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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Important Reminders
Passport check
Insurance Reminder
Fundraiser
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What to Expect
Please read through all of the information below. More details will be added as your departure draws closer.
Itinerary
We do everything possible to abide by itineraries as originally planned, but decades of experience teaches that we must be 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 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.
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.
Group Flight
| Type | Carrier Name | Carrier Code | Flight Number | Departure Airport & City | Departure Date and Time | Arrival Airport & City | Arrival Date and Time |
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Outbound
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CM
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383
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May 13, 2023 at 1:28am
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May 13, 2023 at 10:32am
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Outbound
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CM
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779
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May 13, 2023 at 12:14pm
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May 13, 2023 at 12:39pm
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Inbound
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CM
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193
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May 21, 2023 at 11:41am
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May 21, 2023 at 2:01pm
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Inbound
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CM
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382
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May 21, 2023 at 5:41pm
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May 21, 2023 at 11:31pm
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Once your flight schedule has been confirmed, the itinerary will appear here.
Walking Tree will secure a seat on the group flight for each participant unless otherwise instructed.
Travelers are responsible for checked baggage fees. Please visit the airline’s baggage webpage to learn if you should expect to pay anything.
We will provide a group manifest – complete with reservation codes and ticket numbers – to the Group Organizer/s before departure, and travelers will need to check in at the airport in order to receive their boarding pass and have documents verified. We recommend arriving no later than three hours prior to the scheduled departure, but contact your Group Organizer for specific details on exactly where and when to meet on the day of departure.
FLIGHT INTERRUPTION, DELAY OR CANCELLATION
Air travel can be unpredictable. Regardless of proper planning, there may still be instances when a flight is delayed or cancelled due to staffing shortages, weather, mechanical problems, etc. Please note that in such an event, Walking Tree Travel (WTT) is not financially responsible for unanticipated costs incurred by travelers en route. Our programs officially begin and end in the destination country, and because our staff doesn’t fly with the group, Group Organizers (the traveling faculty member/s) become the front-line advocate for the group in the event of a delay. In most cases of cancellations or delays, the airline will be the one who re-books travel or possibly arranges a hotel and food the night. Our primary role will be to keep families updated and provide support to the Group Organizer to reach a quick and effective resolution.
Host Community and Project Details
Herradura is a small and very beautiful town situated in a valley near the entrance of Parque Nacional Chirripo, which is home to Costa Rica’s tallest mountain. The nearest sizeable city is San Isidro (Parez Zeledon), which is located about 20 kilometers, or 45 minutes away. There is a very beautiful river (Rio Blanco) that runs through the center of town and runs parallel of the main road. Walking Tree has been working in Herradura since 2009, and we continue to send groups here because of it’s beautiful scenery, great contacts and creative projects that are proposed.
Packing List
What follows is a sample packing list that is provided as a guideline. Feel free to augment as you feel necessary. We recommend you bring a larger piece of luggage like a roller, duffel bag, or backpack, as well as a smaller backpack that you can bring on hikes, weekend excursions and shorter activities.
“Less is more” is a packing tip we encourage for all our travelers. The list below should cover everything you would need, but know yourself and what you are comfortable traveling with. We suggest bringing only as much as you would be able to carry on your own.
Finally, we recommend consulting a weather forecast for your destination.
CLOTHES:
- Underwear
- Socks (a mixture of good hiking socks and casual socks)
- T-shirts (some quick dry)
- Long sleeve shirt
- Long sleeve quick dry shirt (for activities under the sun such as rafting or surfing)
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Travel/athletic shorts that are breathable and light
- Swimming suit/s
- Comfortable/hiking/everyday pants
- A nicer outfit for final dinner
- Durable athletic/hiking shoes with good grip
- Sport sandals
- Hat/s, good sun protection
TOILETRIES:
- Your basics
- Sunscreen (You will use a lot. Natural products/lotions are preferred over aerosol, especially for the beach)
- Mosquito repellent (non-deet/lotions are preferred to reduce environmental impact)
- Band Aids and Neosporin
- Anti-itch cream
- Hand Sanitizer
- Medication in properly marked original container. It’s important that medication travel in its original container, as customs officials have the right to confiscate it otherwise.
MISCELLANEOUS:
- Passport
- Sunglasses
- Journal and pen
- Book
- Camera
- Debit card/US Dollars (we recommend about $50-$150, depending on number of desired snacks, souvenirs, extra items etc.)
- Durable water bottle
- Quick-dry towel
- Flashlight/headlamp
- Deck of cards or other portable games
Support Team
At a minimum, one experienced Program Leader will travel on every trip. In addition to this full time leadership presence, Walking Tree has additional staff in all destinations and 24/7 support from our headquarters in Denver, Colorado. Below you’ll find the the team members involved in the preparation, planning and execution of your program.
Gabriel Duncan
Co-Founder of Walking Tree Travel and Business Lead - Denver, CO
Colby College – B.A. International Relations and Government
While at Colby, Gabriel spent a semester in Spain at the University of Salamanca studying contemporary Spanish politics and Spanish language. He also lettered for four-years on Colby’s lacrosse team and earned All-American honors. After graduating, Gabriel hit the road. He fished commercially in Alaska, taught in Chile and China, led programs for students in Spain and Costa Rica, and traveled to over 50 countries and all 50 states in the USA. Regardless of where Gabriel is located, he is constantly haunted by his naive faith and unconditional love for Denver sports teams.
Amelia “Ame” Garita Castillo
Country Operations Manager - Costa Rica
University Nacional, Costa Rica. Business Management/Sustainable Tourism
Amelia was born in San Gerardo de Rivas, Costa Rica, close to the highest mountain Cerro Chirripo. While a young girl Ame had the opportunity to climb Cerro Chirripo with her father over 50 times before she turned 18, and fell in love with the outdoors and wilderness. After having these amazing experiences she went on to study tourism and business management in the National University of Costa Rica where she graduated with a bachelors degree. Since then she has worked for the Costa Rican tourism board, before moving on to guiding. She has worked guiding students in outdoor adventure working for Outward Bound Costa Rica, Outward Bound Mexico, and Outward Bound Hong Kong. She also guides wilderness therapy with Pure Life by Aspiro in Costa Rica. She has had the pleasure of traveling in Europe and South America which further confirmed her love for traveling, the outdoors, and guiding. She has traveled to over 14 countries and loves to share her experiences with others and also help them discover their own passion, and worldly views. She speaks fluent Spanish and English, and most enjoys her time by guiding and helping others. She now works for Walking Tree full time as a part of the Country Operations Team in Costa Rica.
Guillermo Montoya Berganza
Guatemala & Belize Country Director
Universidad Rafael Landivar – B.A. Marketing with emphasis on Advertising
Postgraduate studies in Business Management, Costa Rica and India
Guillermo, a globetrotter from Guatemala, has explored North and Central America, Europe, and India, immersing himself in intercultural experiences. His journey began as an exchange student in North Dakota and Canada, later volunteering with an educational organization in Guatemala. This role allowed him to lead Latin American students through Norway and Denmark, fueling his passion for travel. Now based in Antigua, Guatemala, Guillermo champions independent coffee farmers and artisan communities while leading customized programs. Fluent in Spanish and English, he combines his love for adventure, photography, mural painting, and history to create memorable experiences for his clients.
Guillermo has crafted tailored walking tours for VIP clients, including Real Madrid’s Álvaro Arbeloa and former CNN presenters Alberto Padilla and Claudia Palacios, earning a reputation as a sought-after guide. In 2023, he presented on “The Leadership of a Tour Guide” at the XIV National and Ibero-American Congress of Tour Guides in Playa del Carmen. Guillermo has also authored a booklet on Antigua Guatemala’s coats of arms and delivered academic presentations on mural paintings and women’s roles in tourism. With a focus on inclusive tourism and cultural preservation, Guillermo continues to enrich the tourism landscape, blending expertise and passion to showcase Guatemala’s heritage.
Verny Chavarría
Program Leader
Verny study in INBIO (National Institution of Biodiversity) began his guiding career in 2002 in his home country of Costa Rica as an outdoors and Naturalist guide and has also guided in the US states of California, Tennessee, Colorado, and North Carolina. He is a certified Wilderness First Responder and a swiftwater rescuer. Verny grew up in an athletic family that organizes sporting events in Costa Rica, including triathlons and adventure races. A man of many talents, Verny also guides outdoor adventures in Costa Rica including trekking, nature hikes, kayaking, zip-lining, rappelling, horseback riding, and canyoneering and a lot more. Following his outdoors passion, Verny keep his training and become Rescue 3 International instructor and teach Water rescue courses and Rope Rescue courses, also has been involved in several volunteer project in communities in Central and South America and has been an active participant in many environmental projects. His passion for the wilderness has take him far beyond expectations.
Group Roster
Below is a list of the travelers enrolled on the program.
- 1 Anne-Lise Durot
- 2 Anthony Canini
- 3 Arsene Barnagaud
- 4 Asdad Adsas
- 5 Aya Arida De Maussion De Favieres
- 6 Blanche Diaz
- 7 CALIXTE DE BELLOY DE SAINT LIENARD
- 8 Caroline Shirtliffe
- 9 Charles Gonsolin
- 10 Chloe Heumann
- 11 Colette Vendrolini
- 12 Diego Carral
- 13 Eowyn Gury
- 14 Eric Durot
- 15 Eve Alexerawy
- 16 Fleurli Ling
- 17 Henri Lavigne-Delville
- 18 Iban Soule Gasser
- 19 Jack Rebaud
- 20 Jens Lermusiaux
- 21 Jérémie Calot
- 22 Julian Achkire
- 23 Juliette Du Fayet De La Tour
- 24 Juliette Freeland
- 25 LEONIE FROMONT
- 26 Loic Garcia Estevez
- 27 Lucas PATUREL
- 28 Margot Goltser
- 29 Marie-Stephanie Roussat
- 30 MELISSA ROBE
- 31 MEYLINE MARTIN
- 32 Oriane Zenon
- 33 Paola Brouwers
- 34 Penelope Ulrich
- 35 Rafael Peretz
- 36 Séraphine Hoyles
- 37 Sofia Pomel
- 38 Titouan PETILLAT
- 39 Yann Bellion
Blog and Communication
During travel we work hard to keep families updated as frequently as possible with blog posts and photos, giving you peace of mind that your traveler is safe and thriving on their program. Students regularly contribute to these posts, providing families back home a great way to vicariously track the progress of the trip. You will be notified when the first update is posted, after which we recommend checking in regularly via the black “Program Blog” button at the top of this webpage.
Assuming your school allows the use of cell phones, most destinations are wired enough to allow participants access WiFi at different moments in the program, allowing them to communicate directly with home. Ask your Walking Tree representative about the degree of connectivity on your program.
GLC Curriculum
Walking Tree has developed a curriculum of activities meant to help travelers get the most out of their trip before departure, during travel and after they return home. These simple and engaging activities are meant to spark discussion, frame experiences, and prepare participants to travel ethically and effectively both on this trip and on future adventures.For more information about student learning objectives and the format of the curriculum, click on the ‘learn more’ button below.
To view and complete the Pre-Program Activities, visit our online portal at the button below.
Standards of Behavior
In order to run a safe and successful program, it is vital that travelers are prepared to be on their best behavior and bring enthusiasm and interest to each and every day. A communal atmosphere of trust and mutual respect is the foundational. As such, all individuals participating on a Walking Tree program are required to take responsibility for their actions and adhere to a high standard of personal conduct.
IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL
- Possessing, consuming or distributing alcohol or illegal drugs.
- Associating with participants while they are in possession of alcohol or illegal drugs.
- Behaving in a way that consistently damages the group dynamic or jeopardizes personal or group safety. This includes consistently displaying a negative attitude, intimidating or excluding other participants, sneaking out, disobeying group leaders, and any other behavior that is not conducive to an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect.
GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL OR IN-COUNTRY CONSEQUENCE
- Getting a piercing or tattoo.
- Stealing, or deliberately damaging or defacing any personal property, buildings or materials.
- Threatening physical or emotional harm, or brandishing a weapon.
- Possessing, consuming, or distributing tobacco or nicotine, including vape pens.
- Riding mopeds, motorcycles, or any other type of unauthorized vehicle.
- Being out of designated area or accommodations after curfew.
- Breaking group rules.
These standards of behavior are essential for the successful completion of your program. Please take the time to review these as a family and make sure everyone understands and agrees to them.
Health and Safety
We strongly recommend visiting the CDC Costa Rica website to get the most updated information on health and vaccination considerations in your destination country. In addition, we encourage you to consult your personal family physician so you can be as informed as possible when making important decisions about vaccinations and other necessary health-related preparations before traveling.
Our in-country staff meticulously prepare for all programs. Walking Tree receives regular updates from the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to proactively stay ahead of any potential security concerns. Our in-country staff also verify the safety records of our partner organizations, vendors, and transportation providers, thoroughly vet homestay families through in-depth interviews and visits, and stay informed about important current events in the region.
Program Leaders are seasoned travelers who are CPR and First Aid certified, undergo thorough training in crisis management, and participate in comprehensive leadership training. We do our best to prepare for any eventuality and have detailed emergency protocols for our leaders, in-country staff, and U.S.-based staff.
We collect medical disclosures from all participants to ensure we can meet every student’s needs during the program. Please inform us immediately of any additional health issues not listed during your initial registration process. Leaders and in-country staff are prepared to respond promptly to any mental, physical, or emotional health concerns and follow comprehensive emergency protocols.
Insurance
While we work hard to ensure the safest experience possible for our travelers on program, experience teaches that travel can be unpredictable. For this reason, we recommend that all travelers consider a travel insurance policy with a Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) provision. Detailed explanations of plan options can be found via the link below.
To provide travelers and families with a quality option, Walking Tree has partnered with Travel Insured International, one of the most respected providers in the industry. Begin by getting a quote here.
IMPORTANT NOTE: in order to secure coverage that includes CFAR, you must purchase the plan within 14-21 days of your first payment to Walking Tree. Be careful when you read the tenets of the policy to ensure you understand the required timeframe for purchase. You must also insure 100% of your trip cost, so program tuition + flight. Please reach out to us with questions.