Orientation
Once you have been met and picked up from the airport, you will be taken to your accommodation to settle in. On your first full day, your co-ordinators will guide you through the language school and help to answer any questions you may have in your orientation. Your orientation will cover:
- Local culture - social norms, traditions and culture
- Expected behaviour - safety whilst on the kitesurfing programme (more details will be given upon arrival at the kitesurfing school)
- Safety - areas and places to avoid, what to do in an emergency
- Locations of important amenities - banks, hospitals, embassies
- Transportation and travel in Costa Rica - where to go, how to get there
Accommodation and Meals
During your stay in San Jose, you will be accommodated with a local host family. At the home-stay, you will have a private room, with access to the shared bathroom and kitchen etc. Although the houses are relatively comfortable and the families are from the local working-class, please be aware that living conditions can be of a lower standard than in the UK and Costa Rica is a developing country.
Breakfast and dinner are included and are provided by the host family. They will be made in the local style, with local ingredients. If you have any special dietary needs, these can be catered for.
During your kitesurfing course in Guanacaste Province, you will stay in beachside accommodation. You will have your own room. Each room has a fan and an adjoining shower room/bathroom. You have access to a number of other facilities at the accommodation, including the Internet, Jacuzzi and Sky TV.
Meals are not included during this part of the programme. Food can be purchased at the accommodation restaurant or bought in the local village/restaurants nearby.
You will need to budget approximately US$25/day (approx. £14) for food and drink.
Free Time
San José, the capital of Costa Rica, is situated in the middle of the country making it a convenient location for travelling in Costa Rica. In San José you will find buses that will take you directly to the Atlantic coast, the Pacific coast, the Arenal volcano, Monteverde cloud forest and many other destinations.
Additionally, San José has many social and cultural activities all year-round, including music festivals, concerts at the national theatre, dance clubs and all types of restaurants.
The language school is located in a quiet, secure neighbourhood, close to the well-known San Pedro Mall and a variety of restaurants, cinemas, banks and Internet cafes.
Playa Papaturro
As well as relaxing on the beach, there are a lot of other activities that you can do during your free time. The hotel accommodation can assist you with a number of trips and sporting activities, which include:
- Sport fishing (enquire for prices at accommodation)
- Mountain biking (US$15/day)
- Windsurfing lessons (US$30/hour)
- Sea Kayaking (from $12/day)
- 4X4 trips (various options available)
- Surfboard hire (US$10/day) and more
Project Support
During your programme, you will have the support and guidance of our local coordinator. They will provide you with competent field support and assistance, and help you with any questions or support you may need during your stay.
In addition, we will provide you with a 24 hour emergency contact number before you depart, so that you can contact one of our UK staff at any time should you need to.
Project Age Limit
Minimum age 18, maximum decided on potential participant’s health.
