Where is Costa Rica?
Where is La Flor?
Is Costa Rica a safe country?
How long have you been in business?
What is included in Cultivating Communities programs?
What is not included in Cultivating Communities programs?
Why do I have to pay to work?
Do I have to take the Spanish classes?
Is home-stay the only option for accommodations?
Will I have to share a room?
What if I am vegetarian, vegan, or have other dietary restrictions?
Can we bring our kids?
Is it safe to drink the water in La Flor?
Do I need vaccinations or Malaria medication?
What are your policies regarding the health and safety of participants, and emergencies?
How much money should I bring?
Traveler’s cheques, credit cards, cash?
Where is Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is located near the bottom of Central America between Nicaragua and Panama.
Back to Top
Where is La Flor?
La Flor is located in Costa Rica’s Central Valley, in the province of Cartago. Nearby villages and towns include Santiago, El Yas, Cervantes, and Paraiso. You can find La Flor using Google Earth and the coordinates 09˚ 52′ 10.1″ N; 083˚ 48′ 44.2″ W
Back to Top
Is Costa Rica a safe country?
Sometimes called ‘the Switzerland of Central America’ because of its peaceful history, Costa Rica is in many ways a safer country than some of its neighbours. The Costa Rican government abolished its army in 1948, and has since put a huge amount of resources into social programs, education, and health care. The result is an extremely literate population and a much bigger middle class than other Central American countries. Crime exists in Costa Rica as it does everywhere, and travelers should exercise caution in certain areas, particularly in the capital, San Jose. For detailed (if strongly cautious) information check out the Costa Rica country report from the Canadian Government http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/report-en.asp?country=67000. For the local perspective, take a look at Costa Rica’s official tourism site from the Instituto Costariccense del Turismo (English is available) http://www.visitcostarica.com/ict/paginas/home.asp.
Back to Top
How long have you been in business?
We’re very excited to launch this program in 2007, after four years of research and planning. Participants will truly be building the foundation of Cultivating Communities through the first projects that we complete. Although the business is new, we have years of farming and learning under our belts, and our partners are experts in their fields. Casas Rio Chiquito has been in business since 2003, started by instructors who have been practicing Spanish teachers since 2000. The Grupo Ecologico has been working in La Flor for 8 years; Humberto’s forest goes back 17 years, his knowledge even further; and the residents of Roots Farm Community have been collectively farming sustainably for 5 years.
Back to Top
What is included in Cultivating Communities programs?
Accommodation, three meals a day and some snacks, Spanish classes (two hours daily), in-country facilitation, transportation, usually by local bus, and park entrance and tour fees are included. The program fee also provides employment for our partners and subsidizes or fully covers the cost of materials needed for their projects.
Back to Top
What is not included in Cultivating Communities programs?
Airfare, Travel Insurance, Airport departure fees, Passport and student or youth card costs, personal food and beverage purchases (outside your host’s home), travel costs during free time, souvenirs and other purchases, and gratuities.
Back to Top
Why do I have to pay to work?
The Field Work component of Cultivating Communities’ programs, which amounts to about 24 hours in a 2-week program, is integral to achieving Cultivating Communities’ vision and goals. The reality in La Flor is that although our partners and others are committed to developing sustainability through their projects and passions, they also have families to feed and bills to pay. Jobs are scarce and salaries low, and as a result, many folks work long hours 6 or 7 days a week in order to get by – they just don’t have the time or energy to complete work projects outside of their personal schedules. That reality is in part why we started this program. We want to get the word out and bring people to La Flor to provide resources and assistance to get these projects done. Our hope is that one day, our partners and others in La Flor will be able to make a living working in their chosen fields in La Flor, rather than commuting out and working for others.
About $144 CDN of our program fee goes towards the field work component in the 2-week program. Half of that is paid to our partners for their teaching and facilitation during the field work hours, and the other half is used for purchasing the materials needed to complete the projects. None of it goes towards administration, office expenses, or into our pockets. We consider field work to be an important ingredient in the educational aspect of our programs. With Cultivating Communities, you will learn not just by listening and watching, but by doing. However, although we charge the same program fee for all participants, we will not force you to do anything you prefer not to do. If you need or want to sit out the field work component, consider the $144 dollars that is associated with that time to be a valuable and appreciated contribution to the sustainability of La Flor.
Back to Top
Do I have to take the Spanish classes?
It is your choice to participate or not participate in any aspect of our program, but because of the home-stay component, being able to communicate in Spanish is integral. It’s for that reason that Spanish classes are included. Even if you already have a working knowledge of Spanish, the classes are such that all levels will benefit – you’ll leave La Flor knowing and understanding more Spanish than when you came.
If Spanish is your mother-tongue or you are fully bilingual, but you would like to participate in all other aspects of Cultivating Communities, please contact us.
Back to Top
Is home-stay the only option for accommodations?
While we plan to build cabins for future groups and families participating in Cultivating Communities programs, currently a home-stay is the only option in La Flor for accommodations. Even once cabins are built, the home-stay program will remain the primary option for accommodations for this program.
We understand that for some people, the idea of a home-stay can be nerve-wracking, especially in a foreign culture, and especially when language is an issue. Our goal is for our participants to have an extremely positive experience in La Flor, and that starts with your comfort in your living situation. When you apply for a Cultivating Communities program, we will send you information about your hosts so that you know a little about the family prior to arriving. At the start of each program we have a community lunch or dinner where participants, families, Spanish teachers, and facilitators can meet and get to know each other. During the program our doors are always open to participants; if you have any concerns about your accommodations or any other aspect of the program, please tell us and we will remedy it immediately. Please know that we have a zero-tolerance policy for serious offences like sexual harassment, bullying, and violence. At the end of the program we ask participants to complete an evaluation form, which helps us to continuously make improvements to the home-stay component and other aspects of our program.
Back to Top
Will I have to share a room?
We have 16 families registered through Casas Rio Chiquito to provide accommodations and meals to our participants. Many families provide a private room for program participants, but there are some who can offer only shared rooms. While we will respect your comfort level with regard to private or shared accommodations, please know that the families who offer shared accommodations are often the ones who are most in need of the income the home-stay brings to their family.
Back to Top
What if I am vegetarian, vegan, or have other dietary restrictions?
When you register, please indicate your dietary restrictions and you will be placed with a family who understands and can accommodate your needs.
Back to Top
Can we bring our kids?
Absolutely. Children of all ages are welcome to participate in the program if they like, and childcare can be provided for a small fee. We currently have two host families with space for families, so please register early. Prices for children are based on age and the expected level of involvement in the program. Please contact us for more information.
Back to Top
Is it safe to drink the water in La Flor?
Yes. Tap water is safe to drink all over Costa Rica.
Back to Top
Do I need vaccinations or Malaria medication?
Vaccinations and/or preventative medical treatment is not required to enter Costa Rica. Malaria is present in the country, but is listed as a low risk in La Flor (the temperature is too cool in La Flor for the mosquitoes that carry Malaria to survive). The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that everyone travelling outside of Canada contact a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure for recommendations based on the most up to date information available for the destination country.
Back to Top
What are your policies regarding the health and safety of participants, and emergencies?
We won’t gloss it over, travelling anywhere has risks. The likelihood is extremely low, but participants should be aware that they may experience personal injury, damage to personal property, illness or death as a result of crime, an accident, differences in cuisine, hygiene issues, natural forces, and so on. All of that said, our participants’ safety and satisfaction is paramount to us. In an effort to further reduce the likelihood of an emergency, we place great importance on informing participants about possible risks, and teach general and specific safety measures to all participants upon arrival and throughout the program.
We do have a number of policies in place should the misfortune of an accident or emergency occur. Cultivating Communities’ participants are required to purchase travel insurance that includes emergency hospital and medical expense coverage for the duration of the chosen program. We strongly recommend that travel insurance include trip cancellation/interruption coverage, and baggage and personal effects coverage as well. Participants are also required to provide emergency contact information, and sign an informed consent and liability waiver, and a travel and health care permission form. Should a participant become ill, have an accident, or experience some other trauma or emergency that requires medical treatment, he or she will be transported to the nearest clinic or hospital that is appropriate for the condition. We will phone the participants’ emergency contact, and make arrangements with the insurance provider if the participant isn’t able to do so. If a police report is necessary, we will assist the participant through the process.
Participants should also be aware that visitors to Costa Rica are subject to local laws. Visitors who violate local laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. If a participant is expelled, arrested or detained, we will do everything possible to assist the participant to navigate the system. We cannot be held responsible for illegal behaviour, however, and the program fee will not be refunded.
Back to Top
How much money should I bring?
That depends on what you want to do during your free time. Because accommodation and all of your meals are included in the program fee, you won’t need to purchase food or lodging, however having some cash or funds available is a good idea in case you want to buy souvenirs or other items, or in case of emergency. Also, please ensure you have funds to cover the airport departure fee of $26 USD/person.
If you choose to stick around La Flor during your free time, your costs will be minimal. You can purchase very inexpensive snacks and other grocery items and some souvenirs in La Flor, and there is a great licensed restaurant within walking distance. Even if you choose to visit nearby towns like Paraiso or Orosi during your free time, rural Costa Rica is typically very inexpensive in general. For example, it costs the equivalent of $0.72 for a round trip out of La Flor by bus to Paraiso or Cartago. Other bus lines in the area are similarly priced. Internet cafes charge the equivalent of $0.50 - $1.00 per hour, national parks and other entrance fees cost approximately $7 USD, and you can get a full meal in a nice restaurant for $4.50 or less.
If you stay in La Flor or visit local towns, spend modestly and purchase reasonably priced souvenirs, $200 - $300 should be more than enough to cover all of your costs for the 2 week duration of your trip, including the airport departure fee. If you prefer more flexibility, want to travel before or after your program, or take on the more expensive tourist activities like rafting or zip line tours, you will want to have more money available to cover these costs.
Back to Top
Traveler’s cheques, credit cards, cash?
Traveler’s cheques and/or direct withdrawals from bank machines are really your best options. If you choose to use traveler’s cheques, we recommend that they be in US currency because there are more banking options for cashing US traveler’s cheques than Canadian. Canadians remember that you’ll pay to exchange your dollars for US currency, and pay again in commissions when you cash the traveler’s cheques in the banks. After many trips to Costa Rica and elsewhere, we feel that withdrawing cash directly from bank machines is the simplest option, but of course there are negatives to this alternative as well. Mainly, you have to pay withdrawal fees for each withdrawal. You want to withdraw the largest amount necessary, but that needs to be balanced with carrying a lot of cash. For ATM banking, make sure your card bears one of the international banking symbols (Cirrus, Plus, Interac, etc), and make sure you use a four digit PIN. Many international banks don’t accept PINs with more than four digits (also make sure you know the numeric value of any letters in your PIN because some bank machine key pads don’t have letters on them!). The maximum withdrawal per day is 100,000 colones, about $215 CDN, and most machines allow you to withdraw in US or Costa Rican currency. Credit cards aren’t really an option in many small shops, restaurants, or tourist sites in rural areas of Costa Rica, though some of them can be used to withdraw cash. ATMs and banks that accept Visa are much more widely available in Costa Rica than those that accept MasterCard.
Back to Top
|
