5 Creative Ways to Get Students to Sign Up for a Trip

Travel experiences for teachers and students often hinge on whether getting enough students to sign up. Here are some tips from teachers who have become experts in introducing students/parents to a life changing trip every year.

• Flood the school and front office with posters. As many as you are allowed to put up. Most travel companies will send you posters if you request them. Also get the front office staff informed. They talk to parents and see everyone.
• Build up the trip without announcing the destination. Set a date and time to make the destination a surprise. This makes the trip feel a little bit more special. Kids love surprises so use it to your advantage.
• Before announcing the destination have your students do a project, watch a movie, and have interesting facts about the host country you plan on picking. This gets them familiar with the country and makes it more personal when they learn they have the option to visit on a trip.
  Invite your favorite students privately. One teacher puts letters rolled up in a bottle and passes out the bottles to students. Make it attractive maybe with some interesting facts on the host country you will be visiting.
• Have contact with host country. Many programs now a days include homestays and if you choose a personalized company chances are you can have a Skype call with one of the families. This helps build a relationship and motivates students to want to visit virtual friends.

You might have some more creative ways to attract students on trips and we would love to hear them. Remember many students don't realize just how life changing a trip can be so they often need a little extra motivation to wake up the travel bug inside of them. The best part about taking student to Costa Rica is that it often sells itself but it never hurts to use the tips above.
 

Three Succesful Ways to Promote Your International Trip to Students

If you are thinking of running an international student trip the foundation starts with having students sign up. Most teachers have training as teachers. If they decide to run an international trip they are going to need some marketing skills. Below we will walk you through some suggestions to get students and parents aware of your trip:

• Flood the campus with posters. Ask the company you will be travelling with for material. The most important are the posters around campus. The rest of the material can be digital. 

• Front office exposure. The front office space and employees are the voice and face of the school. Make sure you have informed the front office crew of the trip, dates, and use them to your advantage as sales reps to all the traffic passing through. Don't forget a nice front office poster. 

• Online presence. With all the social platforms students have access to these days it is essential that you have a digital poster and share it regularly. Invite students with large list of followers to share the poster regularly. Ask the company you will be traveling with for an attractive digital poster to get students excited.

These are just three ideas we have seen work in the past. Recruiting students is sometimes a snowball affect and students sign up without much promotion. Other times it will play out differently. If you stay consistent and use the tips above you should not have much problem getting the numbers you need to run a trip.

Is Ziplining Safe in Costa Rica?

Having owned and operated a zipline in Costa Rica for the last seven years my asnwer to this question is, yes. Ziplining in Costa Rica is safe for a number of different reasons but like any outfitter it is important to go with a reputable company. Ziplining was pioneered in Costa Rica by biologist studying in the trees setting up cables to travel in the canopy. In Costa Rica they use steel cables. All ziplines should be designed by an architect and engineer for permit permission. Along with the architectual plans each tree you use has to be studied by a forest biologist for its strength and longevity. Once the structure is in place the safety will rely an operational and maintence attention to detail.

Those that operate ziplines are known as guides here in Costa Rica. They all have been through Vertical Rescue courses along with Wilderness CPR. A zipline guide in Costa Rica is trained in how to safely operate a zipline tour, how to have an eye for daily maintence, and how to safely evac and rescue clients in the event of an emergency. They also are trained in manipulation of equipment. Most equipment is of the highest standard and it is required by law in Costa Rica that each trip and usage of equipment is registered and noted which the guide is also trained in how to care for the equipment so it is maintained at the highest standard of safety.

While ziplining is safe in Costa Rica every adventure sport runs its risk and without specific attention and a professional level of operation some of these incidents can happen:

• Clients forget Brake - this is a common mistake of first time zipliners. While you are taught how to brake in the safety class getting the hang of it might take a cable or two. The good news is ziplines offer a backup breaking system if you do not break. Coming in fast will not result in a physical injury but will get the heart pumping for sure.

• Not following Directions - We all know tourists who just seems to do the opposite of what the guide says. If you put your hand on the cable or in front of the pulley chances are you might get pinched and break some skin. The best part is that this mistake usually only happens once. It is sort of like touching a stove. If you follow the directions in the safety speech starting with proper clothing we can assure you that you will have smooth zipping from start to finish.

• Weather Conditions - This is probably the most important safety factor when dealing with zipline tours. Wind and electric storms are the two conditions that can make a zipline tour unsafe. Ziplines have evac areas that they can cancel the tour in the event that storm or wind approaches quickly. 

Most importantly people always ask how often the structural system is inspected. Every 4 months the cables, clips, and trees are inspsected.

What does traveling abroad mean?

Traveling abroad is a term used in reference to students visting another country. You do not have to be a student to travel abroad but in modern terms one thinks of "traveling abroad" as an educational experience for students.

The term traveling abroad can refer to a number of different experiences. They can range from visiting a foreign country for 10 days and doing an educational tour to living in a foreign country for 3, 6 or 12 months .

Many colleges and high schools across the world incorporate a "study abroad program" which offers opportunities to their students to take part in different study abroad experiences. These experiences sometimes are done as part of an exchange receiving a student from a foreign high school in exchange for a student's study abroad experience. Often the program is designed for a student to be exposed or even learn fluently a foreign language. While most study abroad programs are based on learning a new language and culture there are programs that are geared to history, science, music, theater, to even the famous Semester at Sea where you're on a sailing ship through different parts of the world.

The term study abroad brings excitement and jitters to almost any student (and parents). The benefits of studying abroad are endless from personal growth to enhanced recognition for college and job applications. In most cases the study abroad programs are expensive while others offer scholarships for students deserving of such an experience.

How can a Student Travel Cheap?

If there was a book on Student Travel, the most read chapter would certainly be "How can a student Travel Cheap?". 

Having worked in the travel industry for a number of years there are some standard know-hows that make travel cheap for students. The first is to travel in a group. Although you might not want group travel to cramp your style of searching for the truths of the universe, you will quickly realize a group trip is better than no trip. By the end of the trip you will learn a lot about yourself and that becoming an adult is mostly made up of meeting people, them getting on your nerves, then figuring out how to deal with them. So consider it an investment for the rest of life that you are actually saving money on. Group travel lowers the price on lodging, transportation, food, and any activities you sign up for.

Second way to travel cheap for students is to plan ahead. Do your research. I remember when I traveled as a student we would have everything planned out and seldom changed plans that would affect cost. Today I will admit I unfortunately loose money by simply changing plans on the fly and not really knowing where I am going only because $50 or $100 loss is not as tragic as it was 20 years ago. If you lose $100 on a student trip that could very likely be the difference between being stranded in Moroco for the rest of your life or arriving home on the dime for Thanksgiving dinner. Plan ahead and stay on track. 

Finally and most important is do not treat it as your last trip. If you fall into the groove of, we are in Rome so we might as well eat and sleep fancy for the night then you will be broke quick. Chances are you have only been on the Earth for 18 to 25 years. I understand a big trip is a major event but you want to take it easy for two reasons. First, you want to feel like you have something to go back for. This will help you later on in life with motivation to take another trip. Second, some of the best moments on big trips are doing things that don't cost much money. Instead of the big expensive tours try for a more local gig. Look for local groups of any interest and just show up out of the blue.

Traveling cheap as a student is easier than you think and remember you are built like a modern day gladiator. At 19 years old you can eat, sleep, and enjoy pretty much anything so use that superpower to your advantage assuming you are safe.

If you have to splurge on something, don't be afraid to spend on water! Dehydration is the kryptonite of the youthful traveling gladiator. Stay hydrated even if it costs you!

What are the best friendly place to Retire (or do a sabbatical with your family)? Guanacaste, Dominical, and/or Central Valley?

The age old question of where the best place to retire is? Well, if we are talking about Costa Rica I feel obligated to give my opinion. I moved here when I was 20 years old and since moved my parents down to retire, moved an uncle down, helped multiple family friends make the move and have lived in six different areas of Costa Rica while running a business. I have seen more people come and go and come back again. I feel at age 38 I could sit down with a couple looking to retire, look at their financials, get a feel for who they are as people and give you a layout of where and what they should do in Costa Rica. Let's just say it has been a 20 yr schooling of Hard-Knocks University but I am still here and I love everything about my life in Costa Rica.

I am going to talk about three places that I mostly get asked about. They happen to be the three places of the country where you will find great dining, supermarkets with all the goods from home, and enough people to speak English to keep you more informed than most locals. Two of these places are on the Pacific coast which are Guanacaste and Dominical. The third place is the Central Valley.

While everyone wants the beach, mark my word that San Jose, Costa Rica is on the verge of taking its place in future generation's history books. While most people look at it now and see a capital city overcrowded with cars and old infrastructure, I see the most perfect weather on the planet along with a society on the brink leaping into the future ahead of most if not all developed countries. In short imagine San Jose is going to be the Elon Musk playing ground of electric cars , modern infrastructure, and a life of modern efficiency at its peak. This will ultimately result in San Jose becoming a global attraction not too mention perfectly situated in the middle of North and South America along with two coasts to Europe and Asia.

So do I think San Jose is worth the investment, YES! Do I think it is the right place for you to spend the next 20 years of your life, depends. There are places of the Central Valley (San Jose) that can keep you isolated from the hectic parts. Not too mention if you are retired you should not be doing an 8 to 5 job commuting everyday. The valley is vast and not all of it is hectic. My parents found themselves a small corner of the valley with everything they needed. They had healthcare, great food, church, modern supermarkets, and more. They only had to sit in traffic if they needed to update something at Immigration once every couple months. 

One of the main benefits of the Central Valley is you really will have easy access to the entire country. My parents got to see every inch of Costa Rica. Weekend trips were something that were doable because of our close proximity to everything. If you want to enjoy Costa Rica for what it really is, which is an endless amount of pockets of paradise, then the Central Valley is where you need to be.

The other options are similar to each other in that they are the beach but in a sense two different worlds completely. If you compare Guanacaste and Dominical the most obvious would be that Guancaste is dry and hilly and Dominical is more mountainous and greener. I say green because the rain really does not affect beach going if you live there. Your numbers of sunny mornings outweigh your rainy mornings by a long shot.

Here is something to consider. When I was 20, I voted Dominical as the best beach in Costa Rica. You could surf, raft, and rappel waterfalls all in the same day. This all sounds great but now my legs are not what they use to be. I now visit Guanacaste when I want to go to the beach. If you are retired my vote would be Guanacaste although if you want to just sit with jaw-dropping views then go to Dominical. Ask yourself these questions on factors that take an unforeseen toll on people in Costa Rica. Try to answer the questions below before you tell yourself a certain view, color of sand, or style of architecture will make life perfect in Costa Rica.

How much of my day to day life is in a car? Sounds adventurous but not bouncy car rides take a toll on bodies even if broken up into 10 minutes. If you can walk places you will enjoy things more. If you answer more than 5 minutes per day you need to spend less on the house and more on a car to ease the comfort.

How far is the nearest airport? You end up going home much more than planned when you live abroad. If you plan to go home once a year you will be home 2 or 3 times a year. 

Don't let "nearest hospital" be an issue. I have seen too many people base their decision on the nearest hospital. Most cases it bumped their 3rd or 4th choice up to first place.  My dad ended up going home for his heart procedures.  Having worked on an ambulance for a summer in the US most 911 calls can have a patient in the ER in an incredible 20 minutes. Here in Costa Rica that is not gonna happen. Although Costa Rica has amazing health care that all of my family have used (other than my dad) it is in a sense a mute issue to base your retirement on 45 minutes to 1 hour 911 response time and I am being considerate. The sheer change of lifestyle in Costa Rica is likely to bump a few extra years to your time on Earth so let that be your counter argument.

It is because of those questions I started leaning towards Guanacaste. Easier access to properties, closer airport, and once you find your town the drives are short to and from things. The perfect and my favorite example would be Nosara.

Now if you still want to live in a paradise on steroids then Dominical is your spot. The mountain meeting the sea makes for awe-inspiring views from every angle and a much more jungle feel. Access is a little harder to certain properties, the area is stretched out along the long coastal highway resulting in longer drives, and closest international airport is still San Jose.

Do Students get Discounts on Flights?

Oh to be a student again. The days of not having money, ramen noodles, and did I mention not having money. Students are a great market for travel companies and that is why there are so many deals for them. Why is this? Well, students still see the value in traveling, soul searching, and adventure while questioning everything about their own and new cultures! Also if students have $1000's in their bank account they are not afraid to spend $995 on a one way ticket to wherever!

Airlines are happy to help this addiction of looking for the meaning in life until mom and dad say its time to sign up for classes. Because of this students by themselves have very little money but the collective whole is a huge monster market the travel industry is anxious to host. Your most expensive part of traveling is obviously airfare because we know ramen noodles don't cost much and having your own room is for the Queen of England.

The two most common services for cheap airfare are Student Universe and STA Travel. These two sites make being a student more fun as if it wasn't already. You can travel the world at budget prices in everything from airline tickets, rail passes, and bulk supply of those noodles.  These companies usually only work with students from ages 18 - 26 years of age.

Why are Educational Trips Important?

"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught." Baba Dioum, 1968

I think this is the answer to the question in the title of this blog. If you are reading this blog post you probably already fall into the category of knowing that travel helps eradicate cultural ignorance, racism, and a whole slew of social problems. Getting to know the world in which we live first-hand, helps us to see its beauty and purpose, while motivating us to protect the planet.

Many students grow up knowing the traditional family vacation, filled with fun, food, rest, and as little mental excursion as possible. This is a great way to recharge your batteries and unwind.  During these types of vacations, we want to close off the outside world and be with our families. This can be very rewarding, but it is not the only type of vacation. Many unique opportunities exist today for seeing the world around us. 

An educational trip has a similar affect but is even better. Not only do you get to recharge your batteries but you make them last longer and stronger for the next run in life. An educational trip has you mostly looking at the world around. Having guides and locals help you look at the culture through the eyes of the locals and not just the lens of your own upbringing.  The results of this are often more understanding of things in your culture, having seen how things are done differently in other cultures. It also might come by seeing what others do in other countries for an average work day and wage. The US style of comparing itself with the Joneses is much more enlightening when you make the entire world your neighbor and not just the people on your block. It is so common to unconsciously compare ourselves to other cultures thinking they did it wrong and we did it right on certain topics. Having lived in Costa Rica for the last 20 years it is shocking how wrong or right certain customs or ways of doing things can be done on both sides.

Some of the ripple effects for students of educational travel are higher self esteem, better understanding in conflict situations, realistic ideas of what career they would like to pursue, and the list goes on. While the benefits are grand for the student on the educational trip it must be kept in mind that the percentage of students on our planet that actually get this opportunity is small. Some of the kids that have these travel opportunities will grow up to be influential in the private and public sector. It is in their youth that these experiences are more crucial than anytime in their life. But it should also be said that the many local kids they will visit on their trip is the closest opportunity those local kids will get to traveling abroad. The student visiting is the ultimate ambassador of educational trips and they should be properly prepped on this task before their trip.

Educational trips are a win win for not only for the students doing the traveling but also everyone they cross paths with in life making it an exponential way of changing peoples lives.

Westminister Costa Rica Music Adventure

March 21st  ----- Arrive & Drive to Village of Sitio de Mata (Homestays)

Today you will be met outside the airport by your CRR private guide and driver. If you can show up on an early day flight it would be best. Jetblue offers an early arrival as does American from the Miami area. This will allow us to be out of  San Jose and make the 2 1/2 hour drive to the village of Sitio de Mata located in mountains of Turrialba before the city rush hour traffic. If your flight is early it would be great to stop at the National Theatre in the center of San Jose to show the kids where the National Symphony plays and a little history lesson on the coffee boom, arrival of Europeans, and construction of the National Theatre (including a quick history of music in the region).

We will arrive to Sitio de Mata in early afternoon where the homestay families will be waiting for us. We will gather as a group and assign the kids to their new families. We can have two or three kids to a homestay and the houses are so close together that it almost feels like one big home. The homestays are split up into two different extended families offering a real community feel to our stay.

Hanging with your new friends!

When we arrive we will take a quick tour of the village and have dinner with your families and get some rest for the next 6 days of service and fun. (Meals: Lunch & Dinner)

Evening Activity: Get situated in homestays and Reflection on first impressions. Journal topic is your first impressions.

March 22nd ----- Visit School with Music Introduction (Homestays)

Today we will get straight to work on making a difference in the community. After you confirmed that this trip was approved we had a meeting the day after and the school and community has had music on their wishlist for the kids for years now. With the excitement of the introduction of this program I will leave it to you and the kids to decide how you want to present it. We can divide the kids into small groups and give quick lessons on music? We can offer a small demonstration on playing music?  Maybe your kids could give a short backround/history lesson of music? There seems to be a number of ways I think we can do this to make it engaging for the local kids and  beneficial for the Miami Christian kids.

Recycled Crafts by Doña Fressy

After working with the kids we can spend the afternoon getting a local soccer game together or learning how to make tortillas or other cultural activities. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Evening Activity: Reflection on the day. Journal on the topic of the experience of working with the kids.

March 23rd  ----- Music Activity & Evening Fiesta with Music Presentations for Local Village (Homestays)

Today we can continue the work we did at the school on the previous day. We can take a more advanced look into the music instruments or just polish our skills from the previous day.  In the evening we will have an organized event where the local kids will put on some of their school performances and Miami Christian kids are welcome to perform also. 

Evening Activity: Reflection on the day, souvenir shop at local recycled craft store by local moms, and local fiesta and performances.

March 24th ----- Enter Pacuare River (Pacuare Ecolodge)

Lets get wet!

Listed by National Geographic as one of the top 5 most scenic rivers on the planet is the Pacuare River. This is a great day of adventure and fun. We will make the 30 minute drive to where we will put in and start our day on the river rafting, walking to waterfalls, and having a lunch prepared for you on the side of the river bank. We will make our way down to an area of the river we will stop at and spend the night. This is the CRR Pacuare Ecolodge that will be your private lodge for the night with breath-taking views of the surrounding rainforest, mountains, and river.

In the evening we will get the bon-fire going and a chance to sit around, roast marshmallows, and tell some stories. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Evening Activities: Discuss Your Top 3 of the Homestay Experience, Journal Free Writing, Bon-fire & Marshmallows! 

The Scenic Pacuare River

March 25th  ----- River Rafting & Drive to Arenal Volcano (Los Lagos Hotel)

Today you will raft the most scenic part of the river. You will float past 150 foot waterfalls and through 300ft canyons making it an unforgettable experience for all. Once we finish the rafting we will take out of the river around noon and enjoy a hearty meal before we make the 3 hour drive to the Arenal Volcano.

The Arenal Volcano is one of the most picturesque volcanos on Earth. It is perfectly cone-shaped. Here  we will be staying at the Los Lagos Resort where the kids will have a chance to enjoy a large pool area and more of a deserved luxury feel after their three days in homestays and the ecolodge. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Evening Activity: Journal Writing about being in Nature at the Ecolodge,  Discuss what you miss about the homestays, time in the pool area!

Arenal Volcano

March 26th ----- Zipline and Visit La Fortuna Waterfalls (Los Lagos Hotel)

Today is a great way to end an epic week. We will take you to the zipline adventure where you will zip across the rainforest on different cables with some of the finest views of the volcano and lake Arenal found anywhere. During your adventure the kids will also get a chance to learn about the rainforest and the wonders of it's incredible diversity.

After zipping through the rainforest we will make our way to one of the most scenic waterfalls in Costa Rica where the kids will hike on 500 steps that will take them to a beautiful swimming hole at the bottom of the La Fortuna Waterfall. 

La Fortuna Falls

In the evening we will have a farewell activity and a chance to reflect about the last seven days. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Evening Activity: Journal writing about your top 3 moments of the week, Reflect on top 3 events of the week in an open discussion.

March 27th ----- Fly Home!

Today we will make the drive to the San Jose Airport (SJO) which is 2 1/2 hours from the hotel. Take into account when making your flight reservation that you will want to arrive 2 hours before the flight. It will be ideal to have a flight that is not very early in the morning for this itinerary. (Meals: Breakfast)

Jared Sample Costa Rica Itinerary June 2014

Day 1 -- Arrive & Travel to Arenal (Arenal Hotel)

Arenal Volcano

Today you will be met by your CRR staff and transported to your first hotel in the province of San Carlos on the fertile northern plains of Costa Rica. Here you will be staying at the base of the active Arenal Volcano. This is a travel day but will consist of an orientation to get teachers and students aquainted with staff members and an idea of what to expect during the week. (Meals: Dinner)

Day 2 -- Arenal (Don Juan, Ziplining, National Park)

Today we will start with a little adventure as we make our way to the ziplines that hang 700ft above the rainforest floor. This will be the kids first introduction to the primary rainforest. The students will also get to use their Spanish in an adrenaline-pumping situation. We'll give them a list of words to use such as TUANIS! PURA VIDA! BUENAZO! and many more local favorite phrases The zipline guides will surely be impressed with their bi-lingual guests.

After the zipline we will make our way to the Arenal Volcano National Park. Here the kids will hike on old lava

Zipline Adventure

rock and get to the closest possible point of the volcano. This is a great lesson on not only the origins of the volcano but this area of Costa Rica.

After the hike we will stop for lunch in town and then the kids can have some time to walk around the small little town of La Fortuna. Later we will be heading to the organic farm of Don Juan where the kids will taste, see, smell, and feel the different stages of organic farming from one of Costa Rica's most respected farmers. This will be followed by a delicious dinner prepared from all the things grown on the farm.

Then it's back to the hotel where we will have our first official reflection, getting the kids together and talking about the experience so far. Since this is a Spanish focused trip we could have them journal in Spanish just to keep the writing skills prime during their week away from school. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 3 -- Travel to Sitio de Mata (Sitio de Mata)

CLICK HERE TO VISIT HOMESTAYS SITIO DE MATA

Today we will say good-bye to the volcano and make the drive to Sitio de Mata where you will be saying "hola!" to
your new families. This is the part of the trip where the kids will be immersed with some of the greatest families for homestays you will find anywhere. You will be taken in as family and have the chance to communicate in Spanish from start to finish. Every day will be filled with activities and things to keep us busy, building new friendships, learning about the culture, and understanding the importance of family values.

When we arrive we will meet in a little ranchito where all the moms will be present and we will introduce all of you to your new families. Although not everyone will be in the same house, this is a small village and houses are close together. Everything is in a very short walking distance. 

In the evening we will meet as a group in one of the ranchitos where the kids will have time to journal and reflect on the homestay arrival. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 4 -- Culture Activities (Sitio de Mata)

Time with the families

Today is a day of cultural activities in the village. We like making this the first day activity so you can learn about the many different norms of the village. We will learn how to dance, cook, and even take a ride into the larger nearby town of Turrialba.  We'll have a lesson in shopping for the village since we will be responsible for cooking a meal for our homestays!

This is an excellent day for plenty of time with your families, a chance to get to know the kids, and get your bearings in the village. 

After dinner, as we do every evening, we will have a reflection where the kids will meet with their guides as a group and go over their experiences. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 5 -- Attend School (Sitio de Mata)

Well you might think you had the week off from school but guess what?! We found a school for you to attend in Costa Rica!Back to School, kids and it is a full day of learning. This is a day of being in class with local
students. It would be great to have a notebook of interview questions for the CR kids to answer throughout the day keeping everyone engaged and attentive. They will surely make a lot of new friends and maybe even get some homework.

Day 6 -- Community Service (Sitio de Mata)

Today we will have a service project set up so the students from Utah can give back to the community that in just two days has given back so much to them already. Depending on the type of project we come up with or ideas you and the kids back home might have, will depend on the type of work we do doing your stay. 

In the afternoon we will again meet as a group and reflect on the day of work. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 7 -- Visit Nearby Canyon, Soccer Game with Locals, & Farewell Fiesta! (Sitio de Mata)

Rafting Pacuare River

Today we will take the kids to a nearby canyon where they can rappell down different waterfalls. This is a fun adventure getting everyone wet and enjoying some outside time with the local kids. After the morning in the canyon we will head back to our homestays and have lunch and some down time with our families. 

Then it will be time for the soccer game that is always requested by the local kids and a crucial part of getting the full culture experience. This is a great way to enjoy what the local kids love doing with their spare time. Once the soccer game is over we will head back to our homestays and great ready for the final evening fiesta. This is a show you can not miss and in our opinion is on par with Cirque du Sole! (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 8 -- Enter Pacuare & Stay at River Lodge (River Lodge)

Today we will spend the morning saying good-bye to our Sitio de Mata families. This will not be an easy

Morning in the Jungle

departure after five days of being with the families I get choked up just writing about the departure. Once we give our final hugs, good-byes or "until next time", we'll head to what National Geographic has listed as one of the top five most scenic rivers in the world. In the morning we'll raft some small class II & III rapids then have lunch right on the river followed by a little hiking to some waterfalls.

Then it's back in our rafts to get to our final river destination, our beautiful river lodge that has breath-taking views of the Pacuare Canyon and lush green mountains as far as the eye can see. In the evening we will have activities planned for everyone as we experience living in the jungle for a night. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Coffee Makes a good souvenir!

Day 9 -- Travel to San Jose & Souvenir Shop (San Jose Hotel)

Today we will get breakfast and begin our final raft. This is the most scenic part of the river with the most adventurous rapids. We will deftly make our way down the class III & IV section passing beautiful canyon walls that rise 300ft high, primary rainforests from start to finish, and hundred foot waterfalls that drop into the banks of the river.

Back on dry land and in the bus, we will make the two hour drive back to San Jose leaving us enough time to stop at some souvenir spots. At the hotel, we'll have our final evening reflection and farewell dinner. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 10 -- Fly Home!

Today we will make the drive to the San Jose Airport where you will catch your flight home! (Meals: Breakfast)

Lisa Costa Rica Sample Adventure 2014

Day 1  - Arrive & Drive to Arenal Volcano (Los Lagos Resort)

Arenal Volcano

 

Today we will meet you outside the airport with your CRR driver and guide. We will make the drive to the Arenal Volcano. Here you will be staying in the beautiful Los Lagos Resort where you will have breath-taking views of the Arenal Volcano.

During the first night we will have dinner at the hotel and a brief orientation getting the kids ready for their 7 day Educational adventure. (Meals: Dinner)

Day 2 - Zipline, National Park Hike, & Don Juan (Los Lagos Resort)

This is a full day of activities. We will start with a hike through the Arenal National Park where the kids will get a lesson in learning about the volcano. They will walk on the old lava flow and get amazing pictures of the massive volcano.

After the Volcano hike we will make our way to the zipline where we will enjoy zipping through the jungle on

Zipline

cables that run 700ft high and half a mile long. This is an adventure that the kids will love and also get a chance to learn about the canopy of the rainforest during the gandola ride. 

After the zipline adventure it will be over to Don Juan's farm where you will get the chance to take a walk through his small farm and learn about the production of his organic farming feeding over 20 families on less than 2 acres. We will also get a chance to pick different vegetables and use them in the meal we will be enjoying at Don Juan's. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 3 - Drive to Sitio de Mata (Homestays)

Today we will say good-bye to the Arenal Volcano and make our way to the area of Turrialba. CLICK HERE TO SEE HOMESTAYS.  This is  actually  home to another smoking volcano called Turrialba. On the other side of the valley from where the Volcano Turrialba is located sits a small rural village up in the mountains. This village is Sitio de Mata and is where we will be enjoying our homestays. Here the kids will have the chance to live with local families and enjoy the rural lifestyle.

During the evening we will be enjoy a presentation from the local kids in the village on traditional song and dance as we eat another very tasty meal. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 4 - Morning Activities in the Village and Drive to Pacuare Ecolodge (Pacuare Ecolodge)

Today we will spend some time in the morning in the village learning different cultural activities or a community service project. 

After lunch we will make our way on to the nearby Pacuare Ecolodge where we will get a bonfire going and get ready for the night in the jungle with great views of the Pacuare River. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)



Pacuare River

Day 5  - Raft Pacuare River & Travel to Caribbean (Villas Caribe)

Today we will be rafting the Pacuare River. This is rated by National Geographic as one of the top 3 most scenic rivers on the planet and surrounded by primary rainforest for start to finish.

When we are done with the rafting adventure we will drive out to the Caribbean coast where we will be staying on the white sandy beaches of the Caribbean. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 6 - Beach Day & Nature Hike (Villas Caribe)



See you on the Nature Hike!

Today we will take one of the best nature hikes in all of Costa Rica. Here you will have the chance to see a number of different species along with expansive views of the Caribbean sea. In the afternoon the kids will have some time to sit with their feet in the sand or play in the waves. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

 Day 7 - Fly Home

Today we will make the drive back to the SJO San Jose Airport. Having an afternoon flight would be best as we will have a 3 1/2 hour drive from the Caribbean to the airport. (Meals: Breakfast)

Susy: Option 2 Costa Rica Sample Adventure 2014

Day 1  - Arrive & Drive to Arenal Volcano (Los Lagos Resort)

Arenal Volcano

Today we will meet you outside the airport with your CRR driver and guide. We will make the drive to the Arenal Volcano. Here you will be staying in the beautiful Los Lagos Resort where you will have breath-taking views of the Arenal Volcano.

During the first night we will have dinner at the hotel and a brief orientation getting the kids ready for their 7 day Educational adventure. (Meals: Dinner)

Day 2 - Zipline, National Park Hike, & Don Juan (Los Lagos Resort)

This is a full day of activities. We will start with a hike through the Arenal National Park where the kids will get a lesson in learning about the volcano. They will walk on the old lava flow and get amazing pictures of the massive volcano.

After the Volcano hike we will make our way to the zipline where we will enjoy zipping through the jungle on 

Zipline

cables that run 700ft high and half a mile long. This is an adventure that the kids will love and also get a chance to learn about the canopy of the rainforest during the gandola ride. 

After the zipline adventure it will be over to Don Juan's farm where you will get the chance to take a walk through his small farm and learn about the production of his organic farming feeding over 20 families on less than 2 acres. We will also get a chance to pick different vegetables and use them in the meal we will be enjoying at Don Juan's. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 3 - Drive to Sitio de Mata (Homestays)

Today we will say good-bye to the Arenal Volcano and make our way to the area of Turrialba. This is actually home to another smoking volcano called Turrialba. On the other side of the valley from where the Volcano Turrialba is located sits a small rural village up in the mountains. This village is Sitio de Mata and is where we will be enjoying our homestays. Here the kids will have the chance to live with local families and enjoy the rural lifestyle.

During the evening we will be enjoy a presentation from the local kids in the village on traditional song and dance as we eat another very tasty meal. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 4 - Morning Activities in the Village and Drive to Pacuare Ecolodge (Pacuare Ecolodge)

Today we will spend some time in the morning in the village learning different cultural activities or a community 

Pacuare River

service project. 

After lunch we will make our way on to the nearby Pacuare Ecolodge where we will get a bonfire going and get ready for the night in the jungle with great views of the Pacuare River. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 5  - Raft Pacuare River & Travel to Caribbean (Villas Caribe)

Today we will be rafting the Pacuare River. This is rated by National Geographic as one of the top 3 most scenic rivers on the planet and surrounded by primary rainforest for start to finish.

See you on the Nature Hike!

When we are done with the rafting adventure we will drive out to the Caribbean coast where we will be staying on the white sandy beaches of the Caribbean. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 6 - Beach Day & Nature Hike (Villas Caribe)

Today we will take one of the best nature hikes in all of Costa Rica. Here you will have the chance to see a number of different species along with expansive views of the Caribbean sea. In the afternoon the kids will have some time to sit with their feet in the sand or play in the waves. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 7 - Fly Home

Today we will make the drive back to the SJO San Jose Airport. Having an afternoon flight would be best as we will have a 3 1/2 hour drive from the Caribbean to the airport. (Meals: Breakfast)