St. Johnsbury Academy Costa Rica Adventure

Bribri will show us Cacao on Day 7!!! (Just for you Kathy!!)

Day 1 --- Arrive & Drive to Arenal (Arenal Hotel)

Today we will meet you outside of the San Jose Airport. We'll drive 2 1/2 hours through the Central Valley of Costa Rica. We'll be headed to Costa Rica's most well known volcano which is the perfectly cone-shaped Arenal Volcano. On our way we'll pass through many different ecosystems such as high elevation cloud-forest and then drop down into the lowlands of the northern plains. You will also get a chance to see much of the diary industry as we pass through the farms of the highlands. (Meals: Dinner)

Day 2 --- Zipline & Don Juan  (Arenal Hotel)

Today we will start off with a little adventure and then make the entire afternoon a fun learning experience. We'll zipline in the morningnand if somebody does not want to zip they have the option of doing just the tram ride through a virgin rainforest canopy. The zipline will take you on cables almost 1km long and hanging 700ft above primary rainforest from start to finish with breath-taking views of the Arenal Volcano.

After the zipline we will spend the entire afternoon at the Don Juan Farm. Here we are going to take our time and get the full lesson on sustainable farming. We plan on having Don Juan do his in-depth tour emphazing sustainable agriculture. Then, of course, we'll have a delicious, very fresh, nutritious lunch there. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 3 --- Visit EARTH University & Travel to Sitio de Mata Village (Homestay)

We will leave the hotel after breakfast with our bags packed as we make our way to the Village of Sitio de Mata. Before our arrival we will visit the EARTH University. This is an agriculture University known on a global level for it's efforts in teaching agriculture to students from around the world.

After our visit to the University we'll continue on  to Sitio de Mata, located in a picturesque setting with fabulous views of the Turrialba Volcano. This volcano is constantly smoking for your cameras' delight. The scenery is outstanding but not half as good as the people you will meet. It's a village filled with smiling kids and parents, a world of simple living with happy minds! (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Welcome to Homestay with some Sugar-cane

Day 4 --- Homestay Activity & Archeological Site of Turrialba (Homestay)

This is the day that is filled with culture, fun and education. We will begin the day visiting some of the more well known archeological sites of Costa Rica. Located in the mountains of Turrialba are the ruins of Guayabo, just a 30 minute drive from Sitio.

In the afternoon we'll have some cultural fun which will include learning how to cook the local cuisine, a soccer game with the Sitio kids, and a evening fiesta where you are introduced to the dance and music of the country. This is an evening that you will not forget and one of the true highlights of visiting Costa Rica. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Get Ready for Rafting Pacuare!

Rafting Pacuare River

Day 5 --- Raft Pacuare River  (Camp Pacuare)

Listed by National Geographic as one of the top five commercially rafted rivers in the world, Pacuare lives up to every bit of the press it gets. The river is filled with canyons, waterfalls, and virgin rainforest as you get a true sense of what the miraculous wonders of nature can do when left alone. We will spend the morning rafting and hiking to different waterfalls.

We'll be camping on the river tonight, but it is by no means roughing it. We have above ground tents set up with excellent views of the river. You will have private bathrooms and showers. This is one of the most unique tent-lodges you will ever stay in.  (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 6 ---  Raft Pacuare Canyon  (Bribri Village of Soki)

Welcome to Costa Rica!

Today we will be rafting the most scenic part of the river. This is the Pacuare Canyon and it is filled with beautiful canyon walls, waterfalls, and virgin tropical rainforest from start to finish. After we take out of the river around lunch time we will head to the indigenous village of Soki. This is one of the most unique places in all of Costa Rica. We will be staying with the indigenous tribe of Bribri in their village that is at the end of the road and a step back in time as we learn about their ancient culture and offer a helping hand in the village with a project that we can develop with the Saint Johnsbury Kids in the weeks leading up to the trip. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Day 7 --- Full Day Helping in the Village (Bribri Soki Village)

Guanabana one of our favorite fruits

This will be our full day of helping out in the village. We plan on making this a day of learning and giving back. There is much to learn about agriculture in the area as the indigenous are the experts on adapting to the climate and conditions of the land. Some of the situations we will learn about are the larger banana and pineapple companies that have pushed them back into the mountains and the reasons for and results of much of the last 100 years of large scale monoculture crop growth. We will start the day with a lecture in one of the indigenous huts touching on these subjects. 

The Bribri are experts in the growth of Cacao. They will teach us about the process and we'll see first hand how they use the crop.  (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 8 --- Travel to Cahuita Beach (Beach Hotel)

Today we will leave the village of Soki and make our way to the nearby beautiful white sandy beach of Cahuita. Cahuita is known for being one of the most scenic beaches in the country and is home to a National Park that is filled with wildlife. We will learn about the coral that exists and the coral that does not exist any more now due to global warming. The next two days will be based around the National Park of Cahuita as we learn, play, and enjoy some sun! (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Cahuita National Park

Day 9 ---- Beach Day, Tour Park, Snorkel (Beach Hotel)

Today is another day of beach-time, exploring the National Park, walking along the beach and learning about the biodiversity where the rainforest meets the coast. After a nature hike we will do some snorkelling and explore the corals of Cahuita. In the evening we will be heading back to San Jose if you have an early flight on Day 10 or if you have an afternoon flight we will stay one last night at the beach and have a farewell party reflecting on all we learned and accomplished during this last week of adventure and fun! (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 10 ---- Fly Home!

Today we will say our good-byes and transport you to the San Jose Airport (SJO). (Meals: Breakfast)