QUOTE
Costa Rica Program
Prepared for:
St. Andrew's College | Claudio Numa
Proposal Date: September 22, 2024
Valid until: October 22, 2024
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAN YOUR TRIP
Rainforest hikes and brisk high-altitude trails, rushing white-water rapids and world-class surfing: Costa Rica has it all. Here, outdoor adventures come in every shape and size – from the squeal-inducing rush of an activity to a sun-dazed afternoon at the beach. National parks allow visitors to glimpse life in both rainforest, and reliable easygoing surf breaks are suited to beginners and experts alike. We look forward to exploring Costa Rica with you and your students.
Activities & Attractions
Outdoor Adventure:
- Hike to see Mountain views, primary and secondary forests, river, waterfalls, swimming holes, and wildlife
- Beach time
- Participate in Tree Climbing
- Participate in various Hikes and Night Hikes to see local wildlife in the Rainforest
- Paddle down a Rainforest River in White Water Rafts
- Participate in Surf lessons with professional instructors
- Participate in a Canopy Tour
- Visit Manuel Antonio National Park or a Farm in that Area
Community Project and Cultural Interaction:
- Participate in community service project at a local school over 2 days
- Work with the Orphanage of La Posada De Belen in La Garita, Alajuela
- Tree planting in the rainforest
- Spend time with a local family
- Learn the traditional ‘trapiche’ method of processing sugar cane
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Learn the art of making tortillas and the history of chocolate
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Learn about traditional medicinal plants from the Rainforest
- Make fresh food for a community dinner
- Learn how to salsa dance
- Learn basic Spanish
Trip Details
Accommodations
Hotels:
- Triple / Quad accommodation for students
- Each student requires their own bed
- Double occupancy for staff
Eco-Lodge:
- Mix of dorm and cabin style accommodation.
Accommodations as follows, subject to change
- Night 1: Hotel near San Jose airport
- Nights 2-4: Rainforest Eco-Lodge
- Nights 5,6,7,8: Pacific Beach Location such as Hermosa (Jaco), Manuel Antonio
Meals
- Breakfast lunch and dinner included daily
- Students will have some time to purchase snacks other meals as needed
Transportation
- Return Coach Airfare from Toronto to San Jose, Costa Rica
- Private Coach Bus Transportation
- Use of smaller bus vehicles will be necessary to access remote areas
Additional Personnel
- 1 Local Evolve Tours Director + Additional Local Costa Rican staff
Exclusives
- Creative Trip programming and leadership activities
- Pre and Post Trip Curriculum
- Forever Green by Evolve Tours- Carbon Offset this whole trip (ask for details)
Insurance
- Optional Student Youth All Inclusive Manulife Travel Insurance: Medical, baggage, cancellation and trip interruption coverage.
Package Price is based on
Students
16
18
Chaperones
2
3
- Prices subject to availability and change until contract signed
- Total Package price may vary if number of paying customers changes
- Does not include airline baggage fees if applicable
TICO #: 50017336
Itinerary
Costa Rica
Day 1: February 10, 2025
Fly to San Jose, Costa Rica!
| 2:00PM | Meet at Toronto Pearson International Airport |
| 5:00PM | Depart on flight for San Jose Costa Rica |
| 9:30PM | Arrive in San Jose and sleep at Hotel near Airport on arrival |
Day 2: February 11, 2025
Rainforest Eco-Lodge Activities
| Morning | Transport to San Isidro |
| Program Orientation including Discuss Expectations & Expedition Behavior, Costa Rican Culture, Itinerary | |
| Transfer to Brujo by 4×4 (2 Hrs) to trailhead. Use of 4×4 Suv type vehicles on trail which is a gravel/dirt road along river (15 mins). Hand-powered Gondola across river to the Adventure Center (20 sec) | |
| Meet the Fonseca’s & Adventure Center Staff | |
| Afternoon | Lunch |
| Adventure Center Orientation, Bunk Assignments, & Settle In | |
| Learn the history of chocolate by peeling, grinding, and eating it | |
| Participate in a High Element Orientation & Safety Talk | |
| Dinner on site at the Eco Lodge | |
| Free Time |
Day 3: February 12, 2025
Rainforest Eco-Lodge Activities
| Morning | Breakfast on site |
| Giant Tree Climbing – In the garden of the Adventure Center is a three hundred year old immense tree which is enclosed by a strangler fig. After being safely fitted with a harness and helmet, You will ascend on the fig vines to a 70 foot high platform. | |
| Afternoon | Lunch on site |
| Here we will participate in a rotation of activities. The first group will will dive deep into the world of medicinal plants. Our workshop will be held by Alvino Fonseca who is a trained Shaman of the Cabecar tribe. Alvino has grown up and used these plants in his healing work for over 2 decades. The other group will Learn the Art of Making Tortillas and other traditional foods from scratch. | |
| After settling in, there may be time for a quick swim in the most beautiful rainforest river. | |
| Evening | Dinner on Site |
| Jungle Nightlife Program – see the forest come alive at night through its nocturnal wonders | |
| Free Time |
Day 4: February 13, 2025
Savegre River, White Water Rafting & Salsa!
| Morning | Wake Up/ Pack up |
| Breakfast on site | |
| Hike/4×4 to Trail Head. Change into rafting gear. Place Bags in Vehicles. Safety Talk, Get into Rafts | |
| Rafting Safety Talk: Before we begin, paddling, safety, and other on-river skills and instructions will be taught. We will need to work as a team to manoeuvre rapids. | |
| Rafting along the Savegre River Guided in Boats by local professional River Rafting Guides. Depending on River Heights, you can expect Class 2-4 rapids which are regularly enjoyed by Beginner, Novice and Advanced rafting participants. We will take a hike to layered waterfalls and discover which one makes the best shower! Our rafts will travel down river until we reach the coast. | |
| Afternoon | Meet Vehicles, Change clothing |
| Lunch on the river catered by the Rafting company | |
| Transfer to Hotel by Coach Bus or Smaller Coaster Busses | |
| Room Assignments and settle in. | |
| Pool time at the hotel | |
| Evening | Dinner and discussion on next portion of the trip and expectations |
| Salsa Dancing at Hotel |
Day 5: February 14, 2025
Community Service Project and Surfing
| Morning | Breakfast at Hotel |
| Coach Bus Transportation to Community Project | |
| Community Service project | |
| Prepare a chemical and pesticide-free hydroponics vegetable and garden for a school kitchen
We will work on painting and beautifying the school we are working at Interaction with local students and an opportunity to communicate with local students in english/spanish. |
|
| Afternoon | Lunch Catered at Project |
| We will head straight to the beach for our private surfing lessons. We will spend some time learning the techniques of surfing (with certified/experienced instructors) on the beach before we head into the water for lessons. | |
| Evening | Dinner at the hotel |
| Free Time, Rest & Relax, go for a Swim at the Hotel | |
| Lights Out |
Day 6: February 15, 2025
Community Service Project and Surf or Canopy
| Morning | Breakfast at Hotel |
| Coach Bus Transportation to Community Project Activity | |
| Continue Community Project as per above | |
| Afternoon | Lunch Catered at Project |
| In the afternoon, we will have a chance to surf again or participate in a Canopy Tour high above the forest. | |
| Evening | Dinner at Hotel |
| Debrief. Rest & Relax, go for a Swim | |
| Lights Out |
Day 7: February 16, 2025
Manuel Antonio or Farm
| Morning | Breakfast at Hotel |
| Coach Bus Transportation to Manuel Antonio Park | |
| Visit Manuel Antonio National Park or Villa Vanilla Farm | |
| Afternoon | Lunch |
| Transport to Alajuela | |
| SPend the afternoon and Work with the Orphanage of La Posada De Belen in La Garita, Alajuela | |
| Evening | Dinner at Hotel |
| Debrief. Rest & Relax, go for a Swim | |
| Lights Out |
Day 8: February 17, 2025
Homeward Bound
| Morning | Breakfast at Hotel |
| Transfer to Airport | |
| Afternoon | Depart for Toronto |
| Arrive Home. End Trip |
