Rapid Experiences Programs:
Dates: 2010
COSTA RICA:July 25 - August 7
Rates: 2010
COSTA RICA:$2,800
All Rapid Experiences Programs are Co-Ed for entering 9-12 grades.
What we send to you:
- Registration Form
- Participant Questionnaire
- Medical Form
- Participant Agreement Form
- Release of Liability Form
- Terms of Agreement
- Clothing and Equipment List
What we need back from you:
- Registration Form
- Participant Questionnaire
- Medical Form
- Participant Agreement Form
- Terms of Agreement
Summer Kayaking Adventures For Teens: Rapid Experiences Costa Rica Program
Trip Info
Rapid Experiences Costa Rica - an intermediate/advanced, international whitewater kayaking expedition and cultural immersion. You might even find us on surf boards too! Just like all Rapid Experiences trips, the core of our program lies in traveling, paddling, and living in a small group. Unlike our other trips, in Costa Rica we stay in lodges and paddle several rivers in one region before moving to the next. The three main regions we visit throughout the course of our trip are; Turrialba, The Northern Caribbean Slope, and Manuel Antonio near Quepos - where we take a break from whitewater and learn to surf off the Pacific Coast. Our itinerary is more structured on international trips, while participants are still actively involved in the decision making process determining daily activities. Throughout the trip we eat traditional Costa Rican food at the local "sodas", and get to participate in cooking some of these meals during our stay at the lodge in Turrialba.
This trip is designed for advanced-intermediate whitewater kayakers, it is the next step in the Rapid Experiences progression from our South Eastern US trip. Participants on this trip are very comfortable on Class III whitewater and have a solid roll. Most of all, this trip is a great fit for those who want to get the most out of their summer vacation and have a sense of adventure!
"I can't think of any room for improvement, the trip was pretty much perfect. The trip leaders were awesome, weather was incredible, food was delicious, gear was great and the campsites and rivers were BEAUTIFUL!"
Collier Brown - Birmingham, Alabama
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at the Bella Vista Ranch in Turrialba, Costa Rica - a secluded coffee and chocolate farm with outstanding mountain top views.
Day 2-4: Warm up on the class II-III waters of the Pejibaye river while staying at the Bella Vista Ranch. We will eat authentic Costa Rican meals cooked at the ranch, and learn some "survival Spanish" before traveling to our next destination.
Day 5-7: Travel to the North Caribbean Slope region, which gives rise to a land of whitewater flowing from the northern slope of Costa Rica's largest volcanic range, the Cordillera Central. While here we will paddle some of Costa Rica's classic rivers - the Sarapiqui and Toro. Take a "day off" and ride horses to the base camp of the Zipline Canopy Tour....fly through the tree tops on over half a mile of zipline before soaking sore muscles in natural volcanic hotsprings!
Day 8-10: Quepos and Manuel Antonio, in the Central Pacific region, are a gateway to easily accessible whitewater and some of the best kayak and board surfing Costa Rica has to offer. Participants have a choice while here between waterfall hiking and wildlife viewing, surf lessons, or more whitewater. The beaches of Manuel Antonio also have great shopping!
Day 11-12: The culmination of Rapid Experiences Costa Rica is an overnight trip down the Paquare river. Halfway down we will stay at a river camp - with platform tents, a huge kitchen, and outdoor showers. Imagine Toucans and spider monkeys in the trees, waterfalls, and if you have an urge to eat a banana - grab on off a tree!
Day 13: Back in the States and wanting more...
Cost & Dates
July 25 : Arrive at Green River Adventures, meet your trip leaders and prepare for the trip to Costa Rica.
July 26 : Participants flying from other areas of the country may meet the group at the Charlotte, NC airport. We check in and fly together to San Jose. All participants are required to fly on the same flight to San Jose.
Cost: $2,800
**There is an $80 fee from US Airways for participants who wish to fly to Costa Rica with their personal kayak.
August 6 : The group will arrive in Charlotte, NC late and travel back to Saluda.
August 7: Parent pick up between 10 and 11 a.m.
Travel
All participants fly from Charlotte, NC to San Jose, Costa Rica together on July 25th. One of the trip leaders will be transporting participants from Green River Adventures in Saluda, NC to the Charlotte airport on the 26th and flying with the group to San Jose. We encourage parents to arrange for drop off on the 25th of July at Green River Adventures in order for trip leaders and the group to organize all kayaking gear and luggage. Lodging is provided on the night of the 25th at the Saluda Mountain Lodge for all participants. However, we realize that some of our participants will be traveling from different areas of the country and will need to meet the group at the airport in Charlotte on the 26th. During your conversations with our office, all necessary travel arrangements will be addressed.
FAQ's
Q: Am I good enough to paddle in Costa Rica?
A: We ask that participants traveling to Costa Rica feel very comfortable on Class III whitewater, have some experience on Class IV, and have a solid roll. What we ask our prospective participants is not, "How good are you?" It's "How pumped are you to kayak in Costa Rica!" All we ask is that you come to us with an open mind and a sense of adventure!
Q: Can I bring my own kayaking gear and boat?
A: Yes, if you own your own gear definitely bring it. If you do not own your own gear, we will take care of it! Most people who own their own boat feel uncomfortable paddling a different boat. We encourage you to bring your own boat if it will make you feel more comfortable on the water. It can be a bit of a headache flying with kayaks, but we have found that on this direct flight with US Airways, it is as painless as it can be. There is an extra fee of $100 for flying with a kayak - and the boat has to be under 115 inches long and weigh less that 100 lbs.
Q: Do I have to know how to speak Spanish to do this program?
A: You don't. We have expert local guides with us that speak English, and at least one of your trip leaders will also be proficient in Spanish. If you do speak Spanish, that's awesome! You will have so many opportunities to practice.
Q: Where do we sleep?
A: We change it up on this trip. Sometimes we camp out on the riverbanks, under the rainforest canopy, or stay in small hotels. We start the trip in the Turrialba region staying in cabins on a coffee and chocolate farm high in the mountains.
Q: What do we eat?
A: Part of any cultural experience is dining on the local fare. We will have the opportunity to eat in the local "sodas", serving traditional Costa Rican food - which is FABULOUS! Some of the places we stay serve family style meals, and we get to participate in cooking some of these traditional dishes.
Q: Can I call home on this trip?
A: Yes. You will have the opportunity to call home every few days when we stop in larger villages. To pay for calls, you will need to purchase a pre-paid international calling card. We have found that purchasing a calling card in country is the easiest and most cost effective way to stay in touch with home.
Q: Do I need a passport?
A: Yes. All participants traveling internationally must have a valid passport. You can apply for a passport at the post office. If you do not already have a passport we recommend that you begin the application process when you begin enrolling in Rapid Experiences Costa Rica. The process usually takes about 6 weeks from applying to receiving your passport.
