2024 MSE Costa Rica Conservation Expedition
| Travel Dates: |
March 6, 2024 -
March 15, 2024
Dates are tentative until flights are secured
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| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$2,890 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: $2,890
Pay in Full
$2,890.00
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:
$796.67
per month
All prices in United States Dollars.
Costa Rica Conservation Expedition: Osa Peninsula
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 conservation program along the Pacific coast gives travelers the opportunity to delve deep into the verdant ecosystems that set Costa Rica apart; in addition to white water rafting, relaxing on white sand beaches and swimming at the base of a towering waterfall, students will participate in field work and data collection at a research station staffed with professional scientists who conduct a wide array of research projects. Adventure awaits!
Conservation Expeditions
Conservation Expeditions bring travelers to the heart of the modern-day conservation movement. Whether building nurseries for sea turtle hatchlings in Costa Rica, snorkeling alongside sea lions in the Galapagos or teaching local school children in Thailand about the importance of wild elephants to their ecosystem, these trips make the wonders of our world, and our responsibility to protect them, abundantly apparent.
Program Highlights
Check out some of the featured experiences of your program!
Brew coffee and make empanadas with a local farmer's family
Have the adventure of a lifetime with your friends
Trek to a beautiful waterfall deep in the jungle
Learn to surf with some of Costa Rica's best instructors
Raft down one of Costa Rica's best rivers
Assist with research and conservation efforts at the Reserva Playa Tortuga
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 6 | USA - Alajuela | 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. | Casa Cielo Grande |
| March 7 | Alajuela - 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. | Pura Suerte Jungalows |
| March 8 | Pura Suerte - Field Station | After breakfast we'll hike down to Nauyaca waterfall, one of the most beautiful in a country full of beautiful waterfalls! Spend the morning swimming and relaxing near a large swimming hole and the river below. We will take lunch at the waterfall and then hike back back up to start our drive to a Wildlife Conservation Field Station which is located on the central Pacific coast. Upon arrival we will settle in, meet the staff and researchers with whom we'll be spending the coming days, and learn about their different projects on which we'll be assisting. Dinner will be at the station. | Field Station |
| March 9 | Field Station | After breakfast we'll get organized into the different groups will be working with for the next couple days. Groups may work collecting data for different research projects being conducted by the scientists and volunteers stationed at the Reserve and working alongside park rangers doing conservation work. We will also take a hike through the surrounding tropical rainforest in the morning to get our bearings on the local ecosystems in the Osa. Activities at the reserva will vary but may include surveying on monkeys and other mammals, setting up trap cameras, preparing the turtle hatchery, monitoring caimans, night walks and beach patrolling. | Field Station |
| March 10 | Field Station | Today we will continue field research in small groups. In the evening we'll have some free time in the local town of Ojochal, and learn some useful Spanish phrases, visit the butterfly garden or explore the beach that is only a five minute walk from the lodge. | Field Station |
| March 11 | Field Station | Today we will continue field research in small groups. Evening activities will vary. | Field Station |
| March 12 | Field Station | This morning we'll walk along the beach in the and conduct a clean-up of marine debris to ensure a clean nesting habitat for sea turtles in the area. In the afternoon, we'll have some free time, as well as a structured reflection to discuss our experiences with Costa Rica’s conservations efforts. After a celebratory dinner, we're off on a night hike! | Field Station |
| March 13 | Field Station - Uvita | After breakfast we bid farewell to the station and head to the small surfing town of Uvita. Here, 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 enjoy the beach for the afternoon before enjoying a delicious dinner overlooking the Pacific Ocean. | Hotel el Tecal |
| March 14 | Uvita - Alajuela | Today we'll end the trip with a splash during a whitewater rafting trip along the Savegre River! Navigate class I, II and III rapids as you descend from the mountains towards the ocean. After lunch we'll make the drive back to the big city for a cozy farewell dinner ahead of our international departure the following morning. | Casa Cielo Grande |
| March 15 | Alajuela - USA | Fly home, hasta luego! | 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.
Reserva Playa Tortuga
Reserva Playa Tortuga is a non-profit biological research and education center committed to developing and implementing community-based real world projects and conservation management solutions. The Reserva can accommodate groups in rooms that are spacious with quality mattresses and fans. Each room has Wi-Fi access, storage, drawers and screens in the windows to keep the bugs away. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.
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.
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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.