Acosta is a small village in a protected natural setting, surrounded by mountains through which flow beautiful rivers and waterfalls. The majority of the people live either in the town itself or very close by. It is the kind of town that inspires you to get in touch with yourself and to feel at one with its natural beauty.

There are two bus lines to Acosta, with departures every half hour. You can take them from near the center of San Jose. To reach the buses, go from the gasoline station in La Castellana, in south-central San Jose, one block to the south and one-half block to the west.

Or, if you wish, we can meet you at the airport and drive you directly to Acosta.

Fundación Acción Solidaria

ACSOL, es una institución creada en 1997, con el propósito de promover el desarrollo económico local con equidad en Costa Rica y en otros países de la Región Latinoamericana. Apoya para mejorar la capacidad productiva, la generación de ingresos y empleo de grupos comunitarios, especialmente de mujeres, mediante la promoción de micro y pequeña empresas dinámicas de producción agropecuaria, turismo rural y artesanía.

Brinda servicios de asistencia técnica, capacitación, transferencia de tecnologías apropiadas, crédito y servicio de desarrollo empresarial.

We are able to offer you the opportunity of learning Spanish, utilizing a practical, simple, and effective method that enables you to learn Spanish while you go about your daily activities and enjoy the warm hospitality of living in the home of a rural Costa Rican family. The price for this instruction in Spanish is lower than that of any language-teaching institution in the country.

Our programs are of proven effectiveness and are based on a combination of the necessary grammatical structures and of daily practice of the language, both with the teachers and with the local family. You will also use what you have learned as you go about your daily errands and purchases in the town, so you will quickly lose any fear of using your new language while you continually gain more confidence.

Communication is Our Priority

Our priority is for you to begin the communication process immediately. From the time you open your eyes in the morning until you close them at nighttime, you will have opportunities to practice your Spanish because in our town, unlike many others, there are very few people who speak English. You will learn how to communicate in Spanish in a comfortable, unhurried manner, without pressure.

Class Schedule

Classes are four, 50 minute sessions a day, Monday through Friday.

Levels of Instruction

We offer programs for beginners, as well as for intermediate and advanced levels. You can attend classes for as many weeks as you wish and you can begin at any time.

Instruction is given at five different levels:

The Teachers

All the teachers are natives of Acosta. They also speak English, so they can help you if you need further explanations. All are trained professionals and will make your learning experience both effective and pleasurable.

Learning Materials

We provide you with learning materials. These materials have been designed to make the learning experience participative. They are aimed at putting the student into communication with those around him as rapidly as possible.

Costs

Included are: four classes a day, each class 50 minutes in duration; learning materials; and lodging in a private room (single occupancy) with a local family - breakfast, dinner, and laundry services provided.

Support the community as it improves its quality of life, and get to know the reality of a rural town.

Among the projects you can participate in are the following:

• Bee keeping: Its principal objective is the breeding of queen bees, but also the activity involves honey, pollen, and the various sub-products of bee keeping.

   

• Working with small farms. The purpose is to give aid to the small subsistence family farm. Among the tasks that can be carried out are clearing of land, terracing of land, harvesting crops - especially such fruits as oranges, lemons and jocotes.

   

• Construction of a home for the elderly.

   

• Care of the elderly. This requires volunteers who know how to give adequate care to persons of advanced age.

   

• Teaching English in primary schools. The purpose is to provide students of limited resources an opportunity to learn a second language.

   

• Forest conservation in the Cornelio de Acosta Reserve. In the region there is a biological reserve, several river basins, and privately-owned forests that are in need of support for their conservation, management, and construction of pathways, among others. In addition, there is a need for environmental education in primary and high schools.

Room and Board

Special rates are available for food and lodging for those wishing to do community or volunteer work with our organization.

Covering 51,100 square kilometers (19,929 square miles), one can cross Costa Rica from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic in less than four hours, enjoy the country's beautiful beaches, visit active volcanoes and picturesque villages, buy handicrafts, and above all, come in direct contact with nature when you visit the national parks and biological reserves that give Costa Rica international renown. In our country the natural environment is preserved by serious and responsible measures. These parks and reserves cover almost one quarter of the national territory and represent nearly five percent of the entire world's biodiversity.

The Acosta Rural Tourism Network, and the Fundacion Acción Solidaria, offer you the opportunity to experience both nature and a warm family atmosphere that will let you enjoy Costa Rica's natural beauty even more. Based in our town of Acosta, located just 29 miles from San Jose, we can easily take you to any other part of the country that you wish.

We can take you to visit the beaches and national park at Manuel Antonio, to Arenal Valcano, to Poas Volcano, to the beaches and National Park at Cahuita, to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, or to the Canals of Tortuguero. Enjoy kayaking, snorkeling, and, best of all, visit still unexplored locations of great natural beauty.

So, live a little; come and discover the lovely land with the warmth of home.

Climate

Costa Rica is a tropical country and thus has two seasons, dry and rainy. The dry season lasts from December through April, and the rainy season from May through November.

The dry season is more pleasant, but it is also the time when most visitors come, so the prices tend to be higher and the hotels may be full.

In the rainy season, especially from May to August, and also in November, you can enjoy the beach or hike on nature trails and then in the afternoon, from the comfort of your balcony, watch the rain fall on the green mountains while you enjoy your favorite book.

The temperature varies little during the two seasons, but varies principally with altitude. The coasts are hot and humid. The Caribbean averages 69 degrees Fahrenheit at nighttime and 86 or more during the day. The Pacific is a few degrees warmer.

Clothing

We suggest that you pack clothing appropriate for the different locations with varying climates that you might wish to visit. The highland areas can be quite cold, so a sweater is recommended. For lowland areas, loose-fitting shirts and pants are essential. On the beach, you should have with you a hat, insect repellent, sunglasses, and sun block lotion.

Credit Cards, Travellers Checks and Cash

Most major credit card are accepted throughout the country , but VISA seems to be the most commonly accepted. Some smaller business will only accept cash.

USA dollar are your best bet for travelers checks, as other currencies will rarely be accepted. For changing your travellers checks, Banks will require your passaport.

If you want to bring cash, stick to the USA dollars, but make sure thay are in decent condition and avoid US$ 100 bills, because the majority of costaricans do not accept them.

Currency Exchange

The official currency is the Colón, and is easy to use than the dollar, although US dollars are accepted throughout the Country. At July 3, 2001 the exchange rate was 1US$= 327,50 colones. Currency can be exchange at banks, although the often require you passaport. Most hotels have an exchange counter. You can also exchange money at the international airport.

Customs: Arrivals are allowed 500 cigarettes plus five liters os wine o spirits duty free in addition to personal goods.

Departure Tax: The average rate is US$ 17 to depart by air . Land and sea exits are not charged.

Taxes: There is a 13% sales tax at hotels, restaurants and most service industries and additional 3% tourist tax at hotels.

Tipping: Most of the restaurants will add a 10% service tip to your bill. So check whether this is the case before payng and additonal tip. Other services do not include the tip, as is voluntary to leave it. Taxi drivers generally do not receive a tip. Tour guides generally do.

Electricity: 110-volt AC is found nationwide. A few outlying areas use their own power source so check ahead before traveling.

Water: The water is safe to drink in almost all areas of the country. However is better to ask before you drink it.

Communications: Direct dial telephone service is efficient and there are more telephones per capita than in other Latin American Country . Facsimil, telex, radio, internet service and cable television are available throughout the country. Bilingual operator assistance for international calls is -116, Local information -113, Long distance information -124.

Time Zone: Costa Rica is the same as USA central standard time but does not observe daylight savings time (GMT-6:00).

Hospitals: Health Services in Costa Rica are very good and sanitary standards are high. First class hospitals are found throuhout San José and some of the largely populated areas.

Churches: Like all Latin American Countries. Costa Rica is predominantly Catholic, but other denominations are found through the country.

Banking: Banks are open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. and do not close for lunch. Some private banks are open until 6:00 p.m.

Business Hours: Stores and other business open from 8:00 am. to 6:00 pm. Supermarkets are open till 8:00 p.m.

Basic Facts