2024 Lake Oswego Middle School Costa Rica Cultural Journey
| Travel Dates: | June 20, 2024 - June 29, 2024 |
| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$2,990 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
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| Estimated Airfare: | $750 |
Tuition Calculator
There are two options for payment, including an interest-free installment plan. Follow whichever works best for your family.
Program Tuition: $2,990
Pay in Full
$2,990.00
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:
$355.72
per month
All prices in United States Dollars.
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
Zip-line though the rainforest
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
Explore a cloud forest, guided by a local naturalist
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | USA - Alajuela | Today the group will travel from the USA to Costa Rica, and flights usually arrive in the evening. After arrival, the group will settle into their hotel for the evening and have an orientation meeting where the group will discuss the upcoming trip in detail. | Casa Cielo Grande |
| 2 | Alajuela - Pura Suerte | Our journey begins at Pura Suerte, a beautiful ecological farm deep in the southern rain forest of the country 4 hours away from Alajuela. Upon arrival at Pura Suerte we will tour the farm as well as a nearby coffee plantation that produces some of the highest quality beans in the area. Throughout the program, we'll have the opportunity to interact with community members in Spanish, participate in cultural exchanges, and explore Costa Rican culture. | Jungalows |
| 3 | Pura Suerte | In the morning we will hike down to Nauyaca waterfall, a spectacular three-story waterfall not far from the farm. We will spend the day here, getting to know one another, swimming and taking in the natural beauty of the jungle. After lunch by the river we will return to the farm for a cooking class, we will make tortillas, empanadas and picadillo. After dinner we will enjoy a relaxing evening. | Jungalows |
| 4 | Pura Suerte - Uvita | After breakfast, we will depart for the central Pacific coast. We will spend the afternoon having private surf lessons from some of Costa Rica's best surfers. Never surfed before? No problem! The waves at Uvita are perfect for beginners and almost everyone is able to stand up. In the evening, the group will have time for our group reflection and pool time at the hotel. | Hotel El Tecal |
| 5 | Uvita - Matapalo - Dominical | Today we will explore the Matapalo mangrove located half an hour away from Uvita. While on our kayak or SUP, we will navigate the mangrove canals while we learn about this very important ecosystem and its flora and fauna. On the way back to Uvita, we will make a stop in Dominical where we will have to chance to put our bargaining skill at the town's street artisan market. After our dinner in town, we will have time to relax at the hotel. | Hotel El Tecal |
| 6 | Uvita - Manuel Antonio | After a hearty breakfast, we will visit Manuel Antonio, one of the most stunning national parks in the country. We will have time to hike through the national park, enjoy a beautiful beach, and spend time surrounded by monkeys and other animals. In the evening, we will have some down time at the hotel pool to relax. | Hotel Villas Mymosa |
| 7 | La Fortuna | After lunch we will start our 4 hour drive to La Fortuna, home of Costa Rica's most famous volcano, Volcán Arenal. On our way, we will stop at a secluded swimming hole to cool off, then settle in to our hotel near the heart of the town. | San Bosco Inn |
| 8 | La Fortuna - Sarapiquí | Today 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. The strenuous hike is a perfect segue to an afternoon of relaxing at the Baldí Hot Springs, a luxurious natural hot springs heated by the volcanic activity of the Arenal Volcano. | San Bosco Inn |
| 9 | La Fortuna - Sarpiquí - San José | The final day of the trip is action-packed and adventurous! We will head to the Sarapiquí River for a day of whitewater river rafting under the canopy of the rainforest. Our time in Costa Rica will be concluded in San Jose for a final dinner together out on the town. | Casa Cielo Grande |
| 10 | San José - USA | After breakfast, we will head to the airport for a morning departure back to the USA. | 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.
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.
San Bosco Inn
Located right in downtown La Fortuna, San Bosco Inn 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.
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.
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
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.
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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.