Heart of the Jungle

High adventure and rewarding service on the pristine & biodiverse Osa Peninsula

The Osa Peninsula
The Osa Peninsula is one of Costa Rica’s last truly untouched regions. This refreshingly remote area is swathed in jungle and home to an incredible abundance of flora and fauna. Breathe in the pure jungle air, take a dip in the warm Pacific Ocean, and let the Osa Peninsula take your breath away.

Waking up to the scent of a fresh ocean breeze and the sounds of white-faced cappuccino monkeys murmuring in the distance, you will begin to understand why the Osa Peninsula is one of Costa Rica’s great national treasures. Spectacular Pacific Ocean views, untouched rainforest, and kind people will make this trip a truly unforgettable experience.

Welcome to the Jungle
Venture deep into the heart of the Osa Peninsula as you hike across rivers and traverse jungle trails in the area National Geographic described as “the most biologically intense place on earth.” You’ll have a trained naturalist by your side to teach you about the abundant wildlife and flora in the area. Keep an eye out for four different species of monkeys swinging through the trees, scarlet macaws fluttering through the leaves, sloths lounging in branches, and a host of other exotic tropical creatures. Climb up the gnarled branches of a giant fig tree and swing off into the jungle Tarzan-style! Hike through incredible canyons and rainforest foliage to a spectacular 150-foot-tall waterfall and rappel down the rock face to relax in the cool natural pools below. Surf hidden breaks on the Pan Dulce, enjoy secluded beaches surrounded by lush rainforest, and kayak through the tranquil waters of the Pacific Ocean. Then spend the night at a remote jungle tent camp and listen as the surrounding rainforest comes alive with the noises of nocturnal creatures. Living, working and sleeping in and around a rainforest will dramatically heighten your appreciation of nature.

Satisfying Service
You will get to know the Ticos who live on this remote peninsula while working on service projects that will increase educational resources and opportunities in the community. Facilitate games and activities at local schools as part of their English curriculum, and take part in school projects such as painting, reconstructing, and cleaning the facilities (subject to school vacations and closings). Then stop by an animal sanctuary to learn about ongoing conservation efforts. Your jungle adventures will introduce you to the country’s landscape, and your service projects will help you understand the lifestyle and culture of the people who live in this remote region.

A Special Note for Heart of the Jungle Students:
Although program accommodations are comfortable, you must be aware that you will be surrounded by jungle, animals and bugs. There is limited space for luggage, so we recommend packing only what is necessary and bringing only a bag you can carry on your back. You should also be prepared to partake in strenuous activities on this program.

Make the Connection
After two weeks of exploring the jungles of Costa Rica, relax and refresh before joining one of our other exciting programs such as the Maleku Culture and Service Experience program, where you will live alongside one of Costa Rica’s colorful indigenous groups and take part in rewarding service projects. For a break from service, join the Surf the Summer program, where you can learn or improve your surfing skills and relax on the beaches of the Pacific Coast. This program connects easily with our other Costa Rica programs.

Questions? Please email us at costarica@rusticpathways.com.

Itinerary

HEART OF THE JUNGLE
ITINERARY

Day 1 (Tuesday) Depart United States for San Jose, Costa Rica
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 meet the other students on your trip and spend your first night. Good luck and enjoy your stay in beautiful Costa Rica!

Day 2 (Wednesday) Heading South to Dominical
After a light breakfast, student will meet with their group and head south to the town of
Dominical where they will spend the next day sampling the community service and adventure activities of the area. Check into the hotel and spend the evening playing team building games and getting to know your group.

Day 3-4 (Thursday -Friday) English with los niños
The next couple days you will be working with a local elementary school located in a rural town outside of Dominical. You will focus your service work on teaching English to the children of the school using a clearly defined curriculum organized by the school. Your native English skills will enhance the quality of the English instruction and motivate the children to continue improving their language skills (subject to school vacation and closings).

Day 5 (Saturday) Extreme Adventure
Wake up bright and early and prepare for your first adrenaline filled day in the south of Costa Rica. After a hearty Costa Rican breakfast, get geared up to head towards the jungle where you will spend the day hiking through beautiful trails and canyons to a series of impressive waterfalls. Next, professional guides will instruct you on the sport of rappelling, instructing you on important safety measures and preparing you to rappel down the side of the falls. After a mission accomplished, spend the afternoon lazing by the natural pools and awing at the height and magnitude of the waterfalls that you have mastered.

Day 6 (Sunday) On to the Osa Peninsula!
After your first day of exhilarating adventure, you will be happy to spend the morning relaxing on a scenic bus ride south towards the town of Puerto Jimenez on the Osa Peninsula. After a four hour drive, you will enjoy an authentic Tico lunch before saying goodbye to civilization and heading deep into the wilderness. Your destination for the next couple days is a beautiful but remote lodge snuggled between the pounding surf of the Pacific Ocean and the wild beauty of the Corcovado National Park. Enjoy an incredible dinner, before heading out with your guides on a night walk through the rainforest for an opportunity to check out the nocturnal animals of the Osa Peninsula.

Day 7-8 (Monday-Tuesday) Service in the Jungle
Awaken each day to the grunts of howler monkeys and the calls of scarlet macaws, and enjoy a breakfast of fresh fruits and typical Costa Rican dishes before embarking on the day’s activities. You will work on beach cleanup efforts that will ensure that this pristine environment is protected for generations to come. You will also take guided hikes through the Corcovado National Park which will give you the opportunity to check out this remote and untouched home to tropical wildlife. In the afternoons, play games of sand volleyball or relax in a hammock on the beach. Enjoy the peace, tranquility and refreshing vibe of your group’s escape into the wilderness.

Day 9 (Wednesday) The Adventure Continues
This morning after breakfast, it’s time to pack your bags and continue on with your journey into the Osa Peninsula. The group will head over to Mata Palo, a town known for its amazing beaches and incredible surf opportunities. You will be staying at an eco-friendly tree house hotel, another awesome accommodation that will allow you to experience the environmentally sustainable tourism efforts of the Osa Peninsula. In the afternoon, the group will visit the site of a 100 foot strangler fig tree and be able to rappel down its branches into the jungle. Then, the guides will lead an expedition into the primary forest to teach about medicinal plants and other natural remedies hidden in the rainforest.

Day 10-11 (Thursday-Friday) Surf and Service in the Osa Peninsula
The next days will be spent enjoying the waves of Matapalo and engaging in rewarding service activities in communities near the town of Puerto Jimenez. Spend one full day of relaxation and surf at the beach, enjoying the white sand, catching up on your summer reading or playing a game of soccer. Then is time to start working on service projects with the local schools. You may help teach an English class or work on infrastructure projects such as painting a school classroom. Your days will be filled getting to know the local children and practicing your Spanish along the way. In Puerto Jimenez, you will also have a chance to call home, use the internet café, or buy some snacks for the rest of your journey.

Day 12-13 (Saturday-Sunday) EXPEDITION: KAYAK!!
Wake up early and enjoy a typical breakfast, before embarking on a two-day sea kayak expedition through the Golfo Dulce of the Osa Peninsula. You will spend the days paddling through the calms waters, admiring beautiful, green landscapes, fishing for a lunch and stopping at various landmarks along the way including a wildlife rescue refuge. At night, you will camp out on the beach and enjoy dinner next to a bonfire as you exchange stories of the day’s adventures.

Day 14 (Monday) Heading to the north
After a half day kayak to Puerto Jimenez, it’s time to say goodbye to the Osa Peninsula and head back to the town of Dominical. Relax on the bus ride and reflect on your jungle experience with your group.

Day 15 (Tuesday) Back to San Jose
Wake up early and board the bus for the trip back to San Jose. Make a stop along the way for last minute souvenirs before continuing on to the capital for a final dinner with your group. Exchange pictures and emails with your new friends at the Rustic Pathways base hotel in Heredia.

Day 16 (Wednesday) Homeward bound or off to new adventures
If you are heading home, you must say your last goodbyes and head off to the airport bright and early in the morning. If you are heading off on another Rustic Pathways adventure in Costa Rica, get ready for your next experience

HEART OF THE JUNGLE
FAQs

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 Peru are NOT escorted by a Rustic Pathways guide.

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- During Heart of the Jungle program, students will spend the majority of time in the Puntarenas province. They will spend their first and last night in country at a hotel located in Heredia, close to the airport.

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 – On Tuesday afternoon students will arrive and stay that night in Heredia in a base 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 will work with local Spanish speaking communities, however the focus of the program is adventure and service in an incredibly beautiful location. The possibility of practicing conversational Spanish will exist during community service activities. Local children are especially eager to speak Spanish with Rustic Pathways students.

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. 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- Students on the Heart of the Jungle program should be in good physical condition and should be prepared for outdoor activities such as hiking and kayaking that involve moderate levels of 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-Optional activities are:
Animal Sanctuary – Entrance fee $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 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 eco-friendly lodges during their travels. The lodges are carefully chosen according and are clean, comfortable and safe. Students will also have two nights of more rustic accommodations when they camp in tents on the beach during their kayak expedition.

18. What are the bathroom facilities?
18A- Lodges all have bathroom facilities with running water, American style toilets and showers. Bathroom facilities will be more rustic when camping.

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 may be available once and the cost is $10-$15 depending on the amount of clothes.

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. When in Puerto Jimenez, 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. It is important to note that they will also be spending time in some more remote areas, where there will not be public phone or internet access. All of our guides have cell phones for emergency purposes

Departs Tuesday	Returns Wednesday
22 June	7 July
6 July	21 July
20 July	4 August

TOURING + ADVENTURE

COMMUNITY SERVICE

LANGUAGE PROGRAMS

LIFE SKILLS

Heart of the Jungle

Itinerary

HIGHLIGHTS

TRIP DETAILS