GABRIELA GUTIERREZ FOUNDER & PRESIDENT Visit Costa Rica, a family operated business, is celebrating its 15th anniversary. We customize each our programs for Affiliate University Partners in order to provide a memorable and unique experience to my beautiful country according to their needs. We are passionate to create transformational experiences for university students and to enroll in challenging and interactive courses enhanced by excursions, top guest speakers and exhilarating tours. THROUGHOUT OUR HISTORY + 1.000 students attended +50 groups since 1999 100% security record
We have specialized in the four main areas that make CR special: BUSINESS PROGRAMS, BIOLOGY PROGRAMS, HUMAN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND HAPPINESS. Each of our programs is designed to enhance and complement the college experience of the students that visit us.
OUR MISSION IS TO PLANT THE VALUE OF SUSTAINABILITY, CONSERVATION AND HAPPY LIFESTYLE IN OUR GUEST STUDENTS.
SERVICES We have organized our custom-made services in the following categories in order for our guest professors to appreciate the scope of possible visits and lectures and design the perfect program for them. Special Presentations Companies Organizations Universities Communities Non-Profit Organizations Cultural Start Ups National Parks Ecotourism Activities
SPECIAl PRESENTATIONS Lectures and visits with Sustainability Heroes. Oscar Arias, former president and Noble Peace Price World Heroe, Cristiana Figueres, architect of the Paris Agreement Salomon Cohen, negotiator of the US Free Trade Agreement COMPANIES P & G, Intel, Baxter, Amazon, Costa Rican Investment Promotion Agency, Essential Costa Rica Country Brand lecture, Café Britt, Sibu Chocolate, Pineapple Paradise, Traditional Processing of Macadamia Nuts and organic sugar at Hacienda Tayutik, ecofriendly companies, best sustainable practices companies, carbon neutral companies, government, transnational and Costa Rica run companies. ORGANIZATIONS Ecological Blue Beach Banner Program, Geothermal energy visit, educational programs for sustainability, social assistance organizations, educational & health organizations.
UNIVERSITIES Day tour at Earth University projects, Catie University Botanical Garden, lectures at Peace University; homestays at Earth University Sustainable community farms. Public and private universities. COMMUNITIES Sustainable communities, community cooperatives, rural & community based tourism, Asis Project, community enrichment programs, environmental and agricultural initiatives; observe, teach and tutor programs. NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS Rain Forest Alliance, Amigos del Rio Torres, Nature Urban Routes, Nature Conservancy Organization, Costas Verdes, Amigos of Costa Rica. Biodiversity conservation organizations, tropical education, environmental education programs, sea turtle organizations, research centers, poorness & vulnerability; gender & children organizations; human rights, justice & peace; social risk populations.
CULTURAL Artistical presentations in city slums, the enigma of pre-columbian stone spheres, visits to Indigenous settlements, Latin American dancing, cooking classes with a CR family, cultural immersion. START UPS Incredibly innovative minds with missions relating to the environment, fashion, construction, transportation, food. Earth friendly small companies promoting a better world. NATIONAL PARKS Monuments & historic sites; Volcanoes, marine & coastal systems; Dry, cloud and rain forest. ECOTOURISM ACTIVITIES Great wildlife spectacles, Canyoning, zipline over rivers and forests, Pacuare white water rafting, volcano trekking, Tabacon hotsprings, La Fortuna Waterfall, gravity fall waterfall jumping, hanging bridges. Botanical gardens, plant and animal exhibitions. Snorkeling & diving.
PROGRAMS Sustainable Business International Business Study Tour Marine Biology and Tropical Ecology Study Marine Sea Turtles Caribbean and Pacific Coast TICOS: History and Culture of Costa Rica Honors Program across Costa Rica Human Development Public Health Happiness Tour Planner Internship in Culinary and Hospitality Sociology & Criminal Justice
Exploration is really the essence of the human spirit Frank Borman
SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS
SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS Highlight: Mind opening and stunning visits Duration: 10 days Locations: San Jose, Arenal, Monteverde, Tamarindo Period: Intersessions Study and learn about green practices from different viewpoints on a dynamic journey at four different locations learning about innovative startups, organic chocolate, coffee and pineapple plantations, the sustainable campus of UGA; top lectures with governmental institutions, Rain Forest Alliance, and sustainable leaders in all fields; Carbon neutral and model Green industrial plant visits. After a full week of business and site visits, enjoy a well deserved rest during three nights in a five star All Inclusive Resort in the North Pacific. Schedule your FREE consultation today, with our Founder & President Gabriela Gutiérrez
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS STUDY TOUR
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS STUDY TOUR Highlight: Insightful conversations with top business and political leaders Duration: 10 days Locations: San José, Tamarindo Period: Intersessions Discover and understand how Costa Rica became a model of development within a framework of environmental protection and sustainability. 6 days in San José with a busy schedule of top lecturers: how CR sells itself, how it attracts companies; Rainforest Alliance, top sustainability lecturers, USA CR commercial relation; cultural awareness; Special presentation from a keynote speaker; Visit to Poas Volcano and coffee plantations. After a full week of business and site visits, enjoy a well deserved rest during three nights in a five star All Inclusive Resort in the North Pacific.
MARINE BIOLOGY & TROPICAL ECOLOGY STUDY PROGRAM
MARINE BIOLOGY & TROPICAL ECOLOGY STUDY PROGRAM Highlight: Discover the stunning natural diversity of Costa Rica with an expert biologist Duration: 12 days Locations: San José, Sarapiquí, Monteverde, Ostional, Cuajiniquil and Rincon de la Vieja National Park Period: Summer Intense 12-day program based in six different locations: San José, Sarapiquí, Monteverde, Ostional, Cuajiniquil and Rincón de la Vieja National Park. Complete vision of tropical forests and marine system: Sea turtle nesting with an expert at Ostional; 3 marine excursions with scuba diving, fish counting, mangrove tour, coastal species; The 3 types of tropical forests at: Guanacaste Conservation Area, Rincón de la Vieja National Park and Monteverde Cloud Forest. Students will be travelling the entire time with an expert Biologist.
MARINE SEA TURTLES CARIBBEAN AND PACIFIC COAST
MARINE SEA TURTLES CARIBBEAN AND PACIFIC COAST Highlight: Coast to Coast Flight over Costa Rica Duration: 12 days Locations: San José, Tortuguero National Park, Ostional National Park Period: Summer Held in August. A 12 day in-site and in-depth study with a renowned marine turtle biologist expert on the two most important turtle nesting sites of the world. From the Caribbean coast to the Pacific, starting at Tortuguero National Park for field work on the Green Turtle and flying coast to coast towards Ostional National Park, one of the world's most important nesting beaches of the Olive Ridley marine turtle. San José City and a visit to Poas Volcano National Park.
HISTORY & CULTURE OF CR TICOS
TICOS HISTORY AND CULTURE OF COSTA RICA Highlight: Our story Duration: 12 days Locations: San José, Sarapiquí, Cartago, Puerto Viejo Period: Intersessions A Honors/Humanities Program focusing on the historical development and present day dynamics of economy, society, natural resources and culture of Costa Rica. Cultures present in CR: Pre Columbian remains of the Indigenous population, the unique stone spheres of unknown origin and now Cultural Heritage of the World, present day Indigenous population, the first Spanish settlements and the Afro American heritage. Cultural activites in the city; Poás Volcano, Chocolate Tour.
HONORS PROGRAM ACROSS COSTA RICA Highlight: Coast to Coast by land Duration: 12 days Locations: San José, San Gerardo de Dota, Turrialba, Tortuguero, Sarapiquí, Rio Celeste, Cuajiniquil Period: J term Natural history and cultural experience in a total immersion in one of the world s most environmentally diverse country. 2-night hopping a total of 7 destinations: Starting from the highest peak at San Gerardo de Dota, Turrialba, Tortuguero, Sarapiquí, Rio Celeste to Cuajiniquil on the North Pacific coast, for two days of marine excursions; The Caribbean and Pacific coastlines, volcanic plains, paramo, rain, cloud and dry forests and marine life.
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM Highlight: Our people Duration: 10 days Locations: San José, Arenal, Tamarindo Period: Intersessions Exposes students to the living conditions of children and families as well as the institutions that support them. Focuses on children and families in a Latin-American cultural setting, particulary with populations in social risk such as inmmigrants and poor communites. Visits to family homes, experience urban and rural communities in need, engage in service learning in schools that serve disadvantaged children, learn about children s education and Costa Rican values. The weekend excursions will include Arenal Volcano and three nights at an all inclusive resort at Tamarindo.
PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAM Highlight: 5 star all All Inclusive Resort Duration: 10 days Locations: San José, Arenal, Tamarindo Period: Intersessions An exciting opportunity for students with a background in health, medicine, social work, political science, psychology, sociology, economics and international studies to see and experience a developing country s health concerns. Hands-on experience on the Costa Rican health care system; the impact and application of lifestyle medicine, environmental health to occupational health hazards; social concerns such as domestic violence, child abuse and drug use. The CR Health System: Ministry of Health, CAJA (CCSS), INS, AyA, Private Health Services, Municipalities, Communities.
HAPPINESS TOUR PLANNER Highlight: Peace and joy Duration: 10 days Locations: Tamarindo, Jacó, Flamingo, Hermosa, Monteverde, Service learning location (San José) Period: June and August 10-day program held in six locations: The North Pacific Resort areas, the Cloud Forests of Monteverde and a small town for our service learning section. Costa Rica is among the top five happy countries of the world. Why? What does it take to be happy, can I learn happy habits? Elements found to contribute to our happiness levels are: meditation, mindfulness, yoga practice, gratitude, forgiveness, being in touch with nature, communicating with others and generosity. During our travel around Costa Rica, we will help students design their own personal happiness plan while enjoying our beautiful country, getting in contact with our warm and friendly people, and learning the basics of those elements that will incorporate more happiness in life.
INTERNSHIP IN CULINARY & HOSPITALITY PROGRAM Highlight: Work practice opportunity Duration: 2 weeks Locations: Tamarindo, Jacó, Monterverde, Cartago, Playa Hermosa, Playa Naranjo Period: October and November Costa Rica s extensive tourism infrastructure allows for students to come during the low season months of October and November, to practice hospitality and culinary arts in some of our best resorts. Students will receive a certificate of participation and a big discount on their stay at the resorts.
SOCIOLOGY & CRIMINAL JUSTICE
SOCIOLOGY & CRIMINAL JUSTICE Highlight: Access to visit criminal rehabilitation centers and conversation with experts Duration: 10 days Locations: San José and Playa Hermosa Period: Intersessions Included are visits to the main jails of Costa Rica, lectures with officers of public institutions such as the Women Institute, the International Institute of Human Rights, whose main office is in San José, the Defensoria de los Habitantes, a leading and independent institution, and the OIJ, the Costa Rican version of the FBI.
HOW WE WORK? Free Consultation with Gabriela Gutiérrez Lets chat over the phone or skype, get to know us, enchant you about beautiful Costa Rica, and have an introductory conversation to understand your needs. Introductory plan Based on your needs, we will suggest different itineraries to see which suits best your plans. Follow up call to review introductory plan Quoting based on call
To travel is to take a journey into yourself Danny Kaye
SOCIAL RESPONSABILITY Our Social Responsibility Program created in 2015, a micro business with 20 women called Mujeres Unidas de Monte Scion in the Cabécar Indigenous Territory of Talamanca, Costa Rica. We provided the initial investment for 20 women to start a chicken breeding business each one at their home. From the profits of the first 20 chickens, they raised more chickens and expanded to more coops. We are very proud of them, the program has been a huge success. Today in 2017, most of them have expanded their coops and are saving for a car to sell chicken at the tourism beach town of Puerto Viejo. We are now looking to create the same program with another group of women in the Talamanca territory.