Costa Rica Merri-Mac Reunion
Looking for a camp reunion in December? Join your Merri-Mac friends in Costa Rica for an adventure filled with fun, camp friends and the Merri-Mac spirit. The group will travel through the Costa Rican rain forest, experience and serve the homes of local families, raft world class white water and learn to surf in the famous beginner friendly waves off the coast. Most importantly, this will all be done in a community of Merri-Mac girls, allowing them to continue growing through friends and adventures beyond the gates of camp!
December 29, 2023 – January 4, 2024 $3250
Itinerary:
Day 1: December 29
Fly into the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) before 2:00 pm CST (local time). Transport to San Isidro del General to stay at basecamp. Meet your guides, pack, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime!
Day 2: December 30
Depart from San Isidro del General. Off road drive to the town of Brujo, and see beautiful views of the rainforest and Pacific Ocean on your way! Upon arrival at the pueblo of Brujo, we begin our hike into the rainforest.
We will arrive at Piedras Blancas where a delicious Costa Rican meal will be served by Doña Flor (mother of 18!)
Relax and enjoy the surrounding rainforest, get to know the family, and explore the river that passes through the village. Enjoy another home cooked meal at the Lopez family home before getting a great night of sleep in the rainforest.
Day 3: December 31
Wake up for a gallo pico (traditional Costa Rican) breakfast and collect sugarcane to make some homemade sugar. Begin the process of sugar production from sugarcane using a traditional “trapiche.” Don Hormidas (father of 18) oversees the production of sugar while the participants prepare for an afternoon waterfall rappel.
After rappelling down the waterfall, we will make our way back to check on the sugar being processed and have the chance to taste our own homemade sugar. Lunch will be ready to be served and we’ll enjoy another meal at the Lopez family house. The afternoon will be set aside for students to enjoy the local surrounding area, play futbol (soccer), and interact with the local families.
Day 4: January 1
Wake up ready and motivated to assist with a build out of new community bathrooms. This will involve some construction and organization of materials. Community members will be working alongside our girls. This will take up most of our day, with a few breaks built in for delicious meals and a swim in the local river.
Day 5: January 2
Wake up to another traditional breakfast and hike to Brujo to begin our rafting excursion on the Rio Savegre (one of the cleanest rivers in the Americas). This river features class II and III rapids and beautiful views of the rainforest and waterfalls. We will eat on the riverside as we make our way down 12 miles of river.
That night we will stay in Uvita National Park.
Day 6: January 3
Spend your last full day surfing in Uvita National Park. End your day with a final group dinner to reflect on the trip.
Day 7: January 4
Depart from the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm CST (local time). Don’t worry, camp staff will be sure everyone makes it on their flights with time to spare!
FAQs:
No, airfare is not included in the registration cost.
All flights should be booked through our travel partner, Sequel Travel. Julia Buie at Sequel Travel will reach out to you directly to book flights.
The bulk of this trip is oriented around traveling between host families (BME has long standing relationships with these host families) in the rain forest. Trip participants will participate in home stays while interacting with local families and enjoying home cooked meals. The first and last night of the trip will be spent in a hotel in San Jose.
Merri-Mac, Timberlake and BME are owned and operated by the Boyd family and this trip is exclusively for camp girls.
You can reach us at the Black Mountain Expedition basecamp office at (828) 669-8766. Please ask to speak to Patrick Emery, our Black Mountain Expeditions director.