Days 1-2

Group members choosing to depart on the designated group flight will be meeting in the Miami airport and traveling together to the capital city of San Jose. Our flight is a great opportunity to start learning people's names and their hometowns. After landing at the international airport, our leaders will help each student clear customs and collect his or her baggage. Since it has been a long travel day for most of us, our group will stay the first two nights in Costa Rica at a local hostel. After a good night sleep, everyone will be anxious to get up and start our orientation in this foreign country. Immediately following breakfast, our introduction to Costa Rica will begin with a fun day of Spanish language and cultural instruction. "Pura Vida" or "Pure Life" is the national saying amongst the local Costa Ricans. After spending just a few days in this Central American Country, it is easy to see why people take such a simple approach to life.

Days 3-7

Today, Costa Rica's west coast with its consistent waves have become a popular destination for surfers from around the world. In addition, surf schools have emerged throughout the country to cater to people eager to learn the fundamentals of riding a wave. We will spend the next three days with surfing instruction combined with a sea turtle conservation project. Here, on the remote, private beaches of the Pacific shore, our professional surfing instructors will introduce us to this exciting sport in the warm waters of the azure ocean. With wide, stable boards, you will be amazed how quickly you can pick up this thrilling sport. The beginner beach breaks provide rolling waves that one can ride for several hundred yards. We will have access to short boards and more challenging breaks for experienced surfers. Before you know it, you will be "hanging ten" in Costa Rica. During our evenings, we'll combine fun surfing with meaningful ecological service work. Giving back to these beautiful beaches and the Sea Turtles that live there, we'll learn about Sea Turtle ecology and habitat, conduct nightly beach patrols and participate in beach preservation projects. Collecting data that will be used in worldwide studies on Sea Turtle migration and habitat is an excellent way to immerse even further in this new environment. This is an especially amazing opportunity to work with one of Costa Rica's greatest natural treasures.

Days 8-11

One of last great frontiers in all of Central America is the Peninsula de Osa area located on the Pacific ocean near the Panamanian border. The Golfo Dulce is one of the few areas on the Pacific Ocean in Costa Rica that is conducive to extensive sea kayaking. We will be exploring the mangroves and paddling along side and walking on deserted beaches. This is a great time to see dolphins, turtles, and rays. On our first day, we will stop and explore waterfalls that are accessible only by boat. There will be several great locations to do some snorkeling in the afternoon as well. On day two, our group will paddle around the mysterious Mogos Islands (said to hold pirate treasure and Indian burial grounds), where we always stop to do a little exploring. The Esquinas River (largest mangrove estuary in the Golfo of Duce) is another unforgettable stop with excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. On the final morning, our group will start paddling at 5 a.m. It is nice to leave early so we get a few hours of paddling in before the sun comes up. We will have a great view of the sunrise from the kayaks. Upon arriving back in the small fishing village of Puerto Jimenez, our group will spend a busy afternoon catching up on some end of trip errands such as taking showers, doing laundry and organizing all of our clothes and equipment for the next few days.

Days 12-15

For the next four days, our group will explore several areas of Corcovado National Park. The park is one of the most biodiverse regions of Costa Rica. It is home of the largest population of Scarlet macaws in the country and protects more than 500 species of trees. In addition, there are over 140 species of mammals, 367 species of birds, 117 amphibians and reptiles, 40 species of fish and approximately 6000 different kinds of insects. In the past, our groups have seen giant anteaters, monkeys, and several species of wild cats. Starting in the southeast corridor of the national park near the town of Carate, our three day hike will take us along this dramatic Pacific wilderness coastline. Our hiking trails will travel through isolated beaches and virgin rainforest on our way to our base camp located in the outpost of Sirena. From our camp, we will have the opportunity to explore some of famous hiking trails with a local ranger and naturalist.
 

Days 16-18

Traveling northeast to the central portion of the country, the Savegre area will be a nice complement to our time spent on the coast. Here, we will be hiking, bathing in natural thermal spas, and participating in an ongoing WV village service project. The small village town of San Gerarado de Dota will be our camping base in the area. In addition to the stunning beauty of the Savegre, the wildlife is equally spectacular. Costa Rica has 850 recorded species and boasts one-tenth of the world's total. It has more species of birds than all North America combined. Here, we will have an excellent chance to view rare jewels such as the Quetzal and the Scarlet Macaw.
 

Days 19-20

A trip to Costa Rica would not be complete without a white-water rafting adventure on the Pacuare River. Considered one of the best jungle river experiences anywhere in the world, you will be amazed at the shear beauty of the place. As we raft through Class II & III whitewater, our boats will pass by large waterfalls cascading into the narrow gorges. The jungle is full of life with frequent spotting of wildlife such as exotic birds, monkeys and giant sloth. Not needing any experience, our local Costa Rican rafting guides will teach us the basics of navigating our boats with confidence and ease. Each evening, our accommodations will be in a rustic river lodge situated right on the river’s edge. Besides running the rapids of the Pacuare, other highlights will be traveling through the rain forest canopy via a zip line and visiting a remote indigenous community a short hike from one of our campsites. At the conclusion of the rafting trip, we will take out extremely close to where the river flows into the Atlantic Ocean. It is a short commute back to the capital city of San Jose to stay one more night at a local hostel near the airport.
 

Days 21-22

Upon arriving back into the capital city, we will check-in to our hostel where people can relax for a few hours and get ready for the final banquet. Walking just a short distance down the street, our group will have a final farewell banquet celebrating all of our accomplishments from the summer. It is great way to bring closure to such a special experience. We have met so many good friends that it will be difficult to forget them.