2020 Fall Creek Junior High Osa Costa Rica Conservation Expedition
| Travel Dates: | July 15, 2020 - July 25, 2020 |
| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$2,190 USD
- or -
$2,090 USD with discount if paid in full
Airfare not included in program tuition
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| Confirmed Airfare: | $988 |
Tuition Calculator
There are two options for payment, including an interest-free installment plan. Follow whichever works best for your family. If we are within 90 days of travel, only the pay in full option is possible.
Program Tuition: $2,190
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:
$2,090.00
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:
$39.31
per month
All prices in United States Dollars.
Costa Rica Conservation Expedition: Osa Peninsula
From white sand beaches to misty cloud forests, towering volcanoes to beautiful rivers that carve through tropical canyons, and hospitable, friendly communities, Costa Rica has it all! Our conservation program along the Pacific coast gives travelers the opportunity to delve deep into the verdant ecosystems that set Costa Rica apart; in addition to white water rafting, relaxing on white sand beaches and swimming at the base of a towering waterfall, students will participate in field work and data collection at a research station staffed with professional scientists who conduct a wide array of research projects. Adventure awaits!
Conservation Expeditions
Conservation Expeditions bring travelers to the heart of the modern-day conservation movement. Whether building nurseries for sea turtle hatchlings in Costa Rica, snorkeling alongside sea lions in the Galapagos or teaching local school children in Thailand about the importance of wild elephants to their ecosystem, these trips make the wonders of our world, and our responsibility to protect them, abundantly apparent.
Program Highlights
Check out some of the featured experiences of your program!
Trek to a beautiful waterfall deep in the jungle
Learn to surf with some of Costa Rica's best instructors
Raft down one of Costa Rica's best rivers
Hike through the tropical rainforest and learn about local ecosystems
Assist with research and conservation efforts at the Reserva Playa Tortuga
Assist with surveys of marine and terrestrial wildlife
Clean up marine debris to ensure an unspoiled nesting habitat for sea turtles
The Itinerary
We do everything possible to run safe, engaging, and immersive programs for our travelers and given the unpredictable nature of international travel we must remain flexible in our planning. Changes to a schedule are uncommon but, we reserve the right to adjust programming in the best interest of the group.
| Day | Location | Description | Lodging |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 15 | USA - Alajuela | Today the group will travel from the USA to Costa Rica, and flights usually arrive in the evening. After arrival, the group will settle into their hotel for the evening and have an orientation meeting to discuss the upcoming trip in detail. | Casa Cielo Grande |
| July 16 | Alajuela - Pura Suerte | After breakfast we will depart for Pura Suerte, an ecological farm in the heart of the rain forest, about four hours' drive south of the capital city. Upon arrival we will tour Pura Suerte's organic farm for an introduction to the bountiful flora and fauna in the area, visit a nearby coffee plantation and enjoy a delicious dinner made from ingredients sourced directly from the forest and nearby farms. Throughout the program, we'll have the opportunity to interact with community members in Spanish, participate in cultural exchanges, and explore Costa Rican culture. | Pura Suerte Jungalows |
| July 17 | Pura Suerte - Osa | After breakfast we'll hike down to Nauyaca waterfall, one of the largest and most beautiful in the entire country. Spend the morning swimming and relaxing by the riverside. We will take lunch at the waterfall and then hike back to Pura Suerte, where we will pack up and drive south down the coast to the Hacienda Barú Research Station. Here we will settle in and meet the researchers and rangers with whom we'll be spending the next few days. We'll receive an introductory talk and learn about local and national wildlife conservation efforts. After dinner, we will go on a night hike through the surrounding tropical rainforest to get our bearings on the local ecosystems in the Osa region. | Hacienda Barú Field Station |
| July 18 | Osa | After breakfast we'll begin our day with a lecture on sea turtles to learn about the year long sea turtle conservation efforts of this reserve. We will participate in the sea turtle conservation project by helping prepare the hatchery for the upcoming nesting season. Even though this is a very laborious, it is a crucial first step to ensure the turtles eggs have the appropriate conditions to hatch. In the evening, we may continue to explore the reserve's trails in search for more animals. | Hacienda Barú Field Station |
| July 19 | Osa | We'll walk along the beach in the morning and conduct a clean-up of marine debris to ensure a clean nesting habitat for sea turtles. In the afternoon, we will continue to survey for animals in the reserve's trails as well as having a structured reflection at the reserve's viewing spot overlooking the ocean to discuss our experiences. In the evening we will have some free time to reflect on what we've learned throughout the projects we are participating on. | Hacienda Barú Field Station |
| July 20 | Osa | Today, we'll pay a visit to the local community, where yearlong environmental education campaigns are conducted. We may organize a nature walk with local students, create and maintain signs for the reserve or national parks, build structures from reclaimed plastic, or have an afternoon on the beach with local students. In the evening we'll take break from our projects and practice our spanish by visiting a waterfall popular amongst many locals. | Hacienda Barú Field Station |
| July 21 | Osa | Today, we will continue our environmental conservation work and conduct a joint activity with the reserve's staff such as maintenance of trail and signs, creation of educational material or checking trap cameras. In the afternoon, we'll continue our important work at the hatchery or go on another wildlife hike through the jungle. | Hacienda Barú Field Station |
| July 22 | Osa - Uvita | After breakfast we'll say goodbye to our friends at Hacienda Barú, then head northwest to the beach town of Uvita. We will spend the afternoon having private surf lessons from some of Costa Rica's best surfers. Never surfed before? No problem! The waves at Uvita are perfect for beginners and almost everyone is able to stand up. In the evening, the group will have time for souvenier shopping and pool time at the hotel. | El Tecal |
| July 23 | Uvita - Savegre River - Alajuela | Today we'll end the trip with a splash as we whitewater raft down the Savegre River! After lunch we'll make the drive back to San Jose for a farewell dinner ahead of our international departure the following morning. | Casa Cielo Grande |
| July 24 | Alajuela - USA | This morning we'll enjoy a final breakfast together at the hotel before heading to the airport for our flight home. We fly home in the afternoon, arriving just after midnight on July 25th. | Airplane |
| July 25 | Home | Welcome back! We are currently scheduled to land at 12:30AM early this morning. | Your own bed! |
Accommodations
In order to provide a safe and memorable experience, we follow strict guidelines when choosing program accommodations. Walking Tree partners with hotels and guest houses which are centrally located, clean and safe. We vet and inspect the accommodations to ensure they uphold the ethos of our programs, are great values for our travelers and nice places to rest after enriching days of travel.
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.
Refugio Hacienda Barú
The station is dedicated to the research and restoration of the Path of the Tapir Biological Corridor, on the south Pacific coast of Costa Rica. It has a large laboratory, a wet lab, and a classroom. The dormitory consists of four bedrooms, each of which sleeps up to four people in bunk beds, and unisex bathrooms. Its insulated high ceilings create a naturally cool environment, and its covered passageways provide protection from the elements.
Safety and Support
EASY FUNDRAISING & PAYMENT
24/7 GLOBAL EMERGENCY LINE
HIGHLY VETTED PARTNERS
EXPERT LEADERSHIP
PRIVATE GROUP GUARANTEE
COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM SUPPORT
DEDICATION TO CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT
ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICING
Everything was outstanding. The communication, organization, and experience was phenomenal. The program positively impacted my daughters confidence, independence, and maturity.
Suzanne
Parent of Kelsey, traveler on Costa Rica Surf and Service Program
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.
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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.