Ridgefield Community Service/Adventure CR 2013

Day 1 ---- La Condesa & have luggage for homestay transported to Casa Turire Hotel from airport for storage (La Condesa)

Preparing kids for the future

Welcome to Costa Rica. Today you will be met outside the airport by some familiar faces as we get ready for a 3rd Annual Ridgefield Costa Rican Science Adventure. We will make the 20 minute drive to the first hotel where we will be staying. Here we will have dinner and the kids will get an orientation of what the trip will entail. It will be an early-to-bed after dinner because we want to be rested for the full week of learning and adventure. (Meals: Dinner)

Day 2 ---- Orphanage & Enter Cave (Sleep in Cave)  

After breakfast we'll go to the Hogar Sembra (the orphanage) where the Ridgefield kids always seem to be the favorites. It is one of the most memorable experiences of the trip and a chance to play some games and give the most precious gift possible from CT and that is friendship. After about 1 1/2 hour stay at the orphanage we will get on the road and be heading South. We will have box lunches on the bus and the arrive to the entrance of the Cave around 1:30pm. After the bus ride we will get out, stretch and loosen up to get ready for the hike into the cave. This is going to be our first experience in the rainforest. We'll go over the basics of the different levels of the rainforest, how it differs from other forests, its roll in controlling climate, and the effects when rainforest is lost, such as soil degradation, carbon storage, and the water cycle. We will open up the week with our CRR Standards and todays topic which will relate to all that follow will be Climate.  (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 3 ---- Cave Activities & Travel to Turrialba (Casa Turire Hotel)

 If you want to learn a little environmental science it is just like learning Spanish. You have to immerse yourself in the culture to learn Spanish and here we believe you have to immerse yourself in the environment to learn about the environment. This is about as immersed as it gets. We will be doing a number of activities today and learning a great deal while having fun. Today the CRR Standard is Food & Biomimicry which all can relate to how the tropical environment around us provides us with the essentials we need to live. After  learning about Biomimicry we will rappel a 120ft waterfall. This is a real adventure in the jungle and the kids love it. It is one of the most beautiful spots you will find in all of Costa Rica. Then it's lunchtime in the cave followed by a short educational section with a hands on activity about Biomimicry. This is a Science that deals with learning from nature and not just learning about nature. It allows the kids to find different things in the rainforest and we supply them with answers of how what they found could solve some of today's problems. It is an excellent lesson on sustainability as nature makes its products withwaste and many of nature's other inventions are being used today in the search for greener energy.

After our hands-on exercises, getting the kids excited about what nature has mastered to perfection and we are still working on in some areas, we will then take the young scientists to the Jumping Rock!!! This is a chance for them to take an afternoon hike and jump off a waterfall. It is about a 15 ft waterfall and a great adventure for those looking for a little adrenaline. In the evening it is off to the Turrialba area  where they will be staying in the beautiful Casa Turire with views of the smoking Turrialba Volcano (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 4 ---- Full Day Community Service (Homestay Program)  


Today we will be making the short trip to the homestays. We will be taking part in a full day project of community service which will involve working to build, paint, or help out in someway the nearby community. Our homestay program is what we feel has changed lives. We get the kids to reflect on their time and focus on community service and living extremely happy under simple conditions.

 We will also be doing an afternoon activity that will cover the next topic of our CRR Standards (Biodiversity & Water: See Standards). We will enjoy dinner in the evening get a good night's rest since we'll need all the energy we have for dancing in the homestays! (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 5 ----  Full day of Local Homestay activities (Homestay)

With all of the adventures we have to offer there is seldom one that people prefer more than the homestay experience at Sitio de Mata. Today we will have a full day activities planned where the homestays get a chance to share their culture with us. We will be covering the CRR Standards of Cultural Awareness, Language, & Health. This is a chance for the kids to experience the true Costa Rica experience and one of the best parts of Costa Rica---it's people. We will also have a community service project today that will entail doing some work for the community. This is a chance for the kids to give back for the amazing stay they will be experiencing. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 6 ---- Rafting and drive to Arenal (Arenal Hotel)

Roth Table - For 30!

Today we plan on getting an early start on the river. We will arrive to the river before the other companies arrive because this is one of the top rivers on the planet which makes it a place a lot of people want to see. National Geographic has this as one of the top five scenic rivers on the planet. We will have breakfast in the homestays, say good-bye to our families, and then be on our way to the river. We will also plan on having a river lunch planned and if you don't mind us saying we are excellent chefs on the river. This is a chance for the kids to just play on the river bank with nothing organized and go over one of our most important standards and that is CRR Standard Ecoliteracy. After lunch it is a few more rapids and then we are on our way to the Arenal volcano. We will be arriving early enough where the kids can stop for some shopping and then head to the beautiful Casa Luna Lodge. This is a great spot for student groups with an excellent view of the volcano. We will have dinner waiting for us when we arrive and then everyone should be pretty tired so it will be easy falling asleep tonight. (Meals: Breakfast, RIVER LUNCH!, & Dinner)

Day 7 ---- Zipline, Community Service, and Hotsprings (Arenal Hotel)

Today is another day full of adventure, fun and giving back. We plan on trying to do a quick overview of every standard of our program. We will also learn about the volcanos of Costa Rica and no better place to do it than from a zipline through the rainforest alongside one of the most active volcanoes on the planet. After the zipline we will take a much deeper look into our CRR Standard of Food which will be the tour at the Organic Farm. This will not just be a tour on the organic farm we will also be doing some community service work where we will be working for a local farm getting dirty and helping out in building compost for the local school system. During the actual farm tour we will walk through a completely Organic Farm with an amazing educator named Don Juan. He teaches youth and adults about the importance of our food supply and what needs to be done to meet the population growth of our planet. In the evening it is all fun as we visit the hotsprings and the kids can go on the slide 1,000 times each. After this full day and we will have a very special farewell dinner with our new friends from the Ridgefield Group. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)


Day 8 ---- Fly Home!


Today we load up the bus and head back to the airport. (Meals: Breakfast)

Honeymoon-Nature-Adventure

Day 1 ------ Arrive & Drive to Central Pacific (Villas Rio Mar)



Today we will meet you outside the airport and then be on our way to the Central Pacific. You will have around a 2 1/2 hour drive from the airport. Depending on your flight time we will get you to the Pacific for a very nice sunset. (Meals: None)




Day 2 ------ Enter the Cave (Sleep Behind Waterfall)

We will waste no time on the adventure. We will make a 20 minute drive into the mountains and from there it is time to hike. We will have about a 2 hour hike that is on rough terrain. It is well worth getting there though as you will get the chance to rappel down a waterfall and sleep behind a waterfall. This is one of the most amazing places Costa Rica has to offer and a bit off the beaten path. You will also be rappeling a 120ft waterfall today.  (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 3 ------ Leave Cave and Drive to Turrialba (Casa Turire)


Today we will hike to some pools where you can have the option to jump off a waterfall into the pools below. After we hike out of the cave we will drive to the area of Turrialba. This will take us over Costa Rica's tallest mountain range and a chance to see some of the best views of this small country. When we arrive we will be at the Casa Turire hotel which is a small boutique hotel excellent for honeymoons. From the hotel you will have perfect views of the active and smoking volcano of Turrialba. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)


Day 4 ------ Enter Pacuare River (Camp Pacuare)


Back to the jungle and in our opinion the most beautiful part of Costa Rica. Today we enter the Pacuare River where we will be doing an over night camping trip. This is not roughing it by any means and the campsite is very nice. It also happens to be on what National Geographic calls one of the top 5 scenic rivers on the planet. We will get an early start and spend all morning on the river and the evening at the campsite just relaxing in a hammock. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)


Day 5 ------ Leave Pacuare & Drive to Caribbean (Almonds & Corals)


Today we take out of Pacuare but first we have to raft the Pacuare Canyon which has some of the best class IV rapids you can find. This is a great adventure and a chance to spend another day in the jungle and on the river. Also since you said you wanted to see some animals on this trip we are taking you to the Ecolodge that has the most animals you can hope to find anywhere in Costa Rica. This also happens to be where I would opt to stay if I had to pick a place to stay in Costa Rica. It is a true ecolodge and a very nice touch of luxury. It shows that it is a true ecolodge because the animals call it home also. It is an amazing place where you will literally have primary forest, sloths, monkeys, and everything else just outside your door. Also it is just steps from the white sandy beaches of the Caribbean. (Meals: Breakfast & Dinner)


Day 6 ------ Tree Rappel and Relax at Beach (Almonds & Corals)


Today is a different kind of adventure as you get more time to trek through the jungle and get an upclose look at some of Costa Rica's most beautiful trees. We will be making our way through the canopy of the trees but with ropes. This is a great adventure and the evening can be spent just relaxing at the beach of the hotel. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)


Day 7 ------ Relax at Hotel or Visit Indigenous Tribe (Almonds & Corals)


Today you can relax at the Almonds & Corals or if you are up for it I am always willing to visit the local indigenous tribe of the Bribri. They are some of the most special people in all of Costa Rica with a willingness to show off their ancient knowledge in the areas of medicinal plants and living sustainably in the jungle. A great day can be made just seeing how they live and going deep into the reservation. (Meals: Breakfast & Dinner)


Day 8 ------ Fly Home!


Today we will make our way to the airport. Depending on your flight time we will probably be getting an early start but if you have an afternoon flight it would work best for today. (Meals: Breakfast)

Vicki Hodges Panama Off The Grid Costa Rica

Vicki, I think this was your bed

Day 1 ---------- Arrive and Drive to Sitio de Mata (Homestays)

Today we will meet you in the morning and you should know the routine Vicki. This year we will have a show put on for the arrival of the Vicki Hodges and gang at the Juan Santa Maria Airport. We will make the drive to the homestays and if you have the 6am arrival like the year before we can arrive for an early lunch (after about 3 hours of hugging Fressy and Joselyn), take a nap, and then be rested for some afternoon activities. (Meals: Lunch & Dinner)

Day 2 ---------- Homestay Activities & Waterfall Rappel (Homestays)


Today we will fill with some activities in the area. We also do a local rappel and if the kids are ready for some adventure we can do a morning rappel of around 100ft. This is an excellent adventure and we can even send Marci on it first when she is here in August just to prove it is safe. After the rappel which is just a few hundred yards from Sitio de Mata we will do some of the local activities and get ready for the evening activities. We will be doing a party this year that you will not forget. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3 ---------- Raft Pacuare & Drive to Finca Educativa (Finca Educativa)


One of my favorite things about today is that we will be leaving for the river at 6am. This will allow us to be on the river before everyone else and it is absolutely beautiful. When we take out of the river we will be driving to the Finca Educativa which is a very very remote area that is located in the Bribri Indian reservation which extends into Panama. This is a simple lodging but a great place to be for one night. The kids will love it and we will have the place to ourselves. Just another night in the jungle of an ancient indian tribe!!!!!!! (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 4 ---------- Enter Bribri Reserve & Paddle Out (Camp on River)

Today we will enter into the heart of the Bribri territory. This is one of my favorite trips Vicki. It is an adventure arriving there as we will make our way across a river and then in the back of a truck which now has benches which it did not in the video. When we arrive we will see how the indians live and here the story of how they have tried to keep their culture alive. It is an interesting lesson on the knowledge of the little kids. After lunch in the reservation we will make our way out by river. We will be camping on the river for the night. This is real camping and no bathrooms although we will have all of the gear and have it set up for you when you arrive. We send out the equipment raft first. These are not rapids this is a larger floating river where we will be riding down in Indian canoes! (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 5 ---------- Paddle out in Morning and Drive to Bocas (Bocas del Toro)

Today we will make our way to the famous islands that Panama has to offer. The area of Bocas del Toro is one of Panama's top spots. We will make our way out to Bocas del Toro by boat and when we arrive you will have some time to relax at the hotel. You will not be disappointed with clear blue water of Bocas as it looks like something out of a movie or better yet it looks like something out of one of Vicki Hodges Trips out of the US! (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Bocas del Toro Panama

Day 6 ---------- Snorkel at Bocas del Toro (Bocas del Toro)


Today you will head out for some of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean. The area of Bocas is known for having excellent water sports. It will be island life for the two days you are here and a chance just to enjoy the water. In the evening it is back to the hotel and a little last night island party for the land-locked Cedaredge crowd. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)


Day 7 ---------- Travel Back to San Jose (Airport Hotel)


Today is a travel day back to the Central Valley of Costa Rica. It is a relatively smooth traveling back other than waiting for Marci at the border after she tries to smuggle cheap medical supplies from Panama. We will stay at a hotel close to the airport and you will be out first thing in the morning. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)


Day 8 ---------- Fly Home!


Travel to the airport and fly home!

Christina Sample Itin Oct 21st - Nov 1st 2012

Day 1 ------- Arrive and travel to Cloud-forest  (Villa Blanca)

Nayara Resort

Today your private naturalist guide and driver will meet you at the airport. Here you will make your way to a beautiful hotel known as Villa Blanca. This is located in the center of the cloudforest. It was a former vacation home of an ex-president of Costa Rica and now has upscale cabins on the property using the main home as the social and dining area. It is a great hotel and a perfect first night for your Costa Rica Vacation. This is around a 1 hour and 15 minute drive from the airport. (Meals: None)


Day 2 ------ Drive to Arenal Volcano (Nayara Resort)

View of Arenal Volcano

Today you can spend the morning visiting the walking trails in the cloud-forest and then you will be on your way to the Arenal Volcano. This is one of the 10 most active volcanos on Earth. You will be staying in the Nayara Resort which happens to be one of our favorite hotels and a spot you will not want to leave. The views from the rooms at Nayara are some of the best you will find in all of the Arenal Volcano area. The drive from the Villa Blanca to Nayara is around 2 hours. (Meals: Breakfast)




Day 3 ------ Hanging Bridges & Zipline (Nayara Resort)


Today you will get the chance to see some nature. We plan on making nature as much part of your trip as possible. The hanging bridges is a chance for you to see the top of the rainforest where most of the action is. You will walk on suspended bridges with your naturalist guide and learn about the many different things from plants that eat flies, to bugs that have lights, and the four different types of monkeys in Costa Rica. After the hanging bridges it will be time to get the adrenaline going a little bit on the zipline. This is optional and kids are allowed so they can take a look and decide if they are up for it. There are two cables that are used for practice to let people decide if they want to take on the adventure.  (Meals: Breakfast)


Day 4 ------ Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge & HotSprings (Nayara Resort)

El Silencio

We said we wanted to show you some nature and this is a great spot for it. The Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge is a chance to see some of the many different animals in Costa Rica. It is located just 1 hour from the Nayara Resort and you will then get on a boat where you will float through the northern wetlands of Costa Rica. You will have the chance to spend the evening back in the Arenal area and enjoy the amazing hotsprings as you relax in the thermal waters. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)


Day 5 ------ Travel to El Silencio Lodge (El Silencio Lodge)

Your next stop is a place that is completely surrounded by nature. This is where elegance meets the jungle. It is a Costa Rican owned lodge located in the heart of the rainforest. You will be staying here only one night. This will break up the drive to the next hotel and is also worth the stop for one night. (Meals: Breakfast)


Day 6 ------ Drive to Turrialba (Hacienda Tayutic)

Hacienda Tayutic

Today you will drive to the Turrialba area where you will have views of another active volcano which has been smoking from it's crater for over a year. This makes for beautiful views from your room at the Hacienda Tayutic. The Hacienda Tayutic is a hotel that is one of a kind here in Costa Rica. It is only a six bedroom hotel which is located in a beautiful rural mountain setting in the mountains of Turrialba. The rooms and food is some of the finest you will find in all of Costa Rica. (Meals: Breakfast)


Day 7 ------ Raft Pejibaye River (Hacienda Tayutic)

Rafting for Kids

Today we are going to take the kids for some adventure. We know you do not want rafting that is toorough so we will be enjoying the day on the Pejibaye river. Everyone will get wet but this is a small river we use for elders and small kids that want a little bit of adventure. It will be a nice day on the river with plenty of little pools for the kids to swim in. You will have a river lunch made for you while maybe having to share it with a few monkeys. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)






Day 8 ------ Travel to Caribbean Beach (Almonds & Corals)

Almonds & Corla

With most Costa Rica being in the heart of the rainy season in October & November it is the Caribbean side that gets the sunshine. The Caribbean side is the part of Costa Rica that has beautiful beaches, blue waters, and not extremely crowded like other places of the country. The hotel that we feel is one of the finest on the Caribbean and all of Costa Rica is Almonds & Corals. It is a place that the best location just steps from the beach. It is filled with wildlife. There are monkeys, sloths, and toucans literally everywhere. There are few hotels now in Costa Rica that can offer this level of wildlife. This is a luxurious eco-lodge which means they are committed to operating their resort with respect to the environment. All of our guest love when they stay at Almonds & Corals but you should know it is an eco-lodge but with a very luxurious twist to it. They redid the rooms just one year ago and it is beautiful. (Meals: Breakfast & Dinne






Day 9 ------ Chocolate Tour & Relax at Beach (Almonds & Corals)


Today we plan on taking you to a Chocolate tour. If you are in to watching how the indigenous locals make chocolate then this 30 minute tour just a few kilometers from the hotel is a good way to get out and see the country-side of the Caribbean. After the tour it is back to the Almonds & Corals where you can just relax at the beach or enjoy the wildlife from your room. (Meals: Breakfast & Dinner)


Day 10 ------ Snorkel in Playa Uva (Almonds & Corals)

Howler Monkey

The Caribbean side of Costa Rica is known for it's corals and that it why we plan on going out for some snorkeling. This is very easy snorkeling and we can take sea-kayaks out to the area of Playa Uva. We will spend the morning snorkeling and then enjoy the evening relaxing at the hotel on the beach or we can take you out to explore some more areas around the Caribbean. (Meals: Breakfast)


Day 11 ------ Travel to San Jose (Grano de Oro Hotel)

Say good-bye to the Caribbean blue ocean as today we will make our way back to San Jose where we plan on staying in the Grano de Oro Hotel. This is our favorite hotel in the city and the kids always get a kick out of it being the former home of the family that owns the cookie factory in Costa Rica, Pozuelo family. This will put us just 20 minutes from the airport for your final day departure. (Meals: Breakfast)

Hola Christina

Day 12 ------ Fly Home!


Travel to the airport and fly home

Miami Country Day Costa Rica 2012

Learn Biomimicry with a Blue Morph

 Day 1:  (Jan. 29th) ----- Arrive and Drive to Pacific Coast (Pacific Beach Hotel)

Today we will meet you at the airport and drive to the Central Pacific. We will arrive in the early afternoon and everyone can dip their feet in the waters of the Pacific. We will then get some rest after a long day of traveling and ready for the big hike to sleep behind the waterfall. (Meals: Dinner)

Day 2:  (Jan. 30th) ----- Hike, Rappel, & Sleep Behind Waterfall (Sleep Behind Waterfall)

Today we will make the 20 minute drive into the mountains and then begin the hike. This is a pretty intense hike and the kids always do fine but they should understand it is a 1 hour and 30 minute hike of stairs. It is a great challenge and well worth it when arriving to one of the most scenic areas in all of Costa Rica. When we arrive we will gear up and rappel down a waterfall. Those that do not want to rappel can just relax behind the waterfall enjoying the views and sound of the tropical rainforest. All meals will be included in the cavern. There are bathrooms, showers, beds, and linens are all provided during your stay. This is camping but not roughing it by any means. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 3:  (Jan. 31st) ----- Hike to another waterfall and then travel to Sanchiri Hotel (Sanchiri)

Today we will hike a little bit more and visit another waterfall. Here the kids leap off a 15 foot waterfall into a beautiful pool where then can then enjoy swimming at the bottom. The hike to the top is not too strenuous and well worth being at the top of this canyon looking at numerous waterfalls that fall down the canyon. We will also visit the tallest waterfall in all of Costa Rica called the Diamante Falls which is around 600ft. We will be able to look out over the horizon and see the Pacific coastline from sitting at the top of Costa Rica's tallest waterfall.  Then we'll hike out of the cavern where the buses will be waiting for us and we will make our way to the town just before Turrialba. The hotel we will be staying in has one of the best views in all of Costa Rica. We will be looking out over the Orosi Valley and staying at the Sanchiri Hotel. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 4:  (Feb.  1st) ----- Enter Pacuare River 2-Day Adventure (Pacuare River Lodge)

We will wake up and enjoy breakfast at Sanchiri. We'll leave the hotel around 8:30am and head to the upper part of the Pacuare River. Here we will begin our two day Pacuare Trip. If the rafting was your favorite part of the trip then this year we will make sure you get plenty of it. We will start a little farther up river than last year and you will get two days of rafting. Probably our favorite adventure for all student groups is our night on the river. Here we will be staying at the Pacuare Tent-camp Lodge. This is sleeping in tents but again it is not roughing it. The tents are above ground, there is a social/dining area, bathrooms & showers, and an area just to relax sitting in hammocks with views downstream. You will be surrounded by the rainforest for two days and wake up to the sound of the river. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 5:  (Feb. 2nd) ----- Day 2 of Rafting Pacuare River (La Condesa Hotel)

Today we will take on the larger rapids of the Pacuare. We will wake up and have all day to spend on the river. It is great to be right at the river so early which allows us to get an early start and make some hikes to different waterfalls along the way. We will take some educational hikes through the rainforest and make it a day full of education and adventure from start to finish. When we take out of the river we will make our way back to La Condesa Hotel which is a very nice hotel just 20 minutes from the San Jose Airport. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 6:  (Feb.  3rd) ----- Fly Home!

Back to Miami!

Do you know how the kingfisher was used by Biomimics?

Costa Rica Sample Itin April 1st - 9th 2012

April 1st - 9th Science based Adventure Trip w/Community Service Costa Rica

Do you see NYC? 

Day 1 ---- Arrive and stay in the Central Valley (Central Valley Hotel)

Today we will meet you at the airport and take you to your first hotel. We will have an orientation going over some key things for the week and everyone will get an outline and a booklet of what to expect, times of departure, and rules for the week to keep everything going smoothly. The first night we plan on staying in the central valley which will not be far from the airport and a chance to rest up after a long day of traveling from the New York area. (Meals: Dinner)

Day 2 ---- Visit Girls Orphanage and Travel to Central Pacific (Beach Hotel)

This is one of our favorite stops. We visit a girls orphanage where the girls range in ages from 13 - 18 and if you don't speak Spanish it does not matter. It is one of the best community service projects we offer and it gives a chance to spend time and socialize with the girls which is the best gift they can receive. We plan a few games for the morning and then we are on our way to the Central Pacific. Here you will have a chance to give those east coast feet a dip in the Pacific ocean. We will learn today the difference between the tropical moist forest and the tropical dry forest as we travel south along the coast. When we arrive to the beach the kids will get their first lesson on plate tectonics and the formation of Costa Rica 3 million years ago along with the volcanic activity and the reason for the darker sand. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)

Day 3 ---- Hike to Cavern, Rappel Waterfall, & Sleep Behind Waterfall (Cavern)

Let the fun begin and we hope you take the kids to the Empire State building a few weeks before to train for this. We take a number of student groups here a year so it is nothing too hard but it is quite the hike. We will have our first nature hike here where you will have the chance to learn about the many different species of plants and animals of the rainforest. We will also touch on the topic of biomimicry as we visit a permaculture garden. When we arrive to the cavern you will experience one of the most beautiful places in all of Costa Rica and also one of the least tourist places. We will rappel a 150ft waterfall and then be sleeping behind three large waterfalls. This is a true rainforest experience and one all of our guest never forget. It is one of the best night sleeps you will have with no bugs and just the ultimate dream machine. This is sleeping in the jungle but it is not rough at all. There are beautiful bathrooms and showers and the beds are very comfortable. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 4 ---- Hike to Pools & Diamante Waterfall (Turrialba Hotel)

Today we will hike to some pools in the area where the kids can have the chance to jump off a 15 ft waterfall into a pool. This is a great day in the jungle and a chance for kids to be kids with safety first of course. We will then visit the tallest waterfall in Costa Rica completely hidden in the jungle called Diamante Falls. We will make our way to the top of the falls where we will have a chance to look out over the edge and see the horizon of the Pacific ocean from over 600ft high waterfall and 1200ft above sea-level. After the morning of adventure we will have our last meal in the cavern and make our way to the next hotel. We will drive through the Paramo which will give the kids another lesson on a different part of the tropics they might not have been familiar with. The next hotel has great views of the nearby volcanos of Irazu and Turrialba where you can see the Turrialba volcano smoking from its main crater.  (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)

Day 5 ---- Travel to Rural Village and do Community Service Project (Homestay)

Today we will make our way into one of the most beautiful places in Costa Rica. This is a mountain village called Sitio de Mata and it is where we have developed our rural tourism project. Here you will see the most beautiful species in all of Costa Rica and that is the people. We will have two days of events and a some community service planned. You get treated here better than any 5-star hotel could ever treat you. The stay is always the top pick of our student groups. Everyone home in the village has breathtaking views of the smoking Turrialba volcano and we are just on the other side of the famous Pacuare River which is one of National Geographics top 3 rivers on the planet for whitewater rafting. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 6 ---- Community Activities and Community Service (Homestay)

Today we will take part in some community service activities. We will first be planting some trees as we do with most of our groups. Here we plan to educate the kids on the importance of reforestation. In the afternoon we will have more community activities planned and then in the evening a full blown party where the village will perform local dance, local food, and amazing fun for all as we celebrate our last night with our new friends. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 7 ---- Enter Pacuare River for 2-Day Rafting Adventure (Pacuare River Tent Camp)

It just keeps getting better and better. This is a bit different than the Hudson River and I can promise you that everyone will love this adventure. The Pacuare River is one of those special places that you can visit every single day and it will never get old. That is why we always try and spend two days on the river when groups are up for it. This is an overnight camping trip on one of the most beautiful rivers in the world. It is not roughing it by any means. Everything is set up for you. There is a dinning area, a lounging area, and even the tents are above ground with bathrooms and showers luxuriously made from bambu. We will have a nature hike going into more detail about the rianforest and trying to give examples to the kids about the what nature can do for us. Not just learning about nature but what we can learn from nature. We often touch the subject of biomimicry during many of our tours because we find the kids seem to get interested learning about this. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 8 ---- Raft Pacuare Canyon and drive to Central Valley (La Condesa Hotel)

Pacuare River Camp Lodge

Today we will raft the famous class IV rapids of the Pacuare Canyon. This is a great day of getting soaked from start to finish. The adventure is non-stop and the scenery is like non other with waterfalls, canyons, and virgin rainforest from start to finish. We will take out of the Pacuare River and make our way back to the Central Valley where you will stay in La Condesa hotel to celebrate your final night. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 9 ---- Fly Home! 

Here we will be just minutes from the airport and we will catch your flight back to NY and start planning next years adventure!