EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
Save $100 through August 1, 2024!
10 spots available
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Caribbean Herbalism Course
with Brandon Ruiz of Yucayeke Farms
March 31 through April 11, 2025 (11 nights)
At Wild Ginger Herbal Center in Caribe Sur, Costa Rica
Please contact [email protected] with any questions about this course!
About the Course:
Join us on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica for the first ever in-person Caribbean Herbal Course with Brandon Ruiz! We will immerse ourselves in the history, botanical knowledge and stories of the Caribbean through working hands-on with our plant allies, making medicine, understanding stories and history, embracing and learning about our traditional foodways and much more. We will spend 10 days immersed in the Talamancan Coast of Costa Rica, learning from Brandon and Afro-Caribbean and Indigenous locals about the traditions, cultural blends, stories and plants of the area. We will discuss the diverse cultural makeup of other parts of the Caribbean and their influences whether African, European, Indigenous, Indian and many others. We will venture into various ecosystems and learn about the native, invasive and naturalized plants and how they arrived and create the local ecology.
**This course is specifically created for and prioritizes Caribbean (of the diaspora and within the Caribbean) and BIPOC participants as we will immerse ourselves in our own ancestral stories and memories, remember the medicines and plant allies we have and reconnect our roots. The space will include members (from Wild Ginger Team) outside of this community present organizing logistics and coordinating in the event space.
About Brandon Ruiz
Brandon Ruiz (he/him) is a Community Herbalist and Urban Farmer based on Catawba Land (Charlotte, North Carolina). He runs Yucayeke Farms, a farming and herbalism project that works to provide equal and affordable access to herbal medicines, culturally relevant crops and preserve traditions in the diaspora. Brandon works to preserve his Puerto Rican roots by practicing and teaching about Traditional Caribbean Herbalism online and in person, and is an educator, chef, farmer and more. He has taught throughout the world in conferences, school programs, universities, at individually organized centers and in one-on-one programs.
About Wild Ginger Herbal Center
Click Here to Learn about Wild Ginger Herbal Center Family and backround. Join us in our tiny beach village exploring tropical herbal medicine and local foodways, where the jungle meets the Caribbean Sea! In addition to the intensive classes taught by Brandon Ruiz, this program will include an engaging balance between field studies centering local indigenous and traditional herbalists and farms, classes at our center, and time spent exploring plants with amazing teachers who have dedicated their lives to plant medicine both local from Costa Rica. You will stay at our rustic group Caribbean Cabinas, very close to the Caribbean sea! Our amazing faculty include incredible local people born and raised in Talamanca Costa Rica including Indigenous as well as Afro Costa Rican faculty members, our entire team are inspiring plant people and share generously their love for plants, food, and people.
The Talamancan Coast of the South Caribbean of Costa Rica is where everything got started for Wild Ginger. We have been facilitating incredible cross cultural and educational programming for many years in this regions home to Indigenous communities such as the BriBri, Kekoldi, and Cabecar, as well as Chinese and Afro-Costa Rican communities who came to work building railroads and working on banana plantations. Over the years this area has become increasingly diverse with residents from virtually all over the globe. Our programs focus on the local foodways as well as traditional herbalism as it is practiced across the incredible cultures that inhabit Talamanca.
Field Studies:
We will go on field trips in the Talamanca area that will focus on local culture, history, animals, plants and natural life.
- Jungle Hike in National Reserve
- Visit Indigenous BriBri Family to learn medicinal and dye plants
- Chocolate Making with Indigenous Family
- Traditional Afro-Caribbean Cooking Class
- Traditional Afro-Caribbean Herbalism and Plant Walk
- Traditional BriBri and Indigenous Herbal Medicine class
- Visit Organic Agro-ecological farm on Indigenous Reserve
- Traditional Coconut Oil Making
- Visit the local farmers market,
- Tropical Herbal Medicine Making and so much more!
Schedule:
Monday March 31
2:30 Meet outside Juan Santamaria San Jose Airport and depart for Wild Ginger Herbal Center
Stop & Eat Dinner Along the Way (bring $ for dinner)
9:30 pm ETA Arrival
Tuesday April 1
8:30 Group Breakfast
9:30 Welcome & Opening, Town Tour & Orientation
12:00 Group Lunch & Beach Break
2:00 pm Intro to Caribbean Herbalism / Energetics and Flavors with Brandon
5:00 Dinner
Wednesday April 2
7:30 Group Breakfast
8:00 Afro Costa Rican Folk Plant Walk with Alda
12:00 Group Lunch
2:00 Local Plant Walk with Brandon
5:00 Group Dinner
Thursday April 3
8:30 am Breakfast
9:30 Field Trip Visit BriBri Indigenous Family Run Ethnobotanical Plant Tour and Chocolate Making
Picnic Lunch
1:30 Hike to Local Waterfall and Swimming
5:00 Group Dinner
Friday April 4
8:30 Group Breakfast
9:30 Traditional Coconut Oil Making
12:00 Group Lunch & Break
2:00 Caribbean Medicine Making with Brandon
5:00 Group Dinner
Saturday April 5
8:30 Group Breakfast
9:15 Leave for Local Farmers Market
Free Day in Puerto Viejo
Group Bus Back to Wild Ginger at 1 pm (optional, can stay and return later on own if preferred).
Sunday April 6
FREE DAY
Monday April 7
8:30 Group Breakfast
9:30 Caribbean History and Background with Brandon
12:00 Group Lunch & Break
2:00 Plant Walk
5:00 Group Dinner
Tuesday April 8
7:00 Group Breakfast
7:30 Jungle Walk with Local Naturalists in Gandoca Manzanillo Reserve
1:30 Group Lunch
2:00 Caribbean Plant Monographs with Brandon
5:00 Group Dinner
Wednesday April 9
8:30 Group Breakfast
9:30 Bio Regional Herbalism with Brandon
12:30 Lunch
2:00 Caribbean Medicine Making Part 2 with Brandon
5:00 Group Dinner
Thursday April 10
8:30 Group Breakfast
9:30 Our Histories / Our Caribbean Connection with Brandon
12:00 Group Lunch
4:30 Cooking Class & Despidida
Friday April 11
4:00 AM Group Shuttle Leaves to San Jose Airport
(estimated arrival at 9:30 am to airport - we cannot gaurantee road conditions or traffic so cannot be held responsible for missed flights. We recommend booking flights no earlier than 12:30pm that day, again the arrival time is not a guarantee due to circumstances out of our control)
We ask that everyone who registers for Wild Ginger Programs please read and agree to our Values and Agreements.
Click Here to Read and Sign!
Waiver Form to print and send signed photo
Earlybird Registration
Save $100 through August 1, 2025
Registration Details
Cost:
Earlybird Cost $1750 (SAVE $100 = Regular price is $1850 after August 1, 2024)
Includes Transportation To and From San Jose Juan Santamaria Airport to Our Center, your lodging accomodations at our rustic herbal center, all meals listed, and all classes included in the event. Price does not include your flight to and from Costa Rica.
Who Can Register
This course prioritizes Caribbean (of the diaspora and within the Caribbean) and BIPOC participants as we will immerse ourselves in our own ancestral stories and memories, remember the medicines and plant allies we have and reconnect our roots. The space will include members (from Wild Ginger Team) outside of this community present organizing logistics and coordinating in the event space.
How to Register
1) Place your deposit above.
2) Please Read and Consent to Wild Ginger Community Values and Agreements by Clicking Here
3) Send us an email to [email protected] with:
- Your Name
- Your Pronouns if you would like to share
- Your Location
- TWO Contacts phone numbers for you ( can be someone close to you in addition to your own)
- An attached picture of your signed waiver (download from purple link above)
- If you are in a partnership with someone else who is registering or have a preferred roomate (we do our best to accomodate this but cannot always due to limited space).
Payment Schedule:
Payment 1 - $450 Deposit
Payment 2 - $600 Due January 5, 2025 (DO NOT PRE-SEND THIS PAYMENT we will send you a specific payment link)
Payment 3 $700 CASH payment onsite upon arrival at Wild Ginger Center
(in clean, unripped $20 - no larger bills can be accepted and we cannot accept online payments for this final payment)
Please be sure that you are able to attend when you register as All Payments are final, non refundable and non-transferable.
Important Info:
Only 10 spots available - these spots are filling quickly!
*To register please download the above waiver form below, sign and return as attachment via email to [email protected]
(Shared rooms may have 3 or 4 people in them, you may choose your roomates or if you sign up as a single we will assign your roomate/s)
Earlybird Cost $1750 (SAVE $100 = Regular price is $1850 after August 1, 2024)
Includes Transportation To and From San Jose Juan Santamaria Airport to Our Center, your lodging accomodations at our rustic herbal center, all meals listed, and all classes included in the event. Price does not include your flight to and from Costa Rica.
Who Can Register
This course prioritizes Caribbean (of the diaspora and within the Caribbean) and BIPOC participants as we will immerse ourselves in our own ancestral stories and memories, remember the medicines and plant allies we have and reconnect our roots. The space will include members (from Wild Ginger Team) outside of this community present organizing logistics and coordinating in the event space.
How to Register
1) Place your deposit above.
2) Please Read and Consent to Wild Ginger Community Values and Agreements by Clicking Here
3) Send us an email to [email protected] with:
- Your Name
- Your Pronouns if you would like to share
- Your Location
- TWO Contacts phone numbers for you ( can be someone close to you in addition to your own)
- An attached picture of your signed waiver (download from purple link above)
- If you are in a partnership with someone else who is registering or have a preferred roomate (we do our best to accomodate this but cannot always due to limited space).
Payment Schedule:
Payment 1 - $450 Deposit
Payment 2 - $600 Due January 5, 2025 (DO NOT PRE-SEND THIS PAYMENT we will send you a specific payment link)
Payment 3 $700 CASH payment onsite upon arrival at Wild Ginger Center
(in clean, unripped $20 - no larger bills can be accepted and we cannot accept online payments for this final payment)
Please be sure that you are able to attend when you register as All Payments are final, non refundable and non-transferable.
Important Info:
Only 10 spots available - these spots are filling quickly!
*To register please download the above waiver form below, sign and return as attachment via email to [email protected]
(Shared rooms may have 3 or 4 people in them, you may choose your roomates or if you sign up as a single we will assign your roomate/s)
What's included In Your Trip:
The price includes your rustic accomodations in Costa Rica, each of the classes and tours (and transportation to and from said tours) outlined on the itinerary. PRICE DOES NOT include flight to and from Costa Rica.
Please read the Disclaimer:
*COVID-19 Disclaimer - *If participants contract or test positive for COVID-19 during the trip they will be required to quarantine separately from the group. Medical costs, care, as well as the the cost of separate accommodations in nearby hotel and or separate transportation to and from airport is not covered by Wild Ginger Herbal Center, and will be the responsibility of participant. We can provide a list of local accommodations as well as trusted private transportation if needed. We are here to support through such a circumstance.
Please read the Disclaimer:
**All participants must be 18 years of age or older unless with a legal guardian.
** Please note, by registering for this tour you acknowledge Wild Ginger Herbal Center acts only as agents for the various independent suppliers that provide hotel accommodations, transportation, sightseeing, activities, or other services connected with this tour. Such services are subject to the terms and conditions of those suppliers. Wild Ginger Herbal Center and their respective employees, agents, representatives, and assigns accept no liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or any other incident which may be caused by the negligence, defect, default of any company or person in performing these services. Responsibility is not accepted for losses, injury, damages or expenses of any kind due to sickness, weather, strikes, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature, local laws or other such causes. All services and accommodations are subject to the laws and regulations of the country in which they are provided. Wild Ginger Herbal Center is not responsible for any baggage or personal effects of any individual participating in the tours / trips arranged by Wild Ginger Herbal Center. Individual travelers are responsible for purchasing a travel insurance policy, if desired, that will cover some of the expenses associated with the loss of luggage or personal effects as well as their personal health insurance policy. Wild Ginger Herbal Center is not responsible for providing your health insurance or healthcare while on the trip, are not responsible for any flight cancellations or changes to your personal travel itinerary not provided by the trip. The itinerary and schedule are available on www.centroashe.org and the exact activities may change slightly based on weather while on the trip. Occasionally weather can become an issue and we reserve the right to not participate in a certain activity if it is deemed unsafe due to weather (boat ride etc) but we will replace that activity with another of equal value.
Accomodations:
Staying onsite at Wild Ginger Herbal Center our very rustic wooden cabina located in the Caribbean of Costa Rica. Accomodations are shared in group rooms of between 4 people. We live very very simple and rustic, our house has electricity, and is equipped with WIFI internet that will be slower than you are used to if you are from the US. We do not use chemicals to spray our home, thus in the tropics we have little geckos that will be indoors, they're your friends they eat mosquitos! Sometimes there are ants, etc, be prepared to be in community with nature! While there are wild insects and animals we lice amongst we are not able to accomadate pets with our guests. We provide communal rooms with single beds for our apprentices and guests, fans in each room, and bathroom. Great place for relaxing, Our classroom is right onsite at Wild Ginger Herbal Center and our humble site is home to medicinal and edible plants. You're are one block to the beach and we make sure you have lots of relax and self care time while you are here. We do not provide laundry services on site, however you can pay to do laundry at a couple locations around town during your stay here. Additionally we utilize comparable rooms at a neighboring cabina in order to accomodate our groups beyond our capacity on site at Wild Ginger Herbal Center.
Expectations & Respect:
We expect those that apply for this program to have an true interest and excitement for plant medicine. We ask that everyone show up on time to all classes and activities in order to honor each other as well as our teachers and facilitators. When coming to Wild Ginger Herbal Center openness and respect are central. All people are welcome and we celebrate life in all our beautiful manifestations and forms. We expect people of diverse paths to come here with respect for each other, we have an expectation of non-violent communication when faced with challenges that can arise when living together during intensive communal experiences in new environments. All people of varying class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, immigration status, political ideology, race, sex, sexual orientation and religious, non-religious, or spiritual beliefs are welcome at Wild Ginger Herbal Center and we seek to build a community space for all.
Foods:
Our focus is on eating an abundant healthy and whole foods based diet rich in local fruits, veggies, rice, beans, oats, different traditinoal baked goods, and plantains are central to our diet, and sometimes we get local cheese, meats, yogurt, fish, eggs. There are several options offered each meal. While we encourage everyone to participate and share in meals together, we understand some people may have special diets due to allergies or preferences in which case they will need to supplement their diets with food purchased elsewhere.
Money:
Make sure to bring enough US Dollars to last you at least the first few days of the trip including stopping for a snack on your way down to us. Do not bring bills larger than $20, and make sure they are not ripped or in poor condition or folks will not accept them. Our town has no ATM, and the closes one is about 12 kilometers away. Everyone accepts US Dollars here, but again in the same town as the ATM there is a money exchange you can exchange your dollars for colones. You should expect at 500 colones to $1 exchange when using USDollars in our area. While we provide your food for all indicated meals during your time with us, and we provide drinking water during our programs, you are responsible for any extras you might need, including snacks etc etc. If you want to buy souveniers/personal care items etc you are responsible for those as well. Our town does have a few small shops "pulperias", two of which accept credit cards.
Call Your Bank!
*MAKE SURE TO CALL YOUR BANKS AND LET THEM KNOW YOU WILL BE IN COSTA RICA* - This will ensure your card does not get shut off for suspicious activity.
What to Bring:
An open mind, heart, and soul! A true openess and interest in plants and folk medicine, in learning the traditional medicine of the people of Talamanca, Costa Rica. Remember our cabinas at Wild Ginger Herbal Center are rustic and very simple, we try to live as simply and in tune with nature as possible. We do not have air conditioning and we live simply in a way very much like our local community members. Coming on this trip and life in the Caribbean here is an opportunity to go with the flow and enjoy a slower and more simple lifestyle - that is part of the medicine of your time here. Most people when they talk about the rainy season it actually refers to the pacific side, which has a very distinct rainy season, 6 months dry, 6 months wet. We will be on the Caribbean side, and while yes it rains, it is more evenly balanced through out the year. That doesn't mean it won't rain, because it certainly can and probably will. As far as clothes, bring light weight stuff that dries easily, it is HUMID! Bring a good pair of shoes to hike with that you dont mind getting muddy, and flip flops, and whatever else you'd like to have with you. Cotton tshirts and shorts are great, a rain jacket, bathing suit, towel for the beach (please do not bring hotel towels to the beach), are all great. Yoga mat if you'd like. BUG SPRAY is important to your comfort here, thankfully we do not have Zika virus etc in our area, however here in the Caribbean we do indeed have mosquitos. So bring repellent that works well for you! Bring natural bug spray if you're into that because you can't get that down there or whatever type of repellent that is actually effective for you, any personal care items you need we recommend you bring with you. Bring any regular medications/supplements you use. Bring SUNSCREEN! A hat. Sunglasses. As far as a laptop - there is internet in town so you're welcome to bring it, just depends how connected you'd like to be! It's another thing to travel with and to be conscious of while you're on buses etc. But it can be convenient, so that is totally your decision. Outlets there are the same as the US, no converter is needed. Also please remember pens and note pads for note taking. Come prepared with clothing appropriate for tropical heat and tropical rain. Sandals, Sun protection, waterbottle, hats, etc. Bathing suit, towels and sarongs. We provide bath towels but you have to bring your own towel for the beach. A first aid kit, headlamp or flashlight, any prescriptions you need. Boots suitable for getting muddy walking in the jungle or on farms, rain jacket with hood. While many people take this opportunity to "unplug" you may feel like bringing a wifi accesible device to use while onsite. These are your responsibility and while traveling we always recommend traveling without valuable goods, but take good care of what you do decide to bring. Long and short pants, long and short sleeves. Personal care products. We do not have laundry onsite but there are places in the area you may pay to get your clothes washed and cleaned. We cannot stress enough how bringing what you need to protect you from bugs will make your stay more comfortable, the struggle is real with mosquitos, sometimes sand fleas and more. These vary depending on the time of year, but we encourage you to bring protection with you!
The price includes your rustic accomodations in Costa Rica, each of the classes and tours (and transportation to and from said tours) outlined on the itinerary. PRICE DOES NOT include flight to and from Costa Rica.
Please read the Disclaimer:
*COVID-19 Disclaimer - *If participants contract or test positive for COVID-19 during the trip they will be required to quarantine separately from the group. Medical costs, care, as well as the the cost of separate accommodations in nearby hotel and or separate transportation to and from airport is not covered by Wild Ginger Herbal Center, and will be the responsibility of participant. We can provide a list of local accommodations as well as trusted private transportation if needed. We are here to support through such a circumstance.
Please read the Disclaimer:
**All participants must be 18 years of age or older unless with a legal guardian.
** Please note, by registering for this tour you acknowledge Wild Ginger Herbal Center acts only as agents for the various independent suppliers that provide hotel accommodations, transportation, sightseeing, activities, or other services connected with this tour. Such services are subject to the terms and conditions of those suppliers. Wild Ginger Herbal Center and their respective employees, agents, representatives, and assigns accept no liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or any other incident which may be caused by the negligence, defect, default of any company or person in performing these services. Responsibility is not accepted for losses, injury, damages or expenses of any kind due to sickness, weather, strikes, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature, local laws or other such causes. All services and accommodations are subject to the laws and regulations of the country in which they are provided. Wild Ginger Herbal Center is not responsible for any baggage or personal effects of any individual participating in the tours / trips arranged by Wild Ginger Herbal Center. Individual travelers are responsible for purchasing a travel insurance policy, if desired, that will cover some of the expenses associated with the loss of luggage or personal effects as well as their personal health insurance policy. Wild Ginger Herbal Center is not responsible for providing your health insurance or healthcare while on the trip, are not responsible for any flight cancellations or changes to your personal travel itinerary not provided by the trip. The itinerary and schedule are available on www.centroashe.org and the exact activities may change slightly based on weather while on the trip. Occasionally weather can become an issue and we reserve the right to not participate in a certain activity if it is deemed unsafe due to weather (boat ride etc) but we will replace that activity with another of equal value.
Accomodations:
Staying onsite at Wild Ginger Herbal Center our very rustic wooden cabina located in the Caribbean of Costa Rica. Accomodations are shared in group rooms of between 4 people. We live very very simple and rustic, our house has electricity, and is equipped with WIFI internet that will be slower than you are used to if you are from the US. We do not use chemicals to spray our home, thus in the tropics we have little geckos that will be indoors, they're your friends they eat mosquitos! Sometimes there are ants, etc, be prepared to be in community with nature! While there are wild insects and animals we lice amongst we are not able to accomadate pets with our guests. We provide communal rooms with single beds for our apprentices and guests, fans in each room, and bathroom. Great place for relaxing, Our classroom is right onsite at Wild Ginger Herbal Center and our humble site is home to medicinal and edible plants. You're are one block to the beach and we make sure you have lots of relax and self care time while you are here. We do not provide laundry services on site, however you can pay to do laundry at a couple locations around town during your stay here. Additionally we utilize comparable rooms at a neighboring cabina in order to accomodate our groups beyond our capacity on site at Wild Ginger Herbal Center.
Expectations & Respect:
We expect those that apply for this program to have an true interest and excitement for plant medicine. We ask that everyone show up on time to all classes and activities in order to honor each other as well as our teachers and facilitators. When coming to Wild Ginger Herbal Center openness and respect are central. All people are welcome and we celebrate life in all our beautiful manifestations and forms. We expect people of diverse paths to come here with respect for each other, we have an expectation of non-violent communication when faced with challenges that can arise when living together during intensive communal experiences in new environments. All people of varying class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, immigration status, political ideology, race, sex, sexual orientation and religious, non-religious, or spiritual beliefs are welcome at Wild Ginger Herbal Center and we seek to build a community space for all.
Foods:
Our focus is on eating an abundant healthy and whole foods based diet rich in local fruits, veggies, rice, beans, oats, different traditinoal baked goods, and plantains are central to our diet, and sometimes we get local cheese, meats, yogurt, fish, eggs. There are several options offered each meal. While we encourage everyone to participate and share in meals together, we understand some people may have special diets due to allergies or preferences in which case they will need to supplement their diets with food purchased elsewhere.
Money:
Make sure to bring enough US Dollars to last you at least the first few days of the trip including stopping for a snack on your way down to us. Do not bring bills larger than $20, and make sure they are not ripped or in poor condition or folks will not accept them. Our town has no ATM, and the closes one is about 12 kilometers away. Everyone accepts US Dollars here, but again in the same town as the ATM there is a money exchange you can exchange your dollars for colones. You should expect at 500 colones to $1 exchange when using USDollars in our area. While we provide your food for all indicated meals during your time with us, and we provide drinking water during our programs, you are responsible for any extras you might need, including snacks etc etc. If you want to buy souveniers/personal care items etc you are responsible for those as well. Our town does have a few small shops "pulperias", two of which accept credit cards.
Call Your Bank!
*MAKE SURE TO CALL YOUR BANKS AND LET THEM KNOW YOU WILL BE IN COSTA RICA* - This will ensure your card does not get shut off for suspicious activity.
What to Bring:
An open mind, heart, and soul! A true openess and interest in plants and folk medicine, in learning the traditional medicine of the people of Talamanca, Costa Rica. Remember our cabinas at Wild Ginger Herbal Center are rustic and very simple, we try to live as simply and in tune with nature as possible. We do not have air conditioning and we live simply in a way very much like our local community members. Coming on this trip and life in the Caribbean here is an opportunity to go with the flow and enjoy a slower and more simple lifestyle - that is part of the medicine of your time here. Most people when they talk about the rainy season it actually refers to the pacific side, which has a very distinct rainy season, 6 months dry, 6 months wet. We will be on the Caribbean side, and while yes it rains, it is more evenly balanced through out the year. That doesn't mean it won't rain, because it certainly can and probably will. As far as clothes, bring light weight stuff that dries easily, it is HUMID! Bring a good pair of shoes to hike with that you dont mind getting muddy, and flip flops, and whatever else you'd like to have with you. Cotton tshirts and shorts are great, a rain jacket, bathing suit, towel for the beach (please do not bring hotel towels to the beach), are all great. Yoga mat if you'd like. BUG SPRAY is important to your comfort here, thankfully we do not have Zika virus etc in our area, however here in the Caribbean we do indeed have mosquitos. So bring repellent that works well for you! Bring natural bug spray if you're into that because you can't get that down there or whatever type of repellent that is actually effective for you, any personal care items you need we recommend you bring with you. Bring any regular medications/supplements you use. Bring SUNSCREEN! A hat. Sunglasses. As far as a laptop - there is internet in town so you're welcome to bring it, just depends how connected you'd like to be! It's another thing to travel with and to be conscious of while you're on buses etc. But it can be convenient, so that is totally your decision. Outlets there are the same as the US, no converter is needed. Also please remember pens and note pads for note taking. Come prepared with clothing appropriate for tropical heat and tropical rain. Sandals, Sun protection, waterbottle, hats, etc. Bathing suit, towels and sarongs. We provide bath towels but you have to bring your own towel for the beach. A first aid kit, headlamp or flashlight, any prescriptions you need. Boots suitable for getting muddy walking in the jungle or on farms, rain jacket with hood. While many people take this opportunity to "unplug" you may feel like bringing a wifi accesible device to use while onsite. These are your responsibility and while traveling we always recommend traveling without valuable goods, but take good care of what you do decide to bring. Long and short pants, long and short sleeves. Personal care products. We do not have laundry onsite but there are places in the area you may pay to get your clothes washed and cleaned. We cannot stress enough how bringing what you need to protect you from bugs will make your stay more comfortable, the struggle is real with mosquitos, sometimes sand fleas and more. These vary depending on the time of year, but we encourage you to bring protection with you!
