Maleku Culture and Service Experience

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.  Flights 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- During the Maleku Tribe Immersion, students will briefly pass through provinces of Heredia and Alajuela during their travel to the Maleku community, the village is located 20 minutes from the town of Guatuso in the northeast Alajuela province. 

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 depart from the Maleku village. They will stay that night in Heredia at a base hotel. Wednesday morning students will meet with their new group and guides at the same hotel where they stayed and go off to their new program.

7 – How long is the drive from San Jose to this program?
7A—The drive from San Jose to the Maleku village is approximately 4 hours depending on weather and other driving conditions.  

8 – What is the climate in the region where this program takes place?
8A—The Maleku program takes place in the north of Costa Rica, a very green, tropical area of the country.  Students should be prepared for hot, humid weather in the 80s and 90s during the day with occasional rain showers.

9 - Is this a good program for students interested in practicing their Spanish?
9A—The Maleku program does not include formal Spanish language instruction; however students will have multiple opportunities to practice Spanish with people from the village.  Children at the local schools are especially eager to help Rustic Pathways students with their conversational Spanish. Students will have the opportunity to learn vocabulary from the Maleku indigenous language.

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. In the Maleku villages, 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 and be involved in environmental projects with the community. 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 Maleku program is appropriate for most physical activity levels.  Students should be prepared for light physical activity including short hikes and some manual labor during the service projects.

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 of their stay in the Maleku village as they will have opportunities to buy artwork and handicrafts from local artisans. Students should also bring extra money if they wish to purchase additional snacks or soda from the local grocery store.

13 – What are the optional activities available at an additional cost on this program?
13A-All activities are included in the cost of the program. The following activities are INCLUDED in the program cost:

• Guided night hike
• Fishing
• Maleku art Class
• Maleku language Class
• Cooking class
• Entrance to Rio Celeste National Park and Hike tour.

Occasionally Rustic Pathways staff identify new opportunities throughout the summer that we feel will enhance the students overall experience and we will offer students the opportunity to participate at an additional cost.   Optional or included activities may also be canceled at the staff’s discretion. 

14 - What kind of food will we be eating? Where?
14A—Students will be eating traditional Costa Rican food prepared by local women’s groups that provide catering services.  Breakfast may include gallo pinto (a mix of rice and beans) with eggs and bread, fruits and cereal. Lunch and dinner will be the traditional “casados” which consists of rice, beans, salad and a meat/seafood dish or well cooked Maleku dishes.
 
15 - Can we cater to specific diets?
15A-Rustic Pathways can cater to most dietary needs on this program. There will be ample access to fruits, vegetables, rice, beans, and grains for those who are vegetarian.  Vegan diets can be accommodated, but with a little more foresight and planning as this is not a diet commonly encountered in Costa Rica.  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—Tap water in Costa Rica is generally potable, however there will also be jugs of purified water available to the students in the community kitchen. Bottled water is available for purchase at local supermarkets and grocery stores.

17 - What will the accommodations on this trip be like?
17A—During their time at the Maleku village, students will stay at a traditional bunk house, located within walking distance of the village.  Between four students will sleep on bunk beds in each of the rooms. Boys and girls will sleep in different rooms. The accommodations are rustic but clean.   Outside of the village, students will stay at comfortable lodges or cabins, depending on the excursion.

18.  What are the bathroom facilities?
18A- The bathroom facilities are located in a separate building directly next to the students’ rooms.  They have running water and American style toilets. Showers are rustic and no hot water is available.

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.  In the program, there will be one American guide and two Maleku guides. 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 guides that are 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 enough clothes and personal items to last through the end of the Maleku program. Laundry is not available in the Maleku village.  If students are connecting to another Rustic Pathways program, they will have the opportunity to do laundry on their new program.    

23 - How often will they have access to phone and internet?
23A-Students will have limited to no access to internet during the program. They will be able to purchase international phone cards in Costa Rica from the guides, which can be used to call home from the public phone in the village.