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Welcome to your program
Live on a ranch in Costa Rica, learning husbandry and working hands-on. Students participate in daily workshops and lectures covering topics such as equine physical exams, nutrition, dentistry, radiography, ultrasonography, farrier care, acupuncture, breeding, and animal behavior. Between activities, students can relax in hammocks, swim, or explore the ranch’s scenic trails surrounded by wildlife, fully embracing Costa Rica’s “Pura Vida” lifestyle.
This page will take you through everything you need to know about your program. You should READ every section. We've linked additional information under each topic as needed.
Housing
Housing is similar to rustic glamping, with shared rooms containing several bunk beds. While the rooms do not have air conditioning, they do have screened windows and fans for airflow. Shared bathrooms with showers are located nearby. Please note that the showers do not have hot water, so students should expect cold to room-temperature water.
Food
Most food will be your typical Costa Rican food, and lunch is served buffet-style.
Flights
At the start of your program, our group shuttle from the airport on arrival Sunday will leave the airport by 2:00 pm. You should plan to arrive on a flight that arrives at SJO by 12 pm on Sunday. Please note it's a 1 hour drive from SJO to the program site. Depending on your arrival time, you may need to wait a few hours at a restaurant near the airport for everyone in the group to arrive. There are no planned activities on arrival day and the first meal covered is the welcome dinner.
At the end of your program, our group shuttle to the airport on departure Saturday will arrive at the airport at 8 am. You should plan to depart SJO after 10am on Saturday. You will be staying near the airport on the night before your departure flight. It's possible to get your own transport to the airport for an earlier flight, but this would be at your own expense.
Packing
The only items you are required to bring are those on the “required” lists. General required items (like your passport) are found on the ALL PROGRAMS packing list above. Program specific required items are found below under the REQUIRED section. For the rest of the items, you are welcome to use your discretion. There may be items missing from this list that you’d like to bring, and there may be items on this list that you don’t want to bring. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!
Required for this program
1 bottle of mosquito repellent
2 towels and washcloth for showering
Closed-toed shoes (sneakers)
A rainproof, lightweight jacket or poncho
Electrolytes (necessary after long days in the sun)
Sunscreen (high SPF recommended)
Suggested for this program
Bathing suit (any style is fine- you may want to pack more than one!)
Pants (we suggest light-weight pants that can get dirty, such as hiking pants)
Shorts (for free time but please note we suggest pants due to bugs)
Sandals/lightweight shoes for non-working hours
Hat/cap for sun protection
Riding clothes (jeans or riding pants) if you’d like to take lessons during your downtime, and a riding helmet if you prefer to use your own.
FAQ
Most days, you will get dirty and sweaty, and gross.
WIFI: You will have intermittent access to WiFi, but it can be unreliable. If you are interested in a travel phone plan, please talk to your phone provider before your program starts.
Bedding: We will provide you with sheets, pillow and blankets.
Towels: Towels and washcloths are not provided by the accommodation. You will need to pack your own.
Laundry: Is not available
Outlets: You will not need an adapter- outlets will be the same as in the US.
Dress Code: There is no uniform dress code for Costa Rica, but closed-toed shoes are required. T-shirts are required to wear when wo.rking with horses. We also ask that swimsuits be modest. Please check the weather and pack accordingly. The weather is typically hot and humid. Plan to get dirty on this program! Please do not wear or bring expensive jewelry, sunglasses, or any priceless or irreplaceable items. It is not worth the risk of losing them in the ocean.
Money: Most students spend around $100 USD on a one-week program. Students will have the opportunity to take riding lessons that will cost around $60 and last anywhere from 30-45 minutes. You’ll likely want to buy things like souvenirs, laundry, snacks or drinks. So you don’t NEED any money, but you’ll want to bring enough that you can buy some things to bring home. We HIGHLY recommend contacting your bank and ordering Colones before leaving for the program. There will be an ATM where students can withdraw money, and there is an ATM transaction fee each time.
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