Trip Itinerary

Monday, June 16

We will arrive in San Jose and head directly to the South Pacific Coast.  Welcome to Costa Rica!!

Tuesday, June 17

Today begins in the breathtaking area of Bahia Ballena.  This South Pacific pueblo boasts picturesque beaches, pristine rainforest, stunning waterfalls, and the famous “Whale Tale” reef formation.  Although this remote town is known for it’s ever-present Tico culture, there is nothing like the sight of monkeys playing in the treetops as the high tide waves roll into the rainforest at sunset.  Bahia Ballena is an amazing area to practice your Spanish, explore Costa Rica’s natural beauty, and provide much needed service to the local community.  Upon arrival into Bahia Ballena, you will meet the locals, familiarize yourself with the community, and settle into the surf house.  At sunset, we will all head to the ocean to hang out, swim, or just admire the views.

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, June 18, 19, 20

The next three days will follow a similar format.  In the morning we will wake at sunrise and head down to the ocean for an early morning surf.  Not a surfer, no problem, our Costa Rican professional surf instructors will have you standing within an hour.  After breakfast and a quick recovery nap, we will head out to perform community service in the village.  (All projects will be determined as we get closer to the date of travel. At this point, we are unable to determine the real community needs for the summer of 2014.  In the past we worked on community projects in the village, we worked with children in the local school, and we worked in the rainforest with the park rangers).  Each day will end with a sunset walk down to the beach for yoga, a community soccer game, walk along the Whale Tale rock formation, hike in the ocean-side rainforest, go animal spotting with your Rustic Pathways guide or simply soak up one of the most beautiful sunsets you have ever seen.

Saturday, June 21

Wake up and put on your swimsuit because today everyone will enjoy a full day boat tour to Cano Island.  On the way to and from the island, take pictures of the countless whales and dolphins.  This specific area has some of the best whale watching in all of Costa Rica.  Once at Cano Island, all students will have the opportunity to jump in the water and snorkel with the fish and sea turtles.  Lunch will be served at Cano Island before we return home. We will end today with a BBQ with our village friends before tomorrow’s departure.

Sunday, June 22

Today the physical adventure begins!  After breakfast and a short bus ride, we will hike for three hours through primary and secondary rainforest up a steep hillside.  This forest is privately owned and rarely visited resulting in tons of wild flora and fauna in every direction.  As we reach the top of the hill, there is a small waterfall and a natural pool where we can cool off and relax.  After our swim, we will hike back down part of the rainforest trail to the top of a 100-ft waterfall.  From there we will individually put on a harness and rappel off the side of the waterfall into our new home for the evening - The Cave.  This cave was once inhabited by the local shaman and still maintains the feeling of magic in the air.  We will spend the night in a fully equipped cave hidden behind a waterfall.  Although it is rustic, there are beds, bathrooms, and a kitchen.  After dinner we will make a small campfire where we can play music, tell stories and wind down after an epic day.

Monday, June 23

Wake up to the golden light of sunrise filtering through a shimmering curtain of falling water and soak up this incredible moment of life.  After a hearty breakfast, we will take a morning hike through the rainforest in search of toucans, monkeys, sloth, and other wildlife before finally arriving at a 300-ft waterfall that opens up the forest to a panoramic view of the entire Pacific Coast.  We will make our way down to the famous Nuyaca waterfall before taking one last swim and heading out of the bush for good.  Enjoy a typical Costa Rican lunch of rice, beans, salad, chicken and potatoes and then a nice siesta in the bus as we head to our final destination.  We will spend the evening in the small town of Turrialba. 

Tuesday, June 24

Today we will whitewater raft the #4 river in the world!  The Pacuare River is one of the most famous rivers in the world because of it’s class IV and V rapids, as well as the numerous waterfalls and surrounding rainforest.  This is a day you will never forget.  We will return to Turrialba, completely exhausted, for one final group dinner.  Everyone will be expected to talk about lessons learned, tell their favorite story from the trip, and breakdown their theory of the Pura Vida Lifestyle.   

Wednesday, June 25

Unfortunately today we have to head back to the states.  We will have one last Costa Rican breakfast and then enjoy a 2-hour drive to the airport.  We will be sure to get there in plenty of time so there will be no stress involved.