PART I – Day 1: Granada

• Take a boat excursion to discover the "Islets of Granada": When the Mombacho Volcano erupted thousands of years ago, it created 365 islets in Lake Nicaragua, visible in front of Granada.

Day 1: Arrival in Liberia, Costa Rica.                                                                                                               Private transport from Liberia, Costa Rica, to the Nicaraguan border (1 hour), followed by transport from the border to Granada (1 hour and 40 minutes).
Stay for 1 night in a hostel in Granada.

PART II – Days 2-5: Positive impact project in Los Andes – San Ramon

Positive impact project with a coffee cooperative La Hermandad from the Los Andes community in San Ramon. Workshops and activities
• Hiking to a coffee-growing farm (finca) and agricultural fields.
• Join a 'Natacamales' workshop to learn how to prepare this local recipe.
• Attend a workshop on coffee roasting.
• Engage in activities to understand the complete coffee production process, including tasting and evaluation before export.
• Participate in sports activities with locals.

DESCRIPTION OF THE POSITIVE IMPACT PROJECT

• The Positive impact project will be held at an agro-ecological field school where around 40 people (adults and youth) are learning environmentally-friendly production skills. They are taught how to prepare products for their crops without the use of harmful chemicals, promoting a healthy environment. These classes take place at the School cultural center.
• Thanks to the cooperative and families’ hard work and effective management, the community has had their own school for 18 years. This school provides education to 30 children and parents, making education more accessible and reducing illiteracy in rural communities. While the Government supports this initiative by paying teachers, there is a need to improve the classroom, cultural center, and kitchen conditions, which is the main goal of the project.

Potential community service projects (dependent on the number of participants in the trip) include:

• Improving the school cultural center and kitchen floors by laying down tiles (materials needed: cement, sand, pebbles, boards, nails).
• Repairing the school and cultural center roofs (materials needed: zinc, nails, wood).
• Enhancing recreation areas where students go on excursions, as well as creating recreational and resting spaces.
• Additionally, extra tasks such as creating organic fertilizers and agroecological products, promoted by the agroecological school, will be organized.

Day 2: Private transport from Granada to San Ramon (4-5 hours).
Stay for 4 nights at a countryside lodge in San Ramon.
Daily private transport to the Los Andes community to contribute to the positive impact project (25 minutes away)

PART III – Days 6-9: Maderas beach

• Enjoy the beautiful beach of Maderas.
• Take a surf lesson at Maderas (optional: $45 USD).
• Take a walk to visit the surrounding beaches, such as Majahual, to witness a beautiful sunset.

Private transport from San Ramon to Maderas Beach (5 hours).
Stay for 2 nights in a hostel at Maderas Beach.
Day 8: Departure from Maderas Beach to the Costa Rica border (1 hour), and then continue to Liberia Airport (1 hour).

• Preps

  Travel documents

  A valid passport that expires at least 6 months after the date of your return flight back home.

  Luggage

  The least amount of luggage possible. We recommend bags that are practical and easy to carry. One large bag and a small day back-pack is ideal.

  Health

  We recommend you consult your local medical travel clinic (or doctor) a few months before leaving in order to ensure you have the necessary vaccines. Your medical insurance card might not cover costs incurred due to injuries or health costs when you are abroad. If you need to travel with medication of some kind, please bring a doctor’s prescription.

  Safety

  We recommend you bring a concealed belt that can hold your important documents, credit cards and currencies. It is illegal to take any objects found in archeological sites or any natural resources from any of the national parks, ecological reserves, protectorates or any other sites visited.

  Payment Terms

  1. September 30, 2025: $1500
  2. November 14, 2025: $1202
  3. December 15, 2025: to be determined by the number of travellers.

  Payment Method

  1. INTERAC  EMAIL TRANSFERS  – Proceed with the transfer after signing up online. Include the student’s name in the wire message.
  The email to send the transfer is: finance@alyraexpeditions.com
  Question: which destination?
  Answer: nicaragua

  Cancellation / Modifications By The Traveler

  In case of cancellation, the Traveller, even in cases of events outside of their control. The minimum cancellation fees are as follows:

  • a) 121 days or more prior to departure: 1st deposit
  • b) 91 to 120 days prior to departure: 50% of trip package
  • c) 46 to 90 days prior to departure:75% of trip package
  • d) 45 days or fewer prior to departure: 100% of package

• These prices include

  • The international direct flights from Montreal;
  • Alyra’s CO (Creative Organizer) accompanying the group 24/7;
  • Local transportation (private bus);
  • Lodging in the hostel of the community: multiple occupancy for students and double occupancy for the chaperones;
  • Food: 3 meals a day (local authentic food will be served);
  • Snacks and potable water during the trip;
  • Organization of the community projects and coordination with the local community leader and members;
  • Activities/visits mentioned with local guides as stated;
  • Tips to local guides, drivers and restaurants;
  • Entrance tickets for museums, parks, sites, etc mentioned in the itinerary;
  • 0.1% for the OPC’s FICAV (Consumer Protection Office) tax;;
  • Insurance Package: Medical, Interruption and Cancelation Coverage. Youth/Student Deluxe Plan for students of 17 years old and younger only.

• These prices do not include

  • Visa expenses (for non-canadian passports);
  • Souvenirs/gifts you decide to buy;
  • Transportation from the school to the airport and back;
  • Laundry and any other personal expenses.