2023 Portland Middle School Costa Rica Service Adventure
| Travel Dates: |
June 24, 2023 -
July 4, 2023
Enrollment opens Monday, June 13
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| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$2,190 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
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| Confirmed Airfare: | $1,191 |
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: $2,190
Pay in Full
$2,190.00
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:
$211.25
per month
All prices in United States Dollars.
Costa Rica Service Adventure
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 service adventures give travelers the opportunity to delve deep into small, rural communities set in stunningly beautiful corners of the country. In addition to white water rafting, relaxing on white sand beaches and swimming at the base of a towering waterfall, students will gain confidence in their Spanish, contribute to a meaningful service project and grow into more confident travelers. Adventure awaits!
Service Adventures
Service Adventures can combine rural homestays, adventure travel, and meaningful service projects which are guided by our community partners. Living in these small communities provides the opportunity to engage the language and culture from a uniquely advantageous position.
Program Highlights
Check out some of the featured experiences of your program!
Brew coffee and make empanadas with a local farmer's family
Immerse yourself in the local language and culture by staying with a host family
Contribute to a local community by working on a service project
Stay on a farm deep in the rainforest
Learn to surf with some of Costa Rica's best instructors
Hike through the tropical rainforest and learn about local ecosystems
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 24 | Portland - San Jose | Travel from Portland to San Jose | Airplane |
| June 25 | San Jose | Upon arrival, we will meet our program leaders and head to our airport-area hotel to refresh. We will have lunch on the way and visit the local market to see a variety of seasonal and local products. After checking in at the hotel we will receive a chocolate workshop. In the evening, we will have an orientation meeting and our first group dinner, before a good night's rest. | Casa Cielo Grande |
| June 26 | San Jose - Pura Suerte | Our journey begins in earnest when we leave the city for Pura Suerte, a beautiful farm tucked deep in the southern rain forest of the country. Upon arrival we will settle into our bamboo bungalows and then tour the farm for a hands-on experience involving tropical fruits, local coffee beans and a whole host of animals! We will learn about the stunning biodiversity of the area as well as how rural farmers are taking advantage of sustainable practices. This evening we'll enjoy a delicious dinner at Pura Suerte's large restaurant and then retire to our cabins for some group activities. | Jungalows |
| June 27 | Pura Suerte - Host Community | After breakfast we hike down to Nauyaca waterfall, one of the most spectacular in a country full of spectacular waterfalls! We will spend a few leisurely hours swimming, relaxing, and enjoying lunch at the waterfall. In the afternoon we'll head to our host community. After arrival we'll tour the town, learn more about our service project/s and then head home with our new families for the evening. Unless otherwise specified, students will be placed two to a home. Breakfasts and dinners will be with families while lunch will be served at the service site. In the afternoons and evenings, activities are flexible and will vary, but may include time with host families, excursions to explore the surrounding area or group reflection sessions. | Host Families- Canaán |
| June 28 | Host Community | Today we will begin working on our service project and spending time with host families. The service project will mostly consist of the restoration and refurbishment of the community's common areas such as the community hall or the church. Tasks could include sanding, painting, transport of construction materials, gardening, and so on. Afternoon & evening activities will vary - Today in the afternoon we will enjoy some dancing lessons! | Host Families- Canaán |
| June 29 | Host Community | Today we will continue working on our service project and spending time with host families. Evening activities will vary. | Host Families- Canaán |
| June 30 | Host Community | Today we will finish working on our service project and spending time with host families. We celebrate and say goodbye to our host families with a Despedida party. | Host Families- Canaán |
| July 1 | Host Community- Uvita | After enjoying incredible days with local families and helping the community, it's time to head to the beach. Our next stop is the community of Uvita, an ideal surfing destination on the central Pacific coast. But first, we'll make a quick detour to visit Playa Ventanas and then have lunch. After checking in at the hotel we will visit one of the most beautiful beaches in the area, Playa Hermosa, which is located near Uvita.Here, students will have the chance to swim in the warm waters of the sea and sip on refreshing coconut water as they take in the stunning views. In the evening we will have dinner in town. | Host Families- El Tecal |
| July 2 | Uvita | After breakfast students will take surf lessons from professional instructors along a wide, expansive and empty stretch of coastline that has a reputation for breaks that are great for beginners. After surfing and enjoying the beach for the afternoon, we will head to the seaside town of Dominical where students will also be able to do some souvenir shopping. In the afternoon we will head back to the beach to watch the sunset, and then we'll retire for a delicious dinner. | Hotel El Tecal |
| July 3 | Uvita - San Jose | We'll have a relaxing morning in Uvita before jumping on the bus and beginning the trip back to the city. We'll stop for lunch on the road. After arriving back in San Jose we'll have a final celebratory dinner together to commemorate our time together! | Casa Cielo Grande |
| July 4 | San Jose - USA | We will have a quiet morning to enjoy the last few hours in Costa Rica before we make our way to the airport for our flight 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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!
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.