Indiana University Program

I am happy to share that on May 2018, I hosted through Ecogetaways Travel Designs the Indiana University Program of Global Business Immersion about Social Entrepreneurship and Impact in Costa Rica, where 24 students of Business Management worked close with important Costa Rican ONG's as: Tree Seed, La Esquina, Karma Tribe, SubCultours and CREAR.

During their stay in the city the group enjoyed amazing activities as a City Tour in San José and an incredible adventure visiting the Irazú Volcano. During our stay in San Jose, we worked with Courtyard Marriott Hotel in Escazu and everything was flawless, clients loved the restaurants walking distance from the Hotel at Plaza Itskazu!

In the Coast Session of the Indiana’s educational experience in Costa Rica, we selected for their stay the beautiful Nammbu Hotel in Carrillo Beach. Our group here, enjoyed the most breathtaking sunsets, a spectacular sunny weather and a Top quality service from all the staff of the Hotel.

It’s no secret that Costa Rica is famous for it’s coffee, so our next stop in Guanacaste, with the students, was the amazing Diria Coffee Tour, where we lived a true Costa Rican experience at the coffee plantation and processing plant. Our guide Dennis, was very passionate, fun and knowledgeable during the whole tour and the students were able to learn more about the entire process of the bean until it becomes the famous drink we love. At the end of the tour, the students enjoyed a delicious iced coffee and a beautiful culture show of traditional dance of Guanacaste, performed by local women.

The Educational Experience included a morning visit to the social project called CREAR, a non-profit organization dedicated to supplement education for the youth of Playa Samara and El Torito, given that the local public schools have limited resources for the kids.

In the afternoon, we had an awesome visit to Punta Islita Hotel, to learn about their innovative program and community efforts with the support of the Villafranca-Zurcher Foundation to provide empowering tools to the local communities like the Islita Art Museum, the Day Care Center and their new school.

In Ecogetaways, we believe travel should be planet –friendly, people –positive and we encourage the interest of our clients in sustainability and unique experiences that enrich their travel with fascinating insights of each destination they visit.

Finally, in our last day at Guanacaste, we explored the authentic Hacienda Guachipelin Hotel, where we enjoyed a wonderful hike surrounded by beautiful lush nature to the hidden waterfall “Las Chorreras” where the students refreshed swimming in the cool waters of a natural pool created by the waterfall cascading over the rock face of a colorful canyon.

After lunch, they relaxed at the hot springs that are heated naturally by the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano followed by a funny mud bath experience and a small dive in the incredible crystal clear “Rio Negro” to clean off the mud. We totally recommend this tour for active and adventurous travelers.

We finally say goodbye to our special group with a dinner at the Traditional and always charming restaurant: Ram Luna, the food was great and the lights provided a warm and cozy mood during our night. Beautiful experience and very recommended!

We are proud and happy that Indiana University chose Costa Rica and Ecogetaways Travel as Hosts of it’s Educational Experience in Social entrepreneurship! The Ecogetaways Team: Natalie, Alberto and me are already missing you. Looking to see very soon our friends for our next Retreat on 2018! Pura Vida!