2025 Stevenson Costa Rica Service Adventure
| Travel Dates: | May 27, 2025 - June 4, 2025 |
| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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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!
Have the adventure of a lifetime with your friends
Improve your Spanish by staying with a host family
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
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 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.
| Day | Location | Description | Lodging |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 27 | USA - Costa Rica | Today we will travel overnight to Costa Rica | Airplane |
| May 28 | Alajuela - San Jerónimo | After arrival, we will head to the host community to meet our host families. Students will have dinner with their host families. The lunch will be taken at the service project location. Throughout the program, we will have the opportunity to interact with community members in Spanish, participate in cultural exchanges, and explore Costa Rican culture. | Host Family |
| May 29 | San Jerónimo | Our days in the community will primarily focus on working on our community service project, with lunch provided on-site. In the afternoons and evenings, activities will be flexible and varied, including opportunities to spend time with host families, explore the village through excursions, or engage in activities with the local community. | Host Family |
| May 30 | San Jerónimo | Today, we will continue working and finish our service project. In the afternoon, we will celebrate and share time with our families at a fiesta de despedida. | Host Family |
| May 31 | Uvita | After breakfast, we will hike down to Nauyaca Waterfall, one of the most beautiful in the entire country. We will spend the morning swimming, relaxing, and enjoying lunch at the waterfall. In the afternoon, we will head west to Uvita on the central Pacific coast. Upon arrival, we will settle into our hotel, where students can relax and swim in the pool. | El Tecal |
| June 1 | Uvita | After breakfast, we’ll head to the beach, where students will have the opportunity to take surf lessons along a coastline renowned for its excellent conditions for beginners. After the lessons, students can relax by the pool or take some time for reflection before dinner. | El Tecal |
| June 2 | Uvita - Alajuela | Today, we're heading to Manuel Antonio National Park, renowned for its wildlife and stunning scenery. We'll explore beaches, jungle trails, and even visit local markets. Students will have plenty of opportunities to relax, swim, and explore. After lunch, we'll drive back to Alajuela. Finally, we will return to our hotel in Alajuela, where we’ll participate in a Chocolate Workshop. | Hotel La Rosa de América |
| June 3 | Alajuela - Sarapiquí - Alajuela | The adventure begins as we depart for a rafting excursion down the famous Sarapiquí River! We will safely navigate class II and III rapids through the tropical rainforest, bonding as a group and enjoying an exhilarating experience. Along the way, we will stop for fresh fruit, swim, and take in the beautiful surroundings. Afterward, we'll enjoy a delicious lunch before embarking on an Ethnobotany tour, where students will engage all five senses to learn about various plants and explore the scientific significance of the tropical rainforest in both the medical and cosmetic fields. | Hotel La Rosa de América |
| June 4 | Alajuela - USA | Today we land in 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.
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.
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.
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
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
Program Tuition Excludes: Travel insurance, baggage fees, passport/visa fees, laundry, souvenirs, and activities not listed on the itinerary.
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.