FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS-Latin America
VOLCANO AND RAINFOREST SERVICE BASE
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. Flight from Costa Rica to Peru and Panama 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- 5A – During the Volcano & Rainforest program, students will remain in the Alajuela province near the town of La Fortuna. They will stay in either the San Jose or Alajuela province for a very short period of time when they first arrive in country and the night before they depart Costa Rica.
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 Volcano base. They will stay that night in Alajuela 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—The drive from San Jose to the Volcano base 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 Volcano and Rainforest program takes place in the rainforest area, a very green, humid, and wet area of the country. Students should be prepared for hot, humid weather in the 80s and 90s during the day, and a daily rain shower. The rainy season does not slow us down, so bring a good raincoat and be prepared to work hard!
9 - Is this a good program for students interested in practicing their Spanish?
9A—The Volcano Program does not include formal Spanish language instruction; however students will have multiple opportunities to practice Spanish with the local students and other locals involve in the community service projects.
10- What service projects will I work on and how are the projects identified?
10A- Rustic Pathways works with local community leaders and schools 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. Rustic Pathways may also pair with environmental organizations in the area to determine the conservation projects of the summer. 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 or focus more on the other types of service projects.
11 – How physically strenuous is this program?
11A- The Volcano and Rainforest program service projects are appropriate for most physical activity levels. Students should be prepared for moderate physical activity including lifting heavy material, shoveling, digging, mixing cement, wood work, and other manual labor during the construction projects. Everyone is expected to come ready to work, and donate their valued manual labor towards the completion of the summer projects.
12- What costs are not included on this trip?
12A- The majority of costs associated with the program are included on this trip. However, the weekend optional adventure activities are not included and students should bring extra money if they would like to participate. Additional allowance money is suggested should students wish to: buy souvenirs, artwork and handicrafts from local artisans or additional snacks or sodas from the local grocery stores, use internet or purchase a phone card.
13 – What are the optional activities available at an additional cost on this program?
13A-Optional activities are:
- Ziplining: $65
- Horseback riding: $40
- Kayaking in Lake Arenal: $40
- White water Rafting: $85
- Night trip to see lava (weather permitting): $5
Students are able to choose activities based on the program schedule. Most participate in 3 activities. 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 due to weather conditions, etc.
14 - What kind of food will we be eating? Where?
14A—Students will be eating a good variety of food during the buffet style meals served at the Volcano base. Breakfast usually includes fresh fruits, cereal, milk and juice. Lunch and dinner will vary and in the past has included chicken, steak and fish dishes, rice, black beans, potatoes, plantains, salads, and pasta. Our Volcano base chef does his best to incorporate both traditional Costa Rican dishes as well as more familiar flavors.
15 - Can we cater to specific diets?
15A-Rustic Pathways can cater to most dietary needs on this program. There will be access to vegetarian choices in the buffets. Vegan 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 Rica water is generally potable, and the water in the Fortuna area is safe to drink. Students are encouraged to fill up their water bottles straight from the tap. 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 fully equipped base houses located 15 minutes away from the town of Fortuna. This program offers one of the most comfortable accommodations among the Costa Rican Programs with all commodities that compensate the hard work they do during the day including a fresh water outdoor pool, soccer field and a volley-ball net with many other amenities that make this trip an amazing one. Between 5– 8 students will share a big room with bunk beds and a private bathroom (number of students per room depends on number of girls and boys)
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18. What are the bathroom facilities?
18A- Every room has a private bathroom with running water and American style toilets and showers. Hot water is available.
19 - How many girls and boys are usually on this trip?
19A – We expect a good mix between genders, 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 6 students. There will be 6 guides on this program. 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 staff that is 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 reasonably for this program. Laundry is available once a week and the cost is $6 per kilo.
23 - How often will they have access to phone and internet?
23A-Students will have access to internet during their visit to the town of La Fortuna once a week. Phones are not available at the base house but they will be able to call home during their visit to town. They will be able to purchase international phone cards in Costa Rica from the guides or at local convenience stores which can be used to call home from the public phones in La Fortuna.
Weekday Service
You’ll work hard during the week, but weekends will be reserved for enjoying Costa Rica’s abundance of adventure activities. These optional activities may include zip lining through the jungle canopy, horseback riding, kayaking across breathtaking Lake Arenal, going on one of Costa Rica’s many amazing hikes, or whitewater rafting on class III-IV rapids. Weekends may also entail a trip to the town of La Fortuna for shopping, a trip to a gorgeous waterfall, or a game of pick-up soccer. After these action-packed days, you can relax in a hammock, enjoy dinner with friends, play games at the Base House, or take a trip to the hot springs. The Base will also host a popular Latin dance party that includes karaoke on the weekends.