2022 NWC Costa Rica Conservation Expedition
| Travel Dates: | June 11, 2022 - June 21, 2022 |
| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$2,790 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
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| Confirmed Airfare: | $640 |
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: $2,790
Pay in Full
$2,790.00
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:
$99.57
per month
All prices in United States Dollars.
Costa Rica Sea Turtle Conservation Expedition: Pacific Coast
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, monitoring the health of coral reefs off the coast of Belize or helping school children in Thailand to understand the importance of wild elephants to their ecosystem, these adventures 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
Improve your Spanish with language classes led by native speakers
Volunteer with local scientists to assist in critical conservation efforts
Zip-line though the rainforest
Trek to a beautiful waterfall deep in the jungle
Visit one of Costa Rica's most beautiful volcanoes
Raft down one of Costa Rica's best rivers
Hike through the tropical rainforest and learn about local ecosystems
The Itinerary
We do everything possible to abide by itineraries as originally planned, but decades of experience teachers that we must 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 12 | 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 and have an orientation meeting where the group will discuss the upcoming trip in detail. Dinner will be at the hotel. | La Rosa de America |
| June 13 | Alajuela - Horquetas de Sarapiquí | After breakfast the group will head for Sarapiquí, an area characterized by its lush tropical rainforest and swift rivers. The bus ride is three hours north of the capital city. The group will settle in La Selva Biological Station, owned by the world-renowned Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS). The group will get familiar with the facilities and meet the scientists and research tutors. In the evening, we will set off on a hike through some of the multiple trails in the middle of the primary rainforest where students will learn about the natural history, ecosystems, and biodiversity of the reserve. | OTS Cabins |
| June 14 | Horquetas de Sarapiquí | Today we will begin with an introduction to the several research projects conducted but the OTS in La Selva station. After we receive the lecture and general instructions, the group will be divided into different tasks we will be completing for the rest of the day to participate in one of the several on-going projects of La Selva. Projects vary but these may include topics of water quality, plant adaptation and mammal monitoring, specially peccaries which love to hang out around the station! After lunch, will take a short break from our conservation work to learn how to dance salsa, merengue and bachata. After dinner in the station, the group will set off on a night hike through the trails in the middle of the primary rainforest to find frogs and other nocturnal creatures. | OTS Cabins |
| June 15 | Horquetas de Sarapiquí | Today we will continue participating in the research projects. In the evening, we will collaborate with a riparian forest restoration project of the OTS. The group will learn about the different strategies scientists use to restore the vegetal area that protects and supports rivers and streams, as well as the biotic components that support these ecosystems. | OTS Cabins |
| June 16 | Horquetas de Sarapiquí - La Virgen de Sarapiquí | Today we will depart La Selva Biological Station to the nearby Tirimbina Biological Station but we will first make a stop for our Ethnobotany tour, where students will engage all five of their senses in getting to know different plants and learn about the scientific importance of the tropical rainforest in the medical and cosmetic fields. After settling in into our cabins we will begin learning about the history of one of mankind’s favorite foods: chocolate. Originally from Central America, this plant has an extraordinary history; it was one of the most important products for the Mayan and Aztec cultures. In the evening, students will have the opportunity to learn about the natural history of bats, their classification, diversity, adaptations, reproduction, threats. They will also be able to take a close look at the snare net and bats captured for this research. | Tirmbina Cabins |
| June 17 | La Virgen de Sarapiquí - La Fortuna | After breakfast we will head to La Fortuna, a small city right next to the Volcán Arenal, an impressive volcano that stands out in the middle of the flatlands. Students will have some free time to explore the towns center and do some souvenir shopping. At night we will relax at the Baldi hot springs, where we will be having a buffet dinner as well. | Arenal Hostel Resort |
| June 18 | La Fortuna | Today we will hike down to La Fortuna waterfall, where students can relax, swim, and explore in the morning. After lunch, we will see the forest from a different perspective after we go zip-lining in the afternoon. Tonight, the group will take some time to reflect on our experience in Costa Rica. | Arenal Hostel Resort |
| June 19 | La Fortuna - Pacuare River | In 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 20 | Rio Pacuare - Alajuela | After breakfast we'll enjoy a full day on the river, traveling back to Alajuela around the middle of the afternoon for our final dinner together ahead of our international departure the following morning. | Casa Cielo Grande |
| June 21 | Alajuela - USA | After breakfast, we will head to the airport for a morning 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 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.
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.
OTS La Selva Research Station
La Selva’s juxtaposition of protected ecosystems and well-developed facilities is unique in the world’s wet tropics. This is one of several field stations run created by the Organization of Tropical Studies, a non-profit consortium of over 50 universities and research institutions based in the United States, Latin America, and South Africa. The cabins offer bunk and single beds, shared bathrooms, bug protection on windows and fans. Students will be grouped according to gender. They offer a dining hall, wireless internet, library, all-access trail, and on-station security.
Tirimbina Biological Reserve
Timibina combines research and education with ecoturism to create a unique experience for its visitors and to promote conservation. The rooms offer bunk and single beds, shared bathrooms, bug protection on windows and fans. Students will be grouped according to gender. They offer a dining hall, wireless internet, all-access trail, and on-station security.
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.
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.
Arenal Hostel Resort
Arenal is one of the great beauties in Costa Rica! With its beautiful gardens, swimming pools, and centralized location, Arenal Hostel Resort is a wonderful place to relax and unwind. Wifi and air conditioning are included, and students will be split between double and triple rooms based on 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
I have been on two trips with Walking Tree and both trips have been two of the most amazing experiences of my life.
Cameron
Alumni traveler to Belize and Thailand
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.