2025 Ida B Wells Costa Rica Adventure

Dear Families, Friends, and Travelers – Welcome to the 2025 Ida B Wells Costa Rica Wilderness Explorer Program! 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 17, 2025 - June 27, 2025
Group Organizer(s):
WTT Contact:
Program Tuition: $3,490 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
Confirmed Airfare: $1,172

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: $3,490

Pay in Full

$3,490.00

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:

$332.23

per month

* This is an approximate price. Your exact total will be confirmed when your enrollment is processed.

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 hospitable destinations on earth. Adventure awaits!

Program Highlights


Check out some of the featured experiences of your program!

Have the adventure of a lifetime with your friends

Zip-line above the forest canopy

Trek to a beautiful waterfall deep in the jungle

Visit one of Costa Rica's most beautiful volcanoes

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

Hike through the tropical rainforest and learn about local ecosystems

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 teaches that we must be 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. 

DayLocationDescriptionLodging
June 17USADepart for Costa Rica Airplane
June 18USA - AlajuelaToday, we will arrive in San José, where we will check into our hotel and have some free time to explore the local market. We will also enjoy an orientation session and relax by the pool at our convenient airport lodging.Hotel La Rosa de América
June 19Alajuela - Manuel AntonioAfter breakfast, we will depart for the central Pacific coast. We will spend the afternoon in Manuel Antonio beach and the group will have time to explore the town, souvenir shopping and pool time at the hotel.Hotel Manuel Antonio Park
June 20Manuel AntonioToday, we will spend the morning taking private surf lessons from some of Costa Rica's best surfers in Manuel Antonio. Never surfed before? No problem! The waves in Manuel Antonio are perfect for beginners, and almost everyone can stand up. In the afternoon, we will have the chance to enjoy the beach or do some souvenir shopping in the town.Hotel Manuel Antonio Park
June 21Manuel Antonio - San GerardoAfter breakfast, we will head to San Gerardo de Rivas, a charming rural community nestled at the base of Chirripó, Costa Rica's tallest mountain. It is essential to arrive before 3 p.m. to complete the check-in process at the national park. Once everything is finalized, we will prepare for an exciting adventure as we hike to the summit of the country’s highest peak.Hotel El Urán
June 22San Gerardo - ChirripóToday, we will wake up around 2 a.m. to begin our hike at approximately 2:30 a.m. to Refugio Base Crestones. The hike is about 14.5 km (9 miles) and will take approximately 6-8 hours to reach the lodge. Along the way, we can refill our water bottles and use the restroom at the 7.5 km

Upon arrival at the lodge, we will be greeted by the stunning Crestones rock formations, a breathtaking natural feature. At the lodge, we will settle into our room, which is equipped with two bunk beds, and relax in the common areas. While the lodge offers Wi-Fi, it's important to note that there is no electricity. Therefore, we must bring external batteries to charge our devices and keep flashlights handy at all times.

After dinner, we will prepare for rest to recharge for the next morning's sunrise hike. If the weather allow us.
Base Crestones
June 23 Crestones - San GerardoToday, we will wake up around 2:00 AM and prepare to hike to the summit. The hike is approximately 5.1 km and will take about 2.5 hours. Once we reach the top, we’ll sign our names in the summit book and enjoy the sunrise, along with the breathtaking views of the surrounding lakes. If the weather is favorable, we may be able to see both the Pacific and Caribbean Oceans.

Afterward, we’ll descend back to the lodge for breakfast. Once we’re ready, we’ll continue our descent to San Gerardo. Upon arriving at the hotel, we’ll enjoy a combined lunch and dinner.
Hotel El Urán
June 24San Gerardo- FortunaAfter breakfast we will head to La Fortuna, home to Costa Rica's most famous volcano, Volcán Arenal. We will have time to relax at our hotel pool after a long day. Hotel El Faro
June 25Fortuna Today, we will have the opportunity to see the forest from a different perspective as we go zip-lining. In the afternoon, we will visit the Baldí Hot Springs, luxurious natural hot springs heated by the erupting lava of the Arenal Volcano.Hotel El Faro
June 26Fortuna - Sarapiquí- AlajuelaToday, 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. After lunch, we will jump into boats and spend the rest of the day whitewater rafting through thrilling class 3 rapids down the Sarapiquí River, renowned worldwide for its scenic beauty. We will then head back to Alajuela for our final farewell dinner and reflect on how this trip has impacted us.

Late this night, we will head to the airport for our overnight flight home.
Airplane
June 27HomeArrival to Portland.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.

Below are the accommodations we anticipate using on your program, subject to availability. 
Hotel Uran

This is a small but cozy hotel that typically hosts travelers visiting the region to hike Cerro Chirripó, Costa Rica’s highest peak. The hotel is located just 75 meters from the entrance to the national park. It also features a restaurant where students will have dinner, lunch, and breakfast. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the building, ensuring everyone stays connected. Students will be grouped in rooms based on gender and availability.

Base Crestones

The Base Crestones Lodge is situated at an altitude of 3,400 meters above sea level, directly in front of Los Crestones. Each room is equipped with two bunk beds, accommodating up to four people. The lodge provides sleeping bags, blankets, and pillows. There are common areas for guests to use, as well as a small shop. Additionally, the lodge offers potable water, Wi-Fi, and electricity.

Hotel El Faro

The Faro Hotel is surrounded by lush gardens and offers a spectacular view of the Arenal Volcano. Our hotel provides safe spaces where you can enjoy peace and tranquility, making it the perfect place to relax and connect with nature. With comfortable accommodations and a serene atmosphere.

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.

 

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.

Safety and Support


EASY FUNDING & PAYMENT
EASY FUNDING & 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

I was comfortable that the trip my daughter was on was safe, educational, interesting and fun. She made life long friends with her host sister. An exceptional life learning experience.

Carolyn
Parent of a Peru traveler

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.

 

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.

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