Pura Vida Service

Arrive at the Rustic Pathways gateway airport where you’ll meet your Rustic Pathways flight leader, who will help get you checked in and through security before traveling with your group to Costa Rica. Get acquainted with fellow Rustic travelers before boarding your flight. Arrive at San Jose International Airport (SJO) and meet your program leaders who will be with you for the duration of the program.

Settle into your hotel for the first night in San Jose, relaxing after your long flight. You’ll share rooms with your fellow Rustic travelers with private bathrooms.

Wake up early for breakfast before departing with your group to La Fortuna, one of Costa Rica’s most scenic towns. After a beautiful 3-hour drive, arrive at the Volcano and Rainforest Service Base in time for a fresh Tico lunch. Join in an orientation discussion about the week ahead and expectations for your adventure. Travel to a local school for a cultural presentation and try some dance moves. In the evening get to know your new friends and enjoy an opening discussion.

You’ll spend the next 5 nights at the Rustic Base House in shared rooms separated by gender. There’ll be private bathrooms with hot water and Western-style toilets.

After breakfast, we’ll break out into smaller service project groups and leave the base to work on one of the exciting and rewarding projects in the surrounding communities. Work will be divided into community improvement projects, educational facility development, and green initiative projects.

After a productive morning, recharge energy in a local restaurant and return to the service projects in the afternoon.

Wake up for an early breakfast, and then have another significant and productive day with different community service projects. Today you will work in a school on really significant infrastructure projects and if school is in session you’ll participate in a cultural exchange activity with local students.

Join your group for a mid-trip discussion where you will begin to reflect on what you’ve experienced and learned so far.

Get ready for a morning full of scenic beauty and head out to zip line through the rainforest canopy where you can observe the magnificent Arenal Volcano and the picturesque lake below. Our professional guides will make sure you’re safe and prepared to have a thrilling ride on the journey down the slopes of the volcano.
You’ll stop off in La Fortuna town and get a chance to explore the shops and markets of this charming town. Then you’ll visit an educational organic farm! Learn about methods of organic farming, local agriculture and even about some medicinal plants locals have been using for generations.

After breakfast, get ready for an intense day of adventure! You will be off to go whitewater rafting on the famous Sarapiquí River (class II-III), keep your eyes wide open, maybe you’re lucky enough to spot wildlife while rafting.
Then, return to the base house where you can take a nap or use the swimming pool before you leave for the natural hot springs pools. Enjoy the moment and relax your sore paddling muscles.

In the morning you will go back to your community service job site where you will have the opportunity to show all the skills you have learned during this week!
Return to the base for lunch and then pack up for the return to San Jose. We will have a halfway stop along the way for last-minute souvenir shopping and some snacks.

Spend your final night in a hotel with shared rooms and a private bathroom.

Your program leaders will take you to the airport for your flight home or to your next Rustic program as you say goodbyes and reflect on your adventure.
If you’re staying in Costa Rica, your Program Leaders will take you to your next accommodation to meet your new group. If you’re continuing on to another Rustic Pathways destination, you’ll board a connecting flight to that country.