The Caribbean Adventurer - High School Summer Programs (800) 321-4353

Clear blue water, 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 trip through the natural treasures of Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast.

High Adventure
Your journey will begin in Turrialba, a peaceful mountain town and the ideal place to embark on your adventure through the canyons. Conquer your fears and forge new friendships as you zip line across the jungle canopy and rappel down dramatic waterfalls. Wake up early the next morning and prepare for a two-day journey down the Pacuare River. After your first exhilarating day of whitewater rafting, you’ll fall asleep beneath a sky full of bright stars at a secluded base camp along the river. The adventure continues the next morning as you ride through the Pacuare’s class III and IV rapids. Paddle hard and let the vigorous current propel you from the hillsides of Turrialba into the lush, tropical setting of the Caribbean.

TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK
Your rafting adventure ends on the northern Caribbean coast, where you will catch a boat through winding jungle canals to the small village of Tortuguero, a unique Caribbean town with an island feel. Tortuguero National Park borders the village and is home to nearly 22 miles of protected coastline. As you hike
along the trails of the park, watch for iguanas scurrying through the brush and listen to the grunts of howler monkeys echoing across the treetops. Take a boat tour along the caiman-filled waterways and jungle canals surrounding the park or spend the afternoon shopping for souvenirs and local crafts in the many eclectic shops of Tortuguero village. The park is a key nesting area for green sea turtles and leatherbacks, and you’ll spend the evening patrolling the beaches with local guides and searching for sea turtles nesting on the shores.

COCONUT TREES AND WHITE SAND BEACHES
rom 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 cultures that makes Limon one of the most culturally diverse cities in the country. Spend the last days of your trip exploring the beach towns of the southern Caribbean coast, surfing clear
waters, strolling along miles of white sand beaches, or simply relaxing to soft reggae beats and sipping on cool, sweet coconut water from a fresh pipa fria.

WHO SHOULD COME?
The Caribbean Adventurer is the perfect mix of action-packed adventure and laid-back beach vacation. If you’re half beach bum, half adventurer, then this program is perfect for you!

Questions? For more information please contact costarica@rusticpathways.com.

CARIBBEAN ADVENTURER
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. Continue along the river until your reach the river base, where you will spend the evening hanging out with your friends, enjoying the peace and tranquility of the Costa Rican jungle.
DAY 04 (Friday)
Enjoy an early morning breakfast before packing up and continuing your rafting adventure along the Pacuare. Today you will be challenged with some of the most exciting rapids of the Pacuare, so paddle hard and enjoy the adrenaline rush. Once you have mastered the river runs, you will drop off your rafting gear and take a short bus and boat ride into Tortuguero National Park, where you will spend the next days of your adventure.

DAY 04 (Saturday)
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 (Sunday)
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 (Monday)
Embrace the Caribbean vibe by spending day enjoying the beach and waves of Cahuita and Puerto Viejo. In the morning, choose from a variety of optional activities such as snorkeling or ziplining or decide to hang out on the beach. The afternoon is a perfect time to sample the waves with surf lessons from experienced local instructors. In the evening, 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. ***

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, Panama and Nicaragua are also escorted by a Rustic Pathways guide. Flight from Costa Rica to Peru and Mexico will not be escorted.

3 - Do we need to get visas for this program?
3A – Students from the United States and Canada will be automatically issued a 90 day tourist visa upon entry into Costa Rica.

4 – What Costa Rican province(s) does this program pass through?
4A- 5A – During the Caribbean Adventurer, students will pass through several of Costa Rica’s provinces including San Jose, Heredia, Alajuela, Cartago and Limon.

5 - What immunizations do we need to get for trip?
5A – Rustic Pathways does not make recommendations regarding immunizations. We strongly suggest that you consult with a travel doctor or your family physician for medical recommendations based on the area where the student will be traveling (as listed above). You can also check the Center for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov for more information. Yellow fever vaccinations may be required to enter Costa Rica if you have traveled to some international destinations including Peru prior to your trip to Costa Rica. Please check the Center for Disease control website for more information.

6 - How does this program connect to other programs?
6A – On Tuesday night students will have a final group dinner and stay the night in Heredia at the hotel. Wednesday morning students will meet with their new group and guides at the same hotel where they stayed and go off on their new program.

7 – How long is the drive from San Jose to this program?
7A—Students will be traveling through a variety of different locations. Bus rides will vary between a one hour drive to a 5 hour drive.

8 – What is the climate in the region where this program takes place?
8A— Students will visit a variety of different locations but most of the time, students should be prepared for hot, humid weather in the 80’s and 90’s during the day with a daily afternoon rain shower.

9 - Is this a good program for students interested in practicing their Spanish?
9A— Students can practice Spanish with their guides as well as local tour guides, but the focus of the trip is on adventure.

10- What service projects will I work on and how are the projects identified?
10A-. There are no service projects on this program.

11 – How physically strenuous is this program?
11A- The Caribbean Adventurer program is appropriate for students of most physical activity levels. Students should be prepared for hikes and adventure activities that may require moderate physical activity.

12- What costs are not included on this trip?
12A- The majority of costs associated with the program are included on this trip. Students should have extra allowance money if they wish to buy souvenirs or additional snacks or sodas from the local grocery stores. Students should bring extra money if they choose to participate in optional activities that are not included in the trip costs.

13 – What are the optional activities available at an additional cost on this program?
13A-There are currently no optional activities identified for this trip. Please note that optional activities are subject to change. Occasionally Rustic Pathways staff identify new opportunities throughout the summer that we feel will enhance the students overall experience. Optional activities may also be canceled.

14 - What kind of food will we be eating? Where?
14A— Students will be eating at local restaurants as they travel throughout Costa Rica. The food will vary between traditional Costa Rican food, Caribbean regional fare and occasional American and international selections.

15 - Can we cater to specific diets?
15A-Rustic Pathways can cater to most dietary needs on this program. Vegetarian diets can be accommodated.   Please know that while we are happy to accommodate alternative diets, many of the special diets common in the United States are not common in other parts of the world and travelers must be patient and understanding in having these needs be met. Please contact costarica@rusticpathways.com with any questions regarding special diets or allergies.

16 - Will the kids be drinking bottled water?
16A—Costa Rica water is generally potable, so students should feel comfortable drinking tap water unless otherwise advised. They can also purchase bottles of water in the local grocery stores.

17 - What will the accommodation on this trip be like?
17A— Students will be staying in hotels during their travels. The hotels are carefully chosen according and are clean, comfortable and safe. Students will also stay two nights at base camps along the river during their rafting trip.

18. What are the bathroom facilities?
18A- All accommodations have bathroom facilities with running water, American style toilets and showers.

19 - How many girls and boys are usually on this trip?
19A – We expect a good mix of boys and girls however the exact numbers vary from week to week

20- What is the ratio of guides to students?
20A- Rustic Pathways generally strives to maintain a ratio of approximately 1 guide for every 5 students. Our guides go through a rigorous selection process including interviews with our program managers and a full background check.

21-Is your staff qualified in First Aid?
21A- Because safety is our number one priority, all of our programs have staff that is certified with First Aid and CPR training. Many of our guides are also qualified Wilderness First Responders, EMTs, Wilderness EMTs, or Life Guards.

22 - How often (if at all) will students be able to do laundry on this program and what will it cost?
22A—Laundry will not be available so students should pack enough clothes for the duration of the program. Those students that will be connecting to another program will have access to laundry service in San Jose at the end of their program for a cost of approximately $10-$15.

23 - How often will they have access to phone and internet?
23A-Students will have limited access to internet during their program when they visit towns with internet cafes. They will be able to purchase international phone cards in Costa Rica from the guides or at local convenience stores which can be used to call home from the public phones.