OPTIONAL PRE-PROGRAM
 
 
One of CPI's representatives, ISLS, has put together a Pre-Institute Orientation Program which is an option open to all students who plan to study at CPI.  The objective of the program is to give students the  easiest possible transition into the Costa Rican Culture. This may be of particular interest to those students who are only planning on studying in Monteverde or Flamingo and who would otherwise not have a chance to experience the San José area.  

The 4 day orientation program will be filled with different tours, activities and experiences designed to show you the Costa Rican people and culture which, in turn, may help you to adjust more quickly to living with your host family and allow you to make better progress in your first few days of language classes. 
 
 
PROGRAM ITINERARY 

THURSDAY 
  - Airport pickup. 
  - Transportation to the Student House or local bed and breakfast with time to settle in and relax. 
  - Welcome to Costa Rica dinner at a typical restaurant with traditional Costa Rican food.  Other  
     students that are in the process of studying in Costa Rica join in the welcome and talk about their 
     experiences. 
  - After dinner there is an opportunity to visit local nightspots. 

FRIDAY 
  - Continental breakfast. 
  - Bus and walking tour of San José, in which you will learn how to change money, take cabs and  
     navigate the local bus system. 
  - During the day we will visit the following attractions: National Theater, Gold Museum, Jade 
     Museum, National Zoo, Central Market, Cultural Plaza, National Cathedral, and artisan shops. 
  - Lunch at a local diner and then students have the option of staying in San José or returning to the  
     Student House or B&B. 
  - Dinner at a local restaurant with live entertainment. 

SATURDAY (River Rafting or Calypso Island Tour) 
  - 6:30 am pick-up for river rafting on the Río Reventazón. 
  - Breakfast at a country restaurant. 
  - Half hour training class on how to raft, safety procedures, and emergency techniques. 
  - 5 hours of rafting over class 2 and 3 rapids with a stop for picnic lunch. 
  - Return to San José around 5:00 pm 
  - Dinner at local entertainment center with discos and salsa bars. 
-OR- 
  - 6:00 am pick-up for Calypso Island Tour and transportation to Pacific coast. 
  - 2 hour island tour in Gulf of Nicoya on catamaran with full bar, jacuzzis and Calypso band. 
  - Stop at Isla Tortuga for gourmet lunch, swimming, snorkeling, volleyball and other activities. 
  - Board catamaran at 3:00 pm for return to Puntarenas and arrive in San José at 7:00 pm. 
  - Dinner at local entertainment center with discos and salsa bars. 

SUNDAY 
  - Costa Rican Sunday brunch. 
  - Program wrap-up and language studying tips. 
  - Students studying in San Joaquín will be picked up by a CPI staff member and taken to their 
     respective homestays.  Those studying in Monteverde or Playa Flamingo will be taken to their  
     respective bus stations to catch the bus.
PRICES 
Total program with lodging at the Student House: 
shared room: $275 
private room: $305 

Total program with lodging at a local Bed and Breakfast: 
shared room: $305 
private room: $350 

Prices include all meals, transportation, tours and admissions to museums, theaters, parks and a bilingual guide.
 
 
 


 


Love Costa Rica, Costa Rica Travel Exchange 1-800-256-0124



For more information, rates and reservations:

Costa Rica Travel ExchangeTM!

1-800-256-0124

123 David Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70119

or e-mail us at: CostaTravl@aol.com

 
  
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