The Traveling Soccer and Service Team
Make your way across breathtaking Northern Costa Rica and
play soccer with local clubs, hike through lush cloud forests, visit
active volcanoes, and surf tremendous waves along the way.
This action-packed program combines competitive and pickup
soccer with fun community service projects, immersion into
Tico life, and adventures in Costa Rica’s vast natural landscape.
The Tico Way of Life
Your first stop will be the famous La Paz Waterfall Gardens, a
stunning series of waterfalls tumbling through lush mountain
greenery. Then head over to the small town of Poás, where you
will begin a small-scale service project for the local school and
have your first chance to test your soccer skills during a quick
indoor game against a local team. Before leaving the area you
will get a chance to peer into the steamy crater of the active
Poás Volcano, one of Costa Rica’s most impressive natural
wonders. The mile-wide crater is over 8,000 feet above sea
level and offers spectacular views of the surrounding
countryside. Hike through the gnarled, moss-covered trees of
the dwarf cloud forest on the volcano’s outer edge before
descending in search of a pick-up soccer game with the locals.
Then it will be time to get a real first-hand introduction to
authentic Tico life. You will move in with a Costa Rican host
family in the small town of Orosi for a couple of days to practice
Spanish and learn to live as a Tico. Feast on delicious, homecooked
native cuisine and get to know your welcoming family.
At least one other Rustic Pathways student will join you for your
exciting home stay experience.
While in town, you will spend some time at the local school teaching English, sharing cultural values with Costa Rican youth, or contributing to an ongoing service project with the local community. Visits are subject to school vacations and closings
High Adventure
After saying goodbye to your adopted family, get ready for
a few days of action-packed adventure. You’ll embark on a
full-day whitewater rafting trip on the world-famous Pacuare
River. Once the group makes it to Siquirres, where the rafting
journey ends, you will spend a relaxing night in a nearby
hotel to rest up for the next set of adventures.
Soccer, Surf, and Sailing
The journey continues at the world-famous Arenal Volcano,
where you’ll play pick-up soccer and fútbol cinco with local
teams on small turf fields. Those seeking another adrenaline
rush can zip line (optional) above the rainforest canopy with
Arenal Volcano looming in the background. Spend the night
soaking your tired muscles in the relaxing waters of private hot
springs not far from the volcano. With a little luck, you’ll see an
eruption of glowing lava cascade down the side of the
darkened volcano right before your eyes.
After exploring the lush interior, you’ll arrive at the palmfringed Pacific Coast to play soccer, work on service projects, and chill out on some of the best beaches in Costa Rica. You’ll really get to know the pura vida attitude that Costa Rica is famous for on this portion of the trip. Play big games of barefoot beach soccer or volleyball, surf the epic waves, and savor eclectic international cuisine at the peninsula’s many restaurants. Top off your trip with a day sailing to the pristine Isla de Tortuga for the perfect end to an unforgettable journey.
Make the Connection
If you can’t get enough soccer and want to settle in a little after
two weeks of traveling, check out our Soccer and Service La
Paz program. You’ll get to know Tico culture in depth while
living with a friendly local family and taking part in rewarding
service projects. For a rural service experience, join the Caño
Negro Service program, or if you want a break from service,
check out the Caribbean Adventurer program
Questions? For more information please contact costarica@rusticpathways.com.










