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Announcing Our Summer Sustainability Tour and Internship

I’ve read the itinerary. What will we do at the internship?
Where will we live?
What is the cost?
How do we get flights?
Do I need to speak Spanish?
Can I communicate with the outside world?


	June 24 - July 1, 2005 Register for this tour

Summer Sustainability Tour and Internship Itinerary

Day 1: June 24, 2005
After an early morning flight we arrive in San Jose, meet our guides and quickly leave the city far behind. We will drive through Braullio Carillo National Park’s cloud forest, past banana plantations, and through the port city of Limon on our way towards the Southern Caribbean coast. We end our day by enjoying the sunset at Black Sand Beach.

Overnight: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca (Limon)

Day 2: June 25
Today we hike through the Kekoldi Indigenous Reserve with a native guide who shares with us the culture and customs of the Bribri People. We learn of the many ways that the BriBri utilize and protect the resources of this secondary rainforest. After a fascinating two hour walk, we return to the village community center and learn from our hosts about some of their history and current day projects. A delicious native lunch is served in typical style with many ingredients harvested from their understory gardens. Enjoy the afternoon at Punta Uva, one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica, where the rainforest practically pours into the sea. In the evening, meet with community members who are working hard to maintain the pristine environment of the Caribbean coast amidst the pressures of ‘development and growth.’

Overnight: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca (Limon)

Canopy Tour

Day 3: June 26
We get an early start as we prepare for our two-day adventure at Punta Mona Center for Sustainable Living and Education. The hike through the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge takes us on the only path into our remote site. Along the way, we travel from the beach path into the jungle, where the diversity of flora and fauna is both beautiful and extensive. A local guide from the neighboring village of Manzanillo will take us through the trail and show off the wonders of his ‘backyard’ while explaining the medicinal, food and other uses of many of the trees, fruits and plants along the way. These days at Punta Mona are an exercise in sustainable living, as most of the food we eat will be harvested from our extensive organic gardens with more than 150 varieties of fruit trees. Solar panels provide energy for the Center and the buildings are built with wood from local fallen trees. After getting settled in the bunkhouse, swim, relax, and gather local fruits and vegetables for our night’s feast. In the evening, meet with members of the community to learn more about the history and current and future projects of Punta Mona.

Overnight: Punta Mona Center for Sustainable Living and Education

Day 4: June 27
We begin the day with an extensive tour and permaculture workshop. Together we will explore the methods that are the wisdom behind the success of the food gardens. We will also get some hands-on experience with these methods by putting them into practice. Throughout the day, kayaking, snorkeling, and relaxing are also possibilities.

Overnight: Punta Mona Center for Sustainable Living and Education

Day 5: June 28
In the morning we leave Punta Mona to the south and meet our guide from ASACODE, a grassroots organization of local families who sustainably harvest lumber and are studying reforestation in the region. Together we visit a banana plantation and learn first hand about the problems and solutions of the region’s largest industry. From there we hike into CASACODE, the project’s eco-lodge. After an after-dinner talk by a prominent community member, we enjoy the sounds of the surrounding forest throughout the night.

Overnight: ASACODE, San Miguel

Day 6: June 29
Early in the morning, we head take and optional walk through the surrounding forest for wonderful bird watching opportunities. Then we will visit some of the community gardens and forestry projects before walking out to where our bus will be meeting us. From there we drive through the municipal center town of Bribri on our way to the Upper Talamanca region where we will visit the heart of the Bribri Indigenous Community. We will travel to the town of Yorkin in motorized dugout canoes. Upon arrival we will have a demonstration of Bribri lore and handicrafts as well as a talk with local community members about the issues that they face in this remote area of the country including the fight that they recently won to protect their lands from oil exploration. Overnight accommodations in simple lodging with mosquito nets.

Overnight: Yorkin Community, Talamanca

Day 7: June 30
We will spend most of the day with the Yorkin community before returning by boat to our bus. From those leaving after the tour, we travel about 4.5 hours back to the capital city of San Jose. Those beginning the internship at Punta Mona will return there and dig into the internship in the monrning.

Overnight: San Jose or Punta Mona

Punta Mona

Day 8: July 1
Some of you will bid farewell to Costa Rica and fly home, and some will begin your internship at Punta Mona!

(schedule subject to change)

Sustainability Tour and Intersnship FAQs

Q. I’ve read the itinerary. What will we do at the internship?
A. The internship will be a month filled with work and fun. We will have a permaculture workshop and orientation upon arrival plus work projects on the farm and garden. Interns will rotate learning about organic agriculture, orchard maintenance, composting, mapping, and general permaculture design. There is also opportunity for independent study of sustainable systems including renewable energy, waste management, local indigenous practices, natural building materials, and greenhouse cultivation.

Q. Where will we live?
A. The tour participants will stay in eco-lodges and small locally-owned hotels. At Punta Mona, interns will stay in a bunkhouse built from local fallen trees. All meals at Punta Mona are shared family-style with the entire community. Meals are mostly vegetarian though fish and eggs are available occasionally (when the chickens are laying and the fish are biting). Although the three daily meals are substantial and truly gourmet, you may have extra food needs. Make sure to bring those supplies along and store them in a private space (in a water proof and insect proof container).

Q. What is the cost?
A. The cost is $1600 which includes four weeks of room, board, plus an eight day all-inclusive tour of Costa Rica leading up to the internship. The tour alone without the internship costs $1300. Airfare is not included.

Q. How do we get flights?
A. Each participant is responsible for finding his/her own flight to Costa Rica. Costa Rican Adventures is happy to help you with flight arrangements. Recommended websites for good airfares are Orbitz.com and Expedia.com.

Q: Do I need to speak Spanish?
A: Spanish is not necessary as we have many bilingual speakers on the farm. We think there is a wonderful opportunity to increase your Spanish fluency and we certainly encourage you to do so. Individual and group Spanish lessons may be available.

Q: Can I communicate with the outside world?
A: Believe it or not Punta Mona now has an excellent satellite Internet connection in the middle of the jungle. This service is offered at the rate of $3.00 per hour. Use is subject to availability of solar energy and time on the café computer. In case of emergency, phone calls (yes, they have a land based line that is powered by solar energy) can be received on this phone. Again it must be understood that this phone is for emergencies only.

For more information, contact Sarah at 1-800-551-7887 or via e-mail