Traveling Soccer and Service Team

Depart the United States for San José, Costa Rica. All scheduled flights from Newark and Houston to Costa Rica are non-stop and escorted by a Rustic Pathways Flight Leader. Upon arrival at the San Jose’s airport, you will be greeted by your Rustic Pathways staff.
Enjoy your first glimpses of this spectacular country. From its rainforests to its volcanic peaks to its two coasts, Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful nations in Central America.

Home to some of the most biodiverse swaths of land and sea on the planet, Costa Rica is famed for its natural environment – and it’s commitment to that environment! Costa Ricans – or Ticos, as they’re called here – are intensely proud and protective of their lands, and have put their country on the map as the world leader in eco-tourism and environmental protection.

Ticos are also renowned for their national love of soccer. Bryan Ruiz, Alvaro Saborio, Keylor Navas, and Joel Campbell are just a few Ticos who have made their country proud by both holding spots on the Costa Rica’s national team, and going on to play on international teams.

Head over to your lodgings where you will spend the first night meeting new friends from your program. Good luck and enjoy your stay in beautiful Costa Rica!

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. Here the group will play soccer on the beach, hang out in the warm waters of the Pacific ocean, and catch spectacular sunsets. Play beach frisbee with the group, soak up the sun and take breaks to jump into the waves, get in shape by running on the beach, or simply read a book and relax under a palm tree.

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.

Have breakfast and go for a final jump in the ocean, after lunch board the bus and return to San José, we will stop half way through for last minute souvenir shopping. After dinner it’s time to get a good night’s sleep since tomorrow you’ll be heading home or off on new adventures.

If you are heading home, say your last goodbyes to your new friends and head off to the airport bright and early in the morning. If you are heading off on another Rustic Pathways adventure in Costa Rica, get ready for more fun and excitement!