Imagine a journey along the spine of 28 volcanoes, across crater lakes and through ancient colonial centers. Be the first to discover Nicaragua, a country where warm and gregarious people have overcome both civil strife and natural disaster and will invite you to step off the beaten track to experience their nation’s soul of fire. Join us for an unparalleled expedition through Central America that will show you the breathtaking beauty of the region and open your eyes to the depth of the human spirit.
FOLLOWING THE VOLCANIC CHAIN
Your path along the volcanic corridor begins as you travel from Managua, the modern day capital of Nicaragua, to the ancient colonial enclave of Granada, the first city founded by Europeans in Central America. Wander through narrow cobblestone streets, visit cathedrals mired in history and charm, and stroll through the busy market places that surround the central plaza. After soaking in the Spanish colonial vibe of the city, escape to the lake and discover some of the 365 ecologically diverse islands that were formed by a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago.
SERVICE ON THE ISLAND
From the cultural buzz of Granada, travel by ferry to the island named Ometepe, meaning two mountains, by the original Nahuatl inhabitants. The largest island in a freshwater lake, Ometepe is home to two stunning volcanoes that mark each end of the island with their perfect cone-shaped peaks. Put on your hiking boots as your guides take you on an unforgettable trek up the volcano. A stunning panoramic view of the island will be reward when you reach the top. Beyond the majestic beauty of Ometepe, you will also experience the warmth and hospitality of the Nicaraguan people as you live in the community and work on various projects with the local school. Your service work will help increase the educational opportunities otherwise not available to the children living in the village. In the evenings, after a satisfying day with the kids, take a break to admire the view of the volcanoes as you relax on the white sand beaches of Lake Nicaragua.
CROSSING BORDERS
From the freshwaters of Ometepe, head to the Pacific to spend a few days surfing the waves of San Juan del Sur. Enjoy the laid-back vibe of this quaint fishing village. You’ll sample some of the delicious seafood specialties of the area before continuing your adventure and crossing the southern border into Costa Rica’s famous Rincon de la Vieja Volcano. Spend several days working in the rural villEdad on the outskirts of the volcano, practicing your Spanish with the locals, and working on development projects that will help improve the community’s basic infrastructure. After a hard day’s work, reward yourself by soaking in the natural hot springs at the base of the volcano. Your trip ends with a thrilling rafting trip down the Rio Negro River that will cement the long-lasting friendships created during your Central American adventure.
WHO SHOULD COME?
Nicaragua: Soul of Fire is designed for mature students with a serious sense of adventure and a genuine desire to experience the culture and historical significance of Nicaragua. You will be visiting and working in communities with real needs and should embrace a true spirit of service to accomplish your Servicio comunitario hours. This program can be taken alone or combined with another adventure in Costa Rica or Panama for an expanded Central American adventure.
NICARAGUA: SOUL OF FIRE
DAY 1 (Tuesday)
Depart the United States for San Jose, Costa Rica. All scheduled flights to Costa Rica are non-stop and escorted by a Rustic Pathways Flight Leader. Upon arrival at the San Jose airport you will be greeted by your Rustic Pathways Staff. From here you will head over to the Rustic Pathways Base where you will spend the first night. Good luck and enjoy your next two weeks of fun & adventure!
DAY 2 (Wednesday)
The first day will be an early wake up at the hotel. After breakfast, head back to the airport and catch the short one-hour flight to Managua, Nicaragua. Once in Nicaragua, the group will head by bus to the city of Granada, where you will spend the next couple of days getting to know the history of colonial Nicaragua.
DAY 03 - 05 (Thursday -Saturday)
The next few days will be spent in the greater Granada region discovering the adventures that this area has to offer. You will start your explorations in the old city visiting cathedrals, market places and small local shops that surround the central plaza. Get to know Granada through a horse carriage ride that will take you along narrow roads and hidden streets. Besides exploring the old city of Granada there will be time to discover the neighboring Masaya Volcano and some of the 365 ecologically diverse islands that were formed by a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago. During this part of the trip students will live at a comfortable hotel in the heart of historical Granada.
DAY 06 – 09 (Sunday - Wednesday)
Leaving Granada behind it is time for the group to head further south. After a 2 hour bus ride the group will take a ferry from San Jorge to the Ometepe Island’s main port city, Moyogalpa. From here you will head to the “quiet” side of the Island where Maderas Volcano lies and where you will spend the rest of your time on the island. The days on the island will be a great combination of service and adventure and will give you the opportunity to experience the warmth and hospitality of a rural Nicaraguan community. You will work with the local schools on various projects that will increase the educational opportunities available to children living on the island. In your spare time, you might hike with local guides to the top of one of the two volcanoes on either side of the island and admire the panoramic view from above. You will also have opportunities to swim in Lake Nicaragua, relax on the beach and or play an afternoon game of beisbol with the local children.
DAY10-11(Thursday-Friday)
After an early breakfast you will take the ferry back to the mainland and head to the Pacific to spend a few days surfing the waves of San Juan del Sur. There will be plenty of time to enjoy the ocean as well as the scenery around this famous beach town of Nicaragua.
DAY 12 - 14 (Saturday - Monday)
After a quick taste of southern Nicaragua the group will cross the border into the northern regions of Costa Rica. Once in Costa Rica you will head to the country’s tallest volcano, the famous Rincon de la Vieja. Spend several days working in the rural villEdad on the outskirts of the volcano, practicing your Spanish with the locals, and working on development projects that will help improve the community’s basic infrastructure. After a hard day’s work, reward yourself by soaking in the natural hot springs at the base of the volcano or playing a pick up soccer game with the local children around the neighborhood.
DAY 15 (Tuesday)
To finalize an already exciting trip the group will head over to Rio Negro and battle the class III rapids. Once the group has conquered the river, you will head back to San Jose for a final group dinner and your last night of the program.
DAY 16 (Wednesday)
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 Central America, get ready!
*** PLEASE NOTE: The itinerary described above is typical but not set in stone as work and activities vary depending upon the weather and the needs of the communities you are visiting. This itinerary is designed to give you a good, general idea of the day to day schedule and activities on this program but may be changed during the summer as staff see fit. Students will play and work hard on this program, and will probably get wet, muddy, and bug-bitten in the process. This is all part of the experience and is a small sacrifice when compared with the positive impact this program has on its beneficiaries.
PLEASE NOTE – Rustic Pathways will not be responsible for ANY lost or stolen items. During travel it is common for items to be lost or stolen so please bring only items you are prepared to part with.
On some programs you will need to pack additional items that are not on this general packing list. Please make sure you read the notes for every program you are participating in which can be found on each specific program’s webpage. Students who are participating in multiple programs should pack the contents of the general Costa Rica Packing List plus any special items listed for their specific programs. There will be laundry available for students traveling for multiple weeks and it generally costs between $6-10. In addition to the general Nicaragua packing list available athttp://www.rusticpathways.com/2009/packing_lists/Costa_Rica.html
PLEASE DO NOT OVER PACK!
Carry-On Luggage: A small backpack is the best carry on bag
• Passport and Wallet *Travel Wallet that can be hidden under clothing is a good idea.
• Photo Copy of Passport (2 additional photocopies should be carried in checked luggage)
• Sunglasses
• Journal and Pens
• Good Book (trade with buddies)
• Water bottle (Nalgene)
• Medications (Must alert staff)
• 35mm camera, digital camera, and/or disposable camera - Costa Rica is a wet environment so please have a good case that keeps your camera safe from elements like rain and dirt. Be aware that cameras can easily get broken, lost, or stolen in Costa Rica so only bring a camera which you are prepared to part with.
Checked Luggage: A medium sized duffel bag or large backpack work best. Wheeled bags are OK as long as they are medium sized and can easily be carried like a duffle over rough terrain.
CLOTHING ITEMS - Please bring at least a few outfits that can get dirty or destroyed for service work or adventure activities.
• 2 long pants (1 pair of lightweight pants, 1 pair of jeans for horseback riding)
• Underwear (5 to 7)
• Socks (7 to 8) - Lightweight quick dry athletic socks like Smartwool are the best.
• T-Shirts and tank tops and sports shirts (3-5 cotton t-shirts + 3-5 quick dry shirts like capilene or polypropylene) approximately 10 t-shirts total
• 1 light sweater/sweatshirt
• Rainproof Jacket (1)
• Shorts (3-5 pairs of shorts)
• Swim Suit (1 or 2)
• Athletic Shoes - Shoes that dry quickly, you can hike short distances in and protect your feet are best. Shoes will get muddy and dirty so don’t get too attached to your footwear.
• Sandals and/or Flip-Flops – a pair of strap on sandals that will not fall off in water like Tevas or Chaco brand sandals work great. Flip flops are also very useful.
• Hat for Sun
• 2 towels (NOT white) - Large travel towels are great!
• One nice casual outfit for Final Dinner (not too fancy or bulky)
TOILETTRIES (Please pack all items that could leak in a PLASTIC or ZIPLOCK bag)
• Shampoo and Soap (preferably with little or no fragrance because of bugs) *you can find non-fragrance and biodegradable soap at natural food stores and outdoor adventure stores. Dr. Brauner’s and Mountain Suds soaps are both good.
• Non-Fragrant Deodorant
• Toothpaste and Toothbrush
• Sunscreen (2 bottles of strong Sunscreen)
• Insect Repellant (1-2 bottles 35% DEET)
• Anti-itch Cream (1 Benedryl Anti-itch Gel works great)
• Hand Sanitizer (1 or 2 small bottles per week)
• Contact lenses and accompanying paraphernalia PLASTIC BAG
• Spanish/English dictionary
• Deck of Cards
• Picture of mom, dad, boyfriend/girlfriend, dog, pet fish, etc.
• Frisbee, Aerobee, Hackysack, Football, Soccer Ball or Volleyball
# Make sure you bring a flashlight or head lamp-there is NO electricity on the island.
# A dry sack for your camera and other items that can not get wet.
# Extra sunblock since you will be in the sun a lot!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS-Latin America
NICARAGUA: SOUL OF FIRE
1 - How long is the flight to this country?
1A – Direct flights from Newark to San Jose take approximately 5.5 hours. Direct flights from Houston to San Jose take approximately 4 hours. Students will spend the first night in San Jose, Costa Rica and take a short one-hour flight to Managua on Wednesday morning. 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 and Nicaragua are also escorted by a Rustic Pathways guide. 3 - Do we need to get visas for this program? 3A – Students from the United States and Canada will be automatically issued a tourist visa upon entry into Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Students from other countries should check with their consulate.
4 – What Costa Rican province(s) does this program pass through? 4A- 5A – During the Soul of Fire program, students will spend time in Granada, Isla Ometepe and San Juan del Sur in Nicaragua. In Costa Rica, students will mainly be located in the Guanacaste province, before traveling back to the airport and base hotel (located in the Heredia province).
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. The will take a one hour flight from San Jose to Managua and then travel by bus down Nicaragua into Costa Rica. 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 occasional rain showers. 9 - Is this a good program for students interested in practicing their Spanish? 9A— This program will run through rural areas of both Nicaragua and Costa Rica where English is rarely used. Therefore this will be an excellent opportunity for students to practice speaking Spanish. There will be plenty of opportunities to talk to locals during service projects and visit rural communities and schools. It is important to note that Spanish skills are not a requirement for this trip and all students are welcome.
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 in rural communities. 11 – How physically strenuous is this program?
11A- The Soul of Fire program is appropriate for most physical activity levels. Students should be prepared to engage in service work that may involve some manual labor including lifting, shoveling and painting.
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 will be determined closer to the departure date and students will be notified of any activities that involve additional costs. Please note that 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 Nicaragua and Costa Rica. The food will vary between traditional Nicaragua and Costa Rican food (rice, beans, tortillas, meat dishes) 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 nicaragua@rusticpathways.com with any questions regarding special diets or allergies. 16 - Will the kids be drinking bottled water?
16A—The guides will provide potable drinking water to students whenever necessary in Nicaragua. Tap water in Costa Rica is potable and students should feel comfortable drinking the water unless otherwise advised. Additional bottled water may also be purchased at local convenience 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. 18. What are the bathroom facilities?
18A- Hotels all have bathroom facilities with running water, American style toilets and showers. Hot water for showers may not always be available at some locations. 19 - How many girls and boys are usually on this trip?
19A – We expect a good mix between boys and girls however the exact numbers will 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 Nicaragua and Costa Rica from the guides or at local convenience stores which can be used to call home from the public phones.
EMBARK on a two-week journey through the volcanic chain of fire from Nicaragua to Costa Rica.
IMMERSE yourself in the rich culture and history of Nicaragua.
DISCOVER beautiful architecture along the cobblestone streets of the colonial city of Granada
TREK to the magnificent volcanoes bordering Ometepe Island.
SURF the sweet waves and warm waters of the Nicaraguan Pacific coast.
SERVE the communities and schools of rural Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
EXPLORE the wilderness of the Rincon de la Vieja National Park.
»Edad :15 and up »Length :15 días desde USA the USA
14 days when following another Rustic Pathways program »Hours :Up to 32 Service Hours Awarded »Cost : $ 2,995 + $ 350 International Air from Costa Rica »Departures :Escorted from Newark »Airfare :Airfare is not included in the above cost
Departs Tuesday
Returns Wednesday
*This program has been cancelled for the 2009 summer. Please check out all of our other great programs in Costa Rica and Panama for alternative options or email costarica@rusticpathways.com if you have any questions.
La mayoría de los programas de Rustic Pathways se conectan entre sí, permitiéndote diseñar tu propio itinerario de programas de verano.
and gregarious people have overcome both civil strife and natural disaster and will invite you to step off the beaten track to experience their nation’s soul of fire. Join us for an unparalleled expedition through Central America that will show you the breathtaking beauty of the region and open your eyes to the depth of the human spirit. 
