9:29 pm, Sunday, May 11th
 
 

Stop asking "are we there yet?" on your yearly road trip and step into the ‘Pura Vida ’ of Costa Rica! Costa Rica Rainforest Outward Bound School (CRROBS) is working for Smith Family Reunion to offer an excitement-filled family filled vacation in the rainforest. You'll be able to hike, raft, climb and rappel through the exciting rivers and luscious rainforests, or enjoy breathtaking beaches and glowing sunsets while learning how to surf.

Get ready for a family incultural experience of a lifetime while enjoying the natural beauty of your surroundings.

This trek will take you through some of Costa Rica's most enchanting jungles, exciting rivers,  and gorgeous beaches! During your family's journey, you will trek through the rainforest, do a tree climb, raft Class III-IV rapids, try your skills and luck on a surfboard. Your family will also have the unique opportunity to interact with Costa Rican families in their homes, and participate in their daily activities and traditions– including anything from milking cows, harvesting crops, to making tortillas by hand! Your family will never experience Costa Rica like this again!

 

Family Itinerary
Days: 7
Day 0
Fly to San Jose, Costa Rica. Meet your Outward Bound Instructors. Transfer to CRROBS base camp at Tres Rios for brief, late night orientation. Fly to San Jose, Costa Rica. Meet your Outward Bound Instructors. Participants arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica. Instructors will meet you at the quaint and cozy Villa Antigua hotel nestled in the refreshing hills of San Ramon de Tres Rios. ($50 night double occupancy in this new family owned and run three star hotel; alternatively stay free of charge at the CRROBS base camp 2 miles away in comfortable bunk rooms with private bath/hot water and nestled in a cool wooded area adjacent to a small mountain stream) Welcome and orientation meeting. Time permitting, evening activity in San José.
Day 1
Wake up to the sound of water crashing down from nearby. The route continues through lower mountane rainforest. The forest is shrouded in mist for much of the day and trees are covered with moss and lichens. This forest feels enchanted as the route becomes more and more remote. Take time to look closely at all the rich and diverse plants along the route. Your instructors will explain the medicinal values of many plants en route. Today your trek ends at your destination, the mountain village area of Piedras Blancas. Rest down your packs and be the guests of Orlando’s very welcoming family. (Orlando has worked for CRROBS since near it’s inception and each of his 5 children aspire to become CRROBS instructors)
Day 2

Wake up to the sound of water crashing down from nearby. The route continues through lower mountane rainforest. The forest is shrouded in mist for much of the day and trees are covered with moss and lichens. This forest feels enchanted as the route becomes more and more remote. Take time to look closely at all the rich and diverse plants along the route. Your instructors will explain the medicinal values of many plants en route. Today your trek ends at your destination, the mountain village area of Piedras Blancas. Rest down your packs and be the guests a homestay family.
Day 3
This morning, your host families in the Piedras Blancas region will share many of their traditions and daily chores with your family. Activities could include planting or harvesting traditional foods such as bananas, rice, beans, sugar cane, chocolate beans, avocados, oranges, squash, or corn. Food preparation could include hand milking cows or goats, grinding corn, hand-making tortillas or cooking over an open fire. Whatever the project, your rainforest experience is more complete knowing that you have actively been involved in preserving it and the culture that depends on it. Overnight at another village homestay.
Day 4

The Outward Bound solo is an experience you may have only once in your life. Experience pure solitude for a period of 12 - 24 hours. Spend time alone in the wilderness to enjoy nature and to take inventory of where your life is and where you want it to be. The solo exercise is designed to allow students to make an introspective evaluation of their personal progress on their course and in life. The solo is not a survival exercise per se; the focus is more meditative, and the environment allows students to be free of distractions. Students are frequently asked to write a letter to themselves and/or to the family to help organize their thoughts and feelings related to what is a very impacting personal experience.

Day 5
Hike to the area of Brujo, get into rafts, and begin your day on safe but exciting Class I-IV rapids of the Rio Savegre. The wide Rio Savegre flows through a combination of rainforest and scenic rural farmland. Combine this with warm green waves and surfing holes for an experience you'll never forget! Riverine ecology as well as principles of hydrology will be experienced up close. The river will take you close to the Pacific coast where you will be transfered to picturesque Manuel Antonio Beach and National Park and stay at the comfortable and family friendly Costa Verde Hotel.
Day 6

Wake up early and head for the Surf! It’s time to strap on your surfboard leashes and learn how to ride some waves. Our instructors will teach you everything from basic surfing techniques to more advanced moves that you might have seen in movies. Learn about wave formation, ocean ecology, and even lunar phases that affect the tides. In the afternoon, take time to beach comb and take in the fantastic sunset. Closure with CRROBS staff.

Day 7
Returning flights out of San Jose International Airport


 
 
We reserve the right to alter our itineraries due to unusual water conditions, weather, other acts of God, or other cause. In all cases we will make every effort to substitute an activity or location with something comparable.



E-mail Jennine Cohen at customcourse@crrobs.com to get started organizing your own family reunion!
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