This trip is very full of planned activities, but we are mindful of the risks of over exertion! You’ll have nights in San Jose to shop in groups with counselors, go for an evening stroll, or just chill out by the pool at the hotel; in Arenal, you’ll have afternoons and evenings when you’ll get to soak in hot springs; and you’ll have plenty of free time on the Pacific beach to enjoy the resort’s many amenities! As on all of our trips, you’ll not be allowed to leave the hotel on your own once the group has returned from the day’s activities and settled in, or allowed to venture out without a counselor. It is only under rare circumstances, however, that a counselor will NOT be available to accompany you in the event you need/would like to leave the hotel for something that’s not on the itinerary.
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Trip Details
Dates Dec 31 - Dec 31
Session
Duration
Tuition $ + Airfare
Cities
Group Flight Details
Start
End
- How much free time do we get on the trip?
- What's the food like in Costa Rica?
The food in Costa Rica is delicious! Expect to eat seasoned rice, beans, chicken, steak, tropical fruit and veggies, plantains, and many other foods flavored with unique Caribbean spices! Vegetarians will have no issues eating well on the trip. Also, unlike in Europe where a light breakfast of coffee and toast is the norm, ticos (Costa Ricans) eat big, savory breakfasts—and so will we!
- What are the service projects we’ll be working on?
We’ll be working on a variety of service projects in and around the San Jose area, including helping out at a school in San Jose doing whatever work needs to be done at the time (might be painting, teaching English, organizing soccer matches, etc), volunteering at a retirement home and connecting with the residents, volunteering at an orphanage, helping clean up a local park, and a tree planting activity.
- Is there a minimum Spanish language level required to participate? How long are the classes?
Any and all levels are welcome—your classes could serve as an introduction to Spanish or as an opportunity to hone your skills. You will be placed in a class according to your skill level, which is assessed your first day of class. Each day after our community service project, we’ll have lunch and head to our language school for roughly 4 hours of classes, broken up into 50 minute segments. There are a total of 5 days of language classes.
- Where do we stay on the Costa Rica Service and Spanish trip?
All of the accommodations on the Costa Rica Service and Spanish trip range from 3-4 stars and are extremely comfortable. In San Jose, our hotel is 4 star rated and has a pool and Jacuzzi! In Arenal, (first weekend of the trip), we’ll stay in another 4 star hotel with a pool, 5 natural hot spring pools with varying degrees of heat that flow into each other, and spectacular views of the Arenal Volcano. Our final weekend we’ll spend in a 3 star resort hotel on the Pacific ocean! The hotel is on triple flag world class white sand beaches and offers a mini golf course, snorkeling, multiple swimming pools, and more!