2023 LFSF Costa Rica Cultural Journey
| Travel Dates: | May 13, 2023 - May 21, 2023 |
| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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Costa Rica Cultural Journey
From white sand beaches to misty cloud forests, towering volcanoes to beautiful rivers that carve through tropical canyons, and friendly communities, Costa Rica has it all! Our cultural journey aims to expose travelers to best the country has to offer and provide opportunities to speak Spanish and gain insight into one of the most hos Adventure awaits!
Cultural Journeys
Cultural Journeys allow travelers to gain insights into the heritage, history and modern realities of their destination by offering a broad diversity of experience. We rely on the expertise of our local staff to plan itineraries which not only explore the prominent sites but also make time for the lesser-known local gems and are intentional about regular interaction with local people.
Program Highlights
Check out some of the featured experiences of your program!
Have the adventure of a lifetime with your friends
Improve your Spanish and immerse yourself in a homestay community
Trek to a beautiful waterfall deep in the jungle
Raft down one of Costa Rica's best rivers
Immersive Spanish classes
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, but given the unpredictable nature of international travel we must remain flexible in our planning. Changes to a schedule are uncommon but if inclement weather pushes us off course or an unexpected opportunity arises which travelers are excited about, we reserve the right to adjust programming in the best interest of the group.
| Day | Location | Description | Lodging |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 13 | USA - Alajuela | Today the group will travel from the USA to San Jose, Costa Rica! Upon arrival, we’ll have lunch, then visit a local market. We will have some time to relax at the hotel until then, then for desert will have a private chocolate making workshop. | Rosa de las Americas |
| May 14 | Alajuela - Manuel Antonio | This morning, we will head to Manuel Antonio, the crown jewel of the Costa Rican National Park System. Upon arrival we will have an amazing zipline canopy tour to see this spectacular ecosystem from above. In the evening, we will have some time to swim at the beach and wander between artisanal stalls. Tonight, we will have an orientation meeting to prepare for our homestay. | Hotel San Bada |
| May 15 | Manuel Antonio - Host Community | To start our day, we will take a guided nature walk through the national park to see the plethora of wildlife and enjoy a picnic lunch at the beach. In the afternoon, we will head to the community to begin our homestay. We will have a welcome meeting upon arrival, then students will have their first night with their families. | Homestay- Herradura |
| May 16 | Host Community | Our days in the host community will begin with Spanish classes, followed by lunch in our homestays. This afternoon, we will visit a cheese factory where students can learn about cheese production, milk cows and sample some excellent queso. In addition, students will have the opportunity to learn how to dance salsa. | Homestay- Herradura |
| May 17 | Host Community | Today, we will have Spanish classes in the morning and learn to make tortillas in a cooking lesson. Later, we will visit some hot springs and hang out with our host families to relax and have fun. | Homestay- Herradura |
| May 18 | Host Community | This morning, we will visit a farm that grows bamboo. Students will get to see how they plant, clean, and make products with bamboo. After that, we'll check out the colorful central market in San Isirdo, where students can use their Spanish skills to try tropical fruits and other local products from nearby farms. In the afternoon, we will continue with our Spanish classes! | Homestay- Herradura |
| May 19 | Host Community | Today, we will explore the nearby nature reserve Cloudbridge. We will have the opportunity to fish for our own lunch and then continue with our Spanish classes in the afternoon. | Homestay- Herradura |
| May 20 | Homestay - Alajuela | We'll end the trip with a splash during a whitewater rafting trip along the Savegre River! Navigate class I, II and III rapids as you descend from the mountains towards the ocean. After lunch we'll make the drive back to the big city for a cozy farewell dinner ahead of our international departure the following morning. | Hotel Aeropuerto |
| May 21 | Home | Fly home, hasta luego!! | 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 locally-operated, three-star equivalent hotels and guest houses which are centrally located, clean and safe.
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.
Hotel San Bada
Hotel San Bada is nestled right next to Manuel Antonio National Park and just few steps away from Manuel Antonio Beach, Costa Rica. Rooms offer flat TV screens, air conditioning and free wi-fi. Amenities include a big pool with a wet bar and restaurant service, a rooftop pool and free breakfast that are available on-site.
Homestay
This will be the best part of your trip! Staying with a host family immerses you in the language and culture of the destination, and can lead to deep and lasting relationships with your hosts. Initially intimidating but ultimately unforgettable, there’s no better way to begin to truly understand the place you’re visiting.
Hotel Aeropuerto
Hotel Aeropuerto is located five minutes away from the Juan Santa María airport. Clean rooms and friendly staff will make you feel at home the moment you drop your bags. The swimming pool is surrounded by fruit trees and flowers, which attract a number of butterflies and birds, and even some iguanas and squirrels. Students will be grouped by gender. Wifi is available throughout the property.
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
Our daughter is planning a high school junior year as an exchange student abroad, and your program was partly a ‘test the waters” of her being abroad. It was a tremendous success, thank you!
Barney
Parent of Della, traveler on 2017 program to Thailand
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.