Description

Bienvenidos a Sarapiqui
Grand rainforest vistas, teeming waterways, and jungle adventures await you in Sarapiqui, a rural region known for its natural beauty and commitment to conservation. A little-known paradise, Sarapiqui will also introduce you to the charms of rural Costa Rica, where the people are friendly, the pace of life is easy going, and the service is rewarding and truly appreciated.

Lend a Hand
Immerse yourself in the rhythm of local life as you work with community leaders on service projects ranging from building sidewalks and chalkboards for elementary schools to painting a community center. Tutoring English in the elementary school or painting and remodeling the facilities in an effort to brighten the learning environments are also possible projects. (Service at the schools is subject to school vacations and closings.) You may also work with local families on home improvement projects, which could include building bathrooms or tiling common areas. When the service comes to an end, your new rainforest home will provide endless opportunities for exploration and adventure.

The Jungle
Throughout your time in Sarapiqui the flora and fauna of the jungle will surround you. Wake up to birds singing to you from the trees, watch as monkeys swing through the branches, and admire the flood of vegetation on the rivers sandy banks. Sarapiqui is home to several protected zones, including parts of Braulio Carrillo National Park and La Selva Biological Station. Cruise down the Sarapiqui River in search of waterfowl, iguanas, monkeys, turtles, sloths, and the amazing Jesus Christ lizards. Led by knowledgeable guides, you will learn about Costa Ricas diverse ecosystems and the critical role they play in the health of the planet as a whole.

Your home base in Sarapiqui will be the Hacienda Pozo Azul Tent Suites, where you will have both modern comforts and the wild jungle at your fingertips. Your walls will be canvas, your main door a zipper, and your windows screened. The tents are built on platforms, and each one features two double beds and a private bathroom with running water and electricity.

Village Life
Youll love the laid-back lifestyle of Sarapiqui. After a day of service, sip on a café con leche, practice Spanish with the locals, or join a game of pick-up soccer. Enjoy a traditional Costa Rican barbecue and join community members as they get together to laugh and sing rancheras, the local folk songs. Take a rafting trip on the Sarapiquis whitewater, horseback ride in the rainforest (optional), visit a butterfly garden, or cool off with a swim in the river. The true adventure of Sarapiqui is trading the fast-paced, high-tech American lifestyle for one week of service and cultural immersion in rural Costa Rica.

Make the Connection
After a laid-back week in a Sarapiqui village, consider pumping up your adrenaline on the Great Costa Rican Scavenger Hunt and travel through Costa Rica while competing with your peers and raising money for service initiatives. Or join our Heart of the Jungle program and experience the beauty of the Osa Peninsula in Southern Costa Rica.

Highlights

LIVE in a spacious tent suite in the midst of a tropical rainforest and rise to the hum of the jungle each morning.

IMMERSE yourself in colorful Costa Rican culture and discover the tranquility and warm welcome of the country's rural villages.

GIVE BACK to your host community during service projects in schools and local homes.

DEVELOP your Spanish skills as you collaborate with local people on service projects.

EXPLORE Costa Rica's diverse landscapes and learn about its exotic wildlife during optional activities such as horseback riding, rappelling, hiking, and mountain biking.

NAVIGATE your way through class III and IV whitewater rapids as you raft the pristine Sarapiqui River.

Travel Types

• Horseback Riding
• Rafting
• Student Tours
• Volunteering

Qualifications

Students must be 14-years old and up to participate on the program. Additionally, participants must submit an application through the Rustic Pathways website and complete the appropriate documents before traveling on the program.

Type of Programs

• Adventure Travel
• Community Service / Volunteerism

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Cost in US$:

1,595 + International Airfare

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

The above cost includes all ground transportation in-country, 3 meals a day, housing, staff through the duration of the program, all supplies for the volunteer projects and all excursions on the program itinerary not listed as optional.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Age Range

14 years old and up

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Other

Scholarships are Available

Rustic Pathways is providing over 100 scholarships for the 2012 season based on a mix of both need and merit. Application deadline is every year in early Spring. Please contact us for more details on applying for a scholarship and other financial aid options.

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

1-2 business days

Rustic Pathways's Mission Statement

Rustic Pathways is a pioneer in providing superior quality travel and service programs for students and families in some of the world's most welcoming countries. Rustic Pathways demands professionalism and integrity across all of its operations, insists on quality in all aspects of its programs, and places the safety of its students above all other considerations. We enrich the lives of our students and our staff, benefit the parts of the world we serve, and build cultural bridges that lead to greater global understanding and cooperation.

Year Founded

1983