2026 Jackson Reed Costa Rica Stem Program
| Travel Dates: |
February 7, 2026 -
February 15, 2026
"Dates tentative until flights confirmed"
|
| WTT Contact: |
|
| Program Tuition: |
$2,590 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
|
| Estimated Airfare: | $500 |
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:
$1,045.00
per month
All prices in United States Dollars.
Costa Rica Conservation Expedition: Sarapiqui
From white sand beaches to misty cloud forests, from towering volcanoes to beautiful rivers that cut through tropical canyons, and to hospitable, friendly communities, Costa Rica has it all. Having abolished its military over 50 years ago, this tiny democratic republic has long been known for its pacifism, commitment to environmental protection, and its status as a destination for those seeking safe yet exciting adventure travel set against breathtaking scenery. However, despite an extensive tourism industry, in many parts of Costa Rica there remains a need for help and service. Our programs offer unique access to Costa Rica’s best-kept secrets and friendliest communities. We are confident you will love the land of Pura Vida as much as we do.
Program Highlights
Check out some of the featured experiences of your program!
Have the adventure of a lifetime with your friends
Trek to a beautiful waterfall deep in the jungle
Visit one of Costa Rica's most beautiful volcanoes
Stay on a farm deep in the rainforest
Raft down one of Costa Rica's best rivers
Contribute towards an environmental service project
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | USA - Alajuela | Today the group will travel from the USA to Costa Rica, and flights usually arrive in the evening. After arrival, the group will settle into their hotel and have an orientation meeting where the group will discuss the upcoming trip in detail. Dinner will be at the hotel. | Rosa de las Américas |
| Day 2 | Alajuela | Today we will meet Dr. Marín Müller, who earned his Ph.D. in Molecular Virology and Microbiology from Baylor College of Medicine, where he made significant contributions to cancer research and the development of innovative therapeutic approaches. Dr. Marín Müller’s extensive academic and professional background has placed him at the forefront of oncological biotechnology, leading numerous groundbreaking research projects. Deeply committed to eradicating cancer, he co-invented Speratum’s advanced therapeutic platforms, combining decades of scientific expertise with cutting-edge technology. Throughout his career, Dr. Marín Müller has authored influential peer-reviewed publications and has been widely recognized for his leadership and innovation in the field, driving Speratum’s mission forward. In the evening, we’ll take part in a hands-on chocolate-making workshop, discovering the journey from cacao bean to chocolate bar while learning about the cultural and environmental importance of cacao in Costa Rica | Rosa de las Américas |
| Day 3 | Alajuela- Ranchos Mastatal | After breakfast, we will head to Rancho Mastatal, a place where we’ll learn about different sustainable practices and processes. Once we settle into our rooms, we’ll take part in a welcome ceremony and learn about the various projects they run, as well as the many ways they work to live sustainably | Ranchos Mastatal |
| Day 4 | Ranchos Mastatal | Today we take pride in natural building designing and constructing our own sustainable homes to reduce environmental impact and promote long-term sustainability. By using local labor and resources, we not only create infrastructure but also strengthen our community. Building with native and unprocessed materials is an empowering experience. Our goal is to reduce dependence on concrete, a material widely used in Costa Rica with a significant carbon footprint. Instead, we use materials such as wood, clay, straw, natural grasses, bamboo, stone, and rock. Throughout the process, we’ll explore techniques like cob, earthen floors, adobe, wattle and daub, timber frame construction, and lime and earthen plasters all essential methods in sustainable natural building. | Ranchos Mastatal |
| Day 5 | Ranchos Mastatal | Today we will continue with our workshops and learn about permaculture design a methodology that aims to create stable and productive systems that meet human needs while harmoniously integrating people with the land. Originally focused on developing sustainable agricultural systems, permaculture is now applied to the design of human systems such as economies, social organizations, urban environments, and more. The ethics and principles of permaculture can be applied to any environment and at any scale from dense urban areas to individual homes, from farms to entire regions | Ranchos Mastatal |
| Day 6 | Ranchos Mastatal- Sarapiqui | In the morning, we will begin our journey north to Sarapiquí. Upon arrival, the group will get familiar with the facilities and meet some of the scientists and research mentors. After lunch, we’ll participate in a workshop focused on water quality and ecosystem health. During this hands-on activity along a nearby river, students will test pH, temperature, and clarity using basic scientific tools, and discuss how water pollution impacts both humans and wildlife. | Tirimbina Hotel |
| Day 7 | Fortuna | After breakfast, the group will experience the Sarapiquí River through an exciting whitewater rafting adventure. Beyond the thrill of its world-renowned class III rapids, this activity offers a unique opportunity to observe the river’s ecosystems firsthand and reflect on the importance of protecting freshwater habitats. After lunch, we’ll continue with an Ethnobotany tour, where students will engage all five senses while discovering the remarkable relationships between tropical plants, traditional knowledge, and their modern applications in medicine and cosmetics.Then we’ll then travel to La Fortuna, a charming town located at the base of the majestic Arenal Volcano. The day will end with a well-deserved evening at the Baldi Hot Springs, where we’ll relax and enjoy a delicious buffet dinner surrounded by the sounds of nature. | Fortuna |
| Day 8 | Fortuna -San Jose | Today students will go hiking to see La Fortuna waterfall. Students can relax, swim, while admiring the amazing waterfall. After lunch we will get the opportunity to see the forest from a different perspective as we zip-line through the jungle canopy. After our ziplining tour we will make the drive back to San Jose for a farewell dinner and our final reflection before our international departure the following morning. | Rosa de las Américas |
| Day 9 | Alajuela - USA | After breakfast and a relaxing morning by the pool, we will head to the airport for an early-afternoon 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.
Montechiari Hotel
Arenal Montechiari Hotel located 400 meters from the central park, very close to the beautiful town La Fortuna. The Hotel is sorrounded of lush gardens and a spectacular view of the Volcano.
Sarapiquis Hotel
Sarapiquis Hotel combines research and education with ecoturism to create a unique experience for its visitors and to promote conservation. The rooms offer bunk and single beds, shared bathrooms, bug protection on windows and fans. Students will be grouped according to gender. They offer a dining hall, wireless internet, all-access trail, and on-station security.
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
This was a great opportunity for [my daughter]. Thank you for being so professional and for teaching her things we never could. It was awesome to work beside Smithsonian scientists and learn. Travel is such an education that cannot be taught in a classroom.
Kim
Parent of Emily, traveler to 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.
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.