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Rural Community Turism and Ecotourism Activities
Prices for: Jan. 1, 2010 – August 31, 2010
The SCLC is a non-profit organization whose organization is to link communities and conservation through education and ecotourism in the Sarapiqui region of Costa Rica’s northern lowlands. The SCLC focuses its efforts in four areas:
1. Education
2. Community Development
3. Conservation
4. Tourism
Our goals are to develop future environmental leaders, raise the organizational capacity of local communities, promote sustainable land use, and connect tourists to the local community and environment. The activities listed below have been carefully chosen so that tourism helps the SCLC to fulfill its mission. By booking tourism activities with the SCLC, you will be contributing to environmental conservation, promoting the well-being of local communities, and contributing to the economic benefit of the SCLC and the local community.
List of Activities 2009:
Note: * All activities include free English translation from a SCLC representative
** SCLC does not provide transportation for any activity. Transport if necessary can be arranged.
CULTURAL and Rural Community Tourism Activities:
1. Latin Dance Show:
Net Price: Popular Dance Show $90, Folkloric Dance Show $105
Rack Price: Popular Dance Show $108, Folkloric Dance Show $126
Restrictions: 30 person max
Recommended schedule: Evening
Duration: 1 hour
Description: Dancing is a central part of Costa Rican culture. Come and hear Latin music and enjoy dances performed by a local dance group of 8 performers. See either traditional folkloric dances or a popular combination of meringue, salsa, and cumbia. Listen, watch, and see if you can manage to sit still!
2. Latin Dance Class:
Net Price: $100 for groups of 1 – 10 people, $10 per additional person
Rack Price: $120 for groups of 1 – 10 people, $12 per additional person
Restrictions: 25 person max
Recommended time: 7:30pm
Duration: 1 hour
Description: Ever wanted to learn Latin dancing? Then this is the class for you! You will learn 3 styles: Merengue, Salsa, and Cumbia. Local dancers will first demonstrate and then lead the group step by step. You will also practice with a partner and everyone will take turns dancing showing off their new dance moves. This activity is great fun, perfect for group’s kick off or tour ending, but also for families and friends.
3. Cooking Class (Regular):
Net Price: $85 groups of 1 – 5 people, $10 per additional person
Rack Price: $102 groups 1 – 5 people, $12 per additional person
Restrictions: 25 person max
Recommended time: Afternoons or evenings
Duration: 1 ½ - 2 hours
Description: This class will offer you the opportunity to learn how to make traditional Costa Rican dishes. The classes are led by a local community member, and everyone participates in the cooking process. You will learn about the history, botanical names, and cultivation of each fresh ingredient. The menu consists of guacamole (a dip made with avocados), batidos (milkshakes), empanadas (turnovers), tortillas (flat bread), or patacones (fried green plantains). Enjoy trying all of your culinary creations at the end of the class!!
4. Cooking Class (Desserts):
Net Price: $85 groups of 1 – 5 people, $10 per additional person
Rack Price: $102 groups 1 – 5 people, $12 per additional person
Restrictions: 25 person max
Recommended time: Afternoons or evenings
Duration: 1 ½ hours
Description: This might possibly be the most scrumptious educational activity around! A local cook will teach you how to prepare three traditional ¨postres¨ (desserts): chorreada (a pancake-like postre made of corn), plátanos maduros a la gloria (plantains in a cinnamon and clove mixture), and miel de piña y coco (made of pineapple and coconut). As pineapples and plantains abound in the area, participants can be assured that the majority of the ingredients are locally grown. This hands-on activity not only allows participants to create, but best of all, to eat their creations!
*We are always happy to accommodate special needs. So if your group exceeds 25 people or if you would like a certain menu or a more in-depth session from start to finish including iinitial grocery shopping in a local tienda to the making of the food, please contact us and we will be happy to create something special for you.
5. Community Service Projects
Net Price: $20 p/p half-day activity, $30 p/p complete day with lunch
Rack Price: $24 p/p half-day activity, $36 p/p complete day with lunch
Restrictions: 5 person minimum
Recommended time: 9am – 5pm
Duration: 2 - 3 hours half-day, 4 – 5 hours complete day
Description:
Our service projects allow visitors to work alongside community members and make a difference within their communities. Examples of social/cultural projects include painting or light construction/maintenance at local schools or community institutions, building a sidewalk, or a bus stop. All supplies are purchased with group fees, while remaining funds go the host community, institution, or organization. If a group is interested in donating more tools, or working on a specific project please let us know when the reservation is made.
Full-day activity recommended for high school students or adult groups with a particular interest in community development, conservation, or a related topic.
Please note:
Community service projects must be arranged and finalized no fewer than 2 weeks in advance. Changes are not possible after this time. Projects are arranged to address current community needs, and the menu of possible projects is fluid. We will try to honor project requests, but not all project options are available at a given time. Service projects at schools are available only on weekdays, mid February – June and August – mid December, depending on the school calendar.
Service projects mean work. Supervised use of tools and/or machinery may be involved. Please come prepared with bug spray, sun block, rain gear, appropriate shoes, and a good attitude to help the community, make new friends, and have fun!
6. Arts and Crafts Class:
Net Price: $50 for groups of 1 -5 people, $10 per additional person
Rack Price: $60 per groups of 1 – 5 people, $12 per additional person
Restrictions: 25 person max
Recommended time: flexible
Duration: 1 ½ hours
Description: This is an educative and creative class where you will learn from a local artisan how to make jewelry with rainforest seeds, woodworking, painting, or palm frond weaving. All materials needed for the class is provided. At the end of the class take your rainforest creation home with you.
7. “Local Life” – A chat about life in Sarapiqui:
Net Price: $40 for groups of 1 -5 people, $8 per additional person
Rack Price: $48 for groups of 1 -5 people, $10 per additional person
Restrictions: 30 person max
Recommende time: Flexible
Duration: 1 hour
Description: During this informative talk given by a local community member, you will learn about life in Sarapiquí. Topics include immigration, domestic life, local artisan work, student experience and much more! A question and answer session concludes the activity, fostering international communication and understanding. Good Costa Rican coffee and fresh baked goods complete the experience.
8. Home/Farm Visits:
Net Price: $10 p/p
Rack Price: $12 p/p
Restrictions: 5 person minimum, 25 person max
Recommended time: morning or afternoon
Duration: 2 hours
Description: Take this rare opportunity to visit local people in their homes. Listen to them speak about their life, their family, their history, their community, and their work. You will also take a tour of the home and small farm, and receive coffee and a special homemade treat!
9. Local School Visit:
Net Price: $15 p/p
Rack Price: $18 p/p
Restrictions: 5 person minimum, 30 person max
Recommended time: Mon – Fri: 9:30-11:30am, 2:00-4:00pm mid Feb. – June/ August – mid. Dec.
Duration: 2 hours
Description: This is a unique opportunity to compare and contrast the education system in Sarapiquí with your own. The visit consists of a guided tour of the school, led by the director, a teacher, and/or students, a presentation, and a question and answer session. Groups will either visit one of the local elementary schools or high schools. One-third of each participant fee will go directly to the school visited. Book donations accepted. Highly recommended for teachers, educational administrators and students.
Eco-tourism Activities:
1. Bird Identification 101:
NEW for 2009!!!
Net Price: $10 p/p
Rack Price: $12 p/p
Restrictions: 12 person max
Recommended time: 7 – 9 am, or 2:30 – 4:30 pm
Duration: 2 hours
Description: The region of Sarapiqui has more than 520 species of birds. Without any training trying to identify all these birds can difficult and even frustrating. Now the SCLC offers a Bird Identification 101 course. This 2 hour course, includes 1 hour of in class practice, and 1 hour of birding in the field. Learn how to identify birds, use binoculars, and your field guide.
2. Field Ecology
Net Price: $20 p/p
Rack Price: $24 p/p
Restrictions: 5 person minimum
Recommended time: 8:00am-11 am, 2pm-5:00pm
Duration: 3 hours
Description: Learn what is like to be an ecologist. Spend a day as a tropical field ecologist and assist the SCLC staff and local community members with the Center’s on-going conservation monitoring projects. This program has three parts:
1. Introduction to data collection methods for birds, trees and water quality.
2. Visit a local farm or river and collect scientific data on diversity and abundance of birds, growth of trees, and water quality.
3. Analyze and present data to local landowners
These programs demonstrate ecological principals, scientific mentod and a chance to know a local farm while collecting important data for the region.
3. Ecological Presentations:
Net Price: $75
Rack Price: $90
Restrictions: 30 person max
Recommended time: Afternoon or evening
Duration: 1 hour
Description: The SCL offers a variety of presentations about ecological themes. Choose the one that interests you and your group most. The presentations we offer are:
A. The San Juan – La Selva Biological Corridor:
The SCLC will explain this regional conservation program. Learn about the Sarapiqui demographics, ecological connectivity, the Maquenque Wildlife Refuge, the Great Green macaw and how the SCLC is making a difference in linking communities and conservation.
B. Conservation of the Great Green Macaw:
The Great Green Macaw (Ara ambiguus) is one of the most endangered species in the world. Get to know the natural history of this species, what threatens its existence and why it is the flagship species for Sarapiqui.
C. The Costa Rican Bird Route:
This project is one of the most important initiatives in the region. The project, which promotes bird tourism on private lands is a pilot conservation project for all of Costa Rica. Learn what the SCLC and other organizations are doing to promote landowner based conservation.
D. Health: The connection between your health and the health of the environment:
Our health is directly related to the health of our environment and what we do to the environment. Learn the lessons that history has to tell about the threats that contaminating our environment pose to the health of our bodies and our communities.
E. Intro to Bird Identification:
Learn the basic concepts of bird identification, binocular use, and field guide…in the classroom.
F. Birds in a World of Threats:
The world is a difficult to navigate; especially if you are a bird. Learn what threatens our birds survival and what you can do to protect birds.
4. Reforestation Projects:
Net Price: $15 p/p half-day, $20 p/p complete day with lunch
Rack Price: $18 p/p haf-day, $24 p/p complete day with lunch
Restrictions: 5 person minimum
Recommended time: Monday – Saturday, 9am - 12pm, 2pm - 5pm
Duration: 2 hours for half day, 4 hours full day with lunch
Description: Visit a neighboring local farm and help plant native trees on the property. Reforestation is a clear environmental need that is not addressed at smaller scales by Costa Rican government programs. Yet it is something that interests many farmers and can be offered at minimal sacrifice to them. Indeed, reforestation can be done by nearly everyone. This activity provides an important lesson about grassroots forestry, community awareness and the impact humans have on conservation and the environment.
Notes: Prices include all trees and materials for planting. Full-day activity includes two reforestation sessions and is recommended for high school or adult groups with a particular interest in community development, or conservation.
Other Activities:
1. Orientation to the SCLC:
Price: Free (Donations of $2 - $5 p/p recommended)
Time available: Monday – Friday 10am – 6pm, Saturday 9:30 am – 3 pm
Duration: Approximately 15 minutes
Description: Get to know the Sarapiqui Conservation Learning Center. Through a short powerpoint presentation learn about the history of the center, our mission and the work we do for conservation and the community. Take a walk around the center afterward.
2. Room Rental:
Price for half-day: $25
Price for complete day: $50
Capacity: 30 people
Description: Use our center located along the Sarapiqui River for your conference, workshop or class. The classroom comes with a projector, whiteboard, tables and chairs. Snacks and meals can be arranged. Please contact us well ahead of time for reservations.
Accommodations:
The SCLC does not offer our own lodging; however we can arrange lodging and meals at three levels:
1. Homestay with local families
2. Local Bed and Breakfast
3. Selva Verde Lodge
1. Homestay with local family:
Net Price: $18 p/p per night (includes dinner and breakfast)
Rack Price: $22 p/p per night (includes dinner and breakfast)
Restrictions: Each family has a certain amount of beds available. We need a minimum of 2 weeks notice to accommodate your reservation.
Description: Ever wondered what it’s like to actually live in another country, as opposed to simply traveling through it? Stay with a local family. Our families offer visitors a rare opportunity to experience firsthand what it is like to live in rural Costa Rica. Share meals, conversation, and leisure time with a local family. This opportunity is sure to provide you with a unique cultural and linguistic experience!
2. Bed and Breakfast:
Description: The SCLC offers comfortable mid-price range accommodations at a local Bed and Breakfast. These bed and breakfasts are local amongst exuberant tropical vegetation, and offer comfortable room with private bath. Meals can be worked out at each site. Groups of 16 or fewer can be accommodated.
3. Selva Verde Lodge:
Description: The SCLC is located on the grounds of Selva Verde lodge. This lodge is one of the most well-known eco-lodges in Costa Rica. It offers attractive bungalows, a pool, riverside rooms, and you can choose to have all meals included or not. The lodge offers ecologically sustainable lodging as it has a 3 of 5 leaf environmental rating by Rainforest Alliance and the Costa Rican Tourism Institute.
TO MAKE A RESERVATION AND REVIEW POLICIES CLICK HERE
Click here to download the list of Activities in English and Spanish
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