Costa Rica Adventure & Volunteer Program Overview
Join one of the most highly-rated Costa Rica service trips for teens for unforgettable memories and an incredible volunteer experience! We will have the unique opportunity to perform up to 20 hours of valuable service work in two different communities, where volunteers work side-by-side with local partners.
In Sámara we have been partnering with a local association that provides supplemental educational, recreational, and career opportunities for youth with limited resources in the rural beach communities of the surrounding area for the past ten years. We help run one of their many programs that focus on academic and artistic education, environmental consciousness, health, and socio-cultural development. Projects vary but our service work typically consists of working on art projects with the children, teaching them English, and general upkeep of the school and community.
Along with our meaningful service work, you’ll have a true Costa Rican adventure exploring volcanoes, jungles, and beaches! We will experience the best Costa Rica has to offer while ziplining, hiking, white water rafting, sea kayaking, and much more! Pura Vida!
During this Costa Rica Service Trip, you will…
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- Join one of the best service trips for teens and connect with travelers from around the world!
- Volunteer in two different communities for up to 20 hours of service
- Participate side by side with two local associations on various projects, including working with local children
- Go on an overnight whitewater rafting trip in the lush jungle
- See a plethora of wildlife in its natural habitat including sea turtles, white-faced monkeys, giant iguanas and of course, sloths!
- Zipline over the jungle canopy
- Take a surfing lesson at a beach famous for its waves, perfect for both beginners and avid surfers
- Swim and sunbathe while staying at a tropical paradise along the coast
- Sea kayak over to a gorgeous island for an incredible snorkeling adventure
- Swim in the pool formed by a 210-foot-high waterfall deep in the jungle
- Hike through beautiful jungle trails and spot exotic wildlife
- Visit a small countryside town and drink rich Costa Rican coffee
- Relax in the natural hot springs at the foot of a volcano
Looking for a longer adventure? Check out our hugely popular 21 day Costa Rica: Ultimate Adventure & Service program!
Trip Itinerary
DAY 1: DEPART FROM MIAMI (MIA) > SAN JOSE
¡Bienvenidos a Costa Rica! Our trip begins in San Jose as we get settled into our hotel and enjoy our first night dinner.
DAYS 2-3: TURRIALBA
We are off to Turrialba, home to many of Costa Rica’s adrenaline-pumping activities and one of the country’s most famous volcanoes! Spend your first night at a mountain lodge overlooking the volcano. The next day we will jump straight into a thrilling two-day whitewater rafting adventure on the Pacuare River! This rafting trip is suitable for all skill levels and completely safe. We will spend the night in a lodge tucked in the rainforest on the banks of the river. Everyone always has a blast at our comfortable jungle accommodation! When we aren’t rafting, we’re taking fun hikes to waterfalls and natural pools. The second day of our rafting journey will not disappoint since the Pacuare River is rated one of the top rivers in the world for whitewater rafting! Throughout our rafting adventure we will have great bonding opportunities with everyone in our group and together we will experience spectacular views of the rainforest and even spot exotic wildlife like monkeys, colorful birds and sloths.
DAYS 4-5: LA FORTUNA
After our rafting journey it’s on to La Fortuna, where we stay in a comfortable hotel near the breathtaking Arenal Volcano – the 10th most active volcano in the world (don’t worry, it’s safe and very closely monitored!).
During our time in La Fortuna, we will zipline over the rainforest and have a thrilling view of the jungle from above. This activity is fun, safe, and just the right amount of adventure! In the evening we will relax our muscles at the natural hot springs formed by the volcano.
The next day we will hike down to La Fortuna waterfall, a 210-foot ribbon of water that gushes into a cool pool in the jungle. We’ll swim in the refreshing pool formed by the waterfall, relax on the rocks, eat lunch and head back to our bus for the next leg of our journey.
DAYS 6-11: SAMARA BEACH
After breakfast, the group will board a private coach to Samara Beach, a small surf town with breathtaking mountain views. Samara is famous for its gentle waves (perfect for surfing) and wild horses that roam the beach.
Here, we will continue our community service. Our work here focuses on supporting this beautiful coastal community. We will work with a local association that provides supplemental educational, recreational, and career opportunities for youth with limited resources. We will be working directly with the children on various projects. In the past we have done group art projects, helped teach English, worked on environmental tasks and more! It’s a great opportunity for us to connect more closely with the community and interact with the friendly locals. These authentic local connections set our Costa Rica community service trips apart.
During our stay in Samara, we will enjoy the beach, soak up the sun, swim, and of course, take a surfing lesson! We will also spend an afternoon taking kayaks out to Chora Island to snorkel and observe bicolor parrotfish and other colorful sea life!
DAY 11: RETURN FLIGHT TO THE USA
Check out other TFT programs similar to this one!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where do we stay?
Students stay in centrally located, safe, and well-supervised accommodations in each city.
They are well suited to facilitating group supervision and usually within walking distance of the main attractions. We do not use large, impersonal chain hotels on the outskirts of cities; we prefer to select smaller, family-run hotels where we establish personal relationships with the owners.
From a rainforest eco-lodge to a family-run inn overlooking a volcano, each accommodation enhances your experience in Turrialba, La Fortuna, and Sámara. Exact hotel names are shared after registration for safety reasons.
Students stay in centrally located, safe, and well-supervised accommodations in each city.
They are well suited to facilitating group supervision and usually within walking distance of the main attractions. We do not use large, impersonal chain hotels on the outskirts of cities; we prefer to select smaller, family-run hotels where we establish personal relationships with the owners.
From a rainforest eco-lodge to a family-run inn overlooking a volcano, each accommodation enhances your experience in Turrialba, La Fortuna, and Sámara. Exact hotel names are shared after registration for safety reasons.
What is unique about the Costa Rica Adventure & Service trip?
This program blends two immersive service projects with unforgettable adventures across Costa Rica’s lush landscapes. Built on strong local partnerships, it offers real cultural exchange, hands-on impact, and a chance to go beyond the tourist trail. See why our service work stands out.! See why our service work stands out.
This program blends two immersive service projects with unforgettable adventures across Costa Rica’s lush landscapes. Built on strong local partnerships, it offers real cultural exchange, hands-on impact, and a chance to go beyond the tourist trail. See why our service work stands out.! See why our service work stands out.
What is included on the Costa Rica Adventure & Service trip?
Tuition cost includes: ground transportation; accommodation; chaperones and guides; program-related activities and admissions; taxes and tips; all breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.
Not included in cost (this is not intended to be an exhaustive list): airfare; visas and visa application fees; personal and medical expenses; activities and admissions that are not program-related or referenced in the itinerary; beverages other than filtered water at meals; participant expenses that are outside of the program description, such as excess baggage fees and damage to hotels; expenses related to unforeseen circumstances, such as transportation strikes and natural disasters.
Tuition cost includes: ground transportation; accommodation; chaperones and guides; program-related activities and admissions; taxes and tips; all breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.
Not included in cost (this is not intended to be an exhaustive list): airfare; visas and visa application fees; personal and medical expenses; activities and admissions that are not program-related or referenced in the itinerary; beverages other than filtered water at meals; participant expenses that are outside of the program description, such as excess baggage fees and damage to hotels; expenses related to unforeseen circumstances, such as transportation strikes and natural disasters.
What is the food like on this program?
The food on this program is authentic, delicious, and plays a key role in the cultural travel experience. We focus on dining at local, authentic establishments rather than Americanized chains, encouraging students to try the local specialties wherever we visit. We fully accommodate all dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten allergies, and other restrictions.
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!
The food on this program is authentic, delicious, and plays a key role in the cultural travel experience. We focus on dining at local, authentic establishments rather than Americanized chains, encouraging students to try the local specialties wherever we visit. We fully accommodate all dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten allergies, and other restrictions.
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!