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Where does my trip start?
Costa Rica Venture begins in San Jose, Costa Rica. You will most likely be traveling with other Moondance students and one instructor! We use Club Travel to coordinate all travel for international trips to ensure that students arrive as a group.
Do I need to be fluent in Spanish?
Though knowledge of Spanish may be useful during homestays or when traveling, it is certainly not required. Your leaders will be fluent in Spanish in order to coordinate travel and logistics at the airport and with outfitters. You may find it fun to practice phrases with the sons and daughters of families, or exchange greetings in the local markets when you buy a souvenir.
What happens in a typical day?
That depends on whether you are backpacking, surfing, completing a service project, or rafting, but you can expect to laugh, see a beautiful part of Costa Rica, and learn a couple of things about each activity. Each morning, one cook group will prepare a feast for everyone to enjoy and then your group will start a day of climbing, or pack packs and start hiking to the next destination! After a morning and afternoon of telling stories, swimming underneath a waterfall, or summitting a peak in the area, your group will pick a great campsite, and, after setting up camp for the evening, enjoy a warm meal and a hot drink. Each night ends with "moonup;" a chance to debrief the day, talk about upcoming adventures and challenges, and just hang out.
What exactly is a homestay?
Homestays are an excellent way to become immersed in the culture of Costa Rica, rather than passively observing it from the trail. During the first week of your adventure, you will be trekking through jungled rainforests and staying with families for multiple nights. From this experience, you will gain the perspective of a child who wakes every morning to tend to the family cattle, or of parents who relate stories of family life within the rainforest.
How often do we have homestays?
Three of your evenings during one backpacking section will be spent in a Costa Rican home. During these days, you may pick bananas, explore technical tree climbing, learn how to milk a cow, or just relax within the home of families anxious to share their culture with yours!
Is it really hot in Costa Rica?
Due to its tropical location and it's proximity to the oceans, temperatures are fairly consistent throughout the year. You can expect mid 70s to upper 80s while traveling in Costa Rica, but don't be surprised if it feels hotter-the humidity is almost 90%!
How difficult is it to learn how to surf?
Like with any new sport, surfing will feel a bit new the first time you hop on a board. However, with perseverance, patience, and a little hard work, you'll be balanced on a wave in no time. All Moondance activities have an element of risk involved; however, we use professional guides who will be with you at all times to help you stay safe on the water.
Is it rainy in the rainforest?
Costa Rica does receive a substantial amount of rainfall, particularly during its wettest season of September and October. You'll find that the rain is generally a constant light mist, with only the occasional rain shower in the afternoon.
Do I need to break in my boots for the backpacking section?
Absolutely. The most common medical injury we face in the backcountry is blisters. Though that may not seem like a big deal, blisters can turn a 6 mile hike into a nightmare if not properly attended. The best way to avoid blisters is to buy boots that fit you properly and to wear them often to break them in. Leather boots can take 1-2 months to break in, so start early! Once your trip starts, your leaders will show you how to care for your feet to avoid any unwanted blisters!
How many miles do we backpack in a given day?
Itineraries while in the backcountry can change often since poor weather or beautiful places to camp can surprise us at any given time. Therefore, your instructors may decide that it is safer to set up camp early rather than continue hiking. Your group will begin to read weather patterns and will start to make these kinds of decisions too, with your instructor's help. Your group may also decide to stop early in order to take advantage of great swimming spots! In any case, this may mean that some days you only hike a couple of miles, while on other days when the weather is perfect, and your group feels strong, you knock out 7-8 miles.
What else do we do during our backpacking section?
You'll be hiking within the rainforest canopy of Costa Rica, where at every bend a new surprise greets the observant: a tropical bird perched on a mango tree, a hidden waterfall accessible only to curious hikers, or a home deep within the rainforest filled with children anxious to practice their English with American travelers. You'll hone your route-finding skills as you navigate through dense jungles and perfect your backcountry culinary skills at breakfast and dinner. There will be plenty of opportunities for swimming along the way and summitting a peak in the area. Most of all, you'll laugh harder than you have in a long time, the art of packing a backpack will become second nature, and the simplicity of life while carrying your home on your back will never be forgotten.
What kind of wildlife could we see?
You will be sharing the trail with over 200 mammal species that are found within Costa Rica! Keep watch for monkeys playing in the trees above you and anteaters and armadillos making tracks in front of you! Costa Rica is also home to the elusive and endangered jaguar as well as over 10% of the world's butterfly species! Colorful and extraordinary displays of life within the rainforest await your discovery-be sure to bring a waterproof camera!
What will I learn by the end of my trip?
By the end of your Moondance experience, you may learn how to cook a great meal, how to find your way using topographical maps and a compass, or how to "ferry" to the shoreline in your kayak. Most of all, you'll learn that life's lessons are often camouflaged as a brilliant rainbow that follows a storm, a challenging jungle trek and a heavy pack, the beauty of simple living found within the strong family ties of those you meet, or strangers that become family at the end of 20 days. The self-confidence that you can gain by exploring the unknown will provide a constant foundation for your life adventures down the road.
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