Sarapiqui: A Tropical Service Adventure

Sarapiqui: A Tropical Service Adventure
2012 ITINERARY

Day 1 (Tuesday)
Depart the United States for San Jose, Costa Rica. All scheduled flights to Costa Rica are nonstop 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 hostel 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)
You will have an early wake-up call at 6:30 this morning. After a delicious breakfast, you will depart the hostel by 8 a.m. and head northeast through the lush green Braulio Carrillo National Park. Enjoy a delicious lunch prepared with organic fruits and vegetables and receive an introduction to this incredible ranch and farm. After arriving at the Hacienda Pozo Azul Tent Suites, you will settle into your tent, located a short distance from the main lodge. Take a quick tour of your home for the next week and receive an introduction to the area and the service work of the days ahead.  After a full day, return to the base for dinner and a good night’s sleep. 
 
Day 3 (Thursday)
Rise early for breakfast and then head out to work on one of the service initiatives in Sarapiqui. You might teach English in the local elementary school and/or work on a community construction project. Then it will be on to lunch and a siesta at the base before you head out for more afternoon work in the towns. There may also be time to play pick-up soccer with one of the village teams. In the evening you will enjoy a hearty dinner followed by chill time to get to know the group.
 (English classes are subject to school vacations and closings).

Day 4 (Friday)
After an early breakfast, you will set out for a morning of service work once again. The group will reconvene at lunch, and you will be able to choose the afternoon’s adventure from several optional activities, including horseback riding, touring the tree canopy, rappelling, mountain biking, hiking trails, bird watching, and visiting a butterfly garden. Later there may be time for a game of pick-up soccer with the villagers before the sun sets. Then it will be time for dinner and a relaxing evening in the reading room or the satellite TV room, or for those more ambitious students, Latin dance lessons with the local villagers.

Day 5 (Saturday)
This morning after breakfast get ready to raft the Sarapiquí River, which is known as the most scenic river in Costa Rica's tropical rainforest. You will wonder at the lush local flora and – if you’re lucky – catch a glimpse of the region’s wildlife.  After a full day on the river, you’ll head back to the base to swap stories about the day’s adventure.

Day 6 (Sunday)
After breakfast get ready to horseback ride through the rainforest. Your day of adventure will continue with an afternoon spent zip lining above the tropical rainforest canopy. Then join in an informal soccer game with the locals or relax back at the base.

Day 7 (Monday)
This morning will be dedicated to finishing up the week’s service projects. You will also have a chance to get involved with some of the area’s pressing environmental issues. Learn about the projects that have been implemented in the Sarapiqui region to help protect its beautiful green spaces and natural wonders. In the afternoon, visit several highlights of the Hacienda Pozo Azul, including a butterfly garden.  Then enjoy a delicious dinner as you celebrate your time in this village. 

Day 8 (Tuesday)
After breakfast you will have time to pack and say goodbye to your new friends in the community. Then it will be time to board the bus and head towards San Jose. Along the way, you will make one quick stop to pick up last-minute souvenirs, and then return to San Jose for a final dinner with the group and a good night’s rest.

Day 9 (Wednesday)
Today you will either catch the group flight back to the United States or continue on to your next Rustic Pathways adventure.

PLEASE NOTE: The itinerary described above is typical but not set in stone as work and optional activities vary depending upon the needs of the various communities, as well as 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. You will work hard on this program and probably get wet, muddy, and bug-bitten in the process. This is all part of the rural Costa Rican service experience and is a small sacrifice when compared with the positive impact this program has on local communities and on RP participants.

SARAPIQUI TROPICAL SERVICE ADVENTURE PROGRAM SPECIFIC PACKING LIST.

In addition to the general Costa Rica packing list available at http://www.rusticpathways.com/packing_lists/Costa_Rica.php all students should review the following information specific to the Caño Negro Program:
• A raincoat is MANDATORY
• Quick dry clothes are very useful since it can be very muddy and rainy and you will be outdoors quite a bit.
• Bring a pair of shoes that you don’t mind getting muddy/dirty during service work and hikes.
• Bring Strap On Sandals (Teva or Chaco) that will not fall off your feet in water (rivers, etc.)
• Flashlight or Head Lamp
• Soccer cleats are useful if you plan on playing soccer in the community

IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT YOUR LUGGAGE

1. Please try your best to pack light and fit everything into one MEDIUM size duffle bag or a backpack. We strongly recommend that you DO NOT use wheeled bags.

2. Do not forget to bring a small backpack that you can use to fit your daily gear would make a great carry on.

3. Make sure everything you pack in your carry-on complies with the new carry on regulations of the TSA http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS-Latin America
Sarapiqui Service Adventure

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 the Sarapiqui program, students will briefly pass through the provinces of Alajuela and San Jose during their travel to the Sarapiqui area. The program is located in the Heredia 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 Sarapiqui and after a 3 hour drive they will stay that night in Alajuela 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 Sarapiqui is approximately 3 hours depending on weather and other driving conditions.  

8 – What is the climate in the region where this program takes place?
8A—The Sarapiqui program takes place in the northeast 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 Sarapiqui 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.

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 Sarapiqui program, 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 Sarapiqui 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.  Students should also bring extra money if they wish to purchase additional snacks or soda from the local grocery store, or buy phone cards and use internet.

13 – What are the optional activities available at an additional cost on this program?
13A-Optional activities may include:

• Horseback Riding: $45
• Rappel $40
• Chocolate Tour $30
• Second Optional Rafting Trip $45

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 the hotel, and occasionally at a local restaurant. Students may also eat a meal or two prepared by the local school where they are doing service work. The tent suites hotel does a buffet for most meals. 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 as well as pasta 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, and students should feel comfortable drinking the water unless otherwise advised.  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 Sarapiqui program, students will stay in comfortable tent suites with 2 double beds in each. Boys and girls will sleep in separate tents, 2 students per tent. These are not your typical camping tents, and combine a rustic environment with modern conveniences. There is running water, electricity, and a ceiling fan in each tent. There is also a common room area at the tent suites for hanging out, relaxing, or reading.

18.  What are the bathroom facilities?
18A- There is a bathroom attached to each individual tent. They have running water and American style toilets and showers. Hot water is available, but can be unreliable.

19 - How many girls and boys are usually on this trip?
19A – We expect a mix between 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 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—Laundry is available at the tent base for students to purchase, and costs around $5 per kilo of clothing.

23 - How often will they have access to phone and internet?
23A-Students will have access to internet during the program. There are computers located at the tent suites, which students will be able to use on a limited schedule. They will also 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 town or from the base house phone.