July 8 – 15, 2024
Price: $2905 / person
Hurry! Reserve your space with a deposit of just $200
What’s included:
What’s not included: Flights to and from San Jose, Costa Rica. Breakfast & lunch on the first day and lunch and dinner on the last day.
Dear Students and Parents,
Imagine immersing yourselves in the vibrant tapestry of Costa Rica, a classroom teeming with lush rainforests, majestic volcanoes, and diverse cultures. At Costa Rican Resource, we’ve been crafting unforgettable student adventures for over 20 years, specializing in trips tailored to your interests and curriculum needs.
Our tours go beyond textbooks, offering hands-on learning opportunities in geology, botany, zoology, history, and more. We even incorporate Spanish language immersion and cultural interactions with local families, teaching you to make tortillas, dance like Ticos, and speak like the locals. This isn’t just a trip; it’s a life-changing experience.
But we understand your concerns about safety. Our certified guides are experts in first aid, wilderness rescue, and water safety, ensuring your well-being every step of the way. We also offer a comprehensive insurance policy for added peace of mind.
And what about the fun? We mix community service projects with thrilling adventures like ziplining through rainforests and exploring hidden waterfalls. Our energetic staff, including passionate naturalists, volcanologists, and Spanish-speaking guides, are ready to share their knowledge and make your trip unforgettable.
We’re excited to share the magic of Costa Rica with you. If you have any questions at all, feel free to email us at info@crrtravel.com
Pura Vida,
The Costa Rican Resource Team
Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive and Drive to Highlands. Today you will be met outside the San Jose Airport (SJO) by your private guide and driver. Our destination is going to be Savegre Lodge, this is a beautiful hotel situated in the high mountains of Costa Rica, at nearly 10,000 feet above sea level. Get ready to appreciate different hummingbirds because Savegre Gardens is the home of these amazing birds
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: Savegre Lodge
Day 2: Nature Hike Looking for Quetzals and Local Activities. Today we will have one of the most unique adventures in all of Costa Rica. We are going to wake up early this morning to try to find the beautiful Quetzal in the woods. So be ready for hike in the paramo and of course a rain jacket is going to be necessary for this beautiful adventure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Lodging: Savegre Lodge
Day 3: Visit Irazu Volcano & Travel to Turrialba Valley. Today we are going to start our drive back to the city we are going to start a little bit early, and our first stop are going to be the tallest volcano in all of Costa Rica. Here you will be looking down into the crater of the Irazu Volcano. This is quite the sight to see and is the point where two plates (Coco & Caribe Plates) are doing a subduction slide under Costa Rica. Then we are going to continue the drive to the Turrialba Valley, the home of the smokey Volcano. At Sitio de Mata we’ll meet our host families for our homestays.
The homestays is a full immersion into Costa Rican culture and is considered a favorite part of the trip by students.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Lodging: Sitio de Mata Homestays
Day 4: Sitio Mata Service Project & Cultural Immersion.
During our first full day in Sitio Mata we’ll complete a service project which is building a Eco-Bus Stop. After that we’ll learn how to cook traditional Costa Rican dishes such as gallo pinto, tortillas and patacones.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Lodging: Sitio de Mata Homestays
Day 5: Rafting the Pacaure River. Start your day with a hearty breakfast, then head to the majestic Pacuare River. Navigate through fun rapids, interspersed with serene moments and hikes along the river’s edge, revealing hidden natural treasures. As dusk falls, unwind at the lodge, where your raft guides transform into chefs, crafting a delightful dinner. Embrace the evening in tranquility, disconnecting from electronics and reconnecting with the raw beauty of nature.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Lodging: POC Lodge
Day 6: Zipline, Tarzan Swing & Waterfall Nature Hike. Experience an adrenaline-filled day with ziplining and the Tarzan Swing! Fly through the treetops on our 8-course zipline, enjoying breathtaking views. Then launch yourself over the river on the Tarzan Swing which is jaw and stomach-dropping. After lunch, relax with a guided hike to a stunning waterfall and swimming hole, where we will swim and unwind.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Lodging: POC Lodge
Day 7: Pacaure Gorge. Brace yourself for the exhilarating Class IV rapids of the Pacuare Gorge. Depart from the lodge and embark on a thrilling rafting adventure, navigating the most iconic whitewater in Costa Rica. This section is what made the Pacuare River a top ten river rafting destination in the world.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Lodging: Palma Real
Day 8: Fly home. Today we’ll drive you to the airport with luggage full of memories and a lot of Pura Vida!
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: No lodging
Pack like a Pura Vida pro! Go light & casual, with quick-dry clothes for sun, rain, and cool nights. Layers are your friend, and a carry-on saves you money and hassle. We handle bags on arrival, so leave the fancy outfits at home and embrace the adventure!
- Up-to-date passport (make sure the passport is valid for 6 months after arrival)
- Extremely casual – can be hot, cold, sunny, and wet all in one
- Shorts for hiking and hanging out
- T-Shirts, polo shirts, or hiking shirts
- Pair of long pants or jeans for hikes
- Bathing suits (good to have two pairs because sometimes you need the second one before the first one is dry)
- Water shoes with straps for rafting, zip-lining & rappelling
- Flip-flops for showering or getting up at night
- Light jacket (gets cool in the evening)
- Light rain gear
- Hats and sunglasses
- Sunscreen – the sun is intense and then it rains!
- Insect repellant
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Toiletry items
- Prescription medicine (pack in your carry-on)
- Dramamine–your new best friend & mine, I like to keep the bus clean!
- Large ziploc or plastic trash bags for traveling from hotel to hotel with wet bathing suits or wet dirty shoes
- Day pack or backpack
What is your cancellation policy?
Our cancellation policy is firm. We highly recommend travel insurance. Below is our cancellation policy. Please note, that notice must be made in writing to info@crrtravel.com
- Notice sent 90 days or more before the trip: 90% refund
- Notice sent 60 to 89 days before the trip: 50% refund
- Notice sent 45 to 59 days before the trip: 25% refund
- Notice sent 0 to 44 days before the trip: No refunds
Is there a deposit or payment schedule?
- The initial deposit is $200 which is due at the time of booking.
- March 1, an additional $500 is due.
- April 9, 50% of the remaining balance is due.
- May 9 the remaining balance is due.
Can parents put this trip on a credit card?
Yes, our new reservation system allows the parents to register and pay directly.
What is the company’s plan for a natural disaster or a terrorist incident?
Our policy for all major events is one of mutual “good faith”. Costa Rican Resource will make all good-faith efforts to keep your group safe and avoid all affected areas to continue your experience as appropriate for the particular event in question. Although these events can never be predicted it is very likely that such events will be limited in scope by geography and Costa Rican Resource will work within the limits of individual hotel cancellation policies to adjust your itinerary with limited additional expense.
Is travel insurance required?
Costa Rican Resource is a company that operates with many different tour operators. Each of these companies are insured for the services they offer. We have proof of all insurance documents and booklets, which can be sent out any time you request. We do strongly suggest when traveling that you take out adventure student travel insurance that is purchased in the States. We do not require that you show proof of purchase before traveling with us but we do recommend you have adventure travel insurance. It is very inexpensive and can be obtained from many companies online. The US Dept. of State provides this list of approved insurance providers Travel Insurance (http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/go/health/providers.html#companies).
Also as a reminder, all our guides are up to date on their Wilderness First Responder and First Aid courses. If there were an emergency, our clients would be brought to the CIMA Hospital, which is not only the best hospital in Costa Rica but one of the top hospitals in all of the Americas. CIMA is the primary facility for all major care needs. Smaller clinics may be utilized for minor care as we travel throughout the country but this is done on an as needed impromptu basis.
Are any immunizations required?
We do not require any immunizations for our tours. You are free to check the CDC website for their recommendations.
Are US dollars accepted in Costa Rica?
Yes, US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, but expect your change in colones (roughly 550 colones per dollar). ATMs dispense both currencies, and credit cards are generally accepted in most places.