SOCCER & SERVICE TRAVEL TEAM - High School Summer Programs (800) 321-4353

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 Servicio comunitario projects, immersion into Tico life, and adventures in Costa Rica’s vast natural landscape.

The Tico Way of Life
Your first stop is Cartago Province where you’ll get a first-hand introduction to Tico life. You will move in with a Costa Rican host family in the small town of Pacayas for a couple of days to practice Spanish and learn to live as a Tico. Feast on delicious, home-cooked 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.

Spend a day at the local school teaching English or contribute to the efforts of Fútbol por la Vida. This foundation uses soccer as a tool to engage at-risk children in positive, educational activities that contribute to their social development

High Adventure
After saying goodbye to your adopted family, get ready for a few days of action-packed adventure. You’ll embark on a fullday whitewater rafting trip on the world-famous Pacuare River. Then peer into the steamy crater of the active Poás Volcano, one of Costa Rica’s most impressive natural wonders. The milewide 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. You’ll also lend a hand with a small-scale service project for the local community and take a day trip to the nearby La Paz Waterfall Gardens, a stunning series of waterfalls tumbling through lush mountain greenery.

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 palm-fringed 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.

Who Should Come?
The Traveling Soccer and Service Team is perfect for students who want to combine their love of soccer with adventure, travel, and rewarding Servicio comunitario. You should be in good physical shape and have a love of soccer, hiking, and adventure in the great outdoors.

Questions? For more information please contact costarica@rusticpathways.com.

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) Homestay in the Central Valley
This morning you will head over to the quiet town of Pacayas 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 Pacayas. 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. In addition, during the day, you will work on a meaningful service project with “Futbol por La Vida,” a foundation that engEdad at-risk children in a positive and educational way by organizing school projects and soccer games.

Day 4 (Friday) 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, its time to head back to your families, where you will spend the evening hanging out with your friends and reflecting on the day’s adventure.
Day 5-6 (Saturday-Sunday) Poas Volcano & La Paz Waterfall Gardens AreaDepart from the town of Pacayas bright and early on a short bus ride to the communities surrounding Poas Volcano. The next days will be a mix between Servicio comunitario, playing soccer with local teams and visiting attractions in the area such as Poas Volcano and the La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Enjoy delicious dinners at local restaurants and relax at the hotel with your new friends at night.

Day 7-8 (Monday-Tuesday) Arenal Volcano and National Park
Wake up early and say goodbye to your friends in the community before departing for the town of La Fortuna at the base of the Arenal Volcano. You will spend the next two days playing soccer, hiking in the rainforest, checking out the souvenir shops in La Fortuna and enjoying the natural hot springs in the evening. For the adventurous at heart, sign up for an optional zip line tour that will take you high above the rainforest canopy.

Day 9 (Wednesday) Transfer to Samara
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.

Day 10-13 (Thursday – Sunday) Surf the Pacific
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. There will be regular soccer practice and drills, and several service projects with nearby communities. There will also be time to take surf lessons, 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. En route you may have the opportunity to do an optional bungee jump! Make sure your parents have signed the permission form if you want to do this thrilling activity (cost: $65). Now its 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 Pacayas, they will stay with host families and eat home-cooked meals prepared by their family.

Servicio comunitario
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 Edad 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.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS-Latin America
TRAVELING SOCCER AND SERVICE TEAM

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- 5A – During Traveling Soccer and Service Team, students will visit the San Jose, Alajuela, 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 night students will have a final group dinner and stay the night in Heredia at the 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 a new culture and friends through soccer and Servicio comunitario. The possibility of practicing conversational Spanish will exist during Servicio comunitario activities and the home stay experience.

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 identified by the Futbol por la Vida Foundation. During the first two weeks of Julio, 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 Traveling Soccer and Service team is appropriate for athletic students that enjoy playing soccer and are prepared to engage in service work that may require some moderate physical activity.

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.

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

Extra trip to the hot springs: $35
Surf lessons: $25
Zip line trip: $70

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 Rica 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 hotels during their travels. The hotels are carefully chosen according and are clean, comfortable and safe. Students will also stay several nights with host families in the town of Pacayas.

18. What are the bathroom facilities?
18A- Hotels all have bathroom facilities with running water, American style toilets and showers. Host families also have modern bathroom facilities in their homes.

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.

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 $5-$10 depending on the amount of clothes. Those that will be connecting to another program will have access to another laundry service in San Jose at the end of their program for a cost of approximately $10-$15.

23 - How often will they have access to phone and internet?
23A-Students will have limited access to internet during their program when they visit towns with internet cafes. 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.