Costa Rica Adventure 21 Days
Get your adrenaline flowing with a group of fellow adventurers in Costa Rica! Zipline through the Cloud Forest, whitewater raft the exotic Pacuare River, rappel down waterfalls and surf at world-famous Tamarindo Beach on this Costa Rica adventure travel tour for teens. Led by outstanding summer program leaders, this is a truly unforgettable small-group experience in a beautiful country. After this incredible experience, you’ll bring home the “Pura Vida” lifestyle along with memories that will last a lifetime!
Experience new cultures and thrilling activities in a smaller, tight-knit travel group.
This program requires an open mind to experience a different culture, new foods and new surroundings.
A professional guide accompanies the group to assist, educate and immerse the students into the local culture.
Hotels & lodge.
Includes three meals daily.
Includes all recreation & activities listed.
Chartered deluxe, air conditioned motor coach with a professional driver.
An exclusive departure is available for students currently completing 7th or 8th grade.
Up to 24 participants.
We can accommodate most dietary preferences and allergies.
Fly to San Jose and head to the Central Valley, where your orientation officially begins with some of our favorite icebreakers and “get to know you” activities. Enjoy a thrilling whitewater rafting adventure! End the day with a night of Latin dancing.
Explore Rincon de la Vieja National Park by horseback and hike near the volcano crater. Cover yourself at the natural mud baths and enjoy some downtime by the pool at our eco-resort.
Get set for a professional surf lesson at Tamarindo Beach, where you’ll be catching waves in no time! Hop back in the water and snorkel near Las Catalinas Islands. Enjoy an evening of karaoke and a beach bonfire with new friends.
Visit the town of La Fortuna and relax in the thermal hot springs. Experience a canyoning adventure surrounded by a beautiful rainforest.
There is no better way to experience the unique wildlife in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve than with a thrilling zip-line excursion! Your adventure continues with a hike through the Reserve. End your exciting day making local cuisine at a Tico cooking class.
Taste the famous and delicious Costa Rican coffee at Café Doka while learning how it’s grown.
Get set for professional surf lessons at Playa Dominical, stand-up paddleboarding in the Pacific Ocean, and hiking in Diamante Verde where you’ll discover hidden jungle waterfalls.
Experience a guided naturalist tour of Manuel Antonio National Park where you’re sure to see plenty of monkeys and sloths hanging around! Sea kayak along the Pacific Coast, paddling past scenic rock formations. Continue to connect with the biodiversity this country has to offer with a visit to Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary, a rescue and rehabilitation center for indigenous wildlife. End your stay here with a sunset catamaran and snorkel cruise.
Visit the Central Market filled with local handicrafts, art, and Costa Rican treats. Enjoy the Farewell banquet with your new friends.
Return Flight Home From San Jose
Say farewell to your new friends as you part ways for your return home. The summer might be over, but all the memories you’ve made will last a lifetime!
Central Valley, Costa Rica
Our groups will be staying at a few carefully selected hotels in the Central Valley. Properties include Hotel Autentico, Hotel Adventure Inn and Hotel Aeropuerto. Amenities at all hotels include air conditioning, internet access, and a swimming pool to enjoy.
Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica
Enjoy incredible views of the Cloud Forest while staying in Monteverde at either Hotel Los Jardines or Hotel Cabañas la Pradera. All rooms have Wi-Fi.
Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica
Your group will stay at one of the following hotels near Arenal Volcano: Hotel Montechiari or Lavas Tacotal. All of the hotels offer great views of the volcano and surrounding area. Rooms are air-conditioned, Wi-Fi enabled, and have refreshing swimming pools.
Rincon de la Vieja, Costa Rica
Your group will stay at one of the following hotels in Rincon de la Vieja: Hacienda Guachipelin or Rinconcito Lodge. Facilities include a pool, patio with hammocks, air-conditioned rooms, Wi-Fi, and recreation space.
Flamingo Beach, Costa Rica
Our group will be staying at a carefully selected hotel near Flamingo Beach: Hotel Casas del Toro Hacienda. Amenities at this hotel include air conditioning, internet access and a swimming pool to enjoy.
Dominical, Costa Rica
Villas Rio Mar, located on the banks of the Baru River, is surrounded by lush nature in the beach town of Dominical. Located a short walk from the white sand beach, each room is air-conditioned and has wireless Internet.
Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica
Set amongst this beach resort area on the Pacific Coast, Hotel Mimos offers the ideal location to explore Manuel Antonio Park. The hotel features air-conditioned rooms, a pool, wireless internet, and a restaurant.
Flight to Costa Rica
We offer a chaperoned flight to Costa Rica from South Florida. Based on enrollment, participants from the New York area may also have a chaperoned flight. Final flight details are determined in the spring. For our many travelers from outside these areas, you can choose to connect to the chaperoned flight, or reserve a flight arriving & departing within our flight parameters. Our staff will greet you as you come through customs and immigration.
Return Flight Home From Costa Rica
We offer a chaperoned flight back to South Florida. Depending on the geographic group makeup, the chaperoned flight will return to South Florida, New York, or both. For our many travelers from outside these areas, you may choose to join the chaperoned flight and arrange transfers (if required) at suitable times after the group has cleared customs and immigration in the USA; or you may fly from Costa Rica to your home city and our leaders help you to check-in and remain in the airport until flights in designated times have departed.
Meals & New Cuisines
Part of your travel experience will be immersing yourself in the local cuisine and culture, so please bring with you an open mind and a willingness to try new things. For example, Costa Rican traditional cuisine offers plenty of rice, beans, meat dishes and tons of fresh fruit, but don’t worry, they also have North American style options on the menu.
We have satisfied the choosiest of eaters and gladly accommodate most special dietary requests including vegetarian, food allergies, lactose intolerance, celiac disease, and kosher style. We welcome discussing your individual requirements with you and have extensive experience in this area.
Drinking Water
It’s generally okay to drink tap water in Costa Rica, except for a few select areas. As a precaution, we will provide purified drinking water in large containers so that travelers can fill up their reusable water bottles as needed.
Vaccinations
We recommend you follow the advice of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and consult with your physician for current immunizations and medication required for travelers to Costa Rica. These recommendations may change from time to time. We will send you detailed information in March (or upon enrollment if later) regarding the current recommendations for this itinerary.
Laundry
You will only need one week’s worth of clothing as outlined in the packing list that will be sent to you prior to departure. Every week you may drop off your laundry at a local wash and fold service and then pick it up clean, folded and ready to go.
What’s Included
Included in your program tuition is all lodging, breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, recreation & entertainment listed, airport transfers in designated times, gratuities & taxes.
Not included is transportation to and from the program, snacks, personal spending money for souvenirs, and laundry. We also make available optional travel insurance that is not included, but highly recommended.
Please contact us with any questions. We are happy to hear from you!
Who are the staff and what are their qualifications?
Our staff are educators, guidance counselors, coaches, college and university students, former camp counselors, residence life coordinators, community volunteers, world travelers, and other leaders with diverse backgrounds. Many are former participants themselves who couldn’t get enough of the Westcoast experience! Learn more about our summer leaders.
What if I need to contact my teen during the program?
Participants may bring their cell phones so parents may call and message their kids directly. You may also contact our Communication Centers which serve as the official link between programs on the road and parents. We are staffed every day during the summer and have somebody on call for after hours emergencies ready to assist you 24/7.
What is the difference between an Active Teen Tour and a Global Adventure program?
Our Active Teen Tours offer larger group sizes (generally 35-48 participants) and travel in deluxe motor coaches. Accommodations include quality hotels and occasional fun college residences.
Global Adventures are smaller group experiences (generally up to 26 participants on all itineraries other than the 17, 20 or 25-day Greece & Italy, 20-day Greece & Portugal or 10-day Greek Islands, which varies from 24-36 participants.)
Groups travel by private motor coaches and occasional public transportation internationally, and use passenger vans in the USA. Select European programs travel exclusively by train and public transportation. While these programs have a slightly bigger focus on adventure travel, we stay in quality hotels and lodges, always ensuring a good night’s rest.