Costa Rica

Welcome to Project Alajuelita, Costa Rica! We hope you are looking forward to your volunteer trip! While we highly value all of the great work volunteers do in the field with FIMRC staff and community members, we recognize your important opportunity to explore Costa Rica! Since volunteer activities coincide with normal business hours, Monday through Friday are spent volunteering and Saturday and Sunday are typically spent learning about the local culture or traveling on excursions. While no excursions are required, many volunteers like to take advantage of this opportunity.

The following guide includes the most popular excursion options among staff and volunteers. Once on-site, our staff will help you make all arrangements. Please note, excursions as well as the associated transport cost are not included in your program fee paid to FIMRC.

Costa Rica, meaning “rich coast,” is a country in Central America bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. Costa Rica was first explored by the Spanish in the early 16th century, but initial attempts to colonize proved unsuccessful due multiple factors including diseases from mosquitoes, brutal heat, resistance by natives, and pirate raids. The first permanent Spanish settlement in Costa Rica was established in the late 16th century, where the Spanish crown reigned until 1821. Costa Rica was then able to develop a democratic republic government, which made history in 1949 when the country abolished its army permanently. Costa Rica boasts one of the highest standards of living in Central America and a first-place ranking in the Americas for environmental sustainability. Today Costa Rica continues to expand its economy to include strong technology and tourism industries.

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History & Culture

Did You Know...• Costa Rica is a major destination for ecotourism due to its large amounts of biodiversity • A traditional dish is the tamale, which is a culinary blend of Native American, Spanish, and African origins• The national instrument of Costa Rica is the marimba • The most recognizable phrase attached to Costa Rica is “Pura Vida,” meaning “pure life” or “good life.

Alajuelita

Costa Rica Excursions

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1ExcursionsThe following excursions include the most popular options among volunteers and staff. Please note, excursions as well as the associated transport cost are not included in your program fee paid to FIMRC. Transportation prices below are for a private van driver. Alternate public transport options can be discussed with staff upon arrival. All prices listed in USD.

1 Tiquica Restaurant

2 Arenal VolcanoAt 5,437 feet, the Arenal Volcano looms large and ominous over the pastured green hillsides that surround its base. Although currently in a resting phase, Arenal remained the country’s most active volcano for the past 43 years. Its storied history is charged with eruptions – both major and minor – that have intimately affected the region and the people who live here.

Transportation: One van (0-12 people) round trip is $340 total (can be divided among group)

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Tiquica Restaurant in San Antonio de Escazú has an awesome panoramic view of the Central Valley. It is decorated as a typical “casona rústica”, which is the most common way Costa Rican people in the past used to decorate their houses. Every Thursday night, you can enjoy delicious foods and the spectacular view.

Pricing: Varies upon meal. Buffet dinner option is $28 per person.Transportation: One van (0-12 people) round trip is $80 total (can be divided among group)

La Fortuna WaterfallSet at a short distance from the town of La Fortuna, the La Fortuna waterfall emerges from dense jungle greenery before plummeting some 200 feet (65 m) into an emerald pool below. The fall can be arrived at by foot or on horseback. The trail runs through pasture and rainforest, offering chances to spot toucans, monkeys, and other tropical creatures. It takes about 15 minutes to hike down the stair set to the waterfall and an hour to arrive by horse.

Pricing: Zip Line in Los Lagos Resort $65 per person or spend your day in Los Lagos Resort $15 per person. A local non-profit association administers the waterfall. The entrance fee is $15, with all proceeds being reinvested into local conservation efforts.

Inside the resort you can use the hot springs, swimming pools, and can hike to the volcano. For more information please visit www.hotelloslagos.com.

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Weekday Excursion Options

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4 Manuel Antonio National Park (Beach)

Costa Rica

Manuel Antonio contains a charming combination of rain forest, beaches and coral reefs. These beaches are the most beautiful in the country, lined with lush forest, and the snorkeling is excellent too. The forest is home for sloths, iguanas, the rare and adorable squirrel monkeys and millions of colorful little crabs. The trail that winds around Punta Catedral affords some spectacular views. The park is easy to reach, south of the town of Quepos, and is near a good selection of hotels and restaurants. Cathedral Point, with its forest topped cliffs was once an island, but is now connected to the coast by a thin strip of island. This land bridge now forms the spine separating the parks two most popular beaches, Playa Espadilla Sur and Playa Manuel Antonio. The southern facing beach, Playa Manuel Antonio, is a picturesque half mile long, white sand crescent bisecting deep green foliage to one side and a private, secluded cove to the other.

Pricing: Entry is $10 per person. Children under 12 free. Hours: 7am. to 4pm. Closed on Monday.

Zip Line at the beach for $75 per personThe tour consists of 14 suspended platforms connected by steel cables high above the forest floor. The height of the platforms, vary from 60 to 132 feet above the ground. By using the highest quality equipment (pulley, harnesses and climbing gear) you are able to glide between platforms on cables permitting breathtaking views of the canopy, forest floor and wildlife.

Transportation: One van (0-12 people) round trip is $340 total (can be divided among group)

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5 Jaco Beach

A laidback bustling town, Jaco is one of the most popular Costa Rican beaches. Located in the North of the Puntarenas province along the country’s central Pacific Coast less than 2 hours from San Jose, Jaco has the reputation of being a ‘party beach’ with an excellent nightlife. However, the fun here is casual and relaxed, and the people here are nice and friendly. Catering mostly to a huge number of foreign tourists who want to enjoy a more tranquil lifestyle, Jaco has a nice clean beach that is especially popular in the summer.

One of this town’s major attractions is the fantastic surfing as the waves are consistently big and the breaks are very good. A yearly international surf contest is also held in the nearby Playa Hermosa that attracts a huge number of surfers from all over the globe. Exercise caution as riptides are quite common along the beach shore.

Transportation: One van (0-12 people) round trip is $220 total (can be divided among group)

Costa Rica Company Tours

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Adventure Combo

Costa Rica provides white water rafting experiences that take your adrenaline to top levels and fascinating canopy tours going high above the treetops. Now you can enjoy the two activities in an extraordinary way. Discover the natural marvels of Sarapiqui; an extensive territory located in the northeastern part of the country, with a variety of crystal clear rivers, an abundance of beautiful tropical forests and villages inhabited by friendly people.

Leaving San José, the tour traverses the majestic scenery of Braulio Carrillo National Park and arriving in Sarapiqui. You will enjoy two adventure attractions: the canopy tour in the middle of a secondary forest with trees of high altitude and, after lunch, white water rafting in the agitating waters of the Sarapiqui River.

The canopy tour takes about an hour and a half and the nine cables of different length stretch over the forest with the last one crossing the Sarapiqui River. The rafting at Sarapiqui River has different levels between class II and class III, presenting vibrant scenery to those who want to participate in this exciting activity. Nine miles of unexpected rapids in combination with calm and relaxing intervals makes this an unforgettable experience.

Pricing: $126 per personTour includes transportation, bilingual guide, canopy and rafting equipment, and lunch.

What to bring: light clothing (an extra change of clothes!), insect repellent, comfortable shoes, swimsuit, towel

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Company Tours for Individuals and GroupsThe following excursions include the most popular tour company options among former volunteers and staff. Please note, excursions as well as the associated transport cost are not included in your program fee paid to FIMRC. All prices listed in USD.

This tour immerses you in the rich Costa Rican culture and history by experiencing the beautiful museums and historical sites of San José. It begins with an orientation and drive through the Sabana Park. Next, we will take a walking tour through the historic National Theater. Completed in 1897, the theater is a masterpiece in art and architecture. Afterwards we will visit one of the many unique museums of Costa Rica.We will continue heading to the University of Costa Rica, the Supreme Court and various sites of interest. A brief stop will be made in a beautiful art craft shopping store allowing you to browse through it before returning to your hotel and why not, buy some souvenirs for those who are expecting you back at home.

Pricing: $53 per person

Tour includes: transportation, bilingual guide, entrance fee to Gold Museum and National Theater

San José City Tour2

Weekday Excursion Options

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Costa Rica

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33 Manuel Antonio National Park & BeachesManuel Antonio National Park is considered one of the most beautiful parks in Costa Rica. On this tour, you will visit pristine beaches, with coral reefs, bordered by exuberant vegetation and the natural wonders of the tropical rainforest. The beaches in Manuel Antonio are highly coveted as some of the best that Costa Rica has to offer. Many popular activities such as world-class surfing and snorkeling are available. On the way to Manuel Antonio National Park, you will travel along the coastline enjoying scenic views, including African palm plantations. You will also travel past small villages along the Pacific Coast, until you reach the port of Quepos and the ultimately the National Park.

Since access to the park itself is closed to vehicles, you will hike to the preserve, crossing a creek. Once in the park, you can simply relax and enjoy the beach, sunbathe, or hike through the park’s trails, which will allow you to observe Manuel Antonio’s abundant flora and fauna. Several species of monkeys, iguanas, birds and possibly even the three-toed sloth can be seen. If you chose to hike the trail to Cathedral Point, do not forget your camera; the views of the park and the sea are simply spectacular!

Pricing: $123 per personTour includes: transportation, bilingual guide, park entrance fee, breakfast, and lunch

4 Combo Tour: Poás Volcano, Doka and Waterfall Gardens

To get to the different areas, you will traverse the city of Alajuela, passing the Agriculture Monument and the Monument to Juan Santamaria, named after a folk hero and the famous Mango Park, a favorite among visitors alike.

On the way to the volcano, you will visit the Doka Coffee Estate for breakfast. then be treated to a coffee tour in an actual coffee plantation where you will learn the ancient techniques used by the experts to produce some of the best coffee in Costa Rica and around the world. The careful process involved in the cultivation, harvesting and roasting of the Golden Bean will then be illustrated, very hands-on, and then you will savor the delectable end product.

After the coffee tour, you will continue to the Poás Volcano where you will not only admire the impressive main crater with its sulfur fumaroles, but also learn about the different ecosystems in this unique and protected national park. Following the visit to the volcano, you will continue to the La Paz Water Fall Garden for a scrumptious lunch and tour. As you arrive to La Paz, you will walk through a trail, leading to a spectacular waterfall in the middle of the rainforest. Inside the park you will also visit the hummingbird gallery, the serpentarium, the bird house, the butterfly garden and the frog’s exhibit; to be enjoyed by those of all ages.

Pricing: $129 per personTour includes: transportation, bilingual guide, entrance to park, waterfall gardens, and coffee tour, as well as breakfast and lunch

6 Rainforest Adventure 3 in 1

Costa Rica

Drive to Sarapiquí area, through the extraordinary rain forest of Braulio Carrillo National Park, one of the most important rainforest reserves of Costa Rica. On arrival to Sarapiqui, you will board a boat for a relaxing ride on the Sarapiqui River where you will feel in close contact with nature and admire the inspiring surroundings.

After the boat ride you will continue with a walk on Selva Verde eco lodge’s private trails which are a heaven for nature enthusiasts, hikers, bird and wildlife watchers. Following lunch and on route to San Jose, a visit to the famous Rainforest Aerial Tram is included, for a ride on a gondola through the tree canopy in company of a naturalist guide that will talk to you about the wonderful rainforest. The Rain Forest Aerial Tram – Atlantic is a 475-hectares (1,200-acre) private reserve that shares a 10 km border with Braulio Carrillo National Park, constituting a buffer zone between the park and farming lands.

Pricing: $129 per personTour includes: transportation, bilingual guide, boat ride, guided walk, tram tour, and lunch

Company Tours

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Arenal Volcano and Baldi Hot Springs

This tour offers the auspicious site of the imposing Arenal Volcano and the soothing thermal waters of Baldi Hot Springs. The Arenal Volcano is a magnificent natural wonder that is situated in La Fortuna (The Fortune) of San Carlos, Costa Rica, providing thousands of tourists with the opportunity to witness volcanic activity, such as the white plumes of smoke that emanate from the conical shaped behemoth.

En route to the Arenal Volcano there will be a stop in the famous town of Sarchi, known as the birthplace of Costa Rica’s Artisans. In Sarchi, you may very well see an ox cart that holds the title as being the largest ox cart in the world.

The journey will then continue, traversing diverse plantations with agricultural products, including pineapple farms, and mango groves, ornamental plants and cattle ranches until arriving to the small town of La Fortuna, and stopping to enjoy lunch at a cozy restaurant with a spectacular view of the Arenal volcano.

Then you will go on to relax at one of the best hot springs in the area where you will enjoy the rejuvenating effects of the thermal waters, as well as an optional massage or other special treatment that must be reserved ahead of time.

The facilities at Baldi provided 25 separate mineral water reservoirs that flow naturally from the volcano. The medicinal waters are certified by L.N.A. (Laboratorio Nacional de Aguas), and the temperatures range from 93, 100, 102, 104, 109, 110, 113, 116, 152, providing clients with a wide range of options that fit their needs. Before going back to San José, dinner will be served with a great view of the volcano.

Pricing: $129 per personTour includes: transportation, bilingual guide, entrance fee to springs, breakfast, and dinner

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This concludes the volunteer excursion menu for Project Alajuelita, Costa Rica. Activities can be arranged with our staff upon your arrival. Please note the availability of excursions depends on your trip length, time of year, and volunteer schedule.

Prices listed are our best estimates and are subject to change. Volunteers are responsible for excursion and transportation cost as excursions are not part of your program fee paid to FIMRC.

Please be aware that all excursions are at the risk of the volunteer. While FIMRC works hard to ensure your safety, you are participating in any extracurricular activities at your own risk. Also, while staff is happy to assist with planning, FIMRC does not guarantee that a staff member will accompany you.

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