Costa Rica: Journey Through the Jungle

Trip Name
Costa Rica: Journey Through the Jungle

Who It’s For
Middle school students (grades 6–8)

2026 Sessions
Session 1: June 22 – July 5, 2026
Session 2: July 9 – July 22, 2026
Session 3: July 26 – August 8, 2026
Note: These dates reflect your teen’s departure and return.
Exact flight times and meeting details will be shared after enrollment.

Location
San José, Costa Rica

Trip Length
14 Days

Service Hours
15–25

Tuition
$5,595

This is the plan—but plans can shift. Weather, group energy, and new opportunities sometimes lead us to make changes. No two trips are exactly the same, and that’s part of what makes the experience so memorable.

Day 1: Arrival in San José
Meet up with your leaders and group in San José—either by joining the escorted flight from Miami or arriving on your own. We settle into our hotel and kick things off with games, name learning, and our first group dinner.

Day 2: Waterfalls & Ancient History
Hike through the Guayabo National Monument, an archaeological site once home to one of Costa Rica’s most advanced ancient civilizations. Explore its stone roads, petroglyphs, and aqueducts while surrounded by rainforest. Keep an eye out for sloths, crested owls, and other wildlife as we explore this magical place.

Days 3–7: Community Service in Turrialba
Head into the rural countryside near Turrialba to work on meaningful service projects alongside local residents. Depending on the needs of the community, our work might include building small structures, compost systems, or helping with gardening and recycling efforts.
In between projects, we hike, play games, and hang out with local kids. Nights are spent camping and sharing meals prepared with help from our Costa Rican hosts.

Day 8: Whitewater Rafting Adventure
Launch onto the Pacuare River for a two-day rafting journey. Navigate Class II–III rapids, float past lush rainforest, and take in views of waterfalls and deep canyons. We camp at a jungle river site and fall asleep to the sounds of nature.

Day 9: Waterfalls, Wildlife & Zip-lining
After breakfast at camp, hike to a hidden jungle waterfall for a swim in its cool, clear pools. Then, it’s time to zip-line through the rainforest canopy, flying high above the trees and seeing the jungle from a new perspective.

Day 10: Butterfly Garden & Coastal Transfer
As we raft out of the jungle, we stop at one of Costa Rica’s largest butterfly gardens—home to hundreds of species including the stunning Blue Morpho and Owl’s Eye butterflies. From there, we travel east to the Caribbean coast and settle into our next base near Puerto Viejo.

Days 11–12: Surf, Kayak & Explore the Caribbean
Spend two days exploring the Caribbean coastline. Hike through Cahuita National Park, swim in the warm ocean, and spot wildlife like monkeys and toucans.
We also try surfing at a beginner-friendly beach and kayak upriver through mangroves and jungle rivers—looking (and listening!) for howler monkeys and colorful birds.

Day 13: Chocolate Tour & Bribri Culture
Visit a Bribri Indigenous community and learn how they use cacao in traditional ways. Participate in a chocolate-making demonstration and explore the connection between culture, food, and land.
That evening, we return to San José for our final group banquet and celebration.

Day 14: Departure from San José
Say goodbye to new friends and head to the airport for flights home—tired, happy, and full of Costa Rican memories.

We’ll stay in a mix of rustic lodges, group tents, and raised jungle platforms throughout the trip.

Group Tents: Teens sleep in shared tents or rooms (2–3 per group), organized by gender identity.

Rustic Facilities: Campsites range from basic lodges to platform tents, with access to bathrooms, showers, or natural rinsing options every 1–3 days.

Setup & Breakdown: Everyone helps set up tents, clean shared spaces, and pack up gear—an important part of the experience.

What to Expect: Falling asleep to rainforest sounds, waking up with howler monkeys, and getting muddy in the best way.

Cook Crew
In some locations, teens rotate helping with meal prep and cleanup alongside RLT leaders and local hosts.

Simple + Fresh
Meals are homemade, Costa Rican-style—think rice and beans, plantains, tropical fruit, grilled chicken, veggie stir-fries, and gallo pinto.

All Diets Welcome
We accommodate all dietary needs and allergies, including vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free options.

Snacks + Hydration
There’s always fresh fruit, crackers, and water on hand—especially on active days like service or hiking.

Flights
Families book flights to and from San José, Costa Rica (SJO).
Do not book your flight until you receive the required travel windows from our team.

Escorted Flight Option
An optional group flight with an RLT leader is available from the New York area.

Unaccompanied Minor Info
If your teen is flying as an unaccompanied minor, we’ll provide all necessary details for check-in and pick-up.

Packing
We send a detailed packing list well in advance—everything fits in a duffel or backpack.
Key items include:
Sleeping bag + sleeping pad
Headlamp
Rain jacket
Closed-toed shoes or hiking sandals
Swimsuit + towel
No need for any special gear—we keep it simple.

Luggage Note
We recommend one checked bag and a small carry-on backpack.

Forms & Waivers
Once enrolled, you'll receive access to your RLT portal with required forms:
Health history and medical forms
Participant agreement and waiver
Emergency contact info
These must be submitted before your trip.

Medical Clearance
No doctor's appointment needed unless a new or complex medical condition has developed.
We review all forms to ensure we're prepared to support each participant.

Medications
All medications (prescription and over-the-counter) must be listed in your medical form. Leaders will manage and dispense meds as needed.

Behavioral Expectations
We’ll send a Code of Conduct to review with your teen. We want everyone to feel safe, included, and supported—this sets the tone.

Trip Insurance
Required for international trips. You’re welcome to use any third-party provider. For recommendations, visit our FAQ page or reach out to us directly.

Vaccinations
No specific vaccinations are required to enter Costa Rica. Please ensure your teen is up to date on routine immunizations per CDC guidelines.

Passport
A valid passport is required for this program. Please ensure it does not expire within six months of the return date.

Device-Free Philosophy
Our trips are intentionally phone-free. On Day 1, leaders collect all phones and personal electronics. They’re stored safely and returned at the end of the trip.

Why?
Because disconnecting helps teens:
Build deeper relationships
Be present in their surroundings
Gain confidence without constant tech

Cameras Welcome
Feel free to bring a digital camera or GoPro—anything that doesn’t connect to the internet. Trip leaders also take photos and share them in an online gallery after the program.

Communication
We’ll be in touch with families during the trip through regular updates. If there’s an emergency, you can reach our on-call team 24/7.