short trek out of the canyon will lead us back to the base camp for lunch. In the afternoon we go cave exploring at Las Cavernas Venado, which were formed during the Miocene period, 15 - 20 million years ago. See limestone rocks, stalactites, stalagmites and corals, and the stone formations created by the underground river that formed most of the caves. In the evening we’ll bathe in soothing natural hot springs, hoping for a clear view of the lava-streaked volcano. Afterwards, we search for a perfect spot to view the lava!
Overnight: Hotel Linda Vista, La Fortuna
Day 8: Friday, March 23rd
After breakfast, we take a short drive to fly!!! Expert guides assist us on a jungle canopy tour as we fly on zip lines from treetop platform to treetop platform. Keep your eyes open because you may spot a howler monkey or toucan in the treetop canopy! In the afternoon we visit a local school in the small town of Tanque. We take a tour of the school and receive a cultural dance by the local students and probably join a quick game of soccer or a potato sack race! Afterwards we head back to the capital city of San José, where we have a farewell dinner.
Overnight: Casa Conde, San Jose
Day 9: Saturday, March 24th
We board the plane with memories to last a lifetime and fly home to share stories with friends and family from our Costa Rican Adventure!
Overnight: Your Bed!
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