Author Archives: armikaipainen

Check out the series of projects our students have worked on with the Escuela Montero y Palito over the last four years of the ucalgarycares program.

When the average tourist spends $100, only $5 of that stays in the local community. Our ucalgarycares program in Costa Rica focuses on community-based rural tourism, as well as ethical international engagement. It introduces students to alternatives to mass tourism … Continue reading →

It’s our last day on Chira! We’ve had such a great time here on the island. I really do not want to leave. Over the past few days, we have done a ton of adventurous activities.  We climbed a hill … Continue reading →

We woke up at 4:30am today, when the roosters just started crowing and the dogs were in deep sleep after an entire night of consistent barking at each other. We arrived at Palito beach by 5:30am ready to give line … Continue reading →

Each year, we try to visit a new place in and around Chira Island. This year, the VIDA Association organized a trip to another island in the Gulf of Nicoya, Isla San Lucas. This island is at the mouth of … Continue reading →