Crystal blue waters, coconut trees swaying in the breeze, the smooth beat of reggae drifting out of pastel colored houses…. Welcome to the Caribbean Adventure: a laid-back adventure through the natural treasures of the Costa Rican Caribbean Coast.
ZIPLINE, RAPPEL AND RAFT YOUR WAY TO PARADISE
Your journey will begin in Turrialba, a peaceful mountain town with the ideal natural environment for you to embark on an exciting Canyoning adventure. Overcome fears and create bonds with new friends as you zip-line through treetops, rappel down waterfalls and cross hanging bridges to reach your final destination. Wake up early the next day for an exhilarating morning of whitewater rafting that will take you on an adrenaline-filled journey from the hillsides of Turrialba into the lush, tropical settings of a Caribbean paradise.
TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK
Frequented by tourists from all over the world, the Tortuguero National Park protects nearly 22 miles of beach along the northern Caribbean coast and is a key nesting area for green sea turtles & leatherbacks. Take a boat expedition through winding jungle canals, explore the trails of the Tortuguero National Park or spend the afternoon hanging out in the unique island town of Tortuguero. In the evening, explore the beaches with local guides and search for leatherback sea turtles nesting on the nighttime shores.
COCONUT TREES AND WHITE SAND BEACHES
From the Northern Caribbean coast of Tortuguero, travel by boat to the port town of Limon and experience the flavorful mix of Afro-Caribbean, indigenous and mainstream Tico culture that makes Limon one of the most culturally diverse cities of the country. Spend the last days of your trip exploring the beach towns of the Southern Caribbean coast, snorkeling in the crystal clear waters, lounging on the white sand beaches, and taking bicycle trips to hidden coves along the way. The perfect way to chill out and relax at the end of an exciting Caribbean adventure.
WHO SHOULD COME?
The Caribbean Adventure is the perfect mix between an adrenaline-filled adventure and a laid back beach vacation. If you are looking to explore the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, and chill out along the way, this program is the perfect fit for you. The Caribbean Adventure also makes a great add-on to the Bribrí Caribbean Service trip, which will provide you with a more in-depth look into the unique culture of this region.
DAY 01 (Tuesday)
Depart the USA en route to San Jose, Costa Rica. Upon arrival, your Rustic Pathways Staff will greet you at the airport. From here you will travel to the to the hostel rented out by Rustic Pathways where you will spend the first night meeting new friends and mingling with other students.
DAY 02 (Wednesday)
At 6:30 AM wake up for breakfast at the hotel. Depart around 8:00AM and head toward the Turrialba valley where you will travel to a nearby canyon for a day of waterfall rappelling and canyoneering. After an adrenaline filled day, return to the quiet mountain down of Turrialba for a delicious Tico dinner.
DAY 03 -(Thursday)
After breakfast, take a short 45 minute ride to the world famous Pacuare River. Spend the morning rafting through exhilarating class III-IV rapids, admiring the spectacular scenery and enjoying a buffet picnic lunch along the river bank. Afterwards, take a short bus and boat trip to spend the night in Tortuguero National Park
DAY 04 (Friday)
Wake up to the sound of the howler monkeys in the distance, and enjoy a leisurely breakfast before setting off on a scenic boat tour through the canals of Tortuguero National Park. In the afternoon, hang out by the beach or take an optional sea kayaking trip through the park’s nature filled waterways. In the evening, accompany local guides to patrol the beaches for the nesting sea turtles that gave “Tortuguero” its name.
DAY 05 (Saturday)
Travel in the morning to Cahuita, a relaxing, palm fringed beach town on the Caribbean coast. Spend the day soaking up rays on the white sand beach, souvenir shopping in the center of town, or scouting for monkeys in the Cahuita National Park.
DAY 06-07 (Sunday-Monday)
Embrace the Caribbean vibe by spending the next two days in Cahuita. In the mornings, choose from a variety of optional activities such as snorkeling or ziplining or decide to hang out on the beach. The afternoons are a perfect time to sample the waves with surf lessons from experienced local instructors. In the evenings, enjoy the sunset and relax with your new friends, enjoying the beauty and tranquility of Costa Rica’s Caribbean.
DAY 08
(Tuesday)
After breakfast and a final dip in the warm Caribbean waters, travel back to San Jose for a final dinner with the group and your last night in beautiful Costa Rica!
DAY 09 (Wednesday)
Time to go home or connect to one the other amazing Rustic Pathways programs…
*** PLEASE NOTE: The itinerary described above is typical but not set in stone as activities can vary depending upon the weather. This itinerary is designed to give you a good, general idea of the day to day schedule and activities on this program but may be changed during the summer as staff see fit. ***
CARIBBEAN ADVENTURER PROGRAM SPECIFIC PACKING LIST
• Packing light for this program is a good idea since you will be moving around a bit on boats and buses.
• Quick dry clothes are very useful on the Caribbean Adventurer program since the Caribbean can sometimes be quite rainy this time of year.
• Bring Strap On Sandals (Teva or Chaco) that will not fall off your feet in water (rivers, etc.) - these will be good for whitewater rafting and hiking in some locations.
1 - How long is the flight to this country?
1A – Direct flight from Newark to San Jose takes approximately 5.5 hours.
Direct flight from Houston to San Jose takes approximately 3.5 to 4 hours.
2 - Will there be a flight leader to this country?
2A – Yes. All flights between Costa Rica and the USA will have a flight leader starting in both Newark and Houston. Return flights to the USA will also have a flight leader as far as Newark and Houston. Flights between Costa Rica and Peru will not be escorted.
3 - Do we need to get visas for this program?
3A – Students from the United States and Canada will automatically be issued a 90 day tourist visa on entry into Costa Rica. Students from other countries should check with their consulate.
4 - What immunizations do we need to get for this trip?
4A – See CDC or WHO websites.
5 – What Costa Rican province(s) does this program pass through?
They will visit San Jose, Cartago, and Limon provinces while on this program.
6 - How does this program connect to other programs?
6A – On Tuesday afternoon students will depart from Cahuita for San Jose. They will have a final dinner en route then sleep in a hostel rented out for Rustic Pathways students in San Jose. Wednesday morning students will take off with their new group for their new program.
7 – How long is the drive from San Jose to this program?
The student will drive the first day for one hour and thirty minutes to Turrialba.
8 - Is this a good program for students interested in practicing their Spanish?
In general this program is not focused on Spanish however students may have limited opportunities to practice Spanish with local people and their guides.
9 - What costs are not included on this trip?
Bring spending money for souvenirs and an optional activity or two which may arise over the course of the program depending upon the interests of the group.
10 - What kind of food will we be eating? Where?
They will be eating in local restaurants where they can find typical food such as rice, beans, beef, chicken, fish, vegetable, cheese, eggs, and lots of fruits
11 - Will the kids be drinking bottled water?
Rustic Pathways students will be able to drink tap water but if they are interested, they may find stores where they can buy bottled water at certain points along the journey.
12 - What will the accommodation on this trip be like?
Students will be staying in small hotels and hostels along their trip
13 - How many girls and boys are usually on this trip?
13A – There are typically more girls than boys however the exact numbers vary from week to week.
14 - How often (if at all) will students be able to do laundry on this program and what will it cost?
Students should pack enough clothes and personal items to last through the end of the Caribbean Adventurer program. Laundry is not easily available while traveling on this program. If students are connecting to another Rustic Pathways program, they will have the opportunity to do laundry in San Jose the day before transferring to their new program.
WHITEWATER raft the world famous Pacuare River
SNORKEL the pristine waters of the Caribbean Sea
ZIPLINE and rappel down a canyon in Turrialba
BOAT through the jungle canals of Tortuguero
SEARCH for Leatherback Sea Turtles on a nighttime beach walk
CHILL out and relax on Caribbean beaches
RIDE bicycles through tranquil beach towns along the Caribbean coast
»Ages :14 and up »Length :8 days from the USA
7 days when following another
Rustic Pathways program »Cost : $ 1,395 »Departures :Escorted from Houston and Newark »Airfare :Airfare is not included in the above cost
Departs Tuesday
Returns Wednesday
June 24
July 2
July 1
July 9
July 8
July 16
July 15
July 23
July 22
July 30
July 29
Aug 6
Aug 5
Aug 13
SPACE AVAILABILITY COLOR INDEX: Updated Daily. Check back for latest updates.
SOLD OUT: No space available.
VERY LIMITED: 1 - 2 spots available.
LIMITED: 3 - 5 spots available.
Most Rustic Pathways trips interconnect,
allowing you to design your own perfect
summer program.
ZIPLINE, RAPPEL AND RAFT YOUR WAY TO PARADISE
nearly 22 miles of beach along the northern Caribbean coast and is a key nesting area for green sea turtles & leatherbacks. Take a boat expedition through winding jungle canals, explore the trails of the Tortuguero National Park or spend the afternoon hanging out in the unique island town of Tortuguero. In the evening, explore the beaches with local guides and search for leatherback sea turtles nesting on the nighttime shores. 
WHO SHOULD COME?
