• An immersion into a unique rural community in Costa Rica that has a co-operative approach to living and working. We’ll also enjoy a stay at an exquisite nature retreat perched on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
  

• A cultural and learning experience, living and working with people for whom community is a major focus in their lives. Families live independently but share major decisions, work and profits. This is an opportunity for us to experience day-to-day rural Costa Rican life and culture. Typically, the families in this community are warm, accepting and very hospitable.
  

• A chance to contribute to the well-being of the community. We’ll be more than just observers. We’ll work on projects that are important to the community.
  

• An opportunity to experience the breathtaking beauty of Costa Rica’s volcanoes, waterfalls, beaches and rainforests as well as the vibrant culture of its people.
  

Itinerary

Day one
Our guide will meet us at the airport and escort us to our hostel in the university section of San Jose. We’ll settle in, then get acquainted with the area and the rest of our journey.

Day two
We’ll spend the morning visiting Poas Volcano, dormant now but still steaming and later, explore the urban culture of downtown San Jose. We’ll enjoy dinner at a typical “Tico” restaurant.

Days three to eight
We’ll travel north to a unique co-operative community, where we’ll be immersed in the lives of the people who live there.

Accommodation
We’ll live with families, sharing meals and family life and become part of the fabric of the community.

Activities

• In the mornings we’ll work on community projects such as the pineapple plantation or the manioc fields.
  
  
• Afternoon excursions will include a hike to nearby Rio Tres Amigos (river), a visit with students at the community school and to a craft project run by local women.
  
  
• We’ll spend a day travelling to Arenal, the only active volcano in the country and to a spectacular waterfall at La Fortuna.
  
  
• Evenings will be spent with families enjoying community activities.
  

Days eight to eleven
We’ll travel to an exquisite nature retreat perched on a ridge overlooking the Pacific Ocean. This site has a strong environmental focus. It’s situated on the edge of Ballena National Park, the only marine park in the country and the breeding ground for Humpback whales. The owner, who was largely responsible for the park designation, has created a stunning property.

Accommodation
The buildings are beautifully designed, handcrafted from materials on-site and powered by solar panels. The food is superb and much of it is grown organically on the property.

Activities

• There is a crescent-shaped private beach surrounded by primary coastal rainforest where we can do some supervised surfing and boogie boarding. This beach is one of the safest in the area, due both to its shape and the protective coral reef offshore.
  
  
• This is a coastal rainforest and we’ll see both white-faced and howler monkeys as well as many different species of birds, reptiles and amphibians.
  
  
• We’ll experience a night hike in the rainforest.
  
  
• Our stay at the nature retreat will allow us a chance to do some reflection and learn a little about marine ecosystems and local environmental concerns.
  

Day eleven
Depart for home.

Registration Form (PDF file)