Kuna Culture, Caribbean Paradise Itinerary 2009

Day 1 (Tuesday)
Depart the United States for Panama City, Panama.  Rustic Pathways group flights to Panama depart from Houston and are escorted by a Rustic Pathways Flight Leader. Upon arrival at the Panama City airport you will be greeted by your Rustic Pathways Staff. From here you will head over to the hotel reserved for Rustic Pathways students where you will spend the first night.

Day 2 (Wednesday)
After a light breakfast at the hotel, prepare for a full day experiencing the highlights of Panama City.  Visit the famous Panama Canal and watch this amazing feat of engineering as huge cargo ships are lifted by the force of water and pass through the narrow channel.  Visit the canal museum and learn about its complicated history and economic importance for the region.  After lunch, stroll through the narrow colonial streets of Casco Viejo and take a bike ride along the causeway of the peninsula for an incredible view of the city.  In the evening, enjoy a metropolitan dinner, your last taste of modern day civilization for the week….

Day 3 (Thursday)
Wake up bright and early and get ready for a jeep ride across the country, over the rough terrain of the mountains and into the Caribbean.  After about three hours of spectacular views and rugged roads you’ll arrive at a jungle river where your friendly Kuna hosts will be waiting.  Boat down the river and into the turquoise waters of the Caribbean towards the Carti Island, your home for the next few days.   After a delicious Caribbean feast, your Kuna hosts will take you to a nearby island for your first service project.  Work with the villagers on beach cleanup then return to Carti Island for a fresh seafood dinner and a traditional Kuna dance to welcome you to the island

Day 4 (Friday)
 Awake early for a simple breakfast before heading out to the main island of the Kuna Yala to work with the local elementary school.  You will work on educational activities with the children and help with small scale construction projects to improve the island’s infrastructure.   After a lunch of rice and fish and freshly caught Caribbean King Crab, grab your snorkel gear, and head out to another nearby deserted island paradise.  For a small additional cost, you may also learn about traditional Kuna fishing and sailing methods.  In the evening, return to Carti and enjoy a meal with the local families.  

Day 5 (Saturday)
Enjoy an early morning breakfast before participating in a beach cleanup with the Kuna villagers.  After lunch, go island hopping with your new friends to some of the tiny, palm fringed destinations in the territory of the Kuna Yala people. Return to Carti Island for a game of volleyball or soccer and another delicious dinner.   

Day 6 (Sunday)
Take a day trip off the islands and onto the “mainland” of the Kuna Yala territory.  Here you will have the opportunity to visit local families and experience the lifestyle of the Kuna people away from the island atmosphere.  You will work on community service projects and then head over to a local waterfall to cool off in the natural pools.  Then head back to sea, making a stop along the way to visit the Kuna Museum on the main island to learn about Kuna legends and traditions.  In the evening, organize games with the local children, including a piñata, which will give everyone on the island a reason to celebrate!

Day 7 (Monday)
Pack your overnight bag and prepare for a boat ride out to Callos Holandeses – a spectacular island surrounded by great snorkeling. You will be able to enjoy the white sand beaches of your own private island.  At night you will sleep in hammocks under a thatched roof, dozing to the gentle lapping of the waves.

Day 8 (Tuesday) 
Awake bright and early for another boat ride to the mouth of the river. Board jeeps and return to Panama City. After a final dinner in town, and some last minute souvenir shopping, you’ll head back to the hotel for your last night in Panama.  If you are transferring to another program in Costa Rica or Central America, you will say goodbye to your friends and head to the airport for an evening flight to San Jose, Costa Rica.   

Day 9 (Wednesday)
Time to say goodbye to the beautiful country of Panama and head back to the USA!

1 - How long is the flight to this country?
1A – Direct flights from Houston to Panama City take approximately 4 hours.  Students transferring from Costa Rica or Nicaragua to Panama, will take a short 1 hour flight from San Jose, Costa Rica.             

2 - Will there be a flight leader to this country?
2A – Yes. All flights between Panama City and the USA will have a flight leader starting in Houston. Return flights to the USA will also have a flight leader as far as Houston.

3 - Do we need to get visas for this program?
3A – Students from the United States and Canada will be issued a tourist visa upon entry into Panama.  Students from other countries should check with their consulate. 

4 – What Costa Rican province(s) does this program pass through?
4A- 5A – During the Kuna Culture, Caribbean Paradise program, students will spend time in Panama City and the San Blas Islands. 

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 – Students connecting to Costa Rica, Nicaragua or Peru will have a final dinner with their group on Tuesday night before heading to the airport.  They will then take a short flight to either San Jose, Costa Rica or Lima, Peru, to connect with their new program.

7 – How long are the drives involved on this program?
7A—Students will be traveling through a variety of different locations. The longest trip is the 4-5 hour bus ride from Panama City to the port where students embark for the Kuna Yala Islands.  

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 occasional rain showers.

9 - Is this a good program for students interested in practicing their Spanish?
9A— While there is no formal Spanish instruction on this program, students will be working and living with Kuna people who speak both Spanish and their indigenous language.  Local children are especially eager to speak with our students and allow them to practice their conversational Spanish skill. 

10- What service projects will I work on and how are the projects identified?
10A-. Rustic Pathways works with local tribal council to identify and prioritize the needs the Kuna Yala 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.  All projects have been approved by the tribal leaders.  
 
11 – How physically strenuous is this program?
11A- The Kuna Culture, Caribbean Adventure program is appropriate for most physical activity levels.  Students should be prepared to engage in service work that may involve some manual labor. 

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-
Traditional fishing class: $5-$10 (approximately)
Kuna sailing trip: $5-$10 (approximately)
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 during their time in Panama City.  When they are in the Kuna Yala Islands, they will be eating traditional food prepared by Kuna families.  This might include rice, salads/vegetables, and plenty of seafood.   

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 panama@rusticpathways.com with any questions regarding special diets or allergies.

16 - Will the kids be drinking bottled water?
16A—The guides will provide potable drinking water to students whenever necessary in Panama.  Additional bottled water may also be purchased at local convenience stores.  
 
17 - What will the accommodation on this trip be like?
17A— Students will be staying in hotels during their first and last night in Panama City. On the Kuna Yala islands, students should be prepared for more rustic conditions as they will be staying in very basic, traditional Kuna housing.  Students will sleep in bunk beds in thatched roof, wooden homes while they are based on the Carti Island.  For one night, when they travel to Callos Holandeses, they will sleep in hammocks under a thatched roof.   

18.  What are the bathroom facilities?
18A- Hotels in Panama City all have bathroom facilities with running water, American style toilets and showers.  On the Kuna Yala islands there is no running water.  Students will take bucket showers with fresh water stored in a rain basin and will use Kuna style latrines for bathrooms.      
    
19 - How many girls and boys are usually on this trip?
19A – We expect a good mix between boys and girls however the exact numbers will 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 will not be available. 
 
23 - How often will they have access to phone and internet?
23A-Students will have limited access to internet during their program when they are in Panama City.  There is no internet available on the Kuna Yala islands.  Students will be able to purchase international phone cards in Panama from the guides or at local convenience stores which can be used to call home from the public phones.