What an adventure! I’ve done things I never imagined I could do. Thank you so much for all you did to make this experience authentic, breath-taking, and easy. We enjoyed every minute.
Arlis & Paul
Thank you so much for making our trip so memorable. When I got home and started telling my parents about it, I realized it was the only trip I've been on where I felt so at home and welcome everywhere I went. It was nice to have an authentic view of the country and people!
Cristina, student
Thank you for being our guide during our stay in Costa Rica. It was an amazing experience, and I learned a lot about the Costa Rican culture! I plan to keep in contact with my host family and to maintain a new friendship. I also think my Spanish/ acting skills have improved greatly.
Will, junior
Thank you so much for everything. You were a leader to me, but most importantly you were a friend to me. You were always able to make things exciting, even if it was scrubbing the walls.
Lea, sophmore
“Since being back at school the kids have been sharing in their classes and I have heard nothing but positive comments from all the other teachers. Definitely doesn’t happen on every trip, especially to another country! I’ll definitely keep you in mind for future years…”
Corey Smith
Log on to the Discover Spanish website to sign up for a free trial. Discover Spanish is an interactive online Spanish language learning program that will take you through an equivalent of two years of Middle School Spanish and / or one year of High School Spanish.
Before you leave for Costa Rica, brush up on your Spanish by using their highly effective program.
Costa Rica Explorations supports the mission of Corcovado Foundation, a local leader in conservation in Costa Rica. Corcovado Foundation is located in Drake's Bay and provides on-going support locally through its Environmental Education Program to educate community members on sustainable practicies such as waste management and responsible tourism.
During the months of June through December the foundation looks for volunteers to help with its Sea Turtle Conservation Project. Help save sea turtles from extinction by patroling beaches and preventing poachers from stealing eggs.
Contact Us if you are interested in volunteering with this amazing organization.
Fernando PerezFernando comes to Costa Rica Explorations with eleven years of experience working for many major companies in Costa Rica. He is a certified naturalist guide and absolutely loves birding! He is passionate about his country, Costa Rica, and is knows its history by heart. Fernando is an incredible guide; he enjoys meeting new people and will make you fall in with his country!
Juan Carlos Arrieta VegaJuan Carlos’s experierence working with students and families spans twenty years. With his degree in Biology, Juan Carlos’s love of biodiversity seeps through on his tours. Juanca’s thoughtful nature makes his groups’s experience truly unique.
Sergio AmadorSergio has dabbled in many different fields before falling in love with guiding. He has worked for various student tour organizations and has seven years of experience in the field. He is a certified EMT, so safety is his number one priority! He loves conversing with students and teachers, teaching them Spanish, and cooking his groups gourmet meals.
John is co-founder and Director of Marketing and Sales for Costa Rica Explorations. He currently lives between Park City, Utah, and Turrialba, Costa Rica. He has been leading groups of all ages on authentic vacations and service-learning trips through Costa Rica and Central America for almost 10 years. He has worked for The Costa Rica Rainforest Outward Bound School, Breakthroughs Abroad, Serendipity and various other organizations throughout North and Central America. John is a St. Louis, Missouri, native and received his business degrees from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. He put his incredible business sense and entrepreneurial skills to work and started Costa Rica Explorations.
There is no doubt that Molly’s passion in life is teaching. Throughout her career she has worked in myriad settings with countless types of people. Her experience ranges from teaching preschoolers about sea stars at the New England Aquarium to instructing adults in an English Language School in Costa Rica. Molly was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, received her degree in psychology from Miami University and her Masters Degree in teaching from Boston College. After her schooling, Molly set off to Costa Rica to use her skills. She fell in love with her surroundings and couldn’t get enough of the people, nature and culture. When John approached her about the idea of co-founding Costa Rica Exploraitons, she jumped on the opportunity. Using her love for designing curriculum and meeting the unique needs of each of her student groups, Molly has been Director of Operations since its inception.
Mission Statement
Costa Rica Explorations provides students of all ages with a cross-cultural experience in which they can gain a more compassionate perspective of the diverse cultures of the world.
Using an experiential hands-on approach, through community service projects, homestays, & adventure travel, participants are able to develop greater self- confidence, leadership techniques, independence, and team-building skills. We strive to open students’ eyes to their own capabilities of being able to make a positive difference in the world.
Philosophy
We attain our goals by incorporating three equally important components into each program. Each of these components plays a key role in the student’s personal development and cross-cultural experience while traveling abroad with Costa Rica Explorations.
International Community Service Projects: The students are able to experience firsthand their ability to help communities in need internationally. Costa Rica Explorations teaches students that when planning a service project each project should be tailored to the unique needs of the community. All groups must be equally invested in the project. Students are encouraged to fundraise beforehand. This money is used to purchase the supplies for their project. The goal of the service projects is to help the community, but also to teach students skills that they will be able to apply within their hometowns. Our hope is that they look at the needs of their own communities and with their newly learned skills, develop projects to help their neighbors at home.
Language & Cultural Immersion Homestays: The homestay phase integrates each student into the natural, everyday way of life of the local community. The students eat three meals a day with their families, engage in daily routines, learn how to communicate in the Spanish language, and teach their families English words and phrases. It is a true intercultural exchange. Through their homestays, students not only learn Spanish, but they also learn a different way of life. They gain a mutual understanding and respect for diverse cultures. Their families, in return, have the same experience.
Individual and Group Development: While the students are participating in adventure day trips, educational field trips, homestays, and/or community service projects, they are challenged to evaluate their individual growth as well as their ability to work within a team. Students are aided through this process by setting attainable personal and group goals. These goals are realized through workshops, team building activities, and leadership development exercises. Students process their experiences and grow through regular group disscussions. They are encouraged to analyze their personal development by means of reflection and journal entries.
Learn how to Speak Spanish while preparing for your Costa Rica Explorations adventure!
