Soccer and Service in Costa Rica

Arrive at George Bush International Airport (IAH) or Newark Liberty Airport (EWR) 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 in, relaxing after your long flight. Join the group for an orientation discussion about the week ahead, expectations for your adventure, and an introduction to the local culture.

Depart to the valley of Turrialba, where you will have lots of soccer games, you’ll get to know the town, and do fun activities such as visiting a National Monument, mountain biking, a full morning of soccer playing against different local teams in an outdoor soccer field. After doing community service and the day’s activities spend the night in one of our base houses, where you can relax tired muscles in the swimming pool.

Today is a day packed with adrenaline and excitement as you prepare to experience the beauty and exhilaration of whitewater rafting on the Pacuare River. The Pacuare is considered one of the most beautiful rivers to raft in the world due to the lush greenery, the narrow canyons and above all, the exciting class III-IV rapids. Depart from the town of Siquirres after a day of rafting and head towards La Fortuna.

Today you will continue doing more adventure activities like zip lining in the rainforest in the morning. Have lunch, and right after walk around the beautiful town of La Fortuna to visit several souvenir shops, play a competitive soccer game, and then take some time to relax in the beautiful pools of the natural hot springs.

Enjoy being part of a Costa Rican family during your homestays, and eat delicious meals cooked by your host families. These days you will be performing some rewarding community service, playing pick up soccer games, you will be focused on practicing your personal soccer skills with your friends, and versus local teams as well. During your stay at this rural community you’ll have the opportunity to learn some Spanish, and do some typical activities.

Head towards the central Pacific coast to the lush and beautiful area of Manuel Antonio. Play soccer on the beach, hang out in the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean, and catch spectacular sunsets.

During your time on the beach, visit Manuel Antonio National Park in the morning, where you’ll have the opportunity to swim, appreciate the wildlife, and do a short hike around the National Park. Right after lunch get ready to board a 100-feet long catamaran that will take you on a cruise through the calm water of the central Pacific, where you might have the opportunity to see dolphins and do snorkeling, depending on the weather conditions.

After a final jump in the ocean, board the bus and return to San José, stopping halfway for last-minute souvenir shopping.

At the end of each program, students reflect on their experiences and the issues they engaged with, and talk about how to apply this new understanding to their own worlds. During or after their closing discussion, groups participate in Rustic Ties, a unique and powerful activity that allows students to capture the memories and learning moments of their program to process and share with their communities back home.

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.