Spring Break 2008 Language Learning for Adults

Our Language Learning Journey during Spring Break 2008 went Costa Rica again. Our students from the 2007 trip highly recommended another similar trip, so we have mapped out the following itinerary.

10 days/9 nights in Costa Rica: Ciudad Colón – San José - Volcán Poás - Heredia– San Ramón - Bijagua de Upala – Volcán Tenorio / Río Celeste – Golfo de Nicoya / Isla Chira – Hojancha: Reserva Forestal Monte Alto – Pacific: Playa Carrillo / Sámara . $899*

• 9 overnight stays in double room.
• All breakfasts (B), 1 lunch(L), 5 dinners(D)
• All named transfers by Mini-Bus with air condition and boat
• Bilingual teachers (Trudy & Scot McGavin) throughout trip.


• Approximately 20 hours of instruction time through mini-classes throughout our stay and 1 preparatory class prior to trip

Activities:
o Visit the capital of San José with its markets, parks and traditional architecture
o Cultural class with Costa Rican Teacher – San José
o Poás Volcano and National Park
o National Institute of Biodiversity (INBIO) located in Santo Domingo de Heredia
o Easter Festivities in San Ramón, a very traditional and religious coffee growers town
o National Park Volcano Tenorio- hanging bridges
o Hike to the famous Rio Celeste with thermal waters and a waterfall
o Isla de Chira, Wildlife Rescue Centre Las Pumas Zoo
o Puerto San Pablo through dense Mangrove woods with a lot of water birds to Hojancha
o Visit the Primary school of Pilangosta and hike to Monte Alto Reserve, including Orchid Trail
o Visit Beach of Puerto Carrillo, one of the most beautiful & safest beaches of the Northern Pacific
o Visit the Coffee Cooperative Coope Pilangosta, cultural presentation of a youth dancing group of Indian Reserve Matambu

Not Included:

• Meals not mentioned above
• Air transportation to and from San José Costa Rica
• Personal items, souvenirs, etc.
• Any additional activities not mentioned above or described as Optional activities.
• Travel insurance if you choose to purchase it

Itinerary:
Friday, March 21st – Arrival to San José airport Hotel El Marañón: Visit the capital of San José with its markets, parks and traditional architecture (depending on time of arrival to San José). General information and discussion of the program. (D)
Saturday, March 22nd – After a tropical breakfast you will drive through the historical town of Alajuela and get to one of the active volcanoes of Costa Rica: the Volcano Poás with the 2nd biggest crater in the world. Hike as well to the old crater Boto Lagoon and through dense Cloud Forest at a height of 2600m.
In the afternoon you will visit the National Institute of Biodiversity (INBIO) located in Santo Domingo de Heredia, an educational and recreational center, where you will get an introduction in the National Park System and you can see samples of the biological diversity that can be found in Costa Rica, through interpreted trails and permanent exhibitions halls with multimedia and audiovisuals. (B/D)
Sunday, March 23rd – After breakfast we will leave San José and head west to San Ramón, a very traditional and religious coffee growers town, where we participate in the impressive Easter Festivities. Then we leave the Central Valley, get to the Central Pacific near Puntarenas and follow the Inter-American Highway to the North passing by the town of Cañas to get to Bijagua at the Volcano Tenorio. You stay the following 2 nights at Las Heliconias Lodge, a community project with their own forest reserve with hanging bridge next to the National Park Tenorio and with a wide view to Lake Nicaragua. (B)
Monday, March 24th – Hiking through the rain forest over Hanging Bridges in one of the most impressive Rainforests of the country. Afternoon options: Hiking to the top of Tenorio volcano (included),or visit the Organic Finca & Butterfly garden $16 pp (9-12 pax). (B)
Tuesday, March 25th – Morning activities at Tenorio, Hike to the famous Rio Celeste with thermal waters and a waterfall – Afternoon: transfer to Isla de Chira, stopping at the Wildlife Rescue Centre Las Pumas Zoo (donation), Boat tour to the island to stay with Fisherwoman’s Project. (B/D)
Wednesday, March 26th –We get to know the island guided by one of our hosts including visiting another woman’s project that collects and sells Pianguas (shells); afternoon hearing the stories of the history of islands life. (B/D)
Thursday, March 27th – Transfer to Puerto San Pablo through dense Mangrove woods with a lot of water birds to Hojancha: Visit the local Primary school of Pilangosta and hike to Monte Alto Reserve, a great community project to protect the water of the region with their own reserve and a lodge in midst of it. After lunch, Audiovisual speech by the Director of the reserve. Guided tour through the Reserve including the Orchid Trail. (B/L/D)
Friday, March 28th – Visit of the Beach of Puerto Carrillo, one of the most beautiful and safest beaches of the Northern Pacific (Options in Samara, 3 miles of beach: Snorkling 2:30 hrs: $20 pp. (9-12 pax), Dolphin Watching $35 pp. (9-12 pax), Paragliding $70 pp., Turtle Project at Buena Vista (donation), Canopy 2 hrs, with panoramic ocean view: $55 pp.) stay another night in the Monte Alto Reserve. (B)
Saturday, March 29th–Return to San José / Ciudad Colón, Hotel El Marañón:
Visit the Coffee Cooperative Coope Pilangosta who sells in the Fair Trade with cultural presentation of a youth dancing group of Indian Reserve Matambu. Evening discuss Costa Rica with our partners Silvia & Frank from Cultourica, tour operator and specialist in Community Based Ecotourism. (B)
Sunday, March 30th – After a last tropical breakfast transport to the airport: Or you may stay some days more in the country – ask for options in the country or at the beaches of the Pacific or Caribbean! (B).

Just a few of the multitude of plants, sights, and cultural experiences we enjoyed!

*NOTES

$899 per person, double occupancy pricing is based upon 10 or more students. $50 extra will be added in the event that fewer than 10 students participate. Additional amount for single occupancy.

A $300 deposit is required by December 31st to secure registration. This deposit will be fully refunded if minimum enrollment is not reached by December 31st.

Early registration is strongly encouraged to ensure knowledge that minimum registration numbers are met.