Happy Guanacaste Day from Costa Rica! Last Friday students were heading to the Lopez house to prepare homemade sugar cane using the traditional trapiche and getting a taste of sweet pure sugar. After a brief sugar rush, students were eager to hike just a short distance up the mountain to a beautiful gushing 80 foot waterfall! At the waterfall, students strapped on their helmets and gear and rapidly rappelled down the fresh water waterfall into a pool of calm clear water.  Next, the students trekked to the Hernan homestay where they interviewed Don Hernan on the founding of Piedras Blancas. At the Hernan’s students were educated about the importance of maintaining a sustainable lifestyle and the preservation of the natural land from being commercially developed or destroyed. On Sunday the group headed to Rancho Tinamu where they stayed in an eco-lodge learning about the Red-Eyed Tree Frog, the most photographed frog in the world and also had the opportunity to view another astounding waterfall and learn about the habitat of the tree frog.

On Monday the students headed out of the wilderness and into Manuel Antonio National Park to enjoy the tranquil calm beaches and large waves along the Pacific. At our Manuel Antonio base students jumped into the water for body boarding, surfing and touring through the park where they could see howler monkeys swinging from tree top to tree top. After two days at Manuel Antonio students loaded the vans and headed back to our rainforest base to rest up for their upcoming trip to the river. Thursday they arrived at the Sarapiqui river known for its class III and IV rapids and prepared for a fun-filled day of rafting! Today the group wrapped up their course with a local canopy tour zip lining through the Costa Rican jungle and a trip to the local artisan market to improve their bartering skills for local souvenirs. Tonight they will finish up their course with a final dinner and meeting saying farewell to their newly made amigos!

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