Flight to San Jose, Costa Rica
We offer a chaperoned flight to Costa Rica from South Florida. Based on enrollment, participants from the New York area may also have a chaperoned flight. Final flight details are determined in the spring. For our many travelers from outside these areas, you can choose to connect to the chaperoned flight, or reserve a flight arriving & departing within our flight parameters. Our staff will greet you as you come through customs and immigration.

Return Flight Home from San Jose, Costa Rica
We offer a chaperoned flight back to South Florida. Depending on the geographic group makeup, the chaperoned flight will return to South Florida, New York, or both. For our many travelers from outside these areas, you may choose to join the chaperoned flight and arrange transfers (if required) at suitable times after the group has cleared customs and immigration in the USA; or you may fly from San Jose to your home city and our leaders help you to check-in and remain in the airport until flights in designated times have departed.

Where We Stay
We carefully select clean and comfortable accommodations with the needs of our students in mind. While our volunteer programs do not stay at luxury resorts, we do know that a good night’s rest, in your own bed, is key to performing your service hours well and having enough energy to enjoy the day’s activities. For this reason, and also to maintain the close group bond and to uphold the quality of this program, we do not offer any homestays.

Meals & New Cuisines
Eating well while away from home is an important part of a summer’s success. We understand how it helps our travelers feel secure, happy and looking forward to their day. Part of your travel experience will be immersing yourself in the local cuisine and culture, so please bring with you an open mind and a willingness to try new things. For example, Costa Rican traditional cuisine offers plenty of rice, beans, meat dishes and tons of fresh fruit, but don’t worry, they also have North American style options on the menu.

We have satisfied the choosiest of eaters and gladly accommodate most special dietary requests including vegetarian, food allergies, lactose intolerance, celiac disease, and kosher style. We welcome discussing your individual requirements with you and have extensive experience in this area.

Drinking Water
It’s generally okay to drink tap water in Costa Rica, except for a few select areas. As a precaution, we will provide purified drinking water in large containers so that travelers can fill up their reusable water bottles as needed.

Community Service in Pacuare
The remoteness of Pacuare beach, the beautiful environment of the surrounding rainforest and the basic living conditions at our volunteer site offer the opportunity for an unparalleled experience for participants. Our three days spent in Pacuare will be a highlight for participants who are open minded about the rustic experience this location offers. Our community service happens primarily at night between the hours of 7pm and 4am where students will work in small group rotational shifts with a LAST researcher patrolling the beach. Beach patrol shifts generally last 4 hours. Participants should expect to be walking the beachfront for most of this 4-hour shift (up to 9 miles) as they look for nesting turtles, find nests, collect and relocate eggs. Evening shifts may also be spent in the hatchery guarding nests and releasing baby turtles. During the day, participants will have the opportunity to sleep as well as help with basic tasks around the volunteer site including cleaning, gardening, kitchen work, painting, beach cleaning etc.. Late afternoon naps, in preparation for the night patrols, are recommended and encouraged.

The accommodations are rustic. Electricity is generated from solar panels; showers are cold but quite refreshing given the warm and humid temperatures. Participants should expect to not be able to use their cell phones while in Pacuare. There are bugs and insect repellant cannot be used during night patrols due to sea turtle sensitivity. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, though limited in the modern comforts, allows our group to connect with nature, creating the best environment for making a difference in the life of these amazing creatures – the marine turtles.

Vaccinations
We recommend you follow the advice of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and consult with your physician for current immunizations and medication required for travelers to Costa Rica. These recommendations may change from time to time. We will send you detailed information in March (or upon enrollment if later) regarding the current recommendations for this itinerary.

Laundry
You will only need one week’s worth of clothing as outlined in the packing list that will be sent to you prior to departure. Every week you will drop off your laundry at a local wash and fold service and then pick it up clean, folded and ready to go.

What’s Included
Included in your program tuition is all lodging, breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, recreation & entertainment listed, airport transfers in designated times, gratuities & taxes.

Not included is transportation to and from the program and personal spending money for snacks, souvenirs, and laundry. We also make available optional travel insurance that is not included, but highly recommended.

Please contact us with any questions. We are happy to hear from you!