Student Travel in Costa Rica

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By teletico ⋅ February 29, 2008 ⋅

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Student trips can be some of the most challenging and rewarding travel experiences available. This post is dedicated to exploring these challenges in order to provide an outline of how educators and parents can plan and piece together the ideal learning and leisure experience for their children and students.

Most student travel ideas come from teachers who are interested in enhancing their students’ educational experience with a trip to a destination that supplements learning in the classroom. When I was in high school it was our AP Biology teacher, Mr. Smith, who introduced the idea. Mr. Smith did an excellent job of presenting the idea, first to the students, who took the idea home to parents. Shortly after, he hosted an information session one evening to introduce the idea to parents and students together. During this meeting, the distinction was made between an education-based travel experience and the classic Spring or Winter break in Italy trip, previously popular among students at our school.

Naturally, some parents were wary at first. Sending their kids off to Costa Rica for a week? Aren’t there snakes and man-eating jaguars in the rainforest? But Central America is home to drug cartels and unstable governments right? Mr. Smith did an excellent job of dispelling these rumors by first explaining that Costa Rica is the exception when it comes to the lack of safety and instability found in other destinations throughout Central America. He introduced the company who would be planning, providing, and leading our trip through their website and his personal contact with them. Interestingly enough, the company was young with respect to experience in leading student trips. However, their knowledge of Costa Rica, the fact they were located in Costa Rica and not some office in upstate New York (nothing against upstate NY), and their focus on Costa Rica rather than offering trips to various countries across the globe, provided a non-traditional consumer confidence in their product.

Throughout the entire planning and payment process leading up to the trip, Mr. Smith was the point person for all information, questions, and concerns expressed by families participating. Mr. Smith held meetings after school for students and at night for students and parents. Student gatherings focused on the educational aspect of our trip, what would see, study, and experience during our stay. Meetings with parents dealt with logistics of the trip including chaperone/student ratios, passports, emergency contacts, departure/arrival times as well as proper attire for our travel through the diverse climate zones of Costa Rica. All in all we were well equipped and prepared for our exciting journey.

Our group size was 15, a mix of freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. The total cost of the trip was around $1,600 with airfare (which was much cheaper 15 years ago). Planning for the trip began in Nov/Dec for our trip over spring break in April, and payments were evenly spaced out over this time period. Our itinerary was set for 12 days in Costa Rica with visits to Arenal, Monteverde, and the Caribbean Coast providing the perfect blend of traditional and off the beaten path destinations. With respect to activities we had an excellent combination of leisure, fun, education, and culture, complete with a canopy tour, national parks, white water rafting, as well as visits to indigenous and sustainable communities. We saw monkeys, exotic birds, as well as nesting leatherback turtles, a truly awe-inspiring experience.

After an exciting and enriching experience in Costa Rica, I begged my parents to send me back the following year on the same trip! (which I succeeded in doing). Today I find myself living in Costa Rica with my own travel agency, providing the same experience for current students that introduced me to the beauty and wonder of Costa Rica years ago. Today Costa Rica is even better equipped to host student groups with a rise and increase in tourism in the past 10-15 years. With Costa Rica being the current buzz word among today’s travelers and vacationers, parents can be a bit more rest assured that they are sending their children to a safe destination with plenty of opportunity to learn and grow as individuals and students.

Below are some tips and recommendations for teachers, parents, and students interested in planning a trip to Costa Rica:

• Start planning early, at least 5-6 months in advance. Planning can be done in shorter periods of time, however Costa Rica is a popular travel destination and lodging options fill up fast for more touristy locations like Arenal, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio.
• Pick a travel provider that is focused on Costa Rica. Larger student travel companies that offer multiple destinations around the globe often fall short when it comes to interesting, enriching, and meaningful itineraries.
• Choose a travel provider located in Costa Rica. These companies are close to their product, in touch with the local communities, and have access to daily news and any relevant changes to the country’s tourism infrastructure that may affect your trip. You are also less likely to run into alterations to your itinerary, like hotel changes due to availability or departure times for domestic transportation.
• Choose a travel provider that is dedicated to communication. Make sure you can call at anytime and have an up to the day/hour report on the groups’ progress during their travels.
• Make sure your travel provider speaks English…perfectly. I have nothing again Spanish speakers who have learned English as a second language, however communication is of vital importance when planning a trip involving minors, especially when they are your children. You do not want to risk anything that may be lost in translation!
• The best trips are planned, prepared, and guided by the same person. Don’t fall victim to companies who use one contact as a salesperson, another for customer service, and yet another as your personal guide. Make sure your contact person is the same person your group will see face-to-face when they travel. This ensures that any questions or concerns expressed during the planning phase of your trip are carried through during your actual travel. Remember, communication is key when it comes to you kids and international travel.
• Make sure you get the most for your money. You can never put a price on your child or student’s education, however, make sure the company is providing a truly educational and enriching travel experience, not just a day at the beach. A good educational trip to Costa Rica should feature guided hikes through national parks, cultural activities like visits to rural and indigenous communities, as well as leisure.
• Be aware of companies that offer popular destinations without scheduled activities. Down time is not the best idea for high school students traveling abroad! Two scheduled activities per day should be included in your itinerary. A hike through a national park does not take the entire day, so don’t settle for itineraries with the bare minimum. Structure is very important for student travel in Costa Rica specifically.
• Three meals per day should be scheduled into your itinerary. Your kids will be active all day (or should be at least). In the heat and humidity of many locations they need to be well nourished. Optional meals may be OK for a trip to Europe, but think about this: Do you want your kids wandering off to look for a restaurant for lunch, or would you rather have them sit down as a group and eat? Offering two meals a day is a way for travel agencies to cut down on expenses and make their trip appear to be cheaper. Demand three meals per day!
• Don’t be afraid to plan your trip during the rainy season. It rains all the time in Costa Rica (not all day and not everywhere, but it is the rainforest!). Plus, Costa Rica is much greener and alive during the rainy season. I recommend planning your trip around migration of wildlife like aquatic birds, nesting turtles and humpback whales before considering the rainy versus the dry season.
• One of the best ways to stay maintain communication among your travel provider, teacher, chaperone, students, and parents is through a group website. This website should be offered as a standard service by the travel company preparing your trip. The website should include your details on your itinerary, background information on Costa Rica, arrival, departure, and payment dates, a message board, section for students to upload photos during their trip, as well as emergency contact numbers. The site should remain active from the time you book your trip till at least a month after you get back from your trip.
• Ask questions and investigate. Ask how your kids will be properly hydrated. Ask questions about the groups’ guide. Ask how late the kids will be up at night and what time they will wake up in the morning. Look up hotels on the internet and then ask questions about them. Ask how the guide will prevent access to drugs and alcohol. Ask situational questions like: “What happens if…?” Its cliché, but there are no stupid questions when it comes to your child’s safety abroad. Finally, make sure the travel company and teacher/chaperones traveling with the group are on the same page with respect to answers to these questions…don’t hesitate to ask the same questions to both parties separately.

After all this, you’re probably wondering: What elements make up the ideal student trip to Costa Rica. Below I have included some sample itineraries that cover the majority of destinations and activities I recommend for student groups. All trips are currently offered through my company, and I would be more than happy to personally assist you in planning, coordinating, and guiding your trip.

Costa Rica Classic: The Essentials

Length of Trip: 8 days/7 nights
Destinations: Arenal, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio
What’s Included: 7 nights lodging, 3 meals per day, private transportation, bilingual native English speaking guide, activities and tours as well as volunteer activities.

Day 1 – Arrival into Juan Santamaria International Airport where your group will be greeted by your guide and driver. Transport to your hotel near the airport for overnight stay in Alajuela.

Day 2 – Transfer to Arenal. Arrival in the mid-morning for a guided hike through Arenal National Park and up close and personal view of the active Arenal volcano. Spend the afternoon at the famous natural hot springs of Tabacon.

Day 3 – Visit Ecocentro Danaus biological park for access to a butterfly garden, amphibian exhibit and trails featuring howler monkeys and sloths. In the afternoon stop by a traditional rural community near Lake Arenal for lunch and a tour of the ranch and nature trails.

Day 4 – Glide among the treetops on a secure zip-line canopy tour in Monteverde. Then take a guided hike through the cloud forest canopy via a series of hanging bridges. After lunch visit the hummingbird and butterfly gardens, as well as reptile house and one of the world’s largest collections of insects. Experience nocturnal wildlife with a night hike in the area.

Day 5 – Hike through enchanted cloud forest in the morning with a guided tour of Monteverde or Santa Elena Cloud forest reserves. Take a tour of an eco-coffee plantation in the afternoon to learn about sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural practices.

Day 6 – Stop by Monteverde Cloud Forest School for a tour of the school and planting of donated trees to the school’s special program. Afternoon transfer to the small village of El Sur de Turrubares for a volunteer activity designed to aid and assist the community it their efforts to develop a sustainable model of rural community based tourism.

Day 7 – Set our early for Manuel Antonio National Park for a guided hike and opportunities to see monkeys, monkeys, and more monkeys! In addition you’ll have a chance to enjoy the spectacular beaches located inside and outside the park during the afternoon.

Day 8 – Transfer back to San Jose and the international airport for your departure flight home.

This is a great option for groups with limited time to spend in Costa Rica. It touches on the essential, ‘must sees’ of the country. Students will be exposed to rainforest, cloud forest, volcanoes, wildlife, as well as traditional culture. While the trip focuses more on encounters with wildlife in captivity, students will still learn a great deal from their experience. For a classic, more touristy trip to Costa Rica this itinerary is for you.

Caribbean Culture: Lessons in Sustainability

Length of trip: 14 days/13 nights
Destinations: Sarapiqui, Tortuguero, Puerto Viejo, Manzanillo/Puna Mona
What’s Included: 13 nights lodging, 3 meals per day, private transportation, bilingual native English speaking guide, activities and tours as well as volunteer activities.

Day 1 – Arrival into Juan Santamaria International Airport near San Jose where you will be greeted by your guide and driver. Transfer to your hotel for overnight stay in Alajuela.

Day 2 – Set out early for the Sarapiqui region. Spend the day at Tirimbina Rainforest Center for a guided hike through the 300 hectare private reserve, bat tour and night hike.

Day 3 – Participate in a volunteer activity focused on rainforest conservation or the local community at the Conservation Learning Center. After lunch sit in on an informative lecture and discussion on sustainable practices for the preservation of the rainforest, wildlife, the economy, and local cultures.

Day 4 – Visit the Alma Ata Archeological Park and the Rainforest Museum of Indigenous Cultures in the morning before traveling to Tortuguero. Swim in the rivers and natural pools on the property of your hotel in the afternoon.

Day 5 – Early morning departure for Tortuguero. Upon arrival in this ‘place of turtles’ accessible only by boat, you will visit the local town for a visit to the Caribbean Conservation Center and a lunch featuring some of Costa Rica’s best Caribbean cuisine. In the afternoon enjoy the rainforest trails and beaches around the hotel. Experience a turtle watching tour along the beach at night (seasonal).

Day 5 – Take an early morning boat tour of the famous canals of Tortugeuro National Park with opportunities to see various species of aquatic birds, crocodiles, caymen, iguanas, monkeys, and sloths. Visit the Caribbean Conservation Center before lunch, followed by a canoe trip down through Tortuguero’s canals, inaccessible to motorboats, for additional wildlife sightings.

Day 6 – After breakfast your journey continues departing for the Caribbean town of Puerto Viejo. After lunch you’ll have a chance to explore this vibrant town, full of culture and flavor.

Day 7 – Explore Cahuita National Park in the morning with a chance to see howler monkeys, beautiful coastal rainforest, and beaches on a guided hike. In the afternoon enjoy snorkeling on the reefs off the coast of Cahuita.

Day 8 – Visit the indigenous community of Yorkin for a chance to learn about the culture and way of life associated with the Bribri Indians. You will arrive by canoe, greeted by members of the community. After a traditional lunch meet the local women’s group to learn about chocolate cultivation and processing as well as an opportunity to purchase natural products and arts and crafts from their local store.

Day 10 – Enjoy a scenic hike through the rainforest and along the coast of Punta Uva, arriving at Manzanillo in the afternoon for swimming, sea kayaking, and sunbathing before sunset.

Day 11 – Today you will experience the beauty and biodiversity of Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge as you hike 5.5 km from Manzanillo to the Punta Mona. Explore flora and fauna as well as Costa Rica’s most spectacular scenic views of the coast along the way. Upon arrival at Punta Mona you will be welcomed by the sustainable community here. Take the afternoon to rest, relax, snorkel, or swim close to the retreat center. At night take a walk along the beach in search of nesting leatherback turtles, an awe-inspiring and life changing experience.

Day 12 – In the morning head back to Manzanillo by boat with an opportunity to see bottlenose, spotted Atlantic, and the little known tucuxi dolphins along the way. Take the afternoon to hang out by the pool or at the beach near your hotel.

Day 13 – Enjoy a day of exciting water water rafting on class III and IV rapids along the picturesque Pacuare River.

Day 14 – Transfer to you’re the international airport for your departure flight home.

This itinerary focuses on natural and cultural history as well as excitement and adventure. I recommend that all students participating in this trip read the book, What Happen: A Folk-History of Costa Rica’s Talamanca Coast, before their arrival. It will truly enhance their experience and highten their understanding and awareness of the present day situation with respect to the current state of the environment and local culture. The trip is also ideal for groups seeking a slightly extended stay in Costa Rica.

Paradise Found: Not So Far Off the Beaten Path

Length of trip: 12 days/11 nights
Destinations: Uvita, Osa Peninsula, and Golfito/La Gamba
What’s Included: 11 nights lodging, 3 meals per day, private transportation, bilingual native English speaking guide, activities and tours as well as volunteer activities.

Day 1 - Arrival into Juan Santamaria International Airport near San Jose where you will be greeted by

Day 2-4 – Spend three days at La Cusinga Rainforest Lodge, located adjacent to Ballena National Marine Park in Uvita. This ecolodge offers an exceptional model of sustainability with solar and hydroelectric power, reforested land, woodshop employing locals, and a kitchen that is 97% organic. The lodge is located on an extensive property with numerous well-maintained trails abounding with wildlife. From your room’s porch area you can observe numerous species of birds, butterflies, and even white-faced capuchin and howler monkeys that come to feed on the trees specifically planted on the property to attract wildlife. Spend your time here walking the trails, visiting the deserted beaches, and learning about the lodge’s extensive efforts to maintain a complete model of sustainable tourism. A volunteer beach cleanup activity is also included. This area is known for the numerous humpback whales that stop to feed and give birth in these waters during their migration to the north and south.

Day 5 – Visit our version of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory with a visit to Kobo Chocolate Farm. Here you will learn about sustainable cultivation and production of chocolate as well as have an opportunity to sample a variety of delicious treats.

Day 6-7 – The next part of your exciting journey takes you to Osa Peninsula for a stay at La Leona Ecolodge located right on the outskirts of Corcovado National Park. National Geographic calls Corcovado one of the most biologically diverse places on the planet. Osa will not disppoint those in search of encounters with nature and wildlife, offering all four species of monkeys native to Costa Rica (white-faced capuchin, howler, spider, and the endangered squirrel monkey), scarlet macaws, peccaries, tapir, and the elusive jaguar. Osa Peninsula is untouched with endless miles of deserted beaches back by lush tropical rainforest, teaming with wildlife. Spend your days here on guided hikes in and around the park, swimming in hidden pristine waterfalls, and learning about the way of life for gold miners working in this magical and mysterious place.

Day 8-10 – Your final destination is Pierdras Blancas National Park, located south of Osa Peninsula bordered by the Golfo Dulce, or Sweet Gulf. Pierdras Blancas shares much of the same wildlife and biodiversity found on the Osa Peninsula. In addition to hiking the numerous trails located near Las Esquinas Rainforest Lodge, you will have a chance to explore the Golfo Dulce by boat or kayak, home to numerous species of fish, countless dolphins, and even whale sharks! You will also have an opportunity to visit the small town of Gamba including the local school. Your stay at Las Esquinas will also include a half or full day volunteer activity to aid and assist environmental efforts in the area or the local community of Gamba. Your stay here is complete with a day of horseback riding, hiking, and kayaking through the magnificent park and pristine coastal waters.

Day 11-12 – Transfer back to San Jose and the international airport for your departure flight home.

This itinerary is ideal for student groups seeking the best in wildlife encounters, lessons in biology, as well as cultural immersion. Granted this trip can definitely be described as off the beaten path, but is definitely designed as for the adventurous spirit and open minds of youth. Instead of taking the traditional Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio route, try this one out. I’m sure your students will come back with a greater appreciation for the planet’s biodiversity as well as lessons learned in biology and culture to supplement your work in the classroom. I highly recommend this travel experience for students!

Each itinerary listed above has been carefully planned, selecting destinations and activities that are truly educational. Consider the following elements included in each of the trips I have described:

• Guided hikes through national parks and protected areas.
• Visits to rural and indigenous communities sponsored by ACTUAR – Costa Rica’s association for community based rural tourism complete with cultural activities and interaction with locals.
• Volunteer activities focused on preservation of natural areas and support for local communities.
• Selection of hotels and ecolodges that follow sustainable practices and enhance visitors’ experience and immersion in nature.
• Structure and organization of transportation, daily meals, and activities.
• Extensive knowledge of tourism infrastructure for each destination selected.

So there you have it, my introduction and guide to an ideal student travel experience in Costa Rica. I would appreciate any feedback from teachers, parents, and students who have traveled to Costa Rica or other countries abroad. What was your experience like? The good? The bad? The ugly? What elements would have transformed your trip from a good to a great travel experience?

Again, I encourage you to contact me directly if you have any interest in planning your next trip to Costa Rica. We are very confident in our current product and will work with you to provide the very best in travel services here in Costa Rica. Every trip is fully customizable and tailor made according to your liking.

For those seeking leisure travel our four E’s represent our excitement, enthusiasm, energy and emotion for Costa Rica. At E4 we are also dedication to sustainable tourism, so for the responsible traveler our E’s stand for education, the environment, the economy, and ecotourism. For more information, simply email me at e4costarica@gmail.com or visit our website at www.e4costarica.com