2023 Strath Haven Costa Rica Cultural Journey
| Travel Dates: | April 2, 2023 - April 9, 2023 |
| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$1,990 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
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| Confirmed Airfare: | $820 |
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: $1,990
Pay in Full
$1,990.00
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:
$99.34
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!
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!
Trek to a beautiful waterfall deep in the jungle
Stay on a farm deep in the rainforest
Learn to surf with some of Costa Rica's best instructors
Improve your Spanish by living with a host family
Collaborate on a service project in your homestay community
Discover the gorgeous beaches and world-class national parks on the Pacific coast
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 2 | USA - San José, Costa Rica | Today the group will travel from the USA to San Jose, Costa Rica! Upon arrival, we’ll settle into our hotel for the evening for dinner and an orientation meeting where we'll discuss the upcoming trip in detail. | Hotel Aeropuerto |
| April 3 | San José - 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 |
| April 4 | Pura Suerte - Host Community | After breakfast we will 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. After freshening up, we will travel the short distance to our homestay community. Upon arrival, we will have an orientation of the community, have a welcome festival, then spend our first night with the families! Unless otherwise specified, students will be placed two to a home. Breakfasts and dinners will be with families while lunch will depends on the day's activities. | Host Families-Herradura |
| April 5 | Host Community | This morning, we will take the bus "to town" and spend the morning at the colorful central market in San Isirdo. Students can use their Spanish while trying tropical fruits and other local products from the nearby farms. In the afternoon, we will invite members of the community to join us in the natural hot springs outside of town. | Host Families-Herradura |
| April 6 | Host Community | We will start a day with a visit to a nearby nature preserve where we will take an amazing hike into the rainforest. In the afternoon, we will organize a field day for the local community and have a going party at night. | Host Families-Herradura |
| April 7 | Host Community - Uvita | After breakfast we will head west to the surfside town of Uvita on the central Pacific coast. After getting settled in our hotel, 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'll retire for a delicious dinner overlooking the Pacific Ocean. | El Tecal |
| April 8 | Uvita - San José | 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 in the quite seaside town of Dominical where students will also be able to do some souvenir shopping. After arriving back in San Jose we'll have a final celebratory dinner together to commemorate our time together! | Casa Cielo Grande |
| April 9 | San José - USA | 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Everything was outstanding. The communication, organization, and experience was phenomenal. The program positively impacted my daughters confidence, independence, and maturity.
Suzanne
Parent of Kelsey, traveler on Costa Rica Surf and Service Program
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.