Itinerary

UPDATED Itinerary, including hotel names/phone numbers

June 5, 2009: Today, we leave WCCS at 1 pm on a bus to Newark Airport, where our flight (Continental 1796) leaves at 5:15 pm. We arrive at the San Jose, Costa Rica International Airport at 8:25 pm. Once everyone has collected their bags, two trip leaders from Student Journeys will be waiting to greet us just outside the airport with the private bus that will be with us for the rest of the trip. Once we arrive at our private hotel in Alajuela, the guides will give us a brief introduction of Costa Rica and review the travel itinerary. Then we will head to bed to rest up for the adventures that begin tomorrow!
Hostal Branca (Tel: 011 506 2200 5696)


June 6, 2009: Rise and shine in the bustling capital of San Jose, Costa Rica. Here we will take care of any details (such as changing money) and then travel across the continental divide to the north Caribbean slopes where the active Arenal Volcano nestles. En route, we will stop at a stand for an introduction to thewonderful fruits of Costa Rica and pick up a couple of snacks for the road. After settling in to our hotel, we will head to the Sky Trek and Tram, a zip line tour that will fill your system with the most adrenaline ever as we fly over canopy tree tops and across canyons with vistas of the volcano and lake. After our adrenaline rush, we will soak in the soothing hot springs nearby and then head back to our hotel fordinner.
Hotel Kokoro (Tel: 011 506 2479 1222)

June 7, 2009: Today we awake to the vibrant green jungles of Arenal. We will stretch out our legs with a great hike through the rainforest to the La Fortuna waterfalls for a cool dip. The town of La Fortuna is a great little area to explore; therefore, we will seek out some tasty local treats for lunch. After lunch, we will continue traveling east to the lush lowlands of Sarapiqui. Upon arrival at the Sarapiqui Conservation Learning Center, there will be a brief orientation to the center, some local ice breaker activities and an introduction to the service projects we will be doing. Following, we will check in to our hotel for the evening.

Hotel La Quinta de Sarapiqui (Tel: 011 506 2761 1300)

June 8, 2009: The “tico” way is the way today!! Today we travel to the community that will host our service project- Sarapiqui. Depending on what the community decides, we might be working with a local school on a building project, working with the local municipality on the infrastructure of the community, maintenance of an old folks home, teaching English to local children, or reforesting at the nearby reserve. In the early afternoon the local women that volunteer for the Learning Center will teach us how to concoct some of the local tasty treats in a hands-on cooking class. Later, we may take up a soccer game with the local high school students and at night, if we aren’t too tired, we will head out for a night hike in hopes of seeing some of the creepy crawly night bugs!!

Hotel La Quinta de Sarapiqui (Tel: 011 506 2761 1300)

June 9, 2009: Today we will continue our service project in hopes of completing it by the end of the day. And to celebrate its completion, the local volunteers will give us a fun, interactive dance class to learn the local salsa, meringue and cumbia moves.

Hotel La Quinta de Sarapiqui(Tel: 011 506 2761 1300)

June 10, 2009: We musty awake early this morning for a shuttle to the town of Siquirres where we will have a hearty breakfast for a thrilling day of rafting through the rainforest! The Pacuare River, world re-known for its spectacular scenery and incomparable rapids, flows through abeautiful gorge lined by lush tropical forests and steep waterfalls. As we drop through the steep ravine,we will stop for a delicious river lunch prepared by our skillful guides. Towards the very end of our paddle, we will all get a chance to float through Dos Montañas, an astounding natural wonder in itself. Rafting this incomparable river will undoubtedly be one of the most memorable adventures of our trip. This evening we transfer to the Caribbean.

Hotel Yare: 011 506 2750 0420

June 11, 2009: This morning we will visit the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge just down the coast. Here anyone can rent a mask and snorkel and bring it along our hike along the coast to beautiful hidden coves and tidal pools filled with tropical fish. In the afternoon we can play a soccer match with the local kids at the nearby soccer field, and then soak in the refreshing waters and surf at Playa Cocles. Tonight we will have dinner in the town of Puerto Viejo.

Hotel Yare: 011 506 2750 0420

June 12, 2009: This morning we will load up all our stuff bright and early and head back to San Jose via the Braulio Carrillo National Park, an exuberant region with some lovely panoramas. En route we will stop at some local souvenir stores for some last minute shopping. Tonight we will head out for a final typical Costa Rican dinner to celebrate all the new things we tried and learned on the trip.

Hostal Branca (Tel: 011 506 2200 5696)

June 13, 2009: Unfortunately all things come to an end and today you have to head home on a bright and early flight. We leave San Jose (Continental 1797) at 8:00 am and arrive Newark at 3:16 pm. Then a bus picks us up and will drop us off to meet families at WCCS by approximately 5:00 pm.