Itinerary

Day 1 – Welcome and transfer to the hotel

Arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica. Transfer to the Villa Tournon Hotel in San Jose. Meet new friends and fellow travelers. If you arrive early, take an optional tour rappelling down one of Costa Rica’s tallest waterfalls or bungee off a bridge near San Jose. Or spend your free time getting acquainted with San Jose through shopping. Return to Hotel for GAFC Orientation and Welcome Dinner in the evening. (D)

Day 2 – Vista de Mar Ophanage visit + San Jose BioParque + Transfer to Sarapiqui

After breakfast, travel to one of San Jose’s largest children’s orphanage (Vista de Mar) and spend the morning volunteering at the Vista de Mar orphanage. This holds the most vulnerable children (either taken from their parents by the state or given up by their families). Most of the children have been emotionally, physically mistreated throughout their life. We will deliver donations and participate in arts and crafts projects and recreational/sports activities/modules with the children. Embark on a field trip with Children of the orphanage to San Jose BioParque to learn more of the ecosystems and also share some mentoring time with the children! Afterwards, we will continue on to the Selva Verde eco-Lodge in Sarapiqui. Get ready to experience the rainforest like never before at this first rate eco-lodge. Take optional night time reptile tour through the rainforest. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided. (B, L, D)

Day 3 – Volunteer Day

Spend the day volunteering at a local school in Sarapiqui (Bajo de Chilamate). Learn about the Costa Rican educational system. Go on a quick tour of the school, and then spend time doing learning or enrichment activities with the children. We will also work on some school construction/maintenance projects. Complete sustainable project at the school through either assisting in construction of addition to the school or ESL, physical education module with children. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided. In the afternoon return to the Sarapiqui Community Learning Center and work in their After-school program and community library helping the children through ESL modules led by the SCLC. (B, L, D)

Day 4 – Volunteer Day

Spend the day volunteering at a reforestation project in Sarapiqui Learning Center at a local school (Escuela Vista Lindo). Work alongside children and community members to make a difference in the community at the ecological community biological corridor by planting over 300 trees to connect different parcels of rainforest for preservation and education. This agricultural project teaches the community how to preserve their natural resources and grow their own food. Also these efforts aid to reintroduce habitat of lost species of animals in supporting the eco-tourism industry where over 75% of Costa Ricans in the area rely for jobs. All supplies for the project are donated through the execution of this trip! Return to the eco-lodge for a well deserved group dinner including some of the best desserts/ice cream Costa Rica has to offer. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided. (B, L, D)

If time permits take an optional adventure tour in the late afternoon. Try free bird watching tour hike through the rainforest. Try white water rafting through class II to class IV rapids. During the rafting, take an optional swim in the Rio Sarapiqui including for the truly adventurous, a small cliff dive/jump/plunge into the river. Take a wildlife boat safari viewing amazing river wildlife including monkeys, sloths, toucans, frogs, crocodiles, bats, and numerous species of birds. Go on a Horseback riding through the forest crossing valleys, streams viewing rainforest wildlife including howler monkeys, sloths, birds. Go bird watching, or the adventurous zipline canopy tour over streams, waterfalls and rainforest canopy. Other optional acitivities include mountain biking and rapelling off waterfalls! Or just relax at the eco-lodge pool or take a night time reptile tour.

Day 5 Volunteer within SCLC and Transfer to Arenal Volcano National Park

In the morning spend some time volunteering with the Sarapiqui Community Learning Center doing construction/maintenance projects. In the afternoon Transfer to hotel Arenal Volcano Lodge Hotel and enjoy an amazing view of Arenal Volcano. Embark on Arenal Volcano National Park to take the free tour. At night view the orange/red lava flow from the volcano top. When there take optional tours of La Fortuna waterfalls (the most magnificent waterfall in all of Costa Rica). Travel there by foot or by horseback, swim in the blue lagoon of the waterfall and enjoy the experience. (B)

Day 6 – Volunteer at Sonafluca or Free Day

After full buffet breakfast, enjoy a full free day to explore the area or to take any of the amazing optional tours. Wake up extra early for the free bird watching tour hike through the rainforest. Or take other tours including white water rafting through class II to class IV rapids. Take a wildlife boat safari viewing amazing river wildlife including monkeys, sloths, toucans, frogs, crocodiles, bats, and countless other species of birds. Go on a Horseback riding through the forest crossing valleys, streams viewing rainforest wildlife including howler and spider monkeys, sloths, birds. Go bird watching, or the adventurous zipline canopy tour over streams, waterfalls and rainforest canopy (this zipline canopy tour is one of the highest at an average of over 250 ft. Other optional activities include mountain biking and rapelling off waterfalls! Or just relax at the Arenal Hot Springs. All activities are optional and are not included in the price of the AFC package.Try white water rafting through class II to class IV rapids. During the rafting, take an optional swim including for the truly adventurous, a small cliff dive/jump/plunge into the river. Take a wildlife boat safari viewing amazing river wildlife including spider and howler monkeys, sloths, toucans, frogs, crocodiles, bats, and numerous species of birds. Go on a Horseback riding through the forest crossing valleys, streams viewing rainforest wildlife including howler monkeys, sloths, birds. Go bird watching, or the adventurous zipline canopy tour over streams, waterfalls and rainforest canopy. Other optional acitivities include mountain biking and rapelling off waterfalls! Or just relax at the eco-lodge pool or take a night time reptile tour. (B)

Day 7 – Transfer back to San Jose

In the morning take part in GAFC group projects to discuss experiences and service projects of Costa Rica. If time permits, take an optional ½ day tour or use the time to shop in town for souvenirs. In the afternoon meet at the hotel to transfer back to the San Gilder Hotel in San Jose in the afternoon. Spend the afternoon shopping returning to Villa Tournon Hotel for your AFC Farewell dinner in the evening. (B, D) Breakfast and Dinner provided.

Day 8 – Return Home

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