2025 Ida B Wells Costa Rica Adventure

Accommodations

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

 

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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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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. 

The region of the country you will be visiting is in a lush tropical rainforest and next to the ocean and therefore humidity is omnipresent and it can take a while for clothes to dry. Keep this in mind when selecting your clothing fabric.

CLOTHES (quantities depend on your trip length) :

• Underwear
• Socks (a mixture of good hiking socks and casual socks)
• Warm layer
• Waterproof jacket and pants, or full length poncho
• T-shirts (some quick dry)
• Long sleeve shirt/s
• Long sleeve quick dry shirt (for activities under the sun such as rafting or surfing)
• Puffy/warmer jacket
• Travel/athletic shorts that are breathable and light
• Hiking pants, quick-dry material
• Foodwear: one pair of hiking boots or sturdy, water resistent trail shoes. One pair tennis shoes or crocks for time at dormitories. One pair water shoe or sandal (rafting). One pair flip flops (beach, bus)
• Hat/s that offer good sun protection
• Swimming suit/s, rash guard

TOILETRIES:

• Your basics
• Sunscreen
• Mosquito repellent (non-deet/lotions are preferred to reduce environmental impact)
• Band Aids and Neosporin, basic first aid
• Anti-itch cream
• Hand Sanitizer
• Medications in their properly marked, original container.

MISCELLANEOUS:

• Sunglasses
• Eyeglass straps (such as Croakies, Chums, etc.) for water activities
• Journal and pen
• Book/s
• Backpack of approximately 40–50 liters
• Waterproof rain cover for backpack.
• Whistle
• Camera
• Debit card/US Dollars (we recommend about $100-$200, depending on number of desired snacks, souvenirs, extra items etc.)
• Durable water bottle or camelback
• Quick-dry towel
• Flashlight or headlamp (with extra batteries)
• Deck of cards or other portable games
• Small daypack for essentials
• Snacks (energy bars, dried fruit, etc.)
• Optional: Trekking poles (helpful for steep sections)
• Portable charger for electronics, as there is no electricity available at Base Crestones

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.

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.

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.

Luis José Garita Castillo

Program Leader

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Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje de Costa Rica, Turismo

Luis José was born and raised in Costa Rica, near the Talamanca Mountain Range. He lives in a small town called San Gerardo, where his passion for Costa Rican nature and marvelous wildlife began at a young age. Hiking the Chirripó National Park was his first step on his journey as a guide. Luis José has acquired his knowledge by working in various areas of tourism, such as naturalism, bird watching, ecotourism, extreme tourism, and wilderness therapy adventure.

Luis José has enjoyed sharing with people from all over the world, learning about different cultures and teaching his groups about Costa Rica’s beauty. He has worked in various provinces of Costa Rica, expanding his experience in this beautiful country. He has also worked at EcoTerra Expeditions in La Fortuna, Alajuela, where one of Costa Rica’s most famous volcanoes, the Arenal Volcano, is located. He also worked in Costa Rica as a Mentor Field Guide. He has found his ideal office after eight years of guiding and working in different national parks with volcanoes, mountains, beaches, and rivers. Luis José enjoys hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, rappelling, surfing, and zip-lining around Costa Rica amd is always excited to share new adventures and knowledge with his groups.

Jeison Monge Prado

Program Leader

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Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje, Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica: Tourism

Jeison has a wealth of experience as a tour guide in the breathtaking Chirripó National Park in Costa Rica. He has spent years guiding visitors through its unique landscapes and sharing his knowledge of the area’s rich biodiversity. His background includes time spent in the United States, where he held various positions that expanded his skill set and allowed him to gain new perspectives. With a deep love for nature and outdoor sports, Jeison enjoys introducing others to the beauty of the natural world. Bilingual in English and Spanish, he connects easily with visitors from different cultures, providing them with a memorable and engaging experience.

Group Roster

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

• 1 Aaron Olsen
• 2 Amy E Durham
• 3 Corey Walker
• 4 Elena Seneff
• 5 Eloise Blaine
• 6 Emma Lopez
• 7 Grace Olszewski
• 8 Hailey Luelling
• 9 Halle Hubert
• 10 Henry Hickman
• 11 Isaac Lopez
• 12 Isabel Almquist
• 13 John Duke
• 14 Kes Vincent
• 15 Lillian Jennings
• 16 Lyla Meinhold
• 17 Maximillian Urbina
• 18 Maxine Clark
• 19 Maya Hristic
• 20 Mia Durham-LeBus
• 21 Millie Grabenhorst
• 22 Nora Marko
• 23 Owen Prater
• 24 Savannah Hays
• 25 Siuma Vranka-Wafula
• 26 Sophie Rodgers
• 27 Wren Zitzelberger

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.