Costa Rica Discovery

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Costa Rica Discovery

Trip Resources
Destination

Costa Rica

Current Grades

7th-9th

length

14 Days

view dates and prices
Airports

Arrive: San Jose (SJO)
Depart: San Jose (SJO)

Pura vida! Costa Rica is packed with adventure, like whitewater rafting down tropical rivers, surfing on world-class beaches, and hiking in lush rainforests. Wildlife abounds in this diverse landscape; don’t be startled the first time you hear a howler monkey—they’ll keep their distance! We’ll see bubbling mudpits and mini-geysers around volcanoes, visit cascading waterfalls, and walk in the country’s famous cloud forests. We’ll make sure to give back to local communities by participating in meaningful service projects.

 

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Itinerary

Days 1-2: Hike and zipline through Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

After landing in San Jose and exploring the nearby, culturally-rich Heredia, we’ll set off on our Costa Rica adventure with three days in the extraordinarily biodiverse Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Monteverde (meaning “green mountain”) is home to more than 100 species of mammals (including all six species of the cat family and endangered species), 400 species of birds, and 120 species of reptiles and amphibians. We’ll explore the reserve’s splendor from walkways built into the forest canopy, and we’ll do a night hike to see nocturnal animals in action! Want to see things from a different perspective? You’ll get to fly through the canopy on the world’s first two-mile-long zipline!

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Days 3-6: Community service and homestay in Monteverde

During our three days of Monteverde adventure, students will stay with Tico families, where they’ll help cook, clean, and learn the Costa Rican lifestyle. They’ll also get to practice their Spanish! Two days will be spent giving back to these beautiful mountainous communities by volunteering with Siempre Amigos, an organization dedicated to providing aid to underserved families. An integral part of the Tico culture is inclusivity; by the time our students leave their homestays, they’ll feel like a home away from home. We coordinate with locals in the community to provide the most-needed help possible, which includes cooking, farming, and helping repair homes.

Accommodation: Homestays

 

 

Days 7-8: Mud Baths in Rincon de la Vieja

We’ll then travel to Rincón de la Vieja National Park, where we’ll hike around to see mini-geysers (from a safe distance!) and unwind in bubbling volcanic mud pits. We may see armadillos, iguanas, and howler and spider monkeys. Our visit wouldn’t be complete without swimming in the turquoise waters at the base of the 80-foot-tall Oropéndola Waterfall and floating in a tube down the river. Another afternoon will be spent touring sugar cane, coffee, banana, and plantain plantations!

Accommodation: Eco-resort

Days 9-11: Learn to surf in Tamarindo

While in Costa Rica, you have to learn how to surf! Three days with professional surf instructors will teach us correct technique, water safety and awareness, and surf etiquette. Playa Tamarindo is acclaimed for its reliable, beginner-friendly waves; in fact, this entire area attracts surfers of all abilities from across the globe. When we’ve had our fill of the breaks, we’ll relax on the beach and explore the artsy town of Tamarindo. One afternoon will be spent on a private cruise around Flamingo Bay, where we’ll splash around in numerous snorkeling spots.

Accommodation: Hostel

Days 12-14: Whitewater raft the Río Pacuare

We continue our Costa Rica adventure with a two-day jaunt down the warm, jade-green waters of the Río Pacuare! Surrounded by dense, lush rainforest and cascading waterfalls, we’ll switch between calm waters and exciting class II–IV rapids; keep your ears pricked and eyes peeled for toucans, parrots, sloths, monkeys, and more. National Geographic has named this river as one of the top 10 rivers to raft in the world.

Accommodation: Eco-resort

*Listed above is Bold Earth’s intended itinerary for this trip. All itineraries are subject to change in order to provide the best possible program quality.

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Dates and Prices

Departure 1
  • Departure Day
    06/30/20
  • Return Day
    07/13/20
  • Grade
    7–9
  • Price
    $4,288
  • Availability
    Open
Departure 2
  • Departure Day
    07/15/20
  • Return Day
    07/28/20
  • Grade
    7–9
  • Price
    $4,288
  • Availability
    Open
Departure 3
  • Departure Day
    07/30/20
  • Return Day
    08/12/20
  • Grade
    7–9
  • Price
    $4,288
  • Availability
    Full
Departure Day Return Day Grade Price Availability
06/30/20
07/13/20
7–9
$4,288
open
07/15/20
07/28/20
7–9
$4,288
open
07/30/20
08/12/20
7–9
$4,288
full

Accommodations & Service

Community Service: Approximately 15 Hours
  • Siempre Amigos: Humanitarian projects vary from year to year based on community needs. Projects are usually a combination of housing projects and school visits.
Accommodations:
  • 9 nights of bed and breakfast style accommodations. We stay in small, comfortable, and authentic eco-lodges and hotels.
  • 4 nights of homestays. There are 2-3 students per family, students only share a room with other students. Homestay families have been vetted and are middle-class families, they have clean water and refrigerators at every home.

Community service: 15 hours

Hiking

Homestay and cultural immersion

River tubing

Surfing

Whitewater rafting

Ziplining

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Trip Instructors

Costa Rica Discovery

Tyson Hale

Senior trip leader: Colorado Discovery and Costa Rica Discovery

Tessa Janicke

Senior trip leader: Costa Rica Active 1 & 2

Reviews

Bindi Johnson, parent from Bryn Mawr, PA
2019

It was a great experience from beginning to end. The trip exceeded my expectations, the trip leaders were great, and my daughter had a wonderful time. It was easy to reach the staff, and they always answered my questions promptly. 

Russell Bryant, parent from Denver, CO
2019

I was very pleased with the overall experience from beginning to end. Bold Earth is a first-class organization.

Maya, student from Bryn Mawr, PA
2019

I loved meeting all the new people and trying something new every day, whether it was a fun activity, a food, or connecting with the people that lived in Costa Rica, specifically when we were in the homestays. I loved this trip so much and made so many new friends. 

Vicky, student from Lombardia, Italy
2018

I loved having the chance to know and bond with so many people as I explored Costa Rica and had the time of my life!

Amy Hayutin, parent from Paonia, CO
2018

I think this was a great trip for Lyla. She made some good friends and had some wonderful stories to share. Overall, Bold Earth seems great. Thank you for your work!

Carly, student from Toronto, Canada
2018

Surfing and hanging out with my group was the best. It was life-changing and the best 14 days of my life. There was never a dull moment, and I was always busy and having a blast.

Krista Goldenberg, parent from Staunton, VA
2018

Bold Earth proved to be a safe and fun adventure for Kate with some meaningful interaction mixed in. She enjoyed the homestays and loved the local food. Kate also liked the activity level day to day. Darcy was open and friendly with communication, and I appreciated the time she took to make sure Kate was ready for the trip and would be able to participate in all activities.

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