JWU Costa Rica Study Abroad 2014- Mi Cafecito Coffee Tour / Finca Corsicana Pineapple Tour

Mi Cafecito Coffee Tour / Finca Corsicana Pineapple Tour

Today we toured two different food operations, the first a very large pineapple plantation and the second a small coffee co-op.

Finca Corsican is the worlds largest organic pineapple farm located near the quaint little town of La Virgen in central Costa Rica. Finca Corsicana features state of the art equipment and facilities and is home to our organic pineapple operation.  The largest of its kind on Earth! It is located near the foot of Mount Poas, a very active volcano with the second largest crater in the world.  The volcanic activity has made the land abundantly rich with minerals.  In fact, the land here in Costa Rica is so fertile, fence posts actually take root and sprout leaves!  To Learn More About Finca Corsican click here

Mi Cafecito Coffee Tour, a cooperative enterprise with social sense with over 40 years in the production of coffee. Coopesarapiquí is a nonprofit organization that brings together 137 small coffee producers as owners, located in the highlands of the canton of San Carlos and Sarapiqui, between 800 to 1000 meters above sea level. The main focus has been on the market and benefited from coffee production associates. The cooperative promotes cooperative values ​​such as honesty, solidarity and mutual aid. Sales activities Coopesarapiquí coffee will then be registered with the principles of Fair Trade. 

Coopesarapiquí RL was born out of a need and in 1969, a group of forty farmers who grow coffee decided to form a cooperative to seek a solution through the cooperative system.Coopesarapiquí is today an organization that seeks economic and social improvement of its 137 members among its members and fosters the spirit of mutual assistance in the economic social and cultural order. The cooperative promotes activities that tend to meet the needs of its partners and other conversion projects for social good.Coopesarapiquí is related to harvesting, processing and marketing of coffee activities. The cooperative is developed through continuous improvement of the effectiveness of the quality system and environment and strives to prevent pollution through the implementation of cleaner technologies to get a quality product that meets the needs of partners and customers.

JWU Costa Rica Study Abroad 2014- Tortuguero, Costa Rica

Days 2 & 3 at Evergreen Lodge - Tortuguero, Costa Rica

EverGreen Lodge
The one and only hotel in tortuguero inserted in the heart of nature

Evergreen is located in the northeastern corner of Tortuguero, 5 minutes by boat from the main entrance to Tortuguero National Park, and accessible only by air and water. Evergreen Lodge is the ideal location from which to explore this unique and magical area, surrounded by towering trees and exuberant vegetation and are adorned with tropical designs.


The following are some of my favorite pictures from our stay Evergreen Lodge and while touring the rivers and canals of Tortuguero National Park.

JWU Costa Rica Study Abroad Program Promotional Video

Academic Focus: Eco, Nature-based, Adventure, and Sustainable TourismSatisfactory completion of the Costa Rica program fulfills all requirements for a concentration in Adventure, Sport and Nature Based Tourism. This is a physically active and comprehensive program. After meeting in the capital city of San José, travel to Tortuguero in the northeast of the country for a unique experience with nature, then spend two weeks studying at the Tirimbina Rainforest Center, hiking the rainforest and studying both eco and sustainable tourism with JWU faculty and local Costa Rican professors. Field work and excursions include pineapple, coffee, and black pepper tours as well as horseback riding and river rafting adventures. Lectures include carbon offsetting/Leave No Trace workshop earning certifications in Leave No Trace & Sustainable Tourism. The group then embarks on a magnificent journey visiting three different regions: Arenal Volcano, Monteverde, and Jaco. Academic excursions range from learning the intricate relationships of Ecofarms to building sustainable businesses around volcanic hot springs and the rich rainforest canopies. While in Costa Rica, learn about the heritage of Sarchi’s oxcart factory. Try zip-lining, watch humming birds, and walk along hanging bridges. 

Program Administration
JWU faculty are the academic leadership for this program. They coordinate pre-departure information, travel with the group, and deliver academic content in conjunction with host faculty. This year the faculty leading the program is:
The Hospitality College
Douglas Stuchel (PVD) 401-598-2636 KellyThompson (CLT) 980-598-1523
Supervision by Johnson & Wales’ faculty and staff ends when the program ends. Students then become responsible for their own travel and living arrangements. 

Youtube Video

https://www.dropbox.com/s/48s9ib46d9suacd/Costa%20Rica%20Study%20Abroad.m4v

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Qw1Aiy56rQ

Costa Rica Study Abroad Day 25- Sarchi Ox-cart Factory

Day 25

On day Twenty Five (our last day of the program) we went to the Sarchi Ox-cart Factory on our way back to San Jose.

The artisan town in Costa Rica, Sarchi is best known for the vibrant and pretty oxcarts that are handcrafted here and sold all over the country. Available for a reasonable price, these oxcarts are a must buy for any visitor.

A national symbol of Costa Rica, the oxcart plays a key role in the country’s history, as they were used to transport coffee beans to nearby and faraway markets. 

Highly ornate, these oxcarts are elegantly craved and are usually painted with bright colors. The largest and oldest oxcart factories are in Sarchi, and are considered to be the birthplace of oxcart handicrafts in Costa Rica.

Sarchi was celebrating a National Holiday and we got to see some of the locals celebrating.