FAQs

Where will I sleep?

Our accommodations vary depending on where we are: in Belize we camp in a cabana typical of the region, mere feet from the ocean; in Costa Rica we camp in the jungle most nights; in Panama we stay in hostels and sleep on our live-aboard boat.

Do I have to speak Spanish to do this program?

While Spanish is helpful and will enhance your experience, it is not necessary. We are accompanied by local guides who speak English, and both of your trip leaders will be proficient in Spanish to serve as a translator when necessary. This trip will provide many chances to learn or improve your Spanish by talking to locals and guides.

How will we travel around on this program?

We use several modes of transportation including buses, whitewater rafts, ferries and hiking. We’ll also take short flights from Belize City, Belize to San Jose, Costa Rica and Panama City, Panama.

What do we eat?

We eat traditional Latin American fare including tortillas, rice, beans, chicken, fresh fruits and vegetables, and lots of fish when we are near the coast. Breakfast usually includes cereal, bread, fruit and eggs. Lunches can be picnic style with sandwiches and fresh fruit. Dinners are usually hot and many are prepared by local cooks!

What's the weather like?

"Summer is the rainy season in Central America, and you can expect showers on most days in the afternoon. It is hot and humid, but on the coast we’ll have ocean breezes to cool us off! "

How deep will I dive?

Most of our dives will be shallow, between 35 and 55 feet, because that's where we'll find the right combination of best dive sites, plentiful marine life and brightest light. You will do a few supervised deeper dives to around 85 to 100 feet when you are ready for students 15 and older. For students under 15, your maximum depth will be 70ft.

Can I call home?

Of course! Depending on the itinerary of the program, most participants have the opportunity to call home about once a week. Most families also follow our trip journal updates which are short group updates written by teens or staff.

Do most participants come with friends? What if I don't know anyone?

Actually, most participants come alone, so there is no need to be concerned! It's normal to be apprehensive about not knowing anyone, but within a day of starting your program you'll be laughing and sharing exciting adventures with new friends.

I'm nervous about traveling alone! Is travel day difficult?

Travel day is generally easy and problem-free. After years of practice we have discovered ways to make this day run smoothly for everyone. The questions and answers in this section should put to rest most of your concerns about traveling to your Broadreach program.

What if I've never done this kind of thing before?

No worries. Many of our participants are 'first-timers' who have never been scuba diving or slept in the wilderness for more than a weekend. All we ask is that you come with an open mind, a desire to try new things and be ready to have lots of fun.

What is the male/female ratio?

Our ideal ratio for every program is 50/50 and we try to come close to just that. Some courses tend to attract more males than females, or vice versa, but typically the balance is close to even and not a concern. In our experience, the gender ratio plays a small role in the success of each program.

Do I need trip, travel or medical insurance ?

All participants on Broadreach programs are required medical insurance including coverage for international medical care. Since many personal medical policies do not cover international medical care and evacuations or have exclusions for certain sports, we have partnered with Trip Mate to offer a choice of travel insurance plans for our participants.
The minimum required policy includes coverage for medical care, emergency evacuation, lost or damaged luggage, travel delay, etc.
Most families also take advantage of our recommended tuition protection coverage , which offers 75% tuition refund FOR ANY REASON up to 72 hours before your trip departure and 100% tuition refund if you cancel for a covered reason.

Do you have any family discounts?

We do. We will give a 5% discount on the second (and any subsequent) enrollment in one summer. This offer is available to an individual student, or siblings. This 5% discount will be applied to the program of lesser cost, and cannot be combined with any other discounts.

Does your staff have emergency medical training?

At least one of the two lead instructors on each trip has completed training in either Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR) courses. They are trained in managing emergency situations and field care and can handle most minor medical problems. In the unlikely event that your instructors can't handle your problem with their First Aid kit, they will take you to a local doctor for medical attention. We do our best to work with local medical personnel that we know and trust. However, it's important to understand that medical care can sometimes be delayed or inaccessible from our program locations. Note that the modernity of medical facilities and the number of medical services they provide will vary by country and location.

Can you give me the names of other families in my area that have done Broadreach?

Absolutely. Just call the office and we can put you in touch with past participants who have done the trips that interest you. Broadreachers past and present are part of a strong community that’s always there for one another. No need to be shy either, people will be glad to hear from you.

Where does everyone come from?

Broadreachers are a diverse group comprised of teenagers from across the country and all over the world. Very few participants know each other before the program begins, but everyone walks away with life-long friends at the end of the trip.

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Please feel free to call the Broadreach office if you have any questions or would like to discuss our adventures. We’d love to talk to you! You can also email us at questions@gobroadreach.com

• Our Address
• Broadreach
• 806 McCulloch Street, Suite 102
• Raleigh, NC 27603
• USA

• Phone Numbers
• main: 919-256-8200
• toll free: 888-833-1907
• fax: 919-833-2129

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