*Prices include airfare, lodging, ground transportation, meals, activity fees, and more.
*Any exceptions are clearly disclosed in the application.
Sample Itinerary forTortuguero, Cahuita, and Puerto Viejo
(click to see rating scale)
Day 1: Welcome to COSTA RICA
4 AM: Meet near the American Airlines departure area. (Make sure you arrange your own transportation to the airport).
6 AM: Flight
1 PM: Arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica! Afterwards, we’ll arrive at our lodging and will unpack, have dinner, and then have relaxing pool time the rest of the evening.
Day 2: Exploring the northern caribbean
6 AM: Departure from San Jose on a private bus for the northern Caribbean of Costa Rica Tortuguero.
From the capital, we’ll cross the central volcanic mountain range passing through the majestic Braulio Carrillo National Park, one of the largest in the country. We head towards the North Caribbean region, making a stop en route to the second largest city in the province of Limon called Guapiles, where we will have breakfast. Continuing the route to the Embarcadero de la Pavona, we will see the agricultural production of bananas and pineapples. Next, we catch a boat that will take us through rivers, canals and lagoons to reach the community of Tortuguero, which is located within the national park, and is a protected sanctuary for four different species of sea turtles.
12:30 PM: Arrival at the hotel, check in and lunch
2:45 PM: Visit the Turtle Museum managed by the Sea Turtle Conservation organization, in charge of all the protection and education programs for the turtles that come to lay their eggs on the beach of the National Park. We will learn how this organization works together with the community to preserve the species. Then, we will have free time in the local community to learn about their culture and way of life.
5 PM: Return to the hotel Free time
7 PM: Dinner
Day 3: TORTUGUERO National Park
7:30 AM: Breakfast
8:30 AM: Boat trip to visit the Tortuguero canals We will take a tour with a naturalist guide explaining the relationship of these wetlands to the rainforest and we will observe the rich flora and fauna that inhabits this national park. Among the species that are commonly seen are sloths, monkeys, crocodiles, caimans and wetland birds
11am free time at the hotel to enjoy the facilities
12:30 PM: Lunch
2:45 PM: Volunteer time! We head to the beach where we will work with the community in the collection of garbage and classification of plastics for recycling and thus help with the ecosystem and marine species.
7 PM: Dinner
Day 4: exploring the southern caribbean
7:30 AM: Breakfast and Check Out
8:30 AM: Depart for the Southern Caribbean
12 PM: Lunch en route
3 PM: Check in/orientation at the hotel
Visit the community of Cahuita, cradle of the Afro-Costa Rican community where we will experience its culture and music
5 PM: Free time
7 PM: Dinner in a typical restaurant of authentic Caribbean food
Day 5: Cahuita
7:30 AM: Breakfast
8:30 AM: Departure to Cahuita National Park. 1-hour hike to see its natural beauty where at the end of the trail we will enjoy the beautiful white sand beach built by the largest sandbar in Costa Rica
12 PM: Cooking Class Authentic Food Caribbean Food
3 PM: Tiempo Libre
7 PM: Dinner at a traditional restaurant in the community of Cahuita
Day 6: Puerto Viejo
8:30 AM: Breakfast
9:30 AM: Departure to the community of Puerto Viejo, a city founded by enslaved people who arrived via shipwrecked boat, another important site in the Afro-Costa Rican history. Next, a visit to the House of Culture for a group class in traditional Afro Caribbean dances
12 PM: Lunch
2:30 PM: We’ll visit the Bri Bri Indigenous Reserve, learn about their traditions, medicinal plants, language, religion, and how to make chocolate together with a leader of the indigenous group in their home.
7 PM: Dinner in Cahuita
Day 7: return to san jose
8 AM: Breakfast check out
9 AM: Departure to San Jose lunch en route
3 PM: Arrival in San Jose/ site seeing city tour
Hotel KC check in
Free Time/Pool
7 PM: Final Dinner Together/optional dress up!
9 PM: Group Reflection Time
Pack/Rest
Day 8: Return Home
8 AM: Breakfast/Be Packed before 9am
9 AM: Required Pre-Return Group Meeting
10 AM: Depart for SJO Airport
2:45 PM: Depart for the USA
11:59 PM: Arrive at Memphis Airport/Arrange for your own transportation home.
PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY RATING SCALE
VERY EASY
Ideal for: All travelers, including those with limited mobility or no physical conditioning.
- Activities: Short walks on flat terrain; frequent rest stops.
- Terrain: Paved roads, accessible buildings, minimal stairs.
- Typical Duration: Activities lasting under one (1) hour.
- Examples: Museum visits, cultural tours, light sight-seeing by vehicle.
- Accesssibility: Wheelchair accessible or close to it.
EASY
Ideal for: Travelers with a basic level of fitness
- Activities: Light walking, some stairs, standing for periods.
- Terrain: Mostly flat or gently sloped; occasional uneven surfaces.
- Typical Duration: Activities lasting one to two (1-2) hours.
- Examples: Guided walking tours, village visits, short nature walks.
MODERATE
Ideal for: Travelers in good health and physically active.
- Activities: Daily walking or hiking, biking, light manual labor.
- Terrain: Uneven or hilly paths, moderate elevation gain.
- Typical Duration: Activities lasting two to four (2-4) hours.
- Examples: Service projects, community-based treks, conservation work.