2025 Alice Deal Costa Rica Humanities Program
| Travel Dates: |
March 22, 2025 -
March 31, 2025
Dates are tentative until fights are confirmed
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| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$2,590 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
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| Estimated Airfare: | $850 |
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: $2,590
Pay in Full
$2,590.00
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:
$522.50
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!
Program Highlights
Check out some of the featured experiences of your program!
Trek to a beautiful waterfall deep in the jungle
Learn to surf with some of Costa Rica's best instructors
Practice your Spanish language skills with locals
Raft down one of Costa Rica's best rivers
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 22 | USA - Alajuela | Today, the group will travel from the USA to Costa Rica, with flights typically arriving in the evening. Upon arrival, the group will settle into their hotel for the night and have an orientation meeting to discuss the upcoming trip in detail. | Villas Aracari |
| March 23 | Alajuela - Sarapiqui River | The adventure begins as we set off for a full day of rafting on the famous Sarapiquí River! We'll safely navigate class II and III rapids through tropical canyons, bonding as a group while enjoying an exciting adventure. We'll stop along the river for lunch before returning to our hotel in Alajuela for a chocolate workshop, where we'll have the chance to make our own chocolate. Afterward, we'll enjoy dinner. | Villas Aracari |
| March 24 | Alajuela - Host Community | Today, we will drive 4 hrs to reach our host community. Along the way, we’ll stop at a farm for a cheese-making tour, where we’ll learn about different types of cheese and even have the opportunity to milk a cow and explore how this farm operates sustainably. Afterward, we will continue to our host community. Upon arrival, we'll settle into our accommodations and tour the town. Afternoon and evening activities are flexible and may include spending time with community members, excursions to explore the surrounding area, or group reflection sessions. | Host Family |
| March 25 | Alajuela - Host Community | Our days in the village will consist mainly of working on our community service project. Lunch will be either be on-site or at home with families. In the afternoons and evenings, activities are flexible and will vary, but may include time with host families, excursions around the village, or activities with the local community. | Host Family |
| March 26 | Host Community | Today, we will continue working on our service project and spending time with host families. Evening activities will vary. | Host Family |
| March 27 | Host Community | Today we will finish our service project and celebrate with our new friends and family with a fiesta de despedida! | Host Family |
| March 28 | Host Community- Uvita | After breakfast, we will say goodbye to our host families and hike down to Nauyaca Waterfall, one of the most beautiful in the country. We'll spend the morning swimming, relaxing, and enjoying lunch by the waterfall. Later, we'll settle into our hotel before heading to the beach to watch our first sunset. Students can relax and swim in the pool before dinner. | El Tecal |
| March 29 | Uvita | This morning, we'll enjoy surfing lessons with some of Costa Rica's best instructors! Afterward, we’ll travel up the coast to the peaceful seaside town of Dominical, where students can shop for souvenirs and enjoy a tasty lunch. | El Tecal |
| March 30 | Uvita-Manuel Antonio- Alajuela | This morning, we will explore Manuel Antonio National Park, where students can wander along jungle trails and relax on pristine white sand beaches. After showers and lunch, we’ll board the bus and begin our journey back to San José, where we’ll enjoy a celebratory dinner to commemorate our time together. | Casa Cielo Grande |
| March 31 | Alajuela - 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 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.
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.
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.
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
With a previous outfitter [I worked with], the experience was more “touring” and no hands-on contributions and work. Walking Tree surrounds the travelers with amazing professionals who are dedicated to their sciences, travels, and countries. Travelers’ experiences are first-hand, authentic and memorable!
Shelley
Alumni Group Organizer on programs to Costa Rica and Panama
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.