2022 Vashon Island Osa Costa Rica Conservation Expedition

Dear Families, Friends, and Travelers – Welcome to the 2022 Vashon Island Osa Costa Rica Conservation Expedition!   We have created two webpages dedicated to this exciting program so that travelers are as informed as possible throughout the process. The first page, Pre-Enrollment, is meant to share exciting details, highlights and pertinent info that participants will want to know before enrolling. Once enrolled, the Post-Enrollment page, is meant to prepare travelers for participation on the adventure ahead. Please be sure to review the information on the appropriate page thoroughly and we can't wait to start our enriching adventure!
Travel Dates: June 14, 2022 - June 27, 2022
Group Organizer(s):
WTT Contact:
Program Tuition: $2,550 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
Estimated Airfare: $500

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: $2,550

Pay in Full

$2,550.00

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:

$107.90

per month

* This is an approximate price. Your exact total will be confirmed when your enrollment is processed.

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

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!

Have the adventure of a lifetime with your friends

Trek to a beautiful waterfall deep in the jungle

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

Raft down one of Costa Rica's best rivers

Learn about tropical wildlife firsthand

Assist with research and conservation efforts at the Reserva Playa Tortuga

Discover the gorgeous beaches and world-class national parks on the Pacific coast

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. 

DayLocationDescriptionLodging
June 14Seattle, Mexico CityThis evening we will depart Seattle and travel through Mexico City to Costa Rica. Airplane
June 15 Mexico City, AlajuelaWe will arrive to Costa Rica in the late morning and head to hotel to eat, shower and relax. In the afternoon, we will visit a local market and have an orientation meeting to prepare for the adventure ahead. Hotel La Rosa de America
June 16Alajuela - Pacuare RiverIn the morning we'll be picked up for our two-day white water rafting trip along the Pacuare River. We'll spend the next handful of hours navigating the rapids of one of the most beautiful rivers in the world. We'll stop for lunch at a lodge along the banks of the river where we'll eat lunch and then relax in the afternoon, exploring an impressive network of trails or just relaxing in a hammock with a good book.Pacuare River Lodge
June 17Pacuare River - AlajuelaAfter breakfast we'll enjoy a full day on the river, traveling back to Alajuela around the middle of the afternoon to get ready for our departure to the south of the country for the next portion of our trip. In the evening, students will have time to relax by the pool and have some group activitiesHotel La Rosa de America
June 18Alajuela - OsaAfter breakfast we will begin our 4 hour journey to Pura Suerte, a beautiful ecological farm deep in the southern rain forest of the country. Upon arrival at Pura Suerte we will tour the farm on a hand on experience that involves tropical fruits and farm animals as well as a nearby coffee plantation that produces some of the best beans in the area. We will learn about the importance of organic farming and how rural farmers are taking advantage of sustainable farming practices. We will settle in our jungalows and enjoy dinner after some group activities.Pura Suerte Jungalows
June 19OsaAfter 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 Turtle Reserve Field Station. Here we will settle in and meet the researchers with whom we'll be spending the next few days.RPT Field Station
June 20OsaAfter breakfast we'll take a hike through the surrounding tropical rainforest in the morning to get our bearings on the local ecosystems in the Osa. We'll then receive an orientation for the research we'll be conducting -- surveys of animals such as monkeys, crocodiles, sloths, birds and sea turtles (seasonal from May through August) using different methods like camera traps and observation. We'll take a break for lunch and continue to work in maintenance for turtle hatchery, the butterfly garden among others in the afternoon, in addition to receiving a lecture on local and national wildlife conservation efforts or doing a beach clean up. The next few days will consist of us working with researches on a variety of research projects.RPT Field Station
June 21OsaContinued work and research in the field station and surroundings.RPT Field Station
June 22OsaContinued work and research in the field station and surroundings.RPT Field Station
June 23OsaContinued work and research in the field station and surroundings.RPT Field Station
June 24OsaContinued work and research in the field station and surroundings.RPT Field Station
June 25Osa - UvitaWe will have an early breakfast then say goodbye to our friends at Reserva Playa Tortuga, before heading northwest to Uvita on the central Pacific coast. We will spend the morning 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 and some shopping and free time at the beach.El Tecal
June 26Uvita, AlajuelaWe will have a leisurely morning in the beach to explore and relax, then head to Manuel Antonio for a canopy zipline. This will be an exciting network of cables strung through the jungle canopy and provide a new prospective and adventure!

In the afternoon, we will return to Alajuela for a going away dinner and depart for Mexico City.
Airplane
June 27San Jose, Mexico City, SeattleWe will arrive to Mexico City in the morning and begin our exploration of one of the world's great cities! We will explore cultural sites, eat delicious foods and make the most of this long layover before catching out connection 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.  

Below are the accommodations we anticipate using on your trip, subject to 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.

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.

Pacuare River Lodge

Along a hillside overlooking the Pacuare River, this one-of-a-kind lodge sits amid exotic primary rainforest, indigenous reserves and isolated valleys, and is only accessible by raft, 4X4, or horseback. A collection of rustic yet cozy cabins, each allowing to enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding pristine jungles and experience the wilderness.  Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability. Most river lodges have no electricity, wifi and cellphone reception is very limited as it is the case for Pacuare River Lodge. The rafting companies communicate by radio in case of needing any land departure from the lodge or any emergency. 

 

Rosa de las Américas

A charming ranch-style hotel on the outskirts of San José, Rosa de  las Americas is a great spot to unwind after a long day’s travels. This hotel is complete with a lush gardens, a big pool, updated rooms, and friendly staff.

Safety and Support


 EASY FUNDRAISING & PAYMENT
EASY FUNDRAISING & PAYMENT
24/7 GLOBAL EMERGENCY LINE
24/7 GLOBAL EMERGENCY LINE
HIGHLY VETTED PARTNERS
HIGHLY VETTED PARTNERS
EXPERT LEADERSHIP
EXPERT LEADERSHIP
PRIVATE GROUP GUARANTEE
PRIVATE GROUP GUARANTEE
COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM SUPPORT
COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM SUPPORT
DEDICATION TO CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT
DEDICATION TO CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT
ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICING
ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICING

I was comfortable that the trip my daughter was on was safe, educational, interesting and fun. She made life long friends with her host sister. An exceptional life learning experience.

Carolyn
Parent of Alicia, Traveler on 2018 Program to Chile

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.

 

Need to Raise Money? We Have You Covered.

Walking Tree Travel is proud to team up with Equal Exchange, a worker-owned cooperative that distributes organic coffee, tea, sugar, bananas, avocados, cocoa, chocolate bars, and more.  There is no limit to the amount you can earn, so the sooner you can start, the better!

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WTT coffee
Resource center

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.

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