Are Cultivating Communities Programs For Me?

Our programs are open to everyone; individuals, families, and groups of any age and background.  They should be considered introductory by nature, though the opportunity to work with local experts on projects with lasting benefits may appeal to those who are already experienced in organic agriculture and/or Permaculture.  Costa Rica is a safe country with a well-established tourism and eco-tourism industry.  The country has a laid-back feel and the coffee ritual is sublime.  La Flor itself is off the beaten track; far removed from the grit and clamour of the cities and the pricey resorts on the coasts.  If you’re looking for an escape, you’ll find it here, but be forewarned, you’ll probably get dirty in the process.

Cultivating Communities is a different kind of travel program, and definitely rustic and adventurous by some standards.  La Flor is a rural village of about 350 families.  We come and go using the local public transportation, an elderly Bluebird school bus that still manages to climb the steep roads.  Services in La Flor are pretty limited.  There are no banks or bank machines, and the medical clinic is open only one day of the week.  Slow-speed internet is sometimes available, and you can buy groceries and snacks at the local stores.  And there’s a great restaurant and watering hole 20 minutes down the mountain in the neighbouring town of El Yas.  Nearby Paraiso is directly accessible by bus and has a few banks, medical facilities, and high speed internet.  Cartago, also directly accessible, is a full service city.

Accommodations and meals with your host family will likely be simpler than what you’re used to.  Some families have a little more, like computers and televisions; others have a little less – no hot water, for example.  All families have the basics; indoor plumbing and a private or shared room for participants.  Meals are generally simple.  Expect to eat rice and beans two or perhaps three times a day, along with fresh fruit, tortillas, yuca (cassava), and other local dishes.  Although we and some others involved in the program speak English, few other residents and business-owners do - your host family likely won’t speak more than a few English words.  Our home-stay program is a near-total immersion experience, so mistakes and misunderstandings are not just possible, they’re part of the learning process.  La Flor is a big step away from the average North American urban lifestyle.   You’ll discover that organic gardening and sustainable construction are decidedly labour intensive activities, but the projects will hopefully become labours of love for you as they are for us.  You can expect to shovel, hoe, weed, dig, plant, harvest, saw, hammer, lift, chop, stamp, bend, and possibly dance - but only if you want to.  We promise you, won’t ask you to do anything we wouldn’t do, we won’t force you to do anything you don’t want to do, and we’ll call in professionals for any jobs that require them.  We’ll also teach you the finer points and safety measures for all activities.  If you are restricted from doing any or all of the above activities but you’re still interested in Cultivating Communties programs, please don’t hesitate to contact us .  There’s much to do for people of all abilities, and we’ll do our best to make special arrangements for transportation or other aspects of the program as needed to accommodate everyone.      This program is for everyone, but it’s definitely for you if you enjoy purposeful travel but appreciate having things pre-arranged.  Or if you're just starting out on your Central or South American Odyssey.  Give your trip the vivid shade of authenticity.  Learn Spanish and get an in depth perspective on the local culture.  If you’re sticking around Costa Rica, we can help you plan stays on other farms or with other projects.  Whether you’re traveling alone and just want somewhere to call home for awhile, or part of an organized group, you can be sure that this experience will be unlike any other travel program you’ve experienced.  Yes, we look after your accommodation, meals, and transportation details, take you to see the local sites, and facilitate and assist in every way we can, but that’s not all.  Your participation in our program will actually make a difference – here in La Flor, and if you choose, at home in your own community too.  Register now