unique situation

A small indigenous population retreated to the mountains to escape the Spanish in the 1600’s. In contrast, needy refugees have flocked to makeshift beach communities.

unique need

The people living in the mountains are isolated in their need. The people living in the beach communities are ignored and forgotten.

trip dates

June 25- July 8,2008

trip prices

$1,898 from Miami, Fl

$1,998 from Los Angeles, CA

 Quitirrisi & Jaco Beach

• Quitirrisi. Perched 3000 ft from the valley floor, they live in small homes where they make handicrafts from vegetable fiber for roadside sales to tourist.

• Jaco Beach. While the surf and party scene give an alluring exterior, the barrios of this city are filled with poverty, drugs, alcohol, and prostitution. The Nicaraguans that have moved to Costa Rica for a better life are looked down on by nationals. Many are illegally in Costa Rica so they won’t get proper medical treatment for fear of being sent back to Nicaragua. Most end up in the barrios such as one that is in “the River Bed.” They remain trapped in utter poverty.