ACE in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is filled with jungles, huge amounts of biodiversity and wildlife, national parks, and has miles of coastline on the east and west. The country is an oasis of calm and security in the politically volatile Central American region. The end of its civil war in 1948 resulted in a massive boom in tourism, subsequently making Costa Rica the most visited nation in Central America with eco-tourism being one of the largest attractions boasted.

Costa Rica is also a stable country, both politically and economically, thanks to the abolishment of the national army in 1948. Following this, the national budget allocated to the armed forces was shifted to the education system and to supporting the overall health of individuals in the country. Costa Rica is arguably the most literate population in Central America, boasting of a 93% literacy rate in those 10 years old or over. The country has always had a strong focus on education, becoming the first in the world to make primary education both free and obligatory in 1869 and funding the education program through the state’s share of the great coffee wealth. In those days only one in ten Costa Ricans could read and write. By 1920, 50% of the population was literate, and by the 1970s, 89% of the population was able to read and write.

ACE participants will be based in the village of Gandoca; the southernmost Caribbean coastal town of Costa Rica, located near the border with Panama (Note: ACE participants are not permitted to cross international borders as part of the experience) and around five hours travel time from San Jose. Gandoca is surrounded by the National Wildlife Refuge Gandoca-Manzanillo which includes a large stretch of undeveloped coastline, multiple freshwater creeks, and a brackish lagoon with an important mangrove ecosystem. Gandoca is a small, rural, coastal community of about 600 residents. The town has two elementary schools and a small high school. It is not developed touristically like its neighboring towns of Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo and maintains a rural, community feel. The town is influenced by Afro-Caribbean culture since many residents are of Afro-Caribbean descent. Like the culture of many rural areas in Costa Rica, people are laid-back, value time with friends and family, enjoy playing soccer or supporting the local soccer team, and spending time in the outdoors. Gandoqueños are friendly, upbeat, and welcoming to visitors.

Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge is home to many incredible species such as monkeys, sloths, toucans, and turtles. Due to its proximity to the Caribbean shoreline, Gandoca is renowned for Afro-Caribbean influence on dining and local culture.

Gandoca has a tropical climate. Temperatures remain consistent during the year. Sunrise and sunset change very little during the year (about 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM, respectively). On the Caribbean coast, where students will be based, there are two seasons: The wet seasons (February-April and again in September-October) and the very wet seasons (May-August and November-January).  During the wet season, the average temperature tends to stay around 29°C (84°F). During the very wet season, it can occasionally drop to 20°C (68°F). The heat and humidity make working in this environment particularly difficult: 28°C (82°F) often feels like 40°C (110°F). Do not underestimate the heat, it is typically our largest health and safety consideration. The heat and humidity also mean lots of mosquitos during the day and night.  Gandoca is located in a malarial region. Therefore, students will receive guidance from Duke Student Health during their pre-travel health appointment on taking the necessary malarial prevention medication throughout the program’s duration. Mosquito screens are on all accommodations and mosquito nets are also provided at the accommodation for sleeping under at night.  ACE participants are strongly encouraged to pack long-sleeved shirts and pants to prevent bites when working outside and to bring an EPA-registered repellent.

ACE participants will be housed at the Posada Casa Tucan Tranquilo home base, “Casa Tucan,” in basic same sex, dorm style accommodations with 4-8 beds (2-4 bunk beds) in each room and a shared bathroom.  There is a communal area for meal preparation, eating, relaxing, socializing, and project work preparations. The accommodation has electricity, cold showers, and Western-style toilets.  Hot water is limited in Gandoca, but the weather is warm enough that it is not needed.  There is a washer and dryer on-site for laundry. Please note that air conditioning is not available in the rooms. To help with the heat and humidity, participants may be placed in rooms with fans and all rooms have one or more screened windows for airflow.

During the two nights that students will spend in  Sepecue, the accommodation facilities are similar to Gandoca but are more basic.

In San Jose, during the first and last night of the program, students will stay in a hostel with shared rooms and communal bathrooms.

Three meals a day will be served and prepared by either local community members or World of Difference staff at Casa Tucan.

• Breakfast: The traditional meal consists of “gallo pinto” (rice mixed with beans), eggs, coffee, arepas, fruits, and other sides. We will also have fresh fruit juices and organic hot chocolate and coffee from the farm.
• Lunch: We will be serving the typical Costa Rican lunch of rice, beans, a protein, and a salad or side of diced vegetables (picadillo). For picnic lunches outside of the lodging, we will have sandwiches, fruits, and other portable items.
• Dinner:  Dinner is typically lighter than breakfast and lunch, for example, beef fajitas with fried green plantains, salad, and rice will always be available as a side (we have found that many visitors from the United States don’t eat as much rice as Costa Ricans, but some do).

ACE participants will be able to help themselves to fruit, basic snacks, and potable drinking water throughout the day.  There may be times when participants will go out for the odd meal, which will be included in the program. Participants may wish to bring extra spending money for supplementary food and snacks that can be purchased at a nearby village shop (which has limited options), Puerto Viejo (there is a grocery store that can be accessed on gym days), or in San Jose. In general, most dietary restrictions and preferences can be accommodated.  If you have any specific concerns, please contact the ACE office, aceathletes@duke.edu, to discuss whether your dietary needs can be reasonably accommodated at this program site. Detailed packing recommendations will be given closer to departure; however, participants are encouraged to bring some type of protein supplements, as the Costa Rican diet contains a lower amount of protein than some student-athletes are accustomed to, as well as electrolyte powder given the high heat and humidity.

Wi-fi is available at the accommodations and participants can use internet-based communication, i.e. WhatsApp, Facetime, etc. to stay in touch. Wi-fi may be slower than students are accustomed to. Some cell phone service may be available but expect it to be limited around the village and unreliable unless you have a local sim card and a 3G phone.

All World of Difference onsite field staff carry cell/mobile phones at all times and are reachable via the 24-hour World of Difference Emergency Contact number.

While ACE participants are permitted to bring their own cell phone, camera, or laptop to the program, World of Difference is not liable for any damage, lost, or stolen items during the stay. Due to World of Difference’s Health & Safety and Child Protection Policy, technological equipment will not be permitted on the community project sites (including cell phones, cameras, etc.).

Students will travel in a fully-insured and vetted transport with a licensed and experienced driver to and from their community partner sites, the gym, and on weekend enrichment activities. Where possible students will walk to service projects. However, for projects that are further away transport will be provided.

The gym available is in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, approximately 1 hour away from Gandoca. The gym is small but includes one cardio bike machine, mats for stretching/yoga, battling ropes, dumbbell weights (up to 50 lbs), lat pull-down machine, two benches, and one weight rack (10, 20 kilos, etc.). The gym has a small inside area with air conditioning where the weights and an exercise bike are located. Photos of a gym that participants may use have been included in the gallery at the end of the profile.

ACE participants will have access to the community soccer field for running or training. The soccer field is in excellent condition and is located about a mile from the accommodations. Students can run in groups via a gravel road to the soccer field. Students have been able to easily run 5-6 miles in the surrounding community. Participants are encouraged to run together and are given information on-site about safe running routes.

The community has soccer balls, volleyballs, and a volleyball net.

After the ACE in Costa Rica team is confirmed and the students’ training needs are assessed, a training schedule will be developed. This schedule will encompass opportunities to visit the gym once per week and to train both at the home base and within the local community. Training will take place on the soccer field and participants will be able to run on the surrounding roads. Opportunities to train will be held in the morning when the temperatures are cooler.

Pool training is not feasible for ACE participants who need to commit to regular swimming training since there are no pools available in the area. Please note that swimming in the ocean will not be allowed due to risk management requirements.

June-August is summer in Costa Rica, with temperatures in the range of an average high of 29.1°C (84.4°F) and an average low of 24.8°C (76.6°F). However, it can feel much hotter due to the humidity. Dehydration and sunburns are common if ACE participants are not careful, especially during training.

GVI includes a two-day orientation for ACE participants. This includes a welcome presentation and introduction to the GVI staff, history and background of the projects as well as health and safety requirements for their involvement with GVI.  Participants will be given a briefing on safety procedures at their accommodation, safety around the local area, and safety around the project site. Participants will also be reminded of the goals and objectives for their stay in Gandoca. In addition, all training required for the service projects is built into the schedule.

Itinerary

The following is a provisional itinerary for participants’ time in Costa Rica, please note that it is subject to change and the final itinerary will be shared with participants 4 weeks prior to the program start date.

Day 1: 

• Arrive to San Jose
• Welcome dinner & Orientation

Day 2: 

• Visit the historical culture Museum in Alajuela
• Travel to Gandoca (3-4 hours travel time)
• Welcome and Orientation to Gandoca
• Meet community partners

Days 3-7:

• Early mornings are generally reserved for training at the local community soccer field in Gandoca, one morning will be reserved each week for a trip to the gym in Puerto Viejo
• Days are filled with project work at the local school, organic cocoa farm, or late-night turtle patrols. In between service projects, students will have the opportunity to participate in cooking classes, quiz nights, hammock making, a lagoon tour, and Spanish classes.
• Soccer tournament and pick up games with the local community
• Group reflection

 Day 8: 

• Wildlife hike to Manzanillo
• Return to Gandoca by boat (weather dependent)

Day 9: 

• Cooking workshop to learn how to make traditional Costa Rican tamales
• Cacao drying demonstration and making organic chocolate

Days 10-12:

• Travel to Sepecue (3-4 hrs), spend two nights in Sepecue
• Volunteer at a local school, participate in traditional BriBri games, and learn about the local culture through stories told by an elder
• Students will have the opportunity to exercise on the Sepecue community soccer field in the mornings
• Leave Sepecue to Volio and volunteer on a local organic farm on the way back to Gandoca

Day 13:

• Final day in Gandoca and project wrap-up

Day 14: 

• Depart Gandoca for San Jose
• Hike in Cahuita National Park
• Farewell dinner and final reflection

Day 15: 

• Depart San Jose and fly home

Experienced World of Difference staff introduce ACE participants to local cultures and environments, enabling supported cultural immersion and the fostering of global citizenship and intercultural understanding.  Staff will guide the participants through the learning process, including presentations, weekly written assignments, frequent discussions, and daily reflection time.

Reflection topics may include:

• Team Building Session
• Costa Rica History Lesson
• Spanish or Indigenous Language Lessons
• Cultural Sensitivity and Community Work
• Reflection sessions
• Culture Shock
• Stereotypes & Perceptions
• Sustainability
• Reverse Culture Shock & Re-entry
• Global Citizenship
• Local guest speakers

There are also daily briefings and debriefings, where the day’s achievements or issues will be discussed and plans put in place for the following day. During the program, ACE participants will learn:

• To overcome personal and work-related challenges.
• To work as part of a team and resolve conflict.
• About the local issues and how they relate to global issues and their communities at home.
• New skills and gain practical experience relevant to their chosen project.

Cultural enrichment and immersion activities are organized by World of Difference staff throughout the program.  While activities are weather dependent and may be subject to change, opportunities may include visiting organic chocolate or coffee farms, trips to other parts of Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge including a 6-hour Gandoca-Manzanillo, a hike to waterfalls, and a cooking class. Over the years ACE participants have enjoyed community-organized soccer games which brings community members and ACE participants together. During the program, the ACE participants will travel to Sepecue, a BriBri indigenous community located about four hours from Gandoca in the Talamanca region of Costa Rica. Participants will spend two nights in the community. In addition to service projects, ACE participants will learn more about the BriBri language and culture from local elders and by participating in traditional BriBri activities.

The schedule planned for ACE participants is quite full and has been thoughtfully put together to make the most of your time in the country. Therefore, participants can expect to have limited free time and there will not be opportunities for independent travel outside of the ACE in Costa Rica itinerary.

In addition, as this program is specific for student-athletes, ACE participants are not allowed to participate in high-risk activities, such as, activities involving animals (e.g. horseback riding, handling animals, etc.), extreme/adventure sports-type activities (e.g. rock climbing, paragliding, zip lining, etc.), water activities/sports (both watercraft and swimming/diving), and driving or riding vehicles (e.g. scooters, ATVs, etc.). Please note that this list is not exhaustive.

All World of Difference programs aim to develop participants’ core communication and leadership skills. However, programs also offer practical opportunities for ACE participants to develop their skills in cultural sensitivity, inclusivity, equality, privilege, development in practice, and the realities of climate change.

To learn more about the program, visit the World of Difference Costa Rica website.

Additional resources:

• The Ticos: Culture and Social Change in Costa Rica by Mavis Hiltunen Biesanz, Richard Biesanz, Karen Zubris Biesanz
• Green Phoenix: Restoring the Tropical Forests of Guanacaste by William Allen
• Monkeys Are Made Of Chocolate: Exotic and Unseen Costa Rica by Jack Ewing
• Duolingo – A free app to help with learning Spanish