Winsor School Spanish/Culture/Adventure Costa Rica

Day 1 ------ Arrive (San Jose Hotel)

Today we will meet you outside the San Jose Airport. We'll be staying the first night in the San Jose area. We imagine a long day of travel and plan on getting you to the hotel for a dinner, a briefing of the trip and an introduction to the CRR staff.  Then, most importantly a good night's rest. (Meals: Dinner)

Day 2 ------ City Tour of San Jose & Drive to Sitio de Mata (Homestays)

Today after breakfast we'll start our morning walking tour of San Jose. We have a great route we use for this tour which includes some of San Jose's most historic sites, seeing all while learning the history of San Jose. This is an excellent way to get a general idea of Costa Rica and why much of what we will see is the way it is. For example you will learn about the arrival of the Europeans from the coffee boom which developed much of San Jose. You will also see where the railroad was built in the center of San Jose which required a large imported workforce of Afro-Caribbeans. Their descendents now make up the Caribbean population of Costa Rica. We will also learn how these two cultures affected a third culture -- the indigenous population of Costa Rica.

The next eight days will be a combination of all three cultures giving you a chance to see it from all angles, the good and the not so good.

La Basilica de la Virgen de Los Angeles-Cartago

After we walk San Jose and enjoy lunch in a little city-vibe cafe, we will make the two hour drive  to the rural mountains of Costa Rica. This drive will take us to the country's original capital, Cartago. Here we'll do another short walking tour through the Basilica of the Virgin of Los Angeles, Costa Rica's most popular church.  This is a very important area for many locals with some fascinating stories about the church.

We'll continue on to Sitio de Mata in the Turrialba area and get to our homestays around 3pm. Here they will be waiting for us and each girl will be introduced to their homestay family. You will have the afternoon to spend with your family, use your Spanish (no English spoken here) have a delicious dinner, and then we will meet back up for some journal time and reflection on the day. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 3 ------ Culture Activities in village of Sitio de Mata (Homestays)

You can sleep-in today even though the sun rises at 5:30am here and the rural roosters are announcing the new day at 5am. This is a full day of fun in the village, getting a chance to make new friends, try new activities, and make the best out of being in place that most people find to be the best part of their trip. Sitio de Mata has breath-taking views of the smoking Turrialba volcano and picturesque scenery from everywhere you look.

Today we'll do various activities such as preparing local dishes, learning Costa Rican dances , playing a soccer game, and doing some other tours around the village like visiting the school. In the evening it will be time for a gathering that you will never forget. The evening fiesta will consist of dancing, great music, and more amazing food! (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Rafting Pacuare River

Day 4 ------ Enter Pacuare River (Pacuare Lodge Camp)

Today you will say good-bye to your new friends and we'll head to the nearby Pacuare River. This is what National Geographic has listed as one of their top five scenic rivers on the planet. We like it so much we'll stay two days on the river. Yes, we will be camping but we will not be roughing it by any means. Every two girls will have an above ground tent. There are private bathrooms and showers, a large dining area, and a spot to relax on hammocks with views of the river.

Camping Pacuare River

Our first day of rafting will be three hours on small class II rapids. We will take our time viewing the scenery, doing short hikes to waterfalls, and enjoying a river lunch on the bank of the river. In the afternoon we will make it to the camp area around 3pm. We will have some activities planned for the evening and just have a great night around camp listening and sleeping to the sound of the river and jungle.

Before taking rest, we'll do a night hike. This is a great experience, letting the girls experience the wonders of the rainforest and how much of it comes to life at night. After everyone dons head lamps, our naturalist guide will walk you through the trails and take you on a fun and educational hike as he points out all the different critters that come out at night.
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Eating Cacao with the Bribri

Day 5 ------ Raft Pacuare & Drive to Bribri Reserve (Indigenous Reserve)

Today we raft the most scenic part of the river with the more adventurous rapids. We will be in the river for around three hours and when we take out we will make the three hour drive to the Bribri Indigenous Reserve. Here we will be staying in a Culture Rescue Center that is beautiful with views of the surrounding Talamanca Mountains. The Culture Rescue Center is complete with thatch roof, wooden floor, giving us a chance to live as the indigenous live.

When we arrive to the Culture Center we'll be welcomed by members of the Bribri Tribe. They share with us the different beliefs of their culture and traditions.  Here we begin to understand some of the good and the bad of what larger companies have done to their land. We will also have some time to reflect on the day and write in our journals as it will be full day from start to finish. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 6 ------ Indigenous Culture & Travel to Caribbean Coast (Almonds & Corals)

After breakfast we are going to go even deeper into the reserve. Today is a bit of an adventure as we will make our way in by boat, going up a river. Our destination will be the conical house which is used by the tribes in traditional rituals. This is a day full of learning and new experiences as we venture deep into these sacred lands.

In the afternoon we'll be leaving the reserve and heading over to the Caribbean Coast. Our final destination is the Almonds & Corals Hotel. This is beautiful hotel where eco-friendly meets luxury. It is located right on the beach and a nice treat for a few nights. We are now in the area of the Afro-Caribbean Culture of Costa Rica and this will be our third very different culture we will visit during our trip. In the afternoon we will have time to reflect and journal and begin to compare the different cultures. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

See you on the Nature Hike!

Day 7 ------ Nature Hike with Afro-Caribbean Culture Tour (Almonds & Corals)

No point in visiting the Caribbean unless you take one of our nature hikes with Tino or Omar. These are two native Afro-Caribbeans who give you not only an excellent tour through the lowland tropical rainforest that runs along the white sandy beach but they also give you lessons and a passion for the Afro-Caribbean culture, language, and way of thinking.

During the hike we will have the chance to see many different species of monkeys, sloths, birds, butterflies, and frogs. Along with wildlife, this area has some of the most spectacular views of Caribbean coastline you can ask for. This is a very educational hike in the low-land tropical rainforest. In the evening it will be back to the Almonds and Corals where we can reflect for a bit, get in some journal time, and enjoy the hotel grounds. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Thanks for visiting!!!

Day 8 ------ Travel to San Jose (La Condesa Hotel)

Today we'll make the drive back to San Jose and stay in La Condesa Hotel. Depending on your flight time on day 9 we could really travel to the airport on day 9 if your flight was in the afternoon or evening. This would allow for us to extend a night in the homestays if you would like? But no matter where we spend the last night you can count on a very memorable farewell dinner with great reflections of the trip. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 9 ------- Fly Home

Today we transfer you to the San Jose Airport where you will catch your flight home! (Meals: Breakfast)