2024 LFSF Costa Rica Cultural Journey

Accommodations

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.

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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.

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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.

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Group Flight

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

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

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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

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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

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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.

Jhersson Herra Campos

Program Leader

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Born and raised in Costa Rica, I have always been interested in nature and diverse cultures from around the world. My family runs a small ant project, which highlights the contributions of Leaf Cutter Ants in the tropics. I have also worked in various tourism roles, such as reception, reservations, and customer service. Eventually, I transitioned into becoming a naturalist guide. I realized that the key to life is doing what you love, what brings joy, and most importantly, doing something good for others and the planet.

I am passionate about the importance of regenerative tourism, focusing on sustainability and learning. I love working as a guide, leading educational groups and spending time with younger generations. To me, life is about sharing information, learning from one another, and imparting my knowledge to plant a seed of inspiration and change on the planet. Working with students, teachers, and wonderful people allows me to contribute to caring for our planet, conserving it, and living in harmony for better physical and mental well-being. It’s a joy and a pleasure to work with those who share the interest in making our community, country, and planet a better place.

Group Roster

Below is a list of the travelers enrolled on the program.

• 1 Anton Ritzu
• 2 Camille Legros
• 3 Cedric Prophete
• 4 Celeste Meyer
• 5 Charlotte BAILLOT
• 6 Cullen Ramos-Fortin
• 7 Eva-Rose Dumortier
• 8 Gedeon Mellin
• 9 Gédéon Mellin
• 10 Jonah Berg
• 11 Julian Allouche
• 12 Julien Poncin
• 13 Juliette Sauzier
• 14 Katharine Spektor
• 15 Léonore Grondin
• 16 Livingston Miller
• 17 Louise Jessen
• 18 Louise Jessen
• 19 Lucie Coffey
• 20 Luke Dolan
• 21 Madeleine De Rouvray Bruck
• 22 Manon De La Cropte De Chanterac
• 23 Marco Tarka Pinier
• 24 Matéo NUNEZ SILVA
• 25 Matheus D'Hoore
• 26 MELISSA ROBE
• 27 Merlin Deguy
• 28 Morgan Boulanger
• 29 Nicholas McGrath
• 30 Nicolas Ilari Gracia
• 31 Owen Williamson
• 32 Paul PLUTINO
• 33 Paul Villata
• 34 Penelope Lartilleux
• 35 Sienna Berthoux
• 36 Sienna Berthoux
• 37 Simone Leonard
• 38 Talia Khalaf
• 39 Timo Da Cruz
• 40 Yona Luttwak

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

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

1. Possessing, consuming or distributing alcohol or illegal drugs.
2. Associating with participants while they are in possession of alcohol or illegal drugs.
3. 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

1. Getting a piercing or tattoo.
2. Stealing, or deliberately damaging or defacing any personal property, buildings or materials.
3. Threatening physical or emotional harm, or brandishing a weapon.
4. Possessing, consuming, or distributing tobacco or nicotine, including vape pens.
5. Riding mopeds, motorcycles, or any other type of unauthorized vehicle.
6. Being out of designated area or accommodations after curfew.
7. 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.