Jan Yatsko, Artist email: jan@janyatsko.com

Explore and Create in Costa Rica Tour

February 20 to March 1, 2009

July 9 to 18, 2009

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. 

Engage in a conversation with well-known Costa Rican artists in their studios and purchase art directly from them.  Find out the spiritual significance of a toucan, macaw, and a frog. 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

Original Explore and Create in Costa Rica 2009 Tour Itinerary

Day 1. Today your adventure in Costa Rica begins. You will be driven to a small inn owned by a Costa Rican and his extended family. Edwin loves to tell visitors stories about Costa Rica and his family will show you the famous Costa Rican hospitality. This inn is located near the rural town of Atenas. Atenas (means Athens in Spanish) is said to have one of the best climates in the world. Life in Atenas is done at a slower pace.  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 no later than 3:00 PM to allow time to attend a special welcome and orientation dinner.

Day 2. A day trip to the capital, San Jose. Take a special tour to visit well-known Costa Rican artists in their studios.  Engage them in conversation as you unlock their thoughts on art.  Find out which work is their favorite and support their talent with a purchase.

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

Day 3. February Tour: Go back into Costa Rican history aboard a restored 1941 train car that will slowly take you to the Pacific coast through beautiful landscapes and small villages that can’t be seen any other way. Join Costa Rican grandparents as they relive their childhood memories with their grandchildren. Typical Costa Rican music, dancing, singing, games and homemade food are all part of the experience and the enjoyment of reliving this train’s past.  July Tour: Rub elbows with native Costa Ricans at the weekly Atenas outdoor farmer’s market. Sketch exotic fruits, sample chorreadas and observe casual conversations.  After lunch, tour a private macaw reserve of over 200 birds.  You will want to bring your bright red, blue, yellow, turquoise and green paint to match in your journals the macaw’s beautiful plumage!

Day 4. Travel through the dairy producing mountain area of Zarcero to arrive at the town of La Fortuna. Beautiful landscapes and a whimsical topiary garden in Zarcero highlight the trip. La Fortuna is located 4 miles from the active Arenal volcano. Afternoon to art journal or to walk into the town of La Fortuna to Gallery Luna Tica, a great place to purchase Costa Rican art.  Another option (additiional fee) is to soak in the hot mineral springs fed by the volcano Arenal.

“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 5. Travel to the remote area of Guatuso to visit with 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 purchase a “cloth” made from bark as well as other traditional Maleku craft work. 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 6. We return to Atenas by lunchtime.  Your choice of afternoon activities.  Art journal by the hotel pool or explore Atenas, a typical rural town untouched by tourism. Note: The masked person pictured below is your driver Adrian.  Although he doesn’t speak any English, Adrian loves to interact and have fun with the tour participants. He always has a big smile and keeps you safe on the road.  He is very much a part of the Costa Rican tour experience.

Day 7. Travel along the scenic Pacific coast until you reach 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 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 8. Free 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 9. Return to Atenas along the Pacific coastal road.  A stretch stop at the River Tarcoles to see crocodiles made famous by National Geographic. 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 10. 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 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 June 2008