This course is designed to provide opportunities to engage in sustainable travel practices while learning about the ecotourism industry in Costa Rica. From whitewater rafting to research projects to farm tours, you’ll spend each day working with local partners committed to sustainability. You’ll also get behind-the-scenes access to tourism operations. The group stays at verified ecolodges and an operating research station.
On this program, the group is presented with various opportunities to engage in sustainable living and traveling practices, while also learning more about how ecotourism outfitters operate and why. Students will also engage with local communities and learn how tourism impacts their lives. This is a hands-on experience, and all students are expected to be active participants. An important goal of this program is to develop greater global awareness and for group members to be open to learning about new topics, environments and customs.
We recognize that there are many challenges associated with traveling and learning in new environments, and participants learn that the success of the experience depends both on individual efforts and the cohesion of the group. Individuals are encouraged to assume leadership roles and become active participants in making decisions that guide the direction of the program. Nevertheless, it is also important to recognize that independence and control are reduced when working as a team toward a collective group experience. When traveling in a close-knit community, respect for one another, the environment and people you meet are important parts of being responsible team members and global citizens.
Pack up and prepare for departure! The flight transports you from North American fall weather to warm, tropical Costa Rica. Meet up with the Broadreach instructors at the airport and transfer to a small hotel in the San Jose suburbs. To kick off your adventure, your first morning is dedicated to group orientations, later heading to a local farm. Get a tour of the cocoa fields and learn from the campesinos about their sustainable agriculture processes and different ways of life. It’s the perfect intro to the Costa Rica sustainability and culture program!
The next day, you’ll wake up to stunning mountain views and a fresh fruit breakfast. Build up some energy, because then it’s time for rafting! Work as a team to paddle the rapids on one of Costa Rica’s beautiful rivers. Tired and happy, you’ll take a break to learn from the guides about how they run an eco-friendly operation while also attracting adventure-seeking tourists. On day 3, you’ll travel into the jungle of the Pacuare Reserve.
Themes: Orientation, Intro to Costa Rica, Sustainable Agriculture, Eco & Adventure Tourism
Upon arrival at the reserve, you’ll quickly realize that is like nowhere you’ve been before! The coastline is lined by a dense jungle forest. Once logged for timber and grazed by cattle, it is now a protected region and home to more than 200 types of birds and 32 species of mammals (including jaguars, ocelots and monkeys!). You’ll spend time here learning how this rustic research station continues to appeal to Costa Rican visitors. Become immersed in the work of this unique destination to learn how they balance scientific research, conservation and tourism.
One of the main draws is for visitors to participate in research collection programs. In this part of your journey, you’ll experience how facilitators train tourists and then get hands-on with the activities you learn about. Later, take a day trip north to the research station’s secondary location to experience different environments and contribute to beach restoration projects. As a group, discuss how government policies contribute to Costa Rica’s ecotourism sector and how the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are implemented in projects across this region.
Along the way, you’ll also visit a small town and go on a scavenger hunt for the impacts of ecotourism, practice Spanish language skills, and engage in cultural experiences like working with Costa Rican artists or learning how to cook local dishes.
Themes: Eco-Lodging, Conservation Research, Culture & Tourism Impacts, Government Influences & SDGs, Sustainable Living Practices
As you head into the final few days, take in the beauty of the jungle and go on a banana plantation tour. You’ll learn a lot from this experience – the farm managers have transitioned from a resource-sucking operation to an environmentally sustainable one. After this, you’ll transfer south toward Cahuita. The beautiful waters of the Caribbean Sea are irresistible, so celebrate your program achievements with a beautiful snorkel in the national park! Of course, you’ll stick with sustainable travel practices and participate in reef surveys as you swim among brightly colored fish and coral. Citizen science is a great, fun way for visitors to contribute to travel destinations.
Ultimately, you’ll return to the capital in preparation for your flight home. Reflect on the experience over a final group dinner and course closings. ꜟBuen Viaje!
Themes: Transitioning to Sustainable Agriculture, Climate Change, Reflection
This itinerary is flexible and subject to change based on weather, group, availability of activities or other conditions. A more detailed daily itinerary will be provided upon enrollment.
919-256-8200
brhq@gobroadreach.com
302 Jefferson Street, Suite 110
Raleigh, N.C. 27605 USA
