2022 Costa Rica Conservation Expedition
| Travel Dates: | May 31, 2022 - June 7, 2022 |
| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$2,250 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
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| Confirmed Airfare: | $732 |
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: $2,250
Pay in Full
$2,250.00
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:
$83.34
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
Practice your Spanish language skills with locals
Raft down one of Costa Rica's best rivers
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.
| Day | Location | Description | Lodging |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 31 | USA - San Jose, Costa Rica | Early this morning the group will travel from the USA to Costa Rica! We arrive around mid-day, after which we'll have lunch and check into our hotel for a relaxing afternoon after a long day of travel. We'll also hold an orientation meeting where the we will discuss the trip in detail. | Hotel La Rosa de America |
| June 1 | Alajuela - Pura Suerte | Our journey begins in earnest when we leave this morning for 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 for a hands-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. Throughout the program, we'll have the opportunity to interact with community members in Spanish, participate in cultural exchanges, and explore Costa Rican culture. | Jungalows |
| June 2 | Pura Suerte | In the morning we will hike down to Nauyaca waterfall, a spectacular three-story waterfall not far from the farm. We will spend the day here, getting to know one another, swimming and taking in the natural beauty of the jungle. After lunch by the river we will return to the farm for a cooking class, we will make tortillas, empanadas and picadillo. After dinner we will enjoy a relaxing evening. | Jungalows |
| June 3 | Pura Suerte - Hacienda Barú | After breakfast we’ll drive west to the coast to the a biological reserve. Here we will settle in, meet the researchers with whom we'll be spending the next couple days and learn about their ongoing projects. We’ll receive an orientation for the research we'll be conducting surveying mammals, insects, reptiles, amphibians and birds. After lunch, we'll take a hike through the surrounding tropical rainforest to get our bearings on the local ecosystems. | Hacienda Barú |
| June 4 | Hacienda Barú | Today we'll continue to conduct surveys, learn and participate in the different research projects conducted by the resident researchers at the reserve. In the afternoon we will have time to reflect on what we've learned regarding conservation efforts in Costa Rica, explore town or enjoy group activities in the reserve. | Hacienda Barú |
| June 5 | Hacienda Barú - La Fortuna | After a hearty breakfast, we will head north for 4 hours to La Fortuna, home to one of Costa Rica's most famous volcanos, Volcán Arenal. In the afternoon we will have time to explore the town center, visit souvenir shops and get familiar with the lay of the land. This evening, we will relax at luxurious hot springs and enjoy an impressive buffet dinner. | San Bosco Inn |
| June 6 | La Fortuna - San Jose | Today we will hike to La Fortuna's most famous waterfall and have time to relax and swim. After lunch, we will drive one hour to the Sarapiquí river for some whitewater rafting before we head back to Alajuela for our final farewell dinner and reflect on all we've seen and done. | Casa Cielo Grande |
| June 7 | San Jose - USA | After breakfast, we will head to the airport for a mid-day departure back to the USA. | Your own bed, eventually! |
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.
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.
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.
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.
San Bosco Inn
Located right in downtown La Fortuna, San Bosco Inn offers a great location, a pool, restaurant and cozy bedrooms. This is the ideal location from which students can the nearby waterfalls, caves, thermal hot springs, and of course the amazing Arenal Volcano. All rooms are equipped with A/C with free Wi-Fi to keep everyone feeling comfortable and connected. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.
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.
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
This being my first experience with an international trip for my child I have nothing to compare it to. However I feel Walking Tree did an excellent job from conception to completion with informing me on costs, what to expect, safety concerns, and sharing the experience through their blog. While I was worried about how safe my child would be on a trip… on the other side of the world, she told me that she felt safer than school safe.
Stephanie
Parent of Brigid, traveler on Japan Cultural Journey
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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Learn more here.
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.