Day 1 - Travel to Costa Rica

Meet as a group and travel to Costa Rica. Arrive at Juan Santamaría International Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica. In the evening we will eat a delicious dinner after a long day of travel and get some rest in our hotel in San Jose.

Day 2 - Eco Lodge

Depart early this morning on our private bus to a small village near Zapaton, which is located 2.5 hours from San Jose. The town of has a population of 150 people, who live from the land and promote real Eco Tourism. Upon arrival, we will participate in a Ranch Tour and Orientation and enjoy our first delicious meal.

Spend the afternoon participating in a Sustainable Food Preparation Activity. Learn how to cook Costa Rican meals in a responsible way by using a methane Bio digester, rocket stove, cob oven and solar cookers. Our workshop will be followed by a swim in the on-site Waterfall.

In the evening gather for dinner followed by evening activities at the Ranch (journaling, games, discussion).

Day 3 - Eco Lodge

This morning participate in a Natural Building Workshop. You will learn about different methods of natural building such as waddle and daub and Cobb construction. Here you will get to make adobe bricks or build a wall!

 After lunch and a bit of downtime we will walk to a local chocolate farm to participate in a chocolate making and tasting workshop- buen provecho!  This evening enjoy more games and hammock time.

Day 4 - Eco Lodge

Today participate in a perma-culture workshop; get a truly hands on experience as you learn about and cultivate seasonal fruits and vegetables. This workshop emphasizes the importance of sustainable agriculture, and includes an educational component for students.

After your morning’s  hard work, you will  be rewarded with another delicious organic farm cooked meal followed by a hike through primary and secondary forest for a swim by the river.

Participate in a final evening reflection.

Day 5 - Rafting the Savegre River/Pacific Coast

Today we will wake up early and head out on a full day white water rafting adventure on the Savegre River! The Savegre is one of the best rivers for rafting in the world. 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. Along the way we’ll take a side hike to layered waterfalls and discover which one makes the best shower!

Tonight we will stay in a quaint town on the Pacific Ocean just outside of the tourist hubs and famous for it’s surf breaks.

Day 6 - Pacific Coast and Surfing

Surfs up! Today is the day you get out on those waves!  Our professional surf instructors will give us a full inland lesson on safety and  technique so that we can have the best possible session! In the afternoon we will go zip lining  through the treetops for spectacular views of the forest and the Pacific Ocean.   

In the late afternoon, we will have time for shopping to purchase Costa Rican  handicrafts and gifts for friends and family back home, as well the chance to view a spectacular sunset on clear days.  After dinner get your dancing shoes ready for our evening salsa class!

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Day 7 - Pacific Coast; Community Service and Surfing

Enjoy one more surf lesson this morning before heading out to our community service project. Here students will be split into 2 groups where they will be able to take a personal role in improving the learning conditions in a facility that has become dilapidated. We will also help construct or repair a hydroponic garden that is used to feed many of the local students. Afterwards, we will return to our hotel to eat dinner and enjoy the sunset on our final night in Costa Rica.

Day 8 - Homebound

Begin our journey home after an amazing trip to Costa Rica.