Alumni Groups

Reconnecting, connecting! These are the main objectives guiding our Alumni Travel

Programs in Costa Rica. We understand the importance of reconnecting with other club

members and the value of connecting with our culture and nature. For the last four decades,

we have been designing programs for America’s most renowned associations, which have

led us to orchestrate authentic travel experiences, with the help and guidance of

professional tour leaders that know our country from inside and out. Swiss Travel’s

knowledge of selecting the right means of transportation and appropriate accommodations

are also pillars in your overall travel experience.

Since 1972, Swiss Travel Costa Rica has developed a solid organization that has also led the

way of sustainable and responsible travel.

Welcome to our world and make it yours!

COSTA RICAStrategically located in the heart of the continent and bathed by the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Costa Rica shelters 5% of the world biodiversity protecting over 25% of its territory in national parks and biological reserve. A small country of only 19,730 mi² is home to close to 5 million people where nature and people go hand by hand. A diverse country calling all those who enjoy a moment with nature and culture, from active volcanos to secluded beaches and deep rainforest. This is a land where the nature happy people is to share a land full of wonders.

I AM HAPPY. SHE IS HAPPY. WE ARE ALL HAPPY.Costa Ricans are happy people. Happy to leave in a country with no army, happy to know that school is free and mandatory since the 1800s, happy to preserve nature in all its senses, happy see people happy. We are happy to share our Costa Rica with those looking for a dose of happiness and to be around happy people.

RESPECTING INDIVIDUALITYEach client’s expectations are different. We aim to understand them to build a program to exceed them. Only by paying attention to their interests we can investigate to put together a unique program individually tailored to each client’s need. Whether interested in adventure, ecotourism, voluntourism, or any other motivation, we have the knowledge to make it happen.

AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCESWe know the special times and celebrations that make Costa Rica a big country, we know how to share them with you. But most important, we have traveled the world to value them and understand how much you appreciate them, and how those authentic moments have become an incentive for your clients wanting to explore the world. Our authentic experiences introduce your clients into a world of nature and culture.

SWISS TRAVELFounded in 1972 under the principles of sharing and service, Swiss Travel got the knowledge to orchestrate your program following your own interests and requirements. Our most valuable asset: a human team willing to go the extra mile to share with you a country of which we are all proud. Professional travel advisors and expert tour guides are responsible for making each program a unique one to leave life memories in our guests.

SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL. RESPONSIBLE TRAVELThe future of our country is on our hands today. Each program we deliver is driven by sustainable and responsible practices focused on nature, local communities and the welfare of our team. Our guests will enjoy programs socially responsible. Given will always bring a unique joy and travel responsibly will always create a longer memory.

A LEADING HANDWe take pride of our tour guides. Our professional and well trained team will not only provide information, but will take personally your trip. A tour guide can make the difference, they understand the true value of their job and we understand that only by having in our team the best guides we can succeed in sending back home happy people.

Highlights ExperienceGUACIMO - EARTH UNIVERSITY / ARENAL VOLCANO

SAN JOSE / PACUARE

Highlights:• Pacuare White Water Rafting Tour• Pacuare Nature Reserve• Earth University• Asis Project • Arenal Volcano Hanging Bridges

9 DAYS / 8 NIGHTSLevel of Action: Medium

City Nights HotelSan Jose 2 Real Intercontinental HotelPacuare Reserve 2 Pacuare Reserve LodgeGuacimo 2 Earth UniversityArenal Volcano 2 Royal Corin Hotel

DAY 1 ARRIVE TO SAN JOSE The adventure begins when you arrive to the Juan Santamaría International Airport, and a Swiss Travel Representative meets you. After this you will be transferred to the Real Intercontinental Hotel (or similar), to proceed with your check-in (a short, 20 minute drive, approximately), where you will spend the night. No meals included.

DAY 2 PACUARE RESERVEEarly in the morning, you will be driven to the Pacuare River for a day of adventure and adrenaline, and enjoy breakfast along the way. A professional guide and the right equipment will be waiting upon your arrival to the river; and after hearing the safety instructions, you will start on this incredible rafting journey, experiencing the exhilaration of riding the waves on this wild and scenic river, passing through scenic canyons where crystal clear waterfalls plummet down into the rapidly coursing river below. After a hearty lunch, the group will be transferred to the Alcantarilla Matina dock and board a boat that will take you to the Pacuare Nature Reserve. At night, you will be able to walk on the beach. Dinner and overnight at Pacuare Reserve · Meals: B, L, D

DAY 3 PACUARE RESERVEAfter enjoying a delicious breakfast at Pacuare Reserve you will board a boat transfer into the village of Parismina, where you will tour the village and get to know about their projects orientation, visit a local artisan craft fair and take part of a cooking session, making coconut candy. After lunch, you will board a boat that will take you back into the Pacuare Reserve Lodge, where you will enjoy dinner and spend the night. Meals: B, L, D

DAY 4 PACUARE – GUACIMO, LIMONA boat transfer will take you from the Pacuare Reserve to the Alcantarilla Port, and land transportation will take you to the EARTH University in Guácimo. Since 1990, EARTH University’s innovative educational approach has been preparing young people from Latin America, the Caribbean and other regions, including Africa and Asia, to contribute to the sustainable development of their countries and construct a prosperous and just society. EARTH offers a rigorous four-year undergraduate program in agricultural sciences and natural resources management and a prestigious, international faculty, providing a world-class scientific and technological education that emphasizes values, ethical entrepreneurship and environmental and social commitment. You will spend the night at the EARTH’s Campus · Meals: B, L, D

DAY 5 GUACIMO, LIMONAfter enjoying breakfast, you will spend time with the EARTH’s students and learn about the activities they develop, participate of special lectures on subjects like carbon neutrality, their educational model, renewable energies and environmental leadership, learning about the different products the EARTH produces. You will spend the night with the students and enjoy a show prepared by them and full of the regional dances from their countries of origin. Overnight at the EARTH University · Meals: B, L, D

DAY 6 GUACIMO – ARENAL VOLCANOAfter breakfast, a private, guided transport will take you from the EARTH’s Campus to the amazing Arenal Volcano area (a 4 hour trip). On the way there you will visit the Asís Project, a volunteer operated Wildlife Rescue Center that offers Spanish lessons, and volunteer and cultural immersion programs within the Arenal area. The Asís Project supports local, environmental, social and conservation projects within the community, as well as a number of flexible volunteer and immersion programs for: Individuals, Families, Groups and Animal Science. Dinner will be served at the Royal Corin Hotel · Meals: B, D

DAY 7 ARENAL VOLCANOYou will enjoy a delicious breakfast at the Royal Corin Hotel and depart for a beautiful tour along the Arenal Hanging Bridges, within a beautiful 618 acre reserve of primary forest. Visitors can enjoy 15 bridges that extend up to 300 feet long, and hike across 2 miles of a beautiful trail within the forest. Guided by a naturalist, you will learn about the natural history of this area, opening up the doors of a fascinating and colourful tropical rain forest world. The imposing vistas of the Volcano from the hanging bridges over the forest, make a perfect combination for an unforgettable experience. You will have the afternoon available to enjoy on your own free time and spend the night at the Royal Corin Hotel. Meals: B

DAY 8 ARENAL VOLCANO – SAN JOSEAfter lunch, you will board a private transfer that will take you back to the city of San José. On the way, you will enjoy beautiful vistas of Costa Rica’s rural countryside and nature. Overnight at the Real Intercontinental Hotel. Meals: B

DAY 9 DEPARTUREA private, guided transfer will drive you from the Real Intercontinental Hotel to the Juan Santamaría International Airport for your flight back home or to take an extension to a beach destination. Meals: B

Cultural ExperienceJUANILAMA RESERVE / MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST

SAN JOSE / TORTUGUERO

Highlights:• Tortuguero National Park and Sea Turtle Conservancy• Juanilama Ecological Reserve and craft workshop of dry

nature and soaps preparation• Cultural Trapiche Tour• Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve• Quacker man speech

10 DAYS / 9 NIGHTSLevel of Action: Low

City Nights HotelSan Jose 2 Costa Rica Marriott HotelTortuguero National Park 2 Evergreen LodgeJuanilama 2 HomestayMonteverde 2 Fonda Vela Hotel

DAY 1 SAN JOSE Welcome to San Jose! Your journey begins with a warm greeting at the airport from a local representative and a transfer to your hotel. Overnight at the Costa Rica Marriott Hotel or similar, where you will enjoy a welcome dinner. Meal: D

DAY 2 SAN JOSE - TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARKYour day begins early in the morning, when you start your journey into Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast, embarking at the town of Siquirres for a river boat rides that takes you through the protected wetlands. On the road there, you will have breakfast. After this boat ride, you will reach the town of Tortuguero, being able to taste a delicious buffet lunch at your lodge. After lunch, you will be able to stroll the streets of the village. Overnight at the Evergreen Lodge or similar. Meals: B, L, D

DAY 3 TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARKYou will cruise the canals and streams within the Tortuguero National Park and observe as howler monkeys watch from the treetops, toucans and egrets fly through the air and crocodiles ply the cool waters. If you visit the area between July and September, you might even have the opportunity to take an optional tour to see the sea turtles laying eggs on the beach. You will have the rest of the afternoon for your leisure at the lodge. Overnight in Evergreen Lodge or similar. Meals: B, L, D. Optional speech from the Sea Turtle Conservancy.

DAY 4 TORTUGUERO - JUANILAMAPrivate guided transfer from Tortuguero to Juanilama, where you will interact with the local students and hike into the reserve and Lioness Waterfall, within the Juanilama Ecological Reserve, a primary forest that protects an awesome waterfall. Abundant species of trees cohabiting with the forest’s vegetation in the northern Huetar area and a wonderful concentration of white-faced monkeys, howler monkeys, agoutis, deer, reptiles, amphibians, birds and variety of insects. Women of the community will prepare a delicious lunch for you to enjoy at the local rancho. After lunch, you will experience first-hand artistic expression of the region through the use of reusable products extracted from nature, with elements such as twigs, wool trees, egg shells, seeds and sawdust. Being Juanilama a community that reinforces sustainable practices, you will also learn how to produce your own soaps for use in your home or to give as a beautiful handcrafted detail. Dinner and Overnight in Juanilama. The menu available daily for breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner is based on recipes from our country.

DAY 5 JUANILAMAYou will enjoy breakfast at a local home in Juanilama, before joining the students in a soccer match organized with the children from the community. After this match you will have lunch with the families and relax bathing in the river and experience tubing in it. During the afternoon, you will participate in an activity that will allow you to plant a tree activity, acknowledging the importance of forests for the planet, leaving a small plaque at the base of the tree with your name, date and country of origin. A year after his visit, you will receive an email picture of how your piece of Costa Rica is growing! Dinner and overnight at Juanilama Homestay. Meals: B, L, D

DAY 6 JUANILAMAEnjoy breakfast at a local home and take part in a volunteer program that will allow you to help students during the next 8 hours. These programs benefit various community institutions through the visit of students and volunteers donating their work collaborating with the development of the local people and are intended to raise awareness among participants of the importance of proper waste management, reforestation, planting, environmental protection,

conservation of values and traditions, among other elements for sustainable development. Lunch and dinner at Juanilama. Overnight in Juanilama Homestay. Meals: B, L, D

DAY 7 JUANILAMA - MONTEVERDEBreakfast will be served at the local rancho and a farewell typical dances presentation will be prepared by the children of the community. Private guided transportation will then take you from Juanilama to the Monteverde Cloud Forest area. During the afternoon, you will visit the Trapiche, a Costa Rican family business that guides you through the sugar cane production process, as well as banana, plantains, tubers and orange plantations. Enjoy a delicious fresh cup of Costa Rican coffee and have a special dinner with a Quaker, spending the night at the Fonda Vela Hotel. Meals: B, D

DAY 8 MONTEVERDEEnjoy a delicious breakfast at the Fonda Vela Hotel and join a morning tour into the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve; where more than 2.5% of worldwide biodiversity exists and 10% of its flora is endemic. Even though Costa Rica’s territory represents 0.03% of the total land of the planet, it is home to 5% of the total biological species of the world and 100% of the funds collected by the entrance fees and other services are dedicated to educational, preservation and research programs. Afternoon will be available for your leisure or optional activities. Dinner and Overnight at the Fonda Vela Hotel. Meals: B, D

DAY 9 MONTEVERDE – SAN JOSEA private guided transfer from the Fonda Vela Hotel will take you back to the city of San José and you will spend the rest of the evening at the Costa Rica Marriott Hotel · Meals: B

DAY 10 DEPARTUREYou will be transferred from the Costa Rica Marriott Hotel to the Juan Santamaría International Airport, where you will board your flight back home or extend your trip to a beach destination · Meals: B

Nursing ExperienceSAN JOSE / ARENAL VOLCANO

ITINERARY FOCUSED ON NURSING

Highlights:• San Jose City Tour• Visit to Universidad de Costa Rica• Visit to Colegio de Enfermeras de Costa Rica• Visit to CIMA Private Hospital • Hot Springs• Arenal Natura Ecological Park • Zip Line• Asis Project• Humanitarian Foundation, La Carpio Volunteer Program• Visit to San Rafael de Alajuela Public Hospital• Farewell Dinner with a Local FamilyAdditional Guest Program Highlights:• Doka State Coffee Tour• Poas Volcano National Park

8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTSLevel of Action: Low

DAY 1 SAN JOSE Upon arrival to the Juan Santamaría International Airport, the group will be met by a local representative and assisted to their respective hotel in San Jose. No event or special meeting will take place this evening. Dinner and Overnight at the Studio Hotel. Meals: D

DAY 2 SAN JOSEBreakfast will take place at the hotel and then, a Welcome and Orientation session will take place, receiving an overview on Costa Rica. Time will be included this morning to work with your leader to gather and sort professional gifts for your meeting hosts, as well as giving time for your leader to address the group, facilitate group introductions, and assign note-taking duties for each professional meeting. Lunch will be provided at a local restaurant, after which participants will explore the culture and rich history of Costa Rica’s capital city, San José, explore the beautiful La Sabana Metropolitan Park, as well as the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum which is one of the few Pre-Columbian gold museums that exist worldwide, containing 1.000 original pieces that date from 300 to 1500 AD. Dinner will be provided at a local restaurant and Overnight will be at the Studio Hotel. Meals: B, L, D

DAY 3 SAN JOSEBreakfast will take place at the hotel and then, you will take part of the Professional Program, a program led by staff of the Universidad de Costa Rica’s School of Nursing, where its members will focus on aspects such as how are nurses educated in Costa Rica vs. the USA, their differences and similarities and how does that education prepare them for the changes that must take place in healthcare for both countries? Lunch will be provided this afternoon at a local restaurant. After lunch you will take part of a meeting with representatives from the Costa Rican Nursing Association, with the goal of ensuring a representation of the nursing profession at national and international levels; as well as standardizing the criteria in the provision of nursing services; them being key to the process of seeking strategic partnerships to train the professionals in nursing for proper performance, creating future jobs. Dinner is by individual arrangement (own expense) and overnight at the Studio Hotel. Meals: B, L *Official accompanying guests to this program will visit a coffee plantation and learn about the coffee production process.

DAY 4 SAN JOSE- ARENALBreakfast will take place at the hotel and then, you will be part of a visit to a private hospital in the CIMA Network. This hospital’s nursing staff is highly trained and are also characterized by their interest in continuous education and providing exceptional care to patients. All nurses graduated from leading universities and are registered. The CIMA Professional Program focuses on learning how a private hospital functions vs. a public facility, discuss how the nursing field is changing and continue discussions on nursing training.

You will depart to the Arenal Volcano area, observing the beautiful town of La Fortuna Town, a —a charming town located in the volcano’s valley and nestled among lush vegetation and waterfalls. You will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, and then relax and reflect in the mineral-rich waters of the local hot springs. Dinner will be provided this evening at the hot springs resort and you will spend overnight at the Lomas del Volcán Hotel. Meals: B, L, D*Official accompanying guests to this program will have free time for themselves and to prepare for the check out before heading out to Arenal with the remainder of the group.

DAY 5 ARENALYou will enjoy breakfast at the hotel, before heading out to the Arenal Natura Ecological Park, where you will discover exotic frogs, birds and reptiles living in a magnificent tropical rainforest at the base of the impressive Arenal Volcano. During this guided tour, you will learn about more than 30 species of Costa Rican diurnal and nocturnal frogs; see a reptile lagoon and a snake exhibit. Enjoy local wildlife living in

the trees during a gondola ride rich with fantastic views of Arenal Volcano, a nearby lake, and the Tilarán mountain range. Lunch is by individual arrangement (in the park or the hotel). After lunch delegates can choose to fly across the forest on zip lines for a thrilling look at even more tree-dwelling creatures—or return via the slower-moving gondola! Don’t forget your camera! Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and spend the night at the Lomas del Volcán Hotel. Meals: B, D

DAY 6 ARENAL – SAN JOSEBreakfast will be served at the hotel after which you will return to San José, visiting, on the way back, the Asís Project, a fabulous organization that supports local, environmental, social and conservation projects within the community. Here you will help take care of the wild animals by feeding them, cleaning their cages and assit in repairing or building new cages (we suggest you bring some light work gloves with you). Lunch will be provided this afternoon by the project’s staff. After this visit, you will head out to San José and check back into your local hotel. Enjoy some free time this afternoon to explore independently. Dinner is by individual arrangement (own expense) and overnight will be at the Studio Hotel. Meals: B,L

DAY 7 SAN JOSEBreakfast will be served at the hotel and then you will head out to meet the Humani-tarian Foundation to spend the morning visiting the community of "La Carpio” and its EBAIS (Basic Health Equipment for Integral Attention), a team that is responsible for attending the immediate health needs of the population and refers patients with cases that feature a higher level of complexity to any hospital in case it is required. Basical-ly, EBAIS are focused on promoting health actions and prevention of illness to this vulnerable population and become key to the Costa Rican population in order to raise life expectancy at birth and reduce the infant mortality rate. Often, these centers are located in local communities or communities with difficult access, so a visit, where professionals can provide their services and bring donations, will be a great opportu-nity for them professionally and humanitarianly. During this visit you will be able to learn about the origin and effects of poverty, the access to medical care by these communities and the role of the EBAIS in providing care and support for this vulnera-ble population. Lunch will be provided at a local restaurant and during the afternoon, you will have a professional exchange with a stop at San Rafael de Alajuela Public Hospital, to be able to learn about health care delivery system organization in the hospital, learn about the challenges and opportunities nurses face in a public hospital and the quality and safety issues that confront nurses in their day to day practice. During the evening, you will share memories of Costa Rica with the all the group participants at a farewell banquet with a local family in their home this evening. Overnight at the Studio Hotel. Meals: B, L, D*Official accompanying guests to this program will visit the Poás Volcano, considered to have the largest active crater in the world, with over one mile in diameter and 1.000 feet deep. Well-known for its frequent geyser-like eruptions, guests can walk through cloud forests on incredible trails to see uniquely stunted and twisted vegetation. Weather permitting, guests can explore the area around Lake Botos, which fills an extinct crater at the end of one trail. Unique wildlife calls this area home, and guests might catch sight of hummingbirds, tanagers, flycatchers, toucanets, or the resplendent quetzal.

DAY 8 DEPARTUREBreakfast will take place at the hotel, before you prepare your luggage for check out. After this, a private guided transportation will take you from your Hotel to the Juan Santamaría International Airport

City Nights HotelSan Jose 5 Studio Hotel (Boutique)Arenal Volcano 2 Lomas del Volcan Hotel

P.O.Box 7-1970, ZP San José, Costa Rica. Tel.: (506) 2282-4898 · Fax: (506) 2282-4890info@swisstravelcr.com · www.swisstravelcr.com