Sample Itinerary
Below is a 10-day student trip to Costa Rica. Groups can customize the length, activities and educational experiences.
Day 1 – Arrival and Introduction Day
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Students arrive in SJO – Juan Santamaria Airport, Alajuela
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Transfer to hotel in Turrialba (2 hour transfer)
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Check into rooms & unpack
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Active Activity – Hike to Waterfall by hotel
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Return to hotel for Introductory Meeting
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Goals, Fears and Expectations for trip
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Teambuilding Activity
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Free time to settle relax, reflect in journals
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Dinner & Night at hotel
Day 2 – Orientation to Town of Turrialba, Canopy Tour & 1st Day at Homestays
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Breakfast at hotel
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Group Meeting
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Cultural Teambuilding Activity
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Service Project Overview and Goals
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Homestay Overiview & Scenarios
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Transfer to Turrialba
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Intro to homestay families
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Scavenger Hunt in Turrialba (optional activity)
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Afternoon Canopy Tour
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Return to homestay for a community “cafécito”
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Evening Group meeting: reflections on day
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Dinner at homestay
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Evening & Night at homestay
Day 3 – Introduction to Service Project
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Breakfast at homestays
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Transfer to Service Project Site
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Orientation to work site
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Lunch at service project
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Transfer back to homestays
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Evening Activity: Community Soccer Game
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Dinner & Night at homestays
Day 4 -Service Project Day
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Breakfast at homestays
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Transfer to service project
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Group meeting to review overall goals and processes for project
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Continue work on project
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Lunch at work site
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Evening Activity: Cultural Dance Lessons
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Dinner & Night at homestays
Day 5 – Volcano & Waterfall Tour
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Breakfast at homestays
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Hike up volcano, observe flora and fauna
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Lunch on hike
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Afternoon at Service Project
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Evening Activity: Cook traditional Costa Rican dish
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Dinner & Night at homestays
Day 6 – Organic Farm Tour & Reforestation Project
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Breakfast at homestays
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Transfer to local Organic Farm
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Tour of local farm
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Reforestation Project on farm
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Help prepare lunch with products from farm
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Final Celebration Dinner in Homestay Community: music, dancing, food
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Say goodbyes to homestay community
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Night at homestays
Day 7 – White-water Rafting & Transfer to Cahuita
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Breakfast at homestays
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White-water rafting trip – morning to afternoon
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Lunch on river
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Direct group transfer to beach from river trip
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Evening to relax and enjoy the ocean breeze
Day 8 – Surfing Lessons & Barbecue on the Beach
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Breakfast at hotel
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Surf & Ocean Kayaking Lessons in the morning
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Relax on beach, play soccer with locals
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BBQ lunch at the beach in afternoon
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Dinner in town
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Night at hotel
Day 9 – Snorkel & National Park Tour
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Breakfast at hotel
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Snorkel Tour & National Park Tour
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Observe amazing marine and rainforest life
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Picnic lunch on the beach
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Relax on beach / bodysurf in National Park
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Transfer to Alajuela (town by the airport)
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Final group Dinner Celebration Final Night at hotel
Day 10 – Departure Day
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Breakfast at hotel
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Potential tour depending on departure time
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Leave for airport and home
