2024 Folsom Costa Rica Conservation Expedition

Dear Families, Friends, and Travelers – Welcome to the 2024 Folsom Costa Rica Conservation Expedition! We have created two webpages dedicated to this exciting opportunity: this first page, the Pre-Enrollment Page, is meant to share exciting details, highlights and pertinent info that potential travelers will want to know before enrolling. Once enrolled, the Post-Enrollment Page, is meant to prepare travelers for participation on the adventure ahead. Please be sure to review the information on the appropriate page thoroughly and we hope you are excited for all Costa Rica has to offer!!
Travel Dates: June 3, 2024 - June 16, 2024
Group Organizer(s):
WTT Contact:
Program Tuition: $3,390 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
Confirmed Airfare: $1,100

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: $3,390

Pay in Full

$3,390.00

due today

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

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!

Have the adventure of a lifetime with your friends

Contribute to a local community by working on a service project

Trek to a beautiful waterfall deep in the jungle

Visit one of Costa Rica's most beautiful volcanoes

Stay on a farm deep in the rainforest

Learn to surf with some of Costa Rica's best instructors

Raft down one of Costa Rica's best rivers

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 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. 

DATELOCATIONACTIVITYLODGING
June 3USA & Costa RicaToday the group will travel from the USA to Costa RicaAirplane
June 4San JoseToday the group will arrive in Costa Rica. After arrival, the group will settle into their hotel for the evening and have an orientation meeting where they will discuss the upcoming trip in detail.Hotel Aeropuerto
June 5San José & Bella VidaAfter breakfast, we'll head for Bella Vida, a farm in the heart of the rainforest, about four hours south of the capital city. Upon arrival, we'll tour the area, use the pool, and settle into our rooms. Later, we will enjoy a delicious dinner made from ingredients sourced directly from the farm.Bella Vida
June 6Bella VidaAfter breakfast, we will hike down to Nauyaca waterfall, one of the most beautiful in the entire country. We will spend the morning swimming and relaxing by the riverside. Lunch will be at the waterfall. Then, we will return to La Florida where we will have a cooking lesson and learn about coffee from a sustainable farm. After this, we will return to Bella Vida, where we will be able to use the pool and have dinner with an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean.Bella Vida
June 7Bella VidaToday we will start our service project and have the opportunity to meet some locals and practice our Spanish.Bella Vida
June 8Bella VidaWe will finish with the service projects, and in the evening, we will have our farewell party with our new local friends.Bella Vida
June 9Bella Vida- San SalvadorToday we'll trek to the upper parts of Catarata Diamante, the tallest waterfall in Costa Rica. The group will hike to the rivers that feed the waterfall and then enjoy a day full of swimming holes and absolutely beautiful views. We'll spend this night in a cave behind the falls.La Cueva
June 10San Salvador & Manuel AntonioAfter breakfast, we'll head down the mountain, board the bus, and head west to Manuel Antonio, a beautiful beach on the central Pacific coast. After checking into our hotel, we'll head down to the beach where students can either take surf lessons on a stretch of coastline that has a reputation for being great for beginners.Hotel Manuel Antonio
June 11Manuel Antonio Today we'll explore Manuel Antonio National Park, which bursts with wildlife. Inside, we'll find idyllic beaches and winding trails that lead through dense jungle. Students can relax, swim, and do some souvenir shopping.Hotel Manuel Antonio
June 12San Jose- La FortunaAfter breakfast, we will start our 4-hour drive to La Fortuna, home of Costa Rica's most famous volcano, Volcán Arenal. Then we will have time to explore the town and settle into our hotel. In the afternoon, we will visit the Baldí Hot Springs, luxurious natural hot springs heated by the volcanic activity of the Arenal Volcano, and relax and enjoy our first night in Fortuna.Hotel en Fortuna
June 13La FortunaToday we will start our day with an exciting zip line tour through the jungle canopy. Then the group will hike to La Catarata de la Fortuna for a refreshing swim at the base of the magnificent waterfall that cascades from a height of over 70 meters. Hotel en Fortuna
June 14La Fortuna & the Pacuare RiverIn 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.River Lodge
June 15Rio Pacuare & San JoseAfter breakfast, we will get ready to continue with our whitewater experience. After lunch, we will travel back to San Jose for our final dinner together and prepare for our international departure the following morning.Villas Aracari
June 16USAFly homeYour 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.  

Below are the accommodations we anticipate using on your trip, subject to availability. 
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.

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. 

 

La Cueva

Located in a natural cave behind the impressive Diamonte waterfall, La Cueva is not your typical hotel. Students sleep in bunk beds and there is no electricity, providing an opportunity to unplug and truly appreciate the natural beauty of these rustic accommodations behind a waterfall. 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.

Bella Vida Hotel

Bella Vida Hotel is situated in the tiny village of La Florida, with mountainside jungle overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and infinity pool . The accommodations are comfortable, the food fantastic, and the surreal setting provides an ideal introduction to the country’s impressive flora and fauna.

Hotel La Pradera

Located in La Fortuna, La Pradera offers a great location, a pool, restaurant and cozy bedrooms. This is the ideal location from which students can the nearby waterfalls, caves, thermal hot springs, and of course the amazing Arenal Volcano. All rooms are equipped with A/C with free Wi-Fi to keep everyone feeling comfortable and connected. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.

Hotel Manuel Antonio Park

Hotel Manuel Antonio Park is located a 3-minute walk from Manuel Antonio National Park and features an outdoor pool and a garden. We have a tour desk and a restaurant. We offer free WiFi .All our rooms are equipped with a wardrobe and air conditioning. We are just a 10-minute drive from the town of Quepos.

 

Safety and Support


 EASY FUNDRAISING & PAYMENT
EASY FUNDRAISING & PAYMENT
24/7 GLOBAL EMERGENCY LINE
24/7 GLOBAL EMERGENCY LINE
HIGHLY VETTED PARTNERS
HIGHLY VETTED PARTNERS
EXPERT LEADERSHIP
EXPERT LEADERSHIP
PRIVATE GROUP GUARANTEE
PRIVATE GROUP GUARANTEE
COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM SUPPORT
COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM SUPPORT
DEDICATION TO CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT
DEDICATION TO CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT
ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICING
ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICING

This being my first experience with an international trip for my child I have nothing to compare it to. However I feel Walking Tree did an excellent job from conception to completion with informing me on costs, what to expect, safety concerns, and sharing the experience through their blog. While I was worried about how safe my child would be on a trip… on the other side of the world, she told me that she felt safer than school safe.

Stephanie
Parent of Brigid, traveler on Japan Cultural Journey

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.

WTT coffee
Resource center

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.

Learn More

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