Dear future Outward Bound Costa Rica Adventurers:

You may know that inherent to international travel is intercultural experience. However, you may not know that Outward Bound Costa Rica deliberately integrates customized cross-cultural experiences into each course in order to enhance the global competence of its students long after they leave the country. Not only do our instructors come from around the world including Costa Rica, the United States, Brazil and Nicaragua, but our students also reflect a diverse global presence. Outward Bound Costa Rica has hosted participants from Europe, Africa, Asia, North, South and Central America. The diversity of participants promotes compassion and awareness. Regardless of where they hail from, students and instructors come together at homestays in the Costa Rican countryside to partake in various traditional activities.

When asked what her favorite part of course was, four-time Outward Bound Costa Rica participant, Bailey Palmer, 17, says, “I like the part of hiking when we finally get to the homestays because we’ve just worked so hard for a couple days and finally get a reward. The Zamora and Lopez families are both so sweet and welcoming and the food is AMAZING. Just getting to hang out in the middle of the Costa Rican rainforest for a couple of days is unreal. Playing soccer in the mud with the local kids and getting the opportunity to help the moms make dinner and talk to them; it’s great.” 

Most of our Custom courses, Girl Scout courses, Semester courses and Open Enrollment Summer REC course include at least one hike and homestay. Traditionally, the hike and homestay leg is not only the cornerstone of Outward Bound Costa Rica courses, but it is also the most popular among students.

A Clearing in the Forest: Piedras Blancas

Get dropped off in the middle of the Costa Rican mountain rainforest (one of twelve unique microclimates in Costa Rica) before the crack of dawn. Hike through sunrise with your group and instructors, crossing four waterfalls, climbing over boulders, and passing through Lord of the Rings-esque, moss-covered passageways. Just when you feel your legs will permanently turn to jelly, alas – a clearing in the forest reveals your first homestay in the Piedras Blancas region, Orlando’s House!

At Orlando’s House, you will be greeted by Dona Magda and a hot casado plate, the typical Costa Rican dish including rice, beans, potatoes and salad.  Your dinner is courtesy of the very land you traveled over to enjoy this meal.

Hike just an hour further to arrive at Casa Lopez. The Lopez family lives in the mountains, with 18 children and more grandchildren joining the clan every year. Bunk in a magical tree house-like part of the homestead, and fall asleep to the wind blowing and the methodical chirping of crickets.  You will awaken to the sounds of the Costa Rican countryside: chickens, birds singing and the running water of the nearby waterfall. As if that is not enough, the scents of fresh brewed coffee and Dona Flor’s renowned cooking permeates the house before you have even made it to the outdoor washrooms to brush your teeth! Gaze out onto the organic farm and sugarcane crops, as you prepare yourself for a day of waterfall rappelling. Spend your downtime at Casa Lopez learning how to make candy out of sugarcane with a trapiche (an old manual machine that squeezes sugar water out of the sugarcane), and hand made tortillas. Casa Granados is yet another Piedras Blancas homestay, where you will learn to work on a Costa Rican farm, milking cows and making your own cheese.

So, don’t stay home this break – HOMESTAY!