Route: San José, the Pacuare River, Sarapiquí, the camp base near Arenal Volcano, Manuel Antonio, and back to San José
How is safety managed, and where do students stay?
Rustic Pathways prioritizes student safety with a written risk management plan for every program. Students stay in five places over 14 nights, with the longest stay at the camp base near Arenal for camp week.
Supervision and safety
- Supervision Median 4.37:1 student-to-staff ratio, maximum 7:1. Program Leaders are housed on site and available overnight.
- Emergencies Enrolled families receive a 24/7 emergency number for use during programs and travel days.
- Medical Dr. William R. Smith, a board-certified emergency physician, supports leaders and families. Teams keep lists of medical facilities for every major program location.
- Program Leaders Background checks through Sterling, more than 80 hours of training (40+ in person), CPR and First Aid certified.
- Transport Every owned, leased, rented, or contracted road vehicle used to transport students is licensed or registered as required in the country where it operates. Staff who drive students hold a valid in-country driver’s license and pass a motor vehicle background check.
Where they stay
Five places over 14 nights, with the longest stay at the camp base near Arenal for the week of camp.
- Camp base near Arenal · 7 nights Home for camp week, near La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano. Shared, gender-separated rooms.
- Ranch house in Sarapiquí · 2 nights A former ranch house on the river, for leadership training and camp planning. Shared rooms with private bathrooms.
- Lodge on the Pacuare River · 1 night An ecolodge on the river during the two-day rafting trip, with private bathrooms. There is no cell service or Wi-Fi that night.
- Hotel in Manuel Antonio · 2 nights A hotel on the Pacific coast. Shared rooms with private bathrooms and hot water.
- Hotel in San José · 2 nights A hotel in San José for the first and last night, with private bathrooms.
- Gender-separated rooms
- Program Leader supervision
Accommodation can change by session and availability. We confirm where each group stays before departure.
What camp week looks like
Local children join the camp each day from about 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Students run the games, sports, and arts they planned in Sarapiquí and La Fortuna, and coordinate lunch and snack times. Summer Camp Leadership last ran in 2023 and returns for summer 2027.
The 2027 Program Leaders are confirmed closer to departure.
Who runs it
Ricardo Romero
Costa Rica Country Director
Ricardo manages operations in Costa Rica and has been with Rustic Pathways since 2005.
Students in their own words
Alumni describe running camp and what they brought home.
“I spent months trying to find a volunteer program that traveled to a Spanish-speaking country and would take a 14-year-old.”
“My Rustic trip genuinely helped me become a person I am very happy and proud to be. The students in my program and the students in the camp made me learn to have patience, be grateful, and never judge someone without knowing their story.”
“When I left Costa Rica I wasn’t just leaving a country, I was leaving a family.”
Before you enroll: what parents ask
Most asked
What is the student-to-staff ratio?
Rustic Pathways maintains a median of one staff member per 4.37 students (4.37:1), with no program exceeding 7 students per staff member (7:1).
New Program Leaders go through a four-month selection process, and every Program Leader holds current CPR and First Aid certification.
How can I stay in touch with my child?
Costa Rica is 2 hours behind New York in summer.
- After the final scheduled activity of the day, students have their phones. The night at the Pacuare ecolodge (Day 2) has no cell service or Wi-Fi.
- Routine help: call +1 440-975-9691, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.
- Emergencies: use the 24/7 number in your pre-departure materials.
If a student has an urgent, medical, or significant personal need during activities, a Program Leader helps them contact home.
Do students come alone or with friends?
Most students join on their own, and some join with friends or siblings. Roommate requests are accepted during enrollment for students coming together. Program Leaders run icebreakers on day one, and friendships form quickly.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellations within 24 hours of enrollment receive a refund of all amounts paid to Rustic Pathways.
Cancellations before midnight ET on March 31, 2027, receive a full refund of the program tuition. The enrollment fee and any airfare already booked become non-refundable.
For cancellations after March 31, 2027, see the enrollment terms.
If your family experiences a serious, documented emergency, contact us. We review these situations on a case-by-case basis.
Flights
How do flights work?
U.S. students can join a chaperoned group flight to San José (SJO) from Los Angeles (LAX), plus Newark (EWR) or Miami (MIA) depending on the date, with a Rustic Pathways Flight Leader. Families can also book their own flights into and out of San José.
Program Leaders meet students who fly on their own at the airport. Flights, including the group flight, are not included in tuition.
Flying independently? See the arrival and departure dates below.
Who books each flight?
Whichever option you choose, Rustic Pathways staff meet every student at San José airport on the arrival date and see them off on the departure date.
Option 1: the chaperoned group flight
Cost: Chaperoned group flight fee, plus airfare.
- A Rustic Pathways chaperone meets students at Los Angeles (LAX), Newark (EWR) or Miami (MIA) and flies with the group to San José (SJO), depending on the date, and home from San José (SJO) to the same U.S. gateway on the departure date.
- Getting to and from Los Angeles (LAX), Newark (EWR) or Miami (MIA): Rustic Pathways can book the connecting flights between your home airport and Los Angeles (LAX), Newark (EWR) or Miami (MIA), or your family can. Students fly that leg on their own, with an airline unaccompanied-minor service if the airline requires one.
- Every student on the group flight pays the chaperoned group flight fee, even if your family books the connecting flights.
Option 2: independent flights with support
Cost: Flight Support Fee, plus airfare.
- You choose the flights and Rustic Pathways books them, into and out of San José (SJO).
- Students fly on their own, and you get 24/7 travel support if plans change.
Option 3: book your own flights
Cost: No Rustic Pathways fee, just airfare (for students not on the group flight).
- Your family books and manages the flights, into and out of San José (SJO).
- Students fly on their own. Changes and rebooking are between your family and the airline.
Arrival and departure windows
Students who are not on the group flight land within the arrival window and leave within the departure window, about four hours each. Your Personal Travel Advisor shares the exact times before you book. Flights outside the windows carry an additional fee.
What are the arrival and departure dates for students flying independently?
Dates on this page run from the day the group leaves the U.S. to the day the group leaves Costa Rica. The group lands in San José the same day it leaves the U.S.
| Session dates | Arrive San José (SJO) | Leave San José (SJO) |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 22 – Jul 6, 2027 | Tue, Jun 22 | Tue, Jul 6 |
| Jul 13 – Jul 27, 2027 | Tue, Jul 13 | Tue, Jul 27 |
When your student flies independently, book flights that arrive and leave on these dates. Flight times can change, so contact your Personal Travel Advisor before you book.
Before you book
- Fly into San José (SJO). Staff meet students there. Double-check the airport code before you pay.
- Stay within the arrival and departure dates and times. Your Personal Travel Advisor shares the exact windows. Flights outside them carry an additional fee.
Where does the program start and end?
At San José International Airport (SJO). The first and last nights are at a hotel in San José.
Do U.S. citizens need a visa for Costa Rica?
U.S., Canadian, and most EU passport holders do not need a visa for Costa Rica. Other passports may need one: check yours on the IATA Travel Centre, the airline industry’s entry-rules checker.
Cost & enrollment
What is the enrollment fee?
The enrollment fee is a one-time fee, separate from tuition, covering enrollment, pre-departure advising, and trip planning. It begins at $100 and increases closer to the departure date.
The enrollment fee is refundable for cancellations within 24 hours.
Does Rustic Pathways offer payment plans?
Yes. Rustic Pathways offers a 4-Pay payment plan that splits program tuition into four payments over six weeks. This plan is only available for enrollments more than 90 days before departure and only for U.S. bank accounts.
Need-based financial aid and merit scholarships are also available. Explore scholarships and financial aid.
What insurance do we need?
Medical insurance with coverage in Costa Rica is required. Travel insurance is strongly recommended, not required.
Neither is included in program tuition. Rustic Pathways recommends Arch RoamRight: get a quote.
How much spending money does my child need?
$150 to $200 per week is recommended for shopping, snacks, or souvenirs. Meals, scheduled activities, and gratuities are included in program tuition. U.S. dollars are widely accepted, and the Costa Rican colón is used locally.
Safety & wellbeing
Are rooms gender-separated?
Yes, at every stop. Roommate requests can be made at enrollment and are honored whenever possible.
How are medical needs handled?
Personal Travel Advisors review all medical forms and plan with families to manage medication, allergies, and dietary requirements on the program.
Program Leaders are first-aid and CPR certified, and teams keep lists of medical facilities for every major program location.
How is my child supervised during the program?
Rustic Pathways Program Leaders supervise students from the moment staff meet them at San José airport until they depart for their flight home.
- A median student-to-staff ratio of 1 staff member for every 4.37 students, never exceeding 7:1.
- Program Leaders are housed on site and available overnight.
- Two-Deep Leadership: No staff member is ever alone one-on-one with a student.
- Each student has a personal check-in with a Program Leader within 24 hours of arrival.
- Families receive a Safe Arrival email within 12 hours of arrival in Costa Rica.
Will my child have any unsupervised time?
Students do not have unsupervised time in public areas. Free time is structured, with Program Leaders always nearby. At night, students stay in their rooms with their roommates. Program Leaders are housed on site and conduct nightly room checks.
What is the phone and smart device policy?
Rustic Pathways follows Trip Before Scroll: staff store phones and connected devices securely during daytime programming and hand them back after the final scheduled activity.
Students keep them overnight, subject to quiet-hours and lights-out rules. Travel-day, medical, and accessibility exceptions apply. Wi-Fi is available at most stops, but speeds vary.
Does Rustic Pathways support neurodiverse students?
Rustic Pathways welcomes all students and works with families to provide appropriate support. Learn about Rustic Pathways’ inclusion policy.
The group
What is the group size and age range?
Each session is limited to 20 students, ages 14 to 18.
Can non-U.S. students join this program?
Yes. Non-U.S. students can join this program. International students fly to San José to arrive within the designated arrival window for their session.
Rustic Pathways staff meet them at the airport and ensure safe departure within the designated window at the end of the program.
Visa requirements depend on the passport, so ask an advisor.
Day to day
What service do students do?
About 60 hours, mostly running a five-day summer camp for local children near Arenal: games, sports, arts, lunch, and snack times, after training and planning in Sarapiquí and La Fortuna.
What does a camp day look like?
Breakfast with your fellow counselors, then the children arrive around 9:00 a.m. Run the activities your team planned, coordinate lunch and snacks, and say goodbye around 3:00 p.m. After camp, the team holds a debrief, sets up for the next day, rests, and joins cultural or group activities in La Fortuna.
How physically demanding is the program?
Moderate. There is no fitness requirement, but camp days are long, active, and outdoors in the heat, and the trip starts with two days of whitewater rafting.
Can dietary needs and allergies be accommodated on program?
Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and other diets, plus common food allergies can be accommodated. Dietary needs and allergy information are collected after enrollment and shared with meal providers and project partners in advance.
Does my child need to speak Spanish?
No. No Spanish is needed for this program.
Can the itinerary change?
Yes. The itinerary may change due to weather, safety concerns, transportation issues, or site availability. Program Leaders may adjust activities and schedules to keep students safe and ensure a positive program experience.
Ready, or one question first?
$5,845 at checkout ($5,745 Program Tuition + $100 enrollment fee), about $390 a day with lodging and all meals. Full refund within 24 hours.
What happens after you enroll
- You have 24 hours to change your mind for a full refund, including the enrollment fee.
- Rustic Pathways calls every family for a welcome call.
- Fill in the traveler details form. That opens your MyRustic family portal, with your payment schedule, forms to complete, the full itinerary and the packing list.
- Before departure, MyRustic adds the flight itineraries and the Wheels Up packet: arrival instructions, contacts and the program emergency number.
- During the program, you get daily photo updates. After it, Rustic Pathways calls every family.
Rather talk first? Call Scott Ingram at +1 (440) 975-9691, schedule a call, or ask an advisor.
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