2020 CUBE School Costa Rica Surf & Service Program
| Travel Dates: |
June 1, 2020 -
June 10, 2020
Dates tentative
|
| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$2,500 USD
- or -
$2,400 USD with discount if paid in full
Airfare not included in program tuition
|
| Estimated Airfare: | $600 |
| Deadline(s): | Enrollment deadline forthcoming |
Tuition Calculator
There are two options for payment, including an interest-free monthly installment plan. Follow whichever option works best for your family. If we are within 90 days of travel, only the pay in full option is possible.
Program Tuition: $2,500
Pay in Full
Pay in full at the time of enrollment and receive a $100 discount off your program tuition! Payment with the discount would be:
$2,400.00
due today
Payment Plan
Pay a $500 deposit at the time of enrollment and establish an interest-free monthly payment plan. If you enroll today, your estimated* monthly payments would be:
$28.17
per month
All prices in United States Dollars.
Costa Rica Conservation Expedition: Sarapiqui
From white sand beaches to misty cloud forests, from towering volcanoes to beautiful rivers that cut through tropical canyons, and to hospitable, friendly communities, Costa Rica has it all. Having abolished its military over 50 years ago, this tiny democratic republic has long been known for its pacifism, commitment to environmental protection, and its status as a destination for those seeking safe yet exciting adventure travel set against breathtaking scenery. However, despite an extensive tourism industry, in many parts of Costa Rica there remains a need for help and service. Our programs offer unique access to Costa Rica’s best-kept secrets and friendliest communities. We are confident you will love the land of Pura Vida as much as we do.
Program Highlights
Check out some of the featured experiences of your program!
Immerse yourself in a different culture by staying with a host family
Zip-line above the forest canopy
Trek to a beautiful waterfall deep in the jungle
Visit one of Costa Rica's most beautiful volcanoes
Stay on a farm deep in the rainforest
Learn to surf with some of Costa Rica's best instructors
Practice your Spanish language skills with locals
Hike through the tropical rainforest and learn about local ecosystems
Contribute towards an environmental service project
The Itinerary
We do everything possible to abide by itineraries as originally planned, but decades of experience teaches that we must be flexible in our planning. Changes to a trip’s schedule are uncommon, but Walking Tree reserves the right to make adjustments to programming in the best interest of the group.
| Day | Location | Description | Lodging |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | USA - San José | Today the group will travel from the USA to Costa Rica. Upon arrival, the group will settle into their hotel in San José for the evening. | Casa Cielo Grande |
| 2 | San José - Uvita | After a good night of rest, we'll have our first taste of Costa Rican food for breakfast. Then, we'll have our big orientation meeting to discuss the upcoming days in detail. We'll then pack our bags and head down to the beautiful Southern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. We'll settle into our beach hotel, watch the sunset on the beach, and have dinner at the hotel. Located a short walk from "Marino Ballena" National Park, the hotel will be our surf base for the next week. We'll be learning everything there is to know about surfing with our local friends. | El Tecal |
| 3 | Uvita - Bahia Ballena | Today we will be starting our service project in the morning. We will be working together with the Parque Nacional Marino Ballena and the local community to organize a project that will benefit both the park and the local community. Within the national park, students may work on reforestation efforts or trail maintenance. In the local community, we may work with the local school or community center. After our first morning of work, we will have our first surf lesson this afternoon. Never surfed before? No problem! Lessons will be tailored based on each student's surfing level. Tonight we'll have our first guest speaker who will give us a lecture on local and national wildlife conservation efforts. Our guest will show us the kind of research he/she conducts at the reserve with mammals such as monkeys, river otters, and kinkajous, and sloths. We'll take some time to reflect on our days before heading to bed. | El Tecal |
| 4 | Uvita - Bahia Ballena | Today we'll surf in the morning, and then continue working on our service project in the afternoon. In the evening, we will talk about the sport of surf in a global context learning about global competitions and how surfing varies around the world. | El Tecal |
| 5 | Uvita - Bahia Ballena | Today we will be doing service work in the morning, and then surfing in the afternoon. By evening, we will enjoy the sunset on the beach and take a private yoga class before dinner. Tonight we'll have our second guest speaker from Reserva Playa Tortuga who will introduce us to their environmental education campaigns the reserve conducts yearlong with local schools. | El Tecal |
| 6 | Uvita - Bahia Ballena | After breakfast, we'll hike thorugh the forest to a nearby waterfall. In the afternoon. We will be able to relax, take a swim and eat lunch at the waterfall. This afternoon, we'll continue our service work in the community. Tonight we'll have our third guest speaker who will speak about sustainable development , and how tourism effects the local environment and economy in both positive and negative ways. | El Tecal |
| 7 | Uvita - Bahia Ballena | Today we'll wake up at sunrise and meet our local friends for an early morning surf session . In the afternoon, we'll have a relaxing day at the beach or on the pool of the hotel. We will also have a private Spanish lesson tonight combined with a scavenger hunt in town to put our language skills to use. | El Tecal |
| 8 | Uvita - Bahia Ballena | Today we'll be kayaking at the National Park to visit the famous whale-tail rock formation at the far end of the beach. During low tide, a natural rock formation which looks like a giant whale tail becomes visible. It's one of just a handful of places in the world where such a phenomenon occurs. Once in there, we'll also have a chance to snorkel in the beautiful Pacific waters around us. In the afternoon we'll finish our service work in time for a farewell fiesta with our surf instructors and members of the community. | El Tecal |
| 9 | Uvita - San José | Today we say good-bye to all of our local friends and make our way along the coast back to San José. In the evening we'll have a farewell dinner before our international departure the following morning. | Casa Cielo Grande |
| 10 | San José - USA | Fly home. | Your own bed, eventually! |
Accommodations
In order to provide a safe and memorable experience, we follow strict guidelines when choosing group accommodations. Walking Tree partners with hotels and guest houses which are centrally located, locally operated, clean and safe. We inspect each partner hotel to ensure they meet these standards.
Villas Aracari
Villas Aracari is a beautiful property ideally located just twenty minutes from the airport. Close to the city center yet perched high in the mountains, the views of the Central Valley are breathtaking and the new pool is a delightful respite after a hot day. Spotless rooms and friendly staff will make you feel at home the moment you drop your bags.
Finca Pura Suerte
A grouping of bamboo cabins and impressive communal spaces, this farm is nestled deep in low-land rain forest with views of the Pacific coastline. The accommodations are comfortable, the food fantastic, and the surreal setting provides an ideal introduction to the country’s impressive flora and fauna.
Cabinas El Tecal
Cabinas El Tecal is a locally owned and operated three star hotel close to playa Uvita in the Marino Ballena National Park. Off the beaten path, the hotel comes with modern amenities, a private pool, and great service. It’s the perfect place to relax away from the crowds. Free Wi-Fi access throughout the building keeps everyone feeling connected. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.
Safety and Support
EASY FUNDING & PAYMENT
24/7 GLOBAL EMERGENCY LINE
HIGHLY VETTED PARTNERS
EXPERT LEADERSHIP
PRIVATE GROUP GUARANTEE
COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM SUPPORT
DEDICATION TO CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT
ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICING
My son had a wonderful experience in Costa Rica, helped to build a preschool classroom, and has created memories that will last a lifetime!
Jodi
Parent of a Costa Rica traveler
Your Adventure Includes
Estimated Airfare
In order to give our travelers the best possible price, we break out airfare from the Program Tuition. We will still handle all booking and ticketing via our flight partner who has access to special fares not available to the general public. Once confirmed, you will be invoiced for the flight roughly 75 days prior to travel.
Program Tuition Excludes: Travel insurance, baggage fees, passport/visa fees, laundry, souvenirs, and activities not listed on itinerary.
Resource Center
Why should high school students travel abroad? What happens if a participant gets sick? How quickly do we need to enroll? We’re sure you have plenty of questions and we’ve got you covered! Visit our Resource Center to discover the answers to your most pressing questions and contact us anytime with additional questions.