Day 1 -- Drive to San Gerardo de Dota - Cloud Forest (Trogon Lodge)
Today we will drive throughout the Talamanca Mountain Range, the highest range in Costa Rica. Our next destination is in a valley between the mountains, at 7000ft of elevation. San Gerardo de Dota is world famous for the incredible view of its Cloud Forest full of ancient Oak trees and for being the best place in Costa Rica to observe the Resplendant Quetzal. This bird, considered sacred by ancient cultures, is recognized as the most beautiful of the American Continent. Once we're settled in our lodge we will take a hike inside the Cloud Forest, and learn about its uniqueness. Depending on your arrival time we might just arrive to the lodge do a short opening presentation and then get a good nights rest. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 2 -- Quest for the Quetzal and Highland Ecosystems & Canopy Tour (Trogon Lodge)
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| Cloud Forest |
During this day we will also be passing by local villages where we will stop and enjoy some time at a very small rural school and enjoy more immersion time with the locals. We can also set up some community help for today if you are looking to involve more service hours.
We will come back to the lodge, later in the afternoon, rest and have dinner. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Today our private guide and driver will meet us outside the San Jose Airport. We recommend to arrive on a mid-afternoon or earlier flight, and then we'll make the drive to the beautiful area of Turrialba. Our final destination will be the rural village of Sitio de Mata which is one of the most scenic areas in Costa Rica surrounded by mountains and breath-taking views of the smoking Turrialba Volcano. Here is where we have our homestay project called "Proyecto Sitio de Mata" benefiting the community. The best part about Sitio de Mata is not the smoking volcano or the scenery but the people that will be welcoming you into their homes. When we arrive you will be introduced to your homestay family. All houses are very close to each other. One house might be 20 ft from the next and walking to any of the homes is very easy and accessible. (Meals: Dinner)
Day 4 -- Culture & Community Service Activities and Fiesta (Homestay)
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| Rafting at Pacuare River |
Today we will spend the day giving back to the community along with enjoying different culture projects. Depending on what the community is in need of will depend on our community service project which might range from painting a classroom or some other small scale projects.
In the evening it is time for the local fiesta! The homestay families will be putting on some entertaining traditional song and dance. After the performances it is time for everyone to practice their salsa skills! (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 5 --- Enter Pacuare River and stay at the CRR - Student Ecolodge (CRR Student Ecolodge)
Today we will say good-bye to our homestays and make our way to the rafting Adventure! We will get started today leaving our homes around 9:00am. This is full day of rafting. The best part of this day is the river we will be rafting. The Pacuare River is listed by National Geographic as one of the top five scenic rivers on the planet. It is filled with fabulous scenery from start to finish with canyon walls hundreds of feet high, waterfalls cascading right into the river, virgin tropical rainforest from start to finish and of course some thrilling rapids. Our CRR river guides will prepare lunch right on the banks that you'll consider one of the best meals of the trip.
In the afternoon we will arrive to the CRR River lodge where you will be surrounded by the jungle and a chance to sleep with one of the best views on the entire river as you look down the Pacuare canyon. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 6 --- Raft Pacuare Canyon and Drive to Caribbean Hotel (Caribbean Hotel)
Today you will enjoy the most scenic part of the river as we raft down the famous Pacuare canyon. Here you will see 200 ft waterfalls with rock walls that rise 300ft in the canyon. This is one of the most scenic spots in Costa Rica along with some adventurous rafting!
In the afternoon we will drive to the Caribbean side where we will be staying on the caribbean beach with a chance to learn about this very diverse area.
This is fun day of adventure but it also is a day where we will have time in the evening to talk about the 3 very distinct cultures of the Caribbean. We will have a short talk about the Afro-Caribbean influence, Spanish Influence, and the Bribri indigenous tribe. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 7 --- Visit Bribri Indigenous Tribes & Community Service (Caribbean Hotel)
Just a short drive, then a short canoe ride into the Talamanca mountains you will be in the land of the Bribri. This is an ancient tribe in which some live on the brink of modernization while the deeper we go into their land we begin to see the real influence of living off the land and holding strong to their traditions. We will visit the village of Soki which is an area of the Bribri that not only is holding on to its traditions but happens to be surrounded by natural beauties of canyons, mountains, and rivers. We will spend the day helping out in the much needed community offer the services we decide on as we plan for your community help in the village depending upon what is needed at the time. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 8 --- Visit Permaculture Farm Punta Mona (Caribbean Hotel)
Today we will hike through the lowland tropical rainforest to the beach where a boat will be waiting to take us around to Punta Mona. Punta Mona is an area completely isolated and off the grid. It is a property that has been designed as a permaculture farm and is completely self-sustaining. It is a great day of education on living sustainably and seeing a different form of agriculture compared to the larger monoculture plantations. One important part about this day is that all the kids will be eating 100% organically farmed fruit off trees. We can make our entire lunch from food we find on the farm and we hand pick!This is a day filled with fun learning and countless scenic beaches from start to finish.
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 9 --- Explore Cahuita National Park & Travel to Guapiles (Rio Blanco)
Today we will make the drive home to the the area of Guapiles where you will spend your last night surrounded by more nature and just 1 1/2 hours away from the San Jose airport. We will also spend the morning enjoying some time at one of Costa Rica's most beautiful National Parks.
Where the rainforest meets the white sandy beaches of the Caribbean does it no better than the National Park of Cahuita. Here we will experience numerous animals from sloths, monkeys, birds, agoutis, and many more. We will take a short hike through the lowland tropical rainforest using a local guide of Afro-Caribbean decent to add to the flavor of the adventure we will eat lunch of the famous Caribbean Rice & Beans cooked with Coconut milk. This is full Caribbean day of fun in the sun and plenty of time to relax in the water and enjoy the warm water of the tropics.
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 10 --- Fly Home!
Today we will transport you to the San Jose Airport. (Meals: Breakfast)
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| Caribbean Zipline |
Day 5 --- Enter Pacuare River and stay at the CRR - Student Ecolodge (CRR Student Ecolodge)
Today we will say good-bye to our homestays and make our way to the rafting Adventure! We will get started today leaving our homes around 9:00am. This is full day of rafting. The best part of this day is the river we will be rafting. The Pacuare River is listed by National Geographic as one of the top five scenic rivers on the planet. It is filled with fabulous scenery from start to finish with canyon walls hundreds of feet high, waterfalls cascading right into the river, virgin tropical rainforest from start to finish and of course some thrilling rapids. Our CRR river guides will prepare lunch right on the banks that you'll consider one of the best meals of the trip.
In the afternoon we will arrive to the CRR River lodge where you will be surrounded by the jungle and a chance to sleep with one of the best views on the entire river as you look down the Pacuare canyon. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 6 --- Raft Pacuare Canyon and Drive to Caribbean Hotel (Caribbean Hotel)
Today you will enjoy the most scenic part of the river as we raft down the famous Pacuare canyon. Here you will see 200 ft waterfalls with rock walls that rise 300ft in the canyon. This is one of the most scenic spots in Costa Rica along with some adventurous rafting!
In the afternoon we will drive to the Caribbean side where we will be staying on the caribbean beach with a chance to learn about this very diverse area.
This is fun day of adventure but it also is a day where we will have time in the evening to talk about the 3 very distinct cultures of the Caribbean. We will have a short talk about the Afro-Caribbean influence, Spanish Influence, and the Bribri indigenous tribe. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 7 --- Visit Bribri Indigenous Tribes & Community Service (Caribbean Hotel)
 |
| Bri-Bri Tribe |
Just a short drive, then a short canoe ride into the Talamanca mountains you will be in the land of the Bribri. This is an ancient tribe in which some live on the brink of modernization while the deeper we go into their land we begin to see the real influence of living off the land and holding strong to their traditions. We will visit the village of Soki which is an area of the Bribri that not only is holding on to its traditions but happens to be surrounded by natural beauties of canyons, mountains, and rivers. We will spend the day helping out in the much needed community offer the services we decide on as we plan for your community help in the village depending upon what is needed at the time. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
 |
| Guanabana |
Today we will hike through the lowland tropical rainforest to the beach where a boat will be waiting to take us around to Punta Mona. Punta Mona is an area completely isolated and off the grid. It is a property that has been designed as a permaculture farm and is completely self-sustaining. It is a great day of education on living sustainably and seeing a different form of agriculture compared to the larger monoculture plantations. One important part about this day is that all the kids will be eating 100% organically farmed fruit off trees. We can make our entire lunch from food we find on the farm and we hand pick!This is a day filled with fun learning and countless scenic beaches from start to finish.
 |
| Cahuita National Park |
Day 9 --- Explore Cahuita National Park & Travel to Guapiles (Rio Blanco)
Today we will make the drive home to the the area of Guapiles where you will spend your last night surrounded by more nature and just 1 1/2 hours away from the San Jose airport. We will also spend the morning enjoying some time at one of Costa Rica's most beautiful National Parks.
Where the rainforest meets the white sandy beaches of the Caribbean does it no better than the National Park of Cahuita. Here we will experience numerous animals from sloths, monkeys, birds, agoutis, and many more. We will take a short hike through the lowland tropical rainforest using a local guide of Afro-Caribbean decent to add to the flavor of the adventure we will eat lunch of the famous Caribbean Rice & Beans cooked with Coconut milk. This is full Caribbean day of fun in the sun and plenty of time to relax in the water and enjoy the warm water of the tropics.
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 10 --- Fly Home!
Today we will transport you to the San Jose Airport. (Meals: Breakfast)
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