COSTA RICA, Turn on your ‘Pura Vida’!
A Global Routes favorite since 1991, Costa Rica is the perfect choice for the student seeking to deepen their Spanish skills, contribute to a meaningful service project, and experience life-changing adventures in the heart of the rainforest…all while building deep bonds with their group. You’ll explore the depths of the rainforest via zipline, rappel down waterfalls, learn how to identify medicinal plants, catch your first wave surfing in the pristine Pacific Ocean, and whitewater raft the Savegre River.
For two weeks, you’ll live just like a Tica in your host community in the rolling coffee mountains outside of San Isidro de El General while working hand-in-hand on their service project which will be selected by the local community. This summer, students will build a new community kitchen in their host community for celebrations, events, and local gatherings.
Who Are The Global Routes Trip Leaders?
We are fortunate to have some of the most experienced leaders in the field who take our programs from paper to reality. In addition to being warm, bright, compassionate, energetic, creative and competent, each leader has extensive experience working with high-school and college-aged participants. We are thrilled to welcome back Pablo Lopez Salazar (3rd-time GR leader) and Liz MacNeil (7-time GR leader).
2019 Costa Rica Co-leaders, Liz MacNeil and Pablo Lopez Salazar
LIZ MACNEIL
Liz is one of Global Route’s most seasoned and valued trip leaders and in addition to being a rockstar leader, has supported Global Routes in program development from 2014-2018. She has led Global Routes programs in Costa Rica, Panama, St. Vincent, and Tanzania. She was Valedictorian at Sierra Nevada College and holds a holds a BA in Humanities. Her certifications include: Teaching English as a Foreign Language Certification, TEFL International, Wilderness First Responder w/ CPR, PADI Rescue Diver, and ACA Sea Kayak Instructor & Guide. She has left her wake in every ocean but the Arctic. Liz has studied, worked, volunteered, and traveled throughout Central and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. And did we mention…she was a kayaking guide in Antarctica as well!! What?!! We won’t even mention the kayaking and glacier trips she’s led across Alaska. She is fluent in Spanish and spends her free time exploring and paddling in new places, visiting family/friends, singing monster rock ballads at open mics, and breaking taco-eating records in obscure port towns.
Most epic place you’ve ever had breakfast?
Too many to just choose from but, most recently, at the top of Kaieteur Falls, in Guyana.
What’s your favorite part about leading these trips? Why do you do it?
To introduce people to new perspectives; to chase beauty; to debunk propaganda & stereotypes; to influence the future leaders of the world; for the karmic upgrade 🙂
What makes you believe in the power of immersive international travel experiences?
It changed my life.
What’s your superpower?
Songwriting on the fly…
If you could wake up anywhere on earth tomorrow, where would it be?
At the ocean…
What is one unique item you always bring with you on international journeys?
Coffee with a filter (no instant Nescafe for me)
What is one piece of advice you have for a Global Routes student?
Surrender to the flow…
Lastly, share one quote that resonates with you and is a guiding beacon in your life.
“There’s no normal life. It’s just life. Get on with it.” — Val Kilmer as ‘Doc’ Holliday
PABLO LOPEZ SALAZAR
This will be Pablo’s third year leading the Global Routes Costa Rica program! Pablo is from the town of Piedras Blancas in Costa Rica. He grew up on a wonderful farm in Costa Rica with his Dad, Mom and 18 brothers and sisters (!!!) surrounded by mountains, rivers and beautiful caverns. He has 12 years of experience working as a guide in Costa Rica, and will be the first to tell you how much he loves his job. He is a rafting guide and an outdoor education instructor with experience leading many trips for Outward Bound, Pacific Journeys, Auténtico Adventures and Pure Life. There is nobody on earth more excited to share his love of Costa Rica with his Global Routes students!
What’s your favorite part about leading these trips? Why do you do it?
My favorite part is the contribution that I can give to Global Routes students, supporting them to be better every day; to show them how happy they can be with so little, to share the beauty of Costa Rican culture and witness the immense change in the students at the end of each program.
What makes you believe in the power of immersive international travel experiences?
Traveling to another country and experiencing another culture helps you see the world in a different way. When you can interpret the differences, it’s really helpful.
What’s your superpower?
Being funny and finding the hilarious in each moment. Just try me in a round of Minister’s Cat.
If you could wake up anywhere on earth tomorrow, where would it be?
Peru, the mountain of seven colors.
What is one unique item you always bring with you on international journeys?
Costa Rican coffee.
What is one piece of advice you have for a Global Routes student?
Take every opportunity as a challenge to be better every day.
Lastly, share one quote that resonates with you and is a guiding beacon in your life.
If you arrive with a smile we will laugh together, if you arrive in a bad mood…I will laugh alone.
Read more about our phenomenal trip leaders on our Staff Page.
Interested in becoming a trip leader for Global Routes? Start Your Application for Summer 2020.
