Costa Rica Exploradores

Detailed Itinerary

Dates: June 27 – July 17 (21 Days)

Activity List: Spanish language, whitewater rafting, hiking, sea kayaking, surfing, Tico and Bri Bri culture and service

Arrive: San Jose Airport

Depart: San Jose Airport

“Costa Rica was ‘muy bueno’ – it changed my life! The service project was an amazing experience, and I will always remember my awesome family. The beauty of the country is indescribable. I am definitely coming back!” Kyle, Encinitas, CA

Day 1

Group meets Deer Hill leaders in San Jose, Costa Rica’s capital city. We check in with our families back home and then sleep at Gaudy’s Hostel.

Day 2

Day in San Jose to pack, organize and play games; travel to El Copal.

Days 3-4

At El Copal community-owned nature reserve, hiking and exploring the rainforest with local guides.

Day 5

Rafting the Rio Pejivalle. Fun Class 2 and 3 whitewater with amazing wildlife viewing opportunities. Transition to Tres Equis later in the day.

Days 5-9

Homestays and community service projects in the town of Tres Equis. Participants are partnered with at least one other student in a family’s home. Informal afternoon Spanish classes. In free time, take tour of cilantro farm, play soccer with locals, and get some salsa and merengue dancing lessons.

Days 10-12

3 day, 2 night, rafting expedition on the world famous Pacuare River, past Huasu falls. Day 10, take hike to Cabecar indigenous cultural reserve. Stay at beautiful riverside campground.

Days 13-15

Three days spent with the Bri Bri Indians. Interact with villagers, while working on a project in the school or cultural center.

Days 16-18

Surf school, sea kayaking, camping on the Caribbean Coast at Punta Uva, near Manzanillo.

Days 19-20

Naturalist hike along rugged coast trail to Punta Mona, a permaculture farm. Enjoy gardening, hiking, swimming, while learning about the practice of sustainable agriculture methods, and sampling local delicacies. Take a chocolate-making workshop.

Day 20

Take a scenic boat ride back up the coast, then return to San Jose for program conclusion and a banquet to celebrate our time together.

Day 21

Breakfast, farewells, departure from San Jose. Students may travel directly to their destination from San Jose.

General Information

  • This is a “Deer Hill program”, run by our own experienced leaders, with our usual focus on to genuine wilderness experiences, authentic service opportunities, and personal and group development.
  • This is Deer Hill’s ninth year running adventures in Costa Rica.
  • Deer Hill works closely with Costa Rica Exploradores Outdoors, a Costa Rican-owned adventure travel company owned and operated by siblings Miguel, Carolina and Yency Cabrera.
  • This is Deer Hill’s seventh year offering surfing—a highlight for most participants.
  • Deer Hill leaders carry an International Satellite phone, and can contact a Deer Hill manager on duty 24 hours a day, if needed.

Your Instructors

  • Deer Hill instructors are fluent in Spanish. They meet participants in San Jose at the airport and accompany them for the entire trip. Program Leader Miles Nowlin has been guiding on Costa Rica Exploradores since 2005.

Homestays

  • Students will be partnered up for homestays in the town of Tres Equis. Deer Hill leaders will be amongst the students, and easily available. In the Bri Bri community, students camp and prepare food together with their leaders.
  • Although some participants are concerned about homestays, this section is always the most memorable and favorite part of the entire trip for almost every participant.
  • Usually, students are partnered with other students of the same sex, and according to Spanish language ability (so they can help each other to communicate with the host families).
  • If you have any concerns about these elements of the program, please call Richard Malcolm, our Costa Rica Programs Coordinator, at the Deer Hill Office.

Travel

The program begins when we meet participants in the Costa Rican capital of San Jose.  A valid passport is necessary to enter Costa Rica. Tuition does not include flight to and from Costa Rica.