ITINERARIES - TWO, THREE, and FOUR WEEKS

Language and Culture Immersion Program

WEEK ONE for all programs

  • Arrive in San Jose Airport.  Welcome and transport to meet and stay with your homestay family in Atenas, Costa Rica.
  • Daily Spanish class, Program overview, Spanish language assessment. 
  • Map orientation activity to get to know the town of Atenas and explore its seven “barrios” (neighborhoods).
  • 100 year-old goldmine and waterfalls with naturally sand carved pools.
  • Local organic coffee farm and a hydroponic lettuce farm.
  • Latin dance class to learn the basics of salsa, merengue, and cumbia
  • Cooking class to prepare Costa Rican cuisine.
  • Capital of San Jose trip integrated with Spanish class to visit the National Museum and the National Theater.
  • Language exchange activities with local students enrolled in Costa Rica's National Institute of Learning and Employment Program (INA).
  • Local Friday farmer’s market and cooking class of a typical Costa Rican dish –  gallo pinto, tres leches, empanadas.  Spend the afternoon doing local activities such as taking hikes, swimming, soccer, basketball, volleyball, shopping.
  • The weekends are open for your own travel or activities with your host family.  We can help you arrange one-day and overnight excursions at your own expense. 

TWO WEEK Program 

  • Daily Spanish class, cooking class, Latin dance class
  • Community Service Project: Read and participate in crafts and other activities at the local library, assist in projects on organic coffee farm, work with children at a local soccer league, or assist in a Spanish speaking elementary school.
  • Meet A Mentor - Meet your designated mentor and spend a “day in the life” of a local who shares a common career interest or hobby.
  • Volcano Poas day trip, one of the most visited and accessible volcanoes in Costa Rica.  Visit a nearby tilapia fish farm.
  • Farewell activity with acceptance of certificate.
  • Depart for San Jose airport. 

THREE WEEK Program - Includes Week One and Two plus day trip to:

  • Pacific Coast Beach trip to Playa Esterillos. Observe different scarlet macaws habitat and crocodiles on the Tarcoles River.  Visit Jaco for coffee/ice cream and souvenir shopping.  

FOUR WEEK Program - Includes Week One, Two, and Three plus day trip to:

  • Visit Zoo Ave – a zoo that hosts an amazing number of bird species native to Costa Rica, as well as many other animals. The Zoo focuses on environmental education, wildlife rescue, and the care of endangered species.