Jan Yatsko, Artist email:

janyatsko@racsa.co.cr

janyatsko@ice.co.cr

For those people with ComCast email addresses please see the note on my contact page. 

Explore & Create in Costa Rica Tour

March 13 to 21, 2010

July 3 to 11, 2010

Experience the diversity and richness of nature as you travel to various places found on the Atlantic and Pacific sides of the Costa Rican continental divide. Spend a day with the Maleku Indians as you witness their sacred fire ceremony spoken in their native language.  Experiment in your art journals with natural colorants harvested on the spot from the tropical rain forest and discover the importance of cacao (chocolate) and medicinal plants in the lives of the Malekus.  Soak in a hot springs surrounded by lush tropical vegetation and fed by Arenal volcano. 

Hop a ride in a wooden ox cart and perhaps you will be a part of one of the richest and colorful cultural events in Costa Rica...an ox cart parade. Walk among organic coffee plants as a Costa Rican family explains the whole process of their artisan coffee. Sit under the abundant shade of the large-leafed almond trees and bathe in the warm gentle Pacific ocean at Manuel Antonio Beach, listed in the NY Times bestseller as one of the “1,000 Places To See Before You Die”.  Delight in the spontaneity of small group travel where each tour year brings unexpected Costa Rican experiences. Take home a memorable souvenir, an art travel journal that you created from your new skills and inspiration found in Costa Rica.

“Thanks for the time, effort and love that you put into this tour. It was a gift of yourself.  I had a wonderful time!                     Meg A. from Indiana

Explore & Create in Costa Rica 2010 Tour Itinerary

Day 1. Today your adventure in Costa Rica begins. You will be driven to a small inn with a panaramic view of Atenas and the surrounding mountains. Atenas (means Athens in Spanish) is said to have one of the best climates in the world.  Atenas is a small rural town where school students go home for a homemade lunch, horses sometimes share the streets with cars and the tall palm tree lined park is the favorite spot in town to sit, converse and observe.  Participants should schedule incoming flights to arrive in the Juan Santamaria airport (San Jose) no later than 3:00 PM to allow time to attend a special welcome and orientation  dinner.

Day 2. March Tour:  I specifically designed a March tour to give you an experience that few visitors will have in Costa Rica.  We will attend an ox cart parade in Escazú that attracts boyeros (ox cart drivers) from all over the country. The use of ox carts dates back to the 1800’s, but 25 years ago Escazú decreed the second Sunday in March as the National Day of the Boyeros.  This is authetic Costa Rican tradition full of color, culture, lively music and huge masked paraders who swirl, dance and cajole the audience. July Tour: Walk among coffee plants during a private tour of an organic coffee farm owned by a local Costa Rican family living in the high mountains of Atenas. Find out what constitutes organic coffee. Eat a typical lunch made by the señora of the family, Rosario and take home artisan coffee roasted and ground to your specific taste at a fraction of the cost in the US. Talk about free trade coffee...it can’t get any fresher and you met the people who grew it! This is the coffee we use in our house. 

“This trip satisfied my desires in the most unexpected and delightful ways.”                 Nancy B. from California

Day 3. The mountain town of Zarcero is kown for its beautiful landscapes, cheese and a whimsical topiary garden.  It’s the perfect place to stop and have your picture taken among the huge topiary animal figures. Zarcero is on our way to La Fortuna which is located 4 miles from the active Arenal volcano. Here you will have the afternoon to art journal, to walk into town for shopping or soak in the hot mineral springs fed by the volcano Arenal (additional fee).

“Jan was more than accommodating.  I wanted to experience the culture and life of Costa Rica, the people and the food. Thank you! Thank you!   Deborah G. from California

Day 4. A drive through the serene and remote area of Guatuso will take us to one of the few remaining Indian tribes in Costa Rica, the Malekus. Listen to their spoken language as you witness their sacred fire ceremony surrounded by colorful Maleku craft work. Walk through their rain forest under the canopy of cacao (chocolate) trees and learn the importance of chocolate and medicinal plants in their lives. Our Maleku guide will show you wildlife in their rain forest as well as their scared burial grounds where the spiral represents “the circle of life” and burial marker. Discover natural “paints” from their forest to use in your travel art journal and paint a jicara along with the Maleku women and take home your own souvenir.  A delicious homemade lunch will be prepared for us by the Maleku women.

“The highlight of my trip was with the Malekus. I was especially moved during the walk through the rain forest and when the Maleku guide touched the piece of jade to my  cheek.”    Christine J. from Arizona

Day 5. We return to Atenas by lunchtime on a different route that takes us through a cloud rainforest area and continuous fields of ornamental plants grown for export. Art journal by the hotel pool or explore Atenas, a typical rural town untouched by tourism.

Day 6. Our drive along the scenic Pacific coast will take us to the town of Manuel Antonio to visit its national park. Manuel Antonio National Park is listed in the NY Times bestseller book “1,000 Places To See Before You Die”. In this protected primary and secondary rain forest you will have two days to hike trails, observe wildlife, relax and swim at one of its 4 beaches. Sit under the abundant shade of the large-leafed wild almond trees, bathe in the warm ocean water and record all of what you see in your travel art journal.  National Park entrance is not included in tour price.

 “It was a beautiful trip.  The countryside was truly inspirational.”   Nancy W. from PA

Day 7. This is your day to choose your activities.  Hire a guide in the morning to take you on the trails in Manuel Antonio National Park where you might see a 3-toed sloth, squirrel and white-faced monkeys, iguanas, coati and agouti.  Spend the rest of the day at the beach and art journal by the sea. Other optional activities outside of the park include sea-kayaking, snorkelling/boat cruise, horseback riding, canopy rides, mountain biking or pamper yourself at a spa. Before dinner you will view the magnificent sunset over the Pacific Ocean in the neighboring town of Quepos.  Today’s lunch and optional activity expenses are not included in the tour price.

Day 8. Although we return to Atenas along the same Pacific coastal road, we always see a different slice of typical Costa Rican life. A stretch stop at the River Tarcoles to see crocodiles made famous by National Geographic. We arrive in time for you to have the afternoon to relax by hotel pool and to record your last images of Costa Rica in your art journal.  A special farewell dinner (with surprises!) has been planned for you.

“I found the trip delightful.  I saw so many new things and tasted new foods.  Thank you for all of your planning and the surprises on the last night.”                 Allison W. from MA

Day 9. Return to USA. Hasta la próxima vez.

Note: Half or whole days of free time have been planned throughout this tour for art journaling and/or optional activities. Jan will conduct classes on observation, creativity and art journaling techniques (specifically related to travel) at various outdoor locations throughout the tour.

“Each place brought it’s own rewards.”                 Susan W. from Maine

For Original tour features and price, proceed to   Tour Information

For more information about Creativity Exercises and Journaling, proceed to Explore & Create in Costa Rica Tour

Peek into artist Jan Yatsko’s daily life in Costa Rica Pura Vida Costa Rica

                       Itinerary subject to change.

                     Copyright Jan Yatsko September 2009