2021 St. John the Baptist Osa Conservation Expedition
| Travel Dates: | March 31, 2021 - April 7, 2021 |
| 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 |
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:
$48.29
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
Assist with research and conservation efforts at the Reserva Playa Tortuga
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.
| Table 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Day | Location | Description | Lodging |
| 1 | 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 |
| 2 | 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 |
| 3 | 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 back up to start our drive south to Turtle Reserve Field Station RPT. Here we will settle in and meet the researchers with whom we'll be spending the next few days. We’ll receive an orientation to learn about the research conducted at the reserva, local and national wildlife conservation efforts, and the education efforts and community outreach the reserva does. | Reserva Playa Tortuga Field Station |
| 4 | Osa | After breakfast we'll get organized into the different groups will be working with for the next couple days. Groups may work collecting data for different research projects being conducted by the scientists and volunteers stationed at the Reserve. We will also take a hike through the surrounding tropical rainforest in the morning to get our bearings on the local ecosystems in the Osa. Activities at the reserva will vary but may include surveying on monkeys and other mammals, setting up trap cameras, preparing the turtle hatchery, monitoring caimans, night walks and beach patrolling. | Reserva Playa Tortuga Field Station |
| 5 | Osa | Today we will continue field research in small groups. In the evening we'll have some free time in the local town of Ojochal, and learn some useful Spanish phrases, visit the butterfly garden, play board games or table tennis. | Reserva Playa Tortuga Field Station |
| 6 | 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'll have some free time, as well as a structured reflection to discuss our experiences with Costa Rica’s conservations efforts. By evening, we'll work with the Reserva's crocodile monitoring project to contribute to this long-running research initiative. | Reserva Playa Tortuga Field Station |
| 7 | Osa - Uvita | After breakfast we'll say goodbye to our friends at Reserva Playa Tortuga, then head northwest to Uvita on the central Pacific coast. 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. 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 |
| 8 | Alajuela - USA | Fly home! | 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.
La Cusinga Eco Lodge
This hotel offers beautiful cabins with views of the ocean and the jungle, built with sustainable wood and local materials to maximize comfort and minimize the impact on the environment. The food, service, and comfort of the rooms all combine to provide a true “Pura Vida” experience. Free Wi-Fi access throughout the facilities keeps everyone feeling connected. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.
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.
La Costa de Papito
La Costa de Papito is nestled in verdant lowland jungle and just steps away from the white sand beach of Playa Cocles. Chosen for its great location, laid-back vide and effusive hospitality, students will have a truly Caribbean experience in this cozy hotel. Free Wi-Fi access throughout the facilities keeps everyone feeling connected. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.
Hotel Pacandé
Located in Alajuela, Hotel Pacandé is the perfect place to start and end a Costa Rican adventure because of its warm family atmosphere and proximity to the airport. Cleanliness and service are the main qualities that differentiate Pacandé from typical hotels in the area. 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 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
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 traveler on Costa Rica Service Adventure
Your Adventure Includes
Program Tuition Excludes: Travel insurance, baggage fees, passport/visa fees, laundry, souvenirs, and activities not listed on the 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.