Costa Rica: Journey Through the Jungle

Trip Name
Costa Rica: Journey Through the Jungle

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

2026 Sessions
Session 1: June 15 – June 28, 2026
Session 2: July 2 – July 15, 2026
Session 3: July 19 – August 1, 2026
Note: These dates reflect your teen’s departure from the U.S. and return to the U.S.
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 flying in directly. We settle into our hotel and kick things off with games, community building, and our first group dinner.

Day 2: Waterfalls & Ancient History
We leave the city, and 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 together as a group, 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: Coastal Transfer and Wildlife Spotting
Today 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, hotels, and raised jungle platform tents throughout the trip.

In San José and on the Caribbean coast, the group stays in simple hotels with beds and bathrooms for 5 nights. In Turrialba, we stay in a rustic house for 6 nights near the local community where we work and live alongside host families.

Jungle Platform Camping:
During the jungle section of the trip we sleep at riverside campsites for 2 nights, on platform tents in the rainforest surrounded by sounds of wildlife.

Sleeping and Bathroom Setup:
Teens share tents or rooms based on gender and comfort. Expect group-based living with leaders close by. Flush toilets and short showers are available daily.

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.

Meals are fresh, simple, and a meaningful part of the cultural experience.

Locally Prepared:
Most meals are made by local community members using regional ingredients like rice, beans, tropical fruits, and vegetables. Teens often help prepare meals during the community stay and jungle adventure.

Cultural Connection:
Food reflects Costa Rican traditions. Think rice and beans, plantains, tropical fruit, grilled chicken, veggie stir-fries, and gallo pinto. During the Bribri visit, we also learn about traditional cooking and chocolate-making.

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 Miami (MIA)

Unaccompanied Minor Info
We’ll walk you through the process if your teen is flying as an airline-designated Unaccompanied Minor (for major airlines this is often kids who are 14 years old or younger, and are flying without a parent.) Every airline has different policies so it is important to coordinate with RLT and look into each airline’s specific policies. Generally speaking, we will have an RLT leader available to meet Unaccompanied Minors at the arrival airport for each trip.

Packing
Participants are responsible for bringing their own personal clothing, toiletries, and individual gear. The Road Less Traveled provides all group gear, including tents, cooking equipment, and any specialized activity equipment needed for the trip. A detailed packing list will be sent to families well in advance (and is available upon request at any time) to ensure your child is prepared. We encourage packing clothing that’s comfortable, durable, and made for adventure. Our list will also provide guidance based on weather, location, and planned activities to help participants bring the right items for a safe and enjoyable experience.

Luggage Note
We recommend one checked soft duffel bag (NOT a rolling suitcase) 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.

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
Because some parts of Costa Rica carry a risk of malaria transmission, families should know that anti-malarial medication is recommended for this trip. We encourage everyone to speak with a physician or travel health specialist about whether prophylactic medicine is advised. Additionally, we recommend reviewing CDC guidance for recommended vaccines and preventive medications for this trip. Your pediatrician or a dedicated travel doctor can provide final guidance tailored to your child’s health needs.

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.