3 Things Most Families Don't Know About Our Costa Rica High School Trip
Our Costa Rica high school trip is built around two very different rhythms.
The first half is community service in the Turrialba Valley: camping on community land, working alongside local families, practicing Spanish, and helping with projects the community actually needs.
The second half moves toward the Caribbean coast and the Pacuare River: Cahuita National Park, surfing, mangrove kayaking, a Bribri community visit, ziplining, and a three-day whitewater rafting expedition.
Here are three things families may not know before reading the full itinerary.
1. The first six days are rooted in the Turrialba Valley
After arriving in San José on Day 1, the group travels to a rural village in the Turrialba region.
Days 2 to 7 are based there.
Students partner with local families and community leaders on service projects that may include building chicken coops, compost systems, furniture, or small structures. They also learn about permaculture, recycling practices, and rural Costa Rican life through hands-on collaboration.
The afternoons bring a different kind of connection. Students may play soccer with local kids, practice Spanish with the host community, or take short hikes to nearby rivers and waterfalls.
Nights are spent camping in tents on community land, with meals cooked by local partners.
That part matters. Students are not staying far away and visiting for a few hours. They are sleeping nearby, eating local meals, helping with the daily work, and spending enough time in one place to understand the rhythm of the community.
2. The Caribbean coast adds rainforest, surfing, mangroves, and Bribri culture
Day 8 is the cross-country journey to the Caribbean coast.
The group travels from the mountains toward Puerto Viejo, passing through cloud forests, river canyons, and changing landscapes along the way. Once they arrive, students explore Cahuita National Park, hike coastal jungle trails, and swim in the Caribbean Sea.
Expect that students should keep an eye out for sloths, toucans, iguanas, and monkeys.
Day 9 begins with a surf lesson at one of Costa Rica’s beaches. Later, students kayak through quiet mangrove rivers and watch for wildlife in the treetops.
Day 10 brings the group to a Bribri community, where students learn how chocolate is grown, harvested, and used in traditional medicine. They participate in a hands-on demonstration and spend time learning about Bribri culture.
That stretch gives students a wider view of Costa Rica: coastal rainforest, Caribbean culture, Indigenous knowledge, and the ecosystems that sit between land and water.
3. The trip ends with a three-day Pacuare River expedition
Days 11 to 13 are spent on the Pacuare River.
Students launch onto the river for a three-day whitewater expedition, paddling Class II to IV rapids, floating past waterfalls, and camping each night at secluded jungle sites.
Between rafting sections, the group hikes to swimming holes, explores the surrounding rainforest, and takes in the biodiversity of the river corridor.
One day includes ziplining through the rainforest canopy, which gives students a completely different view of the jungle.
On the final night, the group celebrates the trip with a special dinner before returning to San José. Day 14 is departure.
What families should know before applying
Trip length and grade range. This is a 14-day trip for high school students completing grades 9 to 12.
Tuition. $5,995 for our 2026 Costa Rica High School trip.
Service hours. 24 to 36 hours of service work.
Accommodations. Students stay in a mix of simple hotels, community camping, and jungle platform camping. The group spends 4 nights in simple hotels in San José and on the Caribbean coast, 6 nights tent camping near the Turrialba community, and 3 nights at riverside campsites on platform tents during the rafting expedition.
Bathrooms and showers. Bathrooms range from hotel-style flush toilets to more rustic facilities. Short showers are available every 1 to 2 days.
Food. Most meals are made by local community members using regional ingredients like rice, beans, tropical fruits, and vegetables. Students often help prepare meals during the community stay and jungle adventure.
Community living. During the Turrialba stretch, students camp near the local community where they work and live alongside host families. It is not a hotel-based service experience. Students should be ready for simple routines, shared spaces, and daily interaction with the people hosting and guiding the work.
Spanish. No prior Spanish is listed as required. Students practice Spanish with the host community during the Turrialba portion of the trip.
Rafting. The Pacuare River expedition includes Class II to IV rapids. Students should be ready for active days outside, group instruction, and the physical effort of paddling as part of a raft crew.
Health and travel preparation. Expect that trip insurance is required for this international program. It also says anti-malarial medication is recommended for this trip because some parts of Costa Rica carry a risk of malaria transmission. Families should speak with a physician, pediatrician, or travel health specialist and review current CDC guidance before departure.
Passport. A valid passport is required and must be valid at least 6 months beyond the trip’s end date.
Packing. RLT recommends one checked soft duffel bag, not a rolling suitcase, plus a small carry-on backpack. Students bring personal clothing, toiletries, and individual camping gear such as a sleeping bag and sleeping pad. RLT provides group gear, including tents, cooking equipment, and specialized activity equipment needed for the trip.
Phones. RLT programs are phone-free. Leaders collect phones and electronics on Day 1 and return them on the final day before departure. Digital cameras and GoPros are welcome as long as they do not connect to the internet.
Questions families often ask
Does my teen need Spanish experience?
No prior Spanish is listed as required. The Turrialba portion includes regular Spanish practice with the host community.
Is this mostly a service trip or an adventure trip?
It is both. The first half is anchored in community service in the Turrialba Valley. The second half moves through the Caribbean coast and Pacuare River, with Cahuita National Park, surfing, mangrove kayaking, a Bribri cultural exchange, rafting, ziplining, and jungle camping.
Where do students sleep?
Students stay in simple hotels, tents on community land, and riverside platform tents during the rafting expedition.
How intense is the rafting?
The Pacuare River has Class II to IV rapids on the Pacuare River. Students do not need to arrive as experienced rafters, but they should be ready to listen closely, paddle with the group, and spend active days on the river.
Is this a resort-style Costa Rica trip?
No. Students camp, help with meals and chores, work with community partners, raft for three days, and travel without phones. It is active, group-based, and service-centered.
How to talk to your teen about this trip
Before they go, you might say:
“You’ll spend the first part of the trip in the Turrialba Valley, camping near the community and helping with service projects. Then you’ll head to the Caribbean coast for Cahuita, surfing, mangrove kayaking, a Bribri community visit, and three days rafting the Pacuare River. You’ll be off your phone, sharing group responsibilities, and living simply for much of the trip.”
After they come home, ask:
“What did the community need help with while you were there?”
“What was it like camping in Turrialba?”
“What did you learn during the Bribri visit?”
“What was the Pacuare River like?”
Explore the Costa Rica high school trip
For dates, tuition, itinerary, accommodations, packing details, paperwork, and the technology policy, see the full Costa Rica High School itinerary.