YOUNG EXPLORERS

DAY 01 (Tuesday)
Depart United States for San Jose, Costa Rica. All scheduled flights to Costa Rica are non-stop and escorted by a Rustic Pathways Flight Leader. Upon arrival at the San Jose airport you will be greeted by your Rustic Pathways Staff. From here you will head over to the Rustic Pathways Base where you will spend the first night. Enjoy your stay in beautiful Costa Rica!

DAY 02 (Wednesday)
Wake up at 6:30 am for breakfast. Depart San Jose by 8:00 am and head northwest towards Poas Volcano. The group will drive to the top of the volcano and then peer over the crater’s edge into the steaming pool below. After learning about the history of the volcano and taking in some of its spectacular scenery it’s off to the amazing La Paz waterfall gardens. At this picturesque park, explore stunning waterfalls, butterfly gardens and serpentarios (snake museums). After getting your fill of lizards, snakes, hummingbirds, poisonous dart frogs, and blue Morpho butterflies, continue your voyage to your new home at Las Cabinas in the village of El Castillo, near the Arenal Volcano.

DAY 03 -06 (Thursday -Sunday)
Every morning the group will wake up early for a healthy breakfast of fresh fruits and cereals and traditional Gallo Pinto. Morning activities will combine Spanish classes, small scale community service projects at a local elementary school and environmental service and learning at nearby Arenal Volcano National Park. Mixed in with classes and work there are always mejengas (pick up soccer games), trips to the Pulperia (local general store) for Spanish Vocabulary building (and a mango or ice cream), hikes to the stream for a swim and much more. Most lunches will be back at the Las Cabinas or in the town of La Fortuna depending on the afternoon activity. Due to the plethora of great outdoor activities possible in the Arenal Volcano region, the afternoons will be filled with excitement! Zip-lining high above the rainforest canopy, kayaking in Lake Arenal, hiking through the national park and spending the night at an eco-friendly organic farm are all on the list of adventures you will enjoy. Evenings will include delicious group dinners, Spanish language activities, Latin dance lessons, group team building games and relaxation time.

DAY 07 (Monday)
As usual there will be an early breakfast of fresh fruits, cereals and traditional Gallo Pinto. This morning you will be taking a day trip to the Caño Negro Wildlife Reserve to enjoy a morning horseback riding tour through the beautiful natural surroundings. In the afternoon take a walk through town where you will play games and practice Spanish with the local children. In the evening, return to Sierra Arenal in the town of Fortuna for a delicious Tico style dinner and a good night´s rest for the day ahead.

DAY 08 (Tuesday)                                                                                                       
Wake up early for a hearty breakfast. Visit the Maleku indigenous reserve and participate in a traditional ceremony before returning back to Fortuna for afternoon activities and an evening of packing to prepare for the next day’s adventure of a lifetime...

DAY 09 (Wednesday)
Today head off to the mighty Sarapiqui River for a fun, wet day of whitewater rafting. The Sarapiqui cuts through the rainforest and is known for its beautiful scenery and consistent rapids. Along the way there will be time to learn about iguanas, make crickets out of long grass, have water fights with nearby kayakers and other rafts, and of course there will be plenty of thrills from the whitewater. After returning from your day of rafting, relax in the comfort of Sierra Arenal.

DAY 10 (Thursday)
After saying goodbye to your friends in Fortuna, enjoy the scenic bus ride to the Guanacaste province: a land of sunshine, “sabanero” cowboy culture and beautiful beaches.

DAY 11-14 (Friday-Monday)
For the next several days, wake up to the sound of waves crashing on the beach. One day you will take optional surfing lessons from a local instructor. You will get to practice paddling, attempt standing up on the board and take in the sun. You will also enjoy walks down the beach to explore this wonderful community and join in any pick up soccer games that are happening along the way. There will also be time for plenty of swimming and relaxing on the beach.

DAY 15 (Tuesday)
Wake early and have another tasty Costa Rican breakfast. Then it is time to pack up your things and squeeze in one last visit to the beach before heading back to San Jose for your farewell dinner. In the evening, there will be some time to come together as a group and talk about the amazing things you have seen together and the friendships that have developed during this fantastic trip.

DAY 16 (Wednesday)
An early wake up and a short bus ride to the airport before your departure home to the USA. On the plane you can reflect on your unforgettable experience as a Young Explorer in Costa Rica - Pura Vida!

*** PLEASE NOTE: The itinerary described above is typical but not set in stone as work and activities vary depending upon the weather and the needs of the communities you are visiting. 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. Students will play and work hard on this program, and will probably get wet, muddy, and bug-bitten in the process. This is all part of the Costa Rican experience and is a small sacrifice when compared with the positive impact this program has on its participants and the town of El Castillo, where the service work is performed. ***

YOUNG EXPLORERS PROGRAM SPECIFIC PACKING LIST

In addition to the general Costa Rica packing list available at http://www.rusticpathways.com/2009/packing_lists/Costa_Rica.html all students should review the following information specific to the Young Explorers Program:

• Packing light for this program is a good idea since you will be moving around a lot and will have the opportunity to do laundry half way through the trip.

• Quick dry clothes are very useful since you will be outdoors in the rainforest frequently.

• 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.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS-Latin America
YOUNG EXPLORERS

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 Young Explorers program, students will visit the San Jose, Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste and Puntarenas provinces. 

5 - What immunizations do we need to get for this 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 – The Young Explorers program is the only program for students ages 12-14.  If students are 14 and connecting to another program, they will have a final dinner on Tuesday with the group and sleep at the hotel in San Jose.  On Wednesday morning, they will connect with their new group and depart for 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.  When the students are in the Cartago province and the region near Poas volcano, the climate will be slightly cooler. 

9 - Is this a good program for students interested in practicing their Spanish?
9A— Students will work with local Spanish speaking communities, however the focus of the program is introducing students to independent travel and helping them get to know a new culture.   The possibility of practicing conversational Spanish will exist during community service activities.

10- What service projects will I work on and how are the projects identified?
10A-. Rustic Pathways works with local community leaders to identify and prioritize the needs of each community. Students will work on small scale construction projects that will help improve community and school infrastructure. Students will also facilitate educational and cultural projects with local children and youth.  During the first two weeks of July, Costa Rican school children are on vacation, so students should expect to work with students in more informal environments.
 
11 – How physically strenuous is this program?
11A- The Young Explorers program is appropriate for students of all physical ability levels.     

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-Optional activities are:

1. Extra trip to the hot springs: $35
2. Surf lessons:  $25

Please note that these 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 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 Rican 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. 

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

19 - How many girls and boys are usually on this trip?
19A – There are typically more girls than boys 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—Students should pack reasonably for this program. Laundry is available once a week and the cost is $5-$10 depending on the amount of clothes.  Those that will be connecting to another program will have access to another 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.