Costa Rica Service Trip Overview
This Costa Rican adventure packs in 7 days of excitement mixed with just the right amount of community service! On your adventure, you will experience the natural beauty and excitement of Costa Rica while giving back to the local community.
We have long-standing partnerships with local organizations that we volunteer with. Projects vary depending on community needs but our service work typically consists of working on art projects, teaching English, and general upkeep of schools and community buildings. Check out the impact Travel For Teens groups have had on the local community here!
After a hard day of work, relax on Costa Rica’s pristine beaches, go on a whale watching and snorkeling cruise to spot marine wildlife, and catch some waves at some of the world’s most famous surfing destinations! This trip strikes a perfect balance between work and play.
What are you waiting for? A perfect summer in Costa Rica awaits!
During this trip, you will:
- Volunteer with the local community to earn up to 15 hours of service
- Explore the coastal towns of Uvita and Dominical
- Sunbathe on pristine beaches and swim in the sea
- Take a surfing lesson at a beach famous for its perfect waves
- Embark on a whale-watching cruise and spot whales, and dolphins, visit natural water caves, and even go snorkeling!
- Relax in natural hot springs
- Soak up the pura vida lifestyle!
Trip Itinerary
DAY 1: DEPART FROM MIAMI (MIA) > SAN JOSE
¡Bienvenidos a Costa Rica! Our trip begins in San José as we get settled into our hotel and enjoy our first-night dinner.
DAYS 2-5: UVITA
Uvita is a coastal gem nestled between lush rainforests and the sparkling Pacific. It offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure for every traveler.
Join our community service program where all volunteers play a vital role in on-site initiatives. Your contributions help expand the reach of our services and provide better support to the local community and its residents.
We’ll also have a chance to learn to ride the waves at the stunning beaches of Uvita with our surf lesson! Whether you’re a beginner catching your first wave or looking to improve your skills, our experienced instructors will guide you through the fundamentals of surfing. Get ready to paddle out, catch some waves, and experience the thrill of surfing in one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful beach destinations.
The next morning, embark on an unforgettable marine adventure featuring whale watching, dolphin encounters, snorkeling, and exploration of natural water caves! As you journey through the ocean, keep your eyes peeled for majestic humpback whales, listen to their enchanting love songs, and witness the awe-inspiring sight of these massive mammals breaching and splashing their colossal tails. It’s an experience you won’t want to miss!
We’ll have plenty of time to explore the town of Uvita as well as the neighboring town of Dominical and soak up the sun on their incredible beaches.
DAY 6: JACO > SAN JOSE
We’ll start our last full day by saying adios to Uvita and hit the road towards San José. We’ll stop in the beautiful town of Jaco on the way for some last-minute souvenir shopping and lunch. Explore the town, go shopping, and eat to your heart’s content! We will have one last farewell dinner in San José to celebrate the trip of a lifetime.
DAY 7: RETURN FLIGHT TO THE USA
Check out other TFT programs similar to this one!
Travel with us and discover why we are consistently winning awards for Top Youth Travel Organization.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is unique about the Costa Rica Ultimate Adventure & Service trip?
Costa Rica Ultimate Adventure & Service uniquely incorporates exhilarating adventures while also intergrading great community service projects. From spending a night in the heart of the jungle behind a waterfall to a whitewater rafting adventure at one of the best rivers in the world, TFT’s expertise in leading trips through Costa Rica provides unique insider access for our special Ultimate Adventure trip.
Costa Rica Ultimate Adventure & Service uniquely incorporates exhilarating adventures while also intergrading great community service projects. From spending a night in the heart of the jungle behind a waterfall to a whitewater rafting adventure at one of the best rivers in the world, TFT’s expertise in leading trips through Costa Rica provides unique insider access for our special Ultimate Adventure trip.
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.
For safety reasons, we do not publish the names of the accommodations we use. We do not feel it is safe to publish the name of a hotel where a group of teenagers is staying abroad. After registering, participants and parents are given access to our secure parent website where you will be able to see the names of all of the accommodations for a program.
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.
For safety reasons, we do not publish the names of the accommodations we use. We do not feel it is safe to publish the name of a hotel where a group of teenagers is staying abroad. After registering, participants and parents are given access to our secure parent website where you will be able to see the names of all of the accommodations for a program.
Do most travelers go on their own?
Yes! In fact, over 75% of students who travel with us choose to come independently. This encourages teens to step further outside their comfort zone and make new friends. We believe that one of the most rewarding and exciting elements of travel is the new friendships that form along the way. When we travel by ourselves, we are bound to make new friends from all over the country and even the world. The best part is, you can travel again with your new friends on another TFT program the next summer!
If you are thinking about joining a TFT program by yourself but you are feeling unsure, please let us know! We have plenty of references from solo travelers who had great experiences and would be happy to chat with you about it.
What is included?
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 a central part of the cultural travel experience.
We prioritize eating at local, authentic establishments rather than Americanized chains, encouraging students to sample the local specialties wherever we go. We fully accommodate all dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten allergies, and other restrictions.
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!
The food on this program is authentic, delicious, and a central part of the cultural travel experience.
We prioritize eating at local, authentic establishments rather than Americanized chains, encouraging students to sample the local specialties wherever we go. We fully accommodate all dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten allergies, and other restrictions.
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!