June 29 – July 7, 2013
9 days / 8 nights

Only $1,449 per adult!

Children 12 to 15 – $279

Children 11 and under – $199

Costa Rica is known for it’s natural beauty, however the true beauty lies within the hearts of those who live here. Come join us for a special program this summer. Our children will be on their school break, and we have some special events planned to make this a vacation they will not forget.

This is a great opportunity to travel to the beautiful country of Costa Rica and not only appreciate the natural beauty, but to give back in a meaningful way. This itinerary is a blend of cross-cultural exchange, volunteering, and immersion into the Costa Rican lifestyle with the focus being on traditions, environmental conservation, adventure, and personal discovery.

This very special itinerary includes:

• All ground transportation
• 21 Meals
• 2 nights of hotels in San Jose
• 5 nights in Hojancha with a host family
• 1 night in the lodge at the Monte Alto Natural Reserve
• Chance to truly get to live with and get to know many local people
• A full day at one of Costa Rica´s most beautiful beaches
• All-day Hojancha “Campesino” Tour
• Wine and Cheese Sunset Picnic
• The opportunity to see lots of wildlife
• Tons of fun!

Day 1, June 29
Most participants will arrive to San Jose today. Manffred, our driver, will pick everyone up and deliver them safely to their nearby hotel, Adventure Inn. Tonight, those who have already arrived will get together for dinner.

Day 2, June 30
Today, after our included, tropical breakfast, we will make our way the approximate 3-1/2 hours to the town of Hojancha, stopping along the way for lunch at Tres Hermanas BBQ Restaurant. We’ll also pop across the street to see the variety of deer, macaws, toucans, iguanas, and other native animals at the Mi Pueblo Restaurant.

Once we arrive to Hojancha, we will get you settled in with your host family. You’ll enjoy dinner and the rest of the evening, getting to know your new family.

Day 3, July 1
This morning we will wake up early and participate in Hojancha’s new “Campesino Tour.” We have formed a cooperative and collaborative group of town members, and together we’ve created a great local tour. The purpose is twofold: It’s a great way to show off to our guests how life is in rural Guanacaste; and secondly it’s a way to bring in a bit of extra income to many local families.

We’ll begin by going to the Chon Zuñiga farm to milk cows, feed baby cows with a milk bottle, learn how to make cuajada (curd) cheese from the fresh milk they just extracted from the cow, learn about fresh fruits that grow in Costa Rica. Afterwards we will enjoy a delicious breakfast, which will include the cheese we just watched being made.

Next we’ll be visiting the Jose Campos pig farm where we’ll also meet their rodeo bulls, horses, egg production hens, as well as the hens they grow to sell as poultry.

Also, we will pass by a bee farm where honey is produced, followed by a  mouth-watering lunch at the house of Nila Venegas. We’ll eat under the trees by the river as we listen to (and participate in) live, traditional marimba music by Manuel Venegas and his family members.

After lunch we will watch a presentation by one or more of the members of “Hojarte,” a group of women from Hojancha who have been making jewelry for nearly 10 years out of natural seeds they find in the area.
The tour also includes riding horseback between certain parts of the tour and to see incredible views of the surrounding area and the Gulf of Nicoya.

Day 4, July 2
Today we volunteer in the local botanical garden! Some of us will plant, while other will do trail maintenance. There will also be some painting and other types of maintenance, such as wooden bridge construction or repairs. Late in the afternoon we will travel to an overlook and enjoy a bit of wine & cheese while we watch the sun set over the Gulf of Nicoya.

Day 5, July 3
Beach day! We’ll all pile in the bus and head to Playa Tamarindo for the day! Optional zip line tour and surfing lessons for those interested.

Day 6, July 4
Today we will all pitch in and help with Hojancha’s monthly recycling campaign in the park. It’s a great way to meet some of the great people from town. Afterward, we will take the younger kids (ages 5 to 11) on an overnight trip to the nearby Monte Alto Natural Reserve.

During the day we will have all kinds of activities, including a hike, a fun environmental education workshop, art class, and some friendly games of competition. At night we’ll have a BBQ dinner, some live music and a movie! All of us will spend the night in the very cool lodge onsite.

Day 7, July 5
After our delicious breakfast at the natural reserve, we will do a little volunteering with the park rangers at the park, and then we’ll make our way back to Hojancha in time for lunch. We’ll take the afternoon off as a well-deserved break, and to spend more time with your host family before saying goodbye!

Day 8, July 6
We’ll make our way back to San Jose today so that you can relax in the Adventure Inn Hotel one more night before flying out tomorrow. Enjoy the pizza party at night!

Day 9, July 7
Today you’ll fly home after having made a lot of new friends, and after having really gotten to know the “real” Costa Rica!

For more information, or to book your trip today,
please call 1-800-832-9419, ext 301 or +1 305-514-0154.
Alternatively, contact us via here.

Itinerary subject to change, based upon availability, weather and other factors