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Rural Community Turism and Ecotourism Activities
Prices for: Jan. 1, 2011 – December 31, 2011
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 2011:
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 Class:
Description: If you have ever wanted to learn Latin
dancing this is the class for you! Local
dancers will first demonstrate merenge, salsa, and cumbia dancing styles and
then lead the group step by step. You will also practice with a partner and everyone
can take turns showing off their new dance moves. This activity is great fun,
perfect for families and friends, and for groups to kick off or end a tour.
Price: $105 for groups of 1 – 10 people, $12 per additional person
Restrictions: 25 person max
Recommended time:7:00 pm- 7:30pm
Duration: 1 hour
2. Cooking Class:
Description: This class
will offer you the opportunity to learn how to make traditional Costa Rican dishes. The classes are led by local community members,
you will learn about each fresh ingredient, and everyone participates in the
cooking process. The menu choices consists of frescos (fruit juices), empanadas
rellenas (turnovers filled with
beans and cheese), tortillas (flat
bread), patacones (fried green
plantains) or picadillo de chayote (water squash). Enjoy trying all of your culinary creations
at the end of the class!
Price: $90 groups of 1 – 5 people, $12 per additional person
Restrictions: 25 person max
Recommended time: Afternoons or evenings
Duration: 1 ½ - 2 hours
3. Community Service Projects
Description:
Our service
projects provide visitors an opportunity to make a difference by working alongside
community members. 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 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!
Price: $25 p/p half-day activity, $35 p/p complete day with lunch
Restrictions: 5 person minimum
Recommended time: 9am –3pm
Duration: 2 hours half-day, 4 hours complete day
4. Arts and Crafts Class:
Description: This is an
educational and creative class where you will learn from local artisans 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.
Price: $53 for groups of 1 -5 people, $12 per additional person
Restrictions: 15 person max
Recommended time: flexible
Duration: 1 ½ hours
5. “Local Life” – A chat about life in Sarapiqui:
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. Delicious Costa Rican coffee and baked goods
complete the experience.
Price: $42 for groups of 1 -5 people, $10 per additional person
Restrictions: 30 person max
Recommende time: 2 pm-4pm
Duration: 1 hour
6. Home/Farm Visits:
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!
Price: $12 p/p
Restrictions: 5 person minimum, 25 person max
Recommended time: morning or afternoon
Duration: 2 hours
7. Local School Visit:
Description: This is a
unique opportunity to compare and contrast the education system in Costa Rica
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. This activity is highly recommended for
teachers, educational administrators and students.
Price: $16 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
Eco-tourism Activities:
1. Bird Identification 101:
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.
Price: $22 p/p
Restrictions: 12 person max
Recommended time: 7 – 9 am, or 2:30 – 4:30 pm
Duration: 2 hours
2. Ecological Presentations:
Description: The SCL offers a variety of presentations about ecological themes. Choose the one that interests you and your group most.
Price: $80
Restrictions: 30 person max
Recommended time: Afternoon or evening
Duration: 1 hour
The presentations we offer are:
Description: Choose
from a variety of ecological presentations we offer at the SCL.
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
lessons about the dangers of contaminating our environment and how they affect 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:
Description: Visit a 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. 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.
Restrictions: 5 person
minimum
Price: $18 p/p half-day, $225 p/p complete day with lunch
Restrictions: 5 person minimum
Recommended time: Monday – Saturday, 9am - 12pm, 2pm
Duration: 2 hours for half day, 4 hours full day with lunch
Other Activities:
1. Orientation to the SCLC:
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.
Price: Free (Donations of $2 - $5 p/p recommended)
Time available: Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm
Duration: Approximately 15 minutes
2. Room Rental:
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.
Price for half-day: $27
Price for complete day: $53
Capacity: 30 people
Accommodations:
The SCLC does not offer our own lodging; however we can arrange lodging and meals at three levels:
Homestay with local family:
Description: Have you 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!
Restrictions: Each family
has a certain amount of beds available. We need a minimum of 2 weeks’ notice to
accommodate your reservation.
Price: $22pp (with breakfast y dinner)
Lunch $6pp
Recommended time: Afternoon
For more information mail:
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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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