Travel for Teens - Costa Rica Service and Spanish

  Costa Rica

Arenal,  Manuel Antonio,  San Jose,  Tortuguero

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: August 3 - August 12, 2010

Description: This trip to Costa Rica offers incredible adventure, wildlife observation and community service activities in one trip!

We begin with a journey from San Jose to the Caribbean coast via the Pan American highway and a river boat that takes you deep into the rainforest. Nestled between the river and beach, our lodge is surrounded by rainforest, has its own frog sanctuary, butterfly farms, and big comfortable bungalow style rooms connected by a wooden walkway. In the morning we'll head out with our guide onto the river and into the pristine, untouched protected areas of the rainforest to look for monkeys, brightly colored tropical birds, snakes, giant iguanas and other rare wildlife! We'll also spend a morning helping to clean up the beach next to the lodge where giant turtles lay their eggs and after dark head out to watch them build their nests.

We then head to La Quinta de Sarapiqui, a family-run rain forest resort where we'll take a night bat tour and even touch, feed and safely release them. The following morning we'll participate in a tree planting activity to help the restoration process of the native flora, specifically the Almendro de Montaña, to improve the habitat for the Green Macaw.

Our next stop is Arenal, where we'll stay in a hotel at the foot of the Arenal Volcano - the 10th most active volcano in the world! The hotel is extremely comfortable and has a series of 6 naturally heated mineral hot pools connected by an uphill foot path and covered in tropical vegetation. In the afternoon we'll head to La Fortuna waterfall, a 210 foot ribbon of water gushing into a pool where we'll relax and swim. The following morning we head into the town to a local school to help out with whatever may be needed at the time: you may paint a wall, do some light handiwork, or interact with the students.

Next we head off to the Rincon de La Vieja where we stay in what was once a cattle raising ranch but was converted to a comfortable hotel years ago. Here we'll go on a zip lining canopy tour, ride 400 meters down a mountain waterslide and ride horses (or a tractor, if you'd rather not ride horses) up to relaxing hot springs!

Our final stop takes us to a 750 acre beach resort on the Pacific coast were we'll soak up the sun on world class triple flag white sand beaches, enjoy the resort's many amenities (pools surrounded by tropical nature, snorkeling, water sports, even an 18 hole mini golf course!). We'll also go on a crocodile safari for an up close look at these incredible animals in their natural habitat.

The charm and splendor of Costa Rica is almost tangible; from arrival to sad wave goodbye, the warmth of the people and the marvel of natural beauty is a truly spectacular and indispensible experience. Come learn the meaning of Pura Vida in Costa Rica!

Highlights:
- Stay in a lodge nestled between a river, protected rain forest, and the Caribbean Ocean.
- See a plethora of wildlife in its natural habitat including sea turtles, whitefaced monkeys, giant iguanas, sloths, colorful lizards, birds, frogs, and much more.
- Go on a crocodile safari.
- See giant turtles laying their eggs on the beach at night.
- Stay in a 750 acre beach resort with pools surrounded by tropical nature, snorkeling, water sports, and an 18 hole mini golf course.
- Volunteer at a local school, participate in a tree planting project, and help clean a beach were giant turtles make their nests.
- Ride a 400 meter slide down the side of a mountain.
- Zipline over jungle canopy.
- Simmer in natural hot springs that flow down into different pools with varying degrees of heat.
- See the 10th most active volcano in the world.
- Swim in the pool created by a 210 foot waterfall.
- Chaperoned group airfare for under USD 500!

Cost in US$: USD 2,985 plus airfare

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European and Worldwide Participants.

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Physical Exam/Health Records

Travel For Teens's Mission Statement: Travel for Teens believes that teen travel should be both fun and enriching. Our programs feature choice in what you do, see, and experience, a dynamic that sets us apart from superficial tours that herd large groups from one site to another. We visit the best of the mainstream attractions while offering the opportunity to explore the culture from a less touristy perspective. We interact with our host cultures, taking cooking and dance lessons, performing valuable service work to help local communities, and conversing with the people who have spent their lives living in the places we journey to. We have crafted our unique programs to engender love for travel, hunger for learning, curiosity about differences, appreciation of similarities across cultures, and an understanding of what it means to be a global citizen.

Year Founded: 2003