FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS-Latin America
SOCCER AND SERVICE LA PAZ
1 - How long is the flight to this country?
A – 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?
A – 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?
A – 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?
A- During the Soccer and Service La Paz Program students will spend the majority of their time in the Alajuela province near the city of San Ramon. Students will stay briefly at a base hotel in the Alajuela province during arrival in country and departure from Costa Rica.
5 - What immunizations do we need to get for this trip?
A – 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?
A – On Tuesday afternoon students will depart from the La Paz village. 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?
A—The drive from San Jose to the La Paz village is approximately 2 hours depending on weather and other driving conditions.
8 – What is the climate in the region where this program takes place?
A—The Soccer and Service program takes place in an agricultural village located in the mountains outside of San Jose. Students should be prepared for a mild climate with warm days in the 70s and cooler evenings. Students should also expect daily rain showers.
9 - Is this a good program for students interested in practicing their Spanish?
A— Yes! While the Soccer and Service program does not include formal language training, the students will be staying with Costa Rican host families which can be a great advantage for individuals wishing to practice their language skills. Students will also 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?
A- Rustic Pathways works with local community leaders to identify and prioritize the needs of each community. In La Paz and other nearby villages, students will work on small scale construction projects that will help improve community and school infrastructure. Students will also be working with the local sports committee on landscape and maintenance projects that will keep up the soccer field and other sports facilities of the community. Students will also facilitate educational and cultural projects with local children and youth, with a concentration on Teaching English. 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?
A- The Soccer and Service program is designed for athletic students that enjoy playing soccer and want to work hard on service projects that will involve some manual labor and moderate physical ability.
12- What costs are not included on this trip?
A—The majority of costs associated with the program are included on this trip. Students should have extra allowance money if they wish to buy additional souvenirs or snacks and sodas from local convenience stores. They will need spending money to pay for optional activities described below.
13 – What are the optional activities available at an additional cost on this program?
A- The following activities are optional and come at an additional cost:
- Zip Lining - $60
- Bungee Jumping - $60
- Massage- $35
- Hiking - $5
Occasionally Rustic Pathways staff identify new opportunities throughout the summer that we feel will enhance the students overall experience and 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?
A—Students will be eating traditional Costa Rican food prepared by local community members. Breakfast and dinner will be prepared and enjoyed with their host families Lunch will be prepared by local community organizations and served at the community center to the group. Costa Rican food consists of rice, beans, a variety of fruits and vegetables and different meat dishes.
15 - Can we cater to specific diets?
A-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?
A—Tap water in Costa Rica is potable and students should feel comfortable drinking water in La Paz unless otherwise advised. Bottled water is also available for purchase at local supermarkets and grocery stores.
17 - What will the accommodations on this trip be like?
A— Students will be staying with host families in typical Costa Rican homes. Two or more students of the same gender will stay with each family. From years of experience these home stay families have long been a favorite of our students.
18. What are the bathroom facilities?
A- All host families have appropriate bathroom facilities available to the students. The number of bathrooms per household varies by family. All have running water, American style toilets and showers, although hot water may not always be available.
19 - How many girls and boys are usually on this trip?
A – 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?
A- 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?
A- 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?
A—Students should pack enough clothes and personal items to last through the end of the Soccer and Service program. Laundry is not available in the La Paz village, however, if students are connecting to another Rustic Pathways program, they will have the opportunity to do laundry in the other program.
23 - How often will they have access to phone and internet?
A-Students will have limited access to internet during the program. They will make one trip to the mall of San Ramon where they will be able to visit internet cafes. Students can purchase international calling cards in Costa Rica which can be used to call the United States from public phones in La Paz
The Warm and Welcoming Village
Fun and Rewarding Community Service
Fantastic Fútbol