The Traveling Soccer and Service Team

Itinerary
SOCCER AND TRAVEL SERVICE TEAM

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 hostel rented out by Rustic Pathways 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 2-3 (Wednesday-Thursday) Visit Poas and the La Paz Waterfall & Butterfly Garden
This morning you will head over to the quiet town of Poas on the hillsides of Alajuela. Here you will have the chance to visit the famous crater of the Poas Volcan and the exuberant La Paz waterfall and Butterfly Gardens. In Poas, you will have the opportunity to work on community service projects at the local school and play soccer with the local team.

Day 4-5 (Friday-Saturday) Homestay in the Central Valley
This morning you will head over to the quiet town of Orosi on the hillsides of Cartago. Here you will have the chance to integrate into traditional Tico culture and lifestyle by spending your nights with a warm, friendly family from Orosi. This carefully organized and supervised arrangement will give you a very personal and welcoming perspective on Costa Rican family life, enhancing both your Spanish skills and the cultural aspects of your trip.

Day 6 (Sunday) Rafting on the Pacuare
Today is a day packed with adrenaline and excitement as you prepare to experience the beauty and exhilaration of whitewater rafting on the Pacuare river. The Pacuare is considered one of the most beautiful rivers to raft in the world due to the lush greenery, the narrow canyons and above all, the exciting class III and IV rapids. After a full day on the river, we stay the night in a comfortable hotel in Siquirres.

Day 7-8 (Monday-Tuesday) Hot Springs and some community service
Depart from the town of Siquirres after  a hearty TICO breakfast doing some rewarding community service and get ready to relax and the beautiful pools in the hot springs in La Fortuna area. The next days will be a mix between community service, playing soccer with local teams and visiting attractions in the area. Enjoy delicious dinners at local restaurants and relax at the hotel with your new friends at night.

Day 9-10-11-12-13 (Wednesday-Sunday) Transfer to Samara and enjoy the Pacific Ocean Enjoy an early breakfast and play a full game of soccer on Fortuna turf before boarding the bus to the Nicoya Peninsula. Upon arriving in the town of Samara, hang out in the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean and catch one of the spectacular sunsets that the Nicoya Peninsula is known for. Eat dinner near the beach and fall asleep to the soothing sound of the waves softly crashing against the shore. For the next couple days, you will be based in the chill beach town of Samara.  Play beach frisbee with the group, soak in the sun and take breaks to jump into the surf (optional). There will be regular soccer practice and drills, and several service projects with nearby communities. There will also be time to take surf lessons (optional), get in shape by running on the beach or simply read a book and chill out in a hammock.

Day 14 (Monday) Sailing Tour to Tortuga Island
Wake up bright and early to board a 71-foot Catamaran that will take you on a tropical cruise through the calm waters of the Gulf of Nicoya, where you can see dolphins, sea turtles and aquatic birds. Your destination is Costa Rica’s famous palm-studded, white sand beach at Isla Tortuga, where you can sunbath, play volleyball or relax in a hammock. Chill out on your own private paradise before returning to spend the night in Puntarenas.

Day 15 (Tuesday) Back to San Jose
After breakfast and a final jump in the ocean you’ll board the bus and return to San Jose. Now it’s time to get a good night’s sleep since tomorrow you’ll be heading home or off to new adventures.

Day 16 (Wednesday) Homeward bound or onto another Rustic Pathways adventure
If you are heading home, you must say your last goodbyes to your new friends 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 more fun and excitement!

*** PLEASE NOTE: The itinerary above is not set in stone and may be changed by the staff running this program as they see fit. It is designed to give you a good idea of the day to day schedule and activities that the students will be participating in.***

Food and Accommodations
During the Traveling Soccer & Service Travel Team program students will stay in hostels and hotels throughout northern Costa Rica. They will eat light breakfasts, picnic & restaurant lunches, and dinner at small Tico restaurants. During their time in Orosi, they will stay with host families and eat home-cooked meals prepared by their family.

Community Service
Students participating in this program will be asked to perform service work for the benefit of the communities they visit. While this program’s emphasis is on soccer, not service, there will still be times when the students will be asked to perform physically challenging work. Students may get muddy or wet performing the tasks asked of them but will be rewarded with the knowledge that their hard work was for a great cause. They can earn up to 32 service hours for the successful completion of the service work on their trip.

Spanish
Motivated students wishing to practice their Spanish will have opportunities to speak both with the Rustic Pathways guides and the villagers they meet along the journey. The amount of Spanish practice a student receives is directly related to the amount of effort they put in.

Soccer
Soccer experience and skill level of the players on this trip will vary greatly since it is a coed trip with students 14 to 18 years of age. Students are expected to be respectful of all participants on this program regardless of their playing ability and should expect to play with students, staff and Ticos of the opposite sex, all ages and all skill levels. Staff will split up the group at times according to skill level or sex in order to better improve the students’ soccer skills. Soccer is a large component of this trip and students should come prepared to play.

Injuries
Rustic Pathways will not be responsible for any injuries sustained on this program. The staff will do their best to ensure the safety of all participants, however playing soccer can be a dangerous activity and at times injuries occur. Students are asked to take reasonable safety precautions such as wearing shin guards and proper footwear. There will be times when playing on the beach that students will be playing without shin guards or shoes and they are expected to play with extreme caution in these instances. In all cases, if injuries do occur, the students will have access to good quality medical care at hospitals or clinics nearby

TRAVELING SOCCER AND SERVICE TEAM 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 Traveling Soccer and Service Team:

SOCCER GEAR
• 1 pair of outdoor soccer cleats (no screw ins please) (well broken in to prevent blisters)
• 1 pair indoor soccer shoes (well broken in to prevent blisters)
• Large Water Bottle *Nalgene’s work well – to help you stay hydrated
• 1 pair shin guards
• 3-5 pairs of soccer socks
• Several pairs of shorts for playing soccer
• Soccer tape for shin guards, injuries, etc.
• Soccer ball (optional)
• Any knee or ankle braces or other items you need for playing soccer (please inform staff of any injuries, old or new, at the start of the program.
• Small bag specifically for your soccer gear
• Cleats make a great donation. If you have old pairs of cleats or other soccer paraphernalia laying around at home you can bring this to Costa Rica to donate.
OTHER GEAR
• 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.) - these will be good for whitewater rafting and hiking in some locations
• Bring a Rash Guard for surfing. (optional)

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

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.  Flight 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 Travelling Soccer and Service Team program, students will visit the San Jose, Alajuela, Limon, Cartago, Guanacaste and Puntarenas provinces. 

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 the Soccer and Service Team program will depart from the hotel near Puntarenas. They will 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.  When the students are in the Cartago province and the region near Poas volcano, the climate will be slightly cooler. 

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 introducing students to independent travel and helping them get to know a new culture.   The possibility of practicing conversational Spanish will exist during community service activities.

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 and youth.  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 Travelling Soccer and Service Team program is designed for students that are interested in playing soccer on a daily basis so physical fitness is required.

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 (see below for the activities).

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

1. Sea Kayaking $45
2. Horseback riding:  $45
3. Zip Lining: $65
4. Surfing: $35

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 Rican 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 two different types of accommodations; with families and in hotels during their travels. The home stay section of the trip offers clean and safe family homes. The hotels are carefully chosen according to the needs of the program and are clean, fairly comfortable and safe. 

18.  What are the bathroom facilities?
18A- Hotels all have bathroom facilities with running water, American style toilets and showers. 

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.