TRENDING
Japan Greece Costa Rica
Italy Fiji Korea
← School Group Travel

Costa Rica

Costa Rica: Turrialba Service — Custom School Trips

Groups of 8+ | Custom Dates | 9 Service Hours | Fully Supported | 4.9 on GoOverseas

1 / 10

Get immersed in the relaxed pura vida way of life in the beautiful mountain town of Turrialba. Spend three days working hand-in-hand with local community members on impactful service projects based on current needs. After service, get your adrenaline pumping while rappelling and white water rafting. Learn about the local economy during coffee and cheese tours. By the program’s end, you’ll have a better understanding of Costa Rican culture and the friendly local lifestyle.

It was a program I will never forget. The people I met were amazing. I wish I could relive it one million times.

Custom School Trip

Contact us for a custom quote

Custom dates & duration. Groups of 8+.

Response within 1 business day

Anna Beckerman

Anna Beckerman

Head of School Group Travel

Dartmouth · 15 years at Rustic

321+ school partners since 2010

Not sure yet?

Email Rustic Pathways

Talk to a personal travel advisor: +1 (440) 975-9691

Schedule a call

View program itinerary

What Does a 7-Day Program Include?

A typical program. Daily activities are subject to change based on group logistics and weather.

1

Welcome to Costa Rica!

Arrive at San Jose Airport (SJO) and meet your program leaders who will be with you for the duration of the program. Head to the hotel to settle in, and then join the group for an orientation discussion and an introduction to the local culture.
2

Travel to Turrialba

Wake up early for a traditional breakfast before heading to Turrialba, a peaceful mountain town with all the quaintness of home and flair of true Tico culture. Settle into our base house in the hillsides of Turri and get ready to start the adventure. In the afternoon, we will take a walking tour around Turrialba, learn about the community, and get introduced to our home for the week.
3 - 5

Service in Turrialba

Spend the morning working with community partners on different projects that will impact the local residents. Take breaks from service and play soccer with the local children. While projects vary depending on season and community need, each is designed in partnership with community leaders and includes group discussions on service, cultural immersion, global citizenship, and other topics related to your program. Spend the afternoons enjoying Turrialba with adventure activities like canyoning (rappelling) and learn about the importance of farming for the local economy during coffee and cheese tours.
6

Raft the Pacuare River

Say goodbye to your new friends in Turrialba, and head to the Pacuare River for a white water rafting experience on your last day in Costa Rica. The thrilling class III and IV rapids and the flora and fauna of the surrounding rainforest make this river one of the top rafting destinations in the world. After your rafting adventure, join in a closing discussion and our traditional Rustic Ties ceremony. This unique and powerful activity allows us to capture memories and reflect on how we can share what we’ve learned with our communities back home.
7

¡Adiós, Costa Rica!

Head to the airport with your program leaders as you bid farewell to Costa Rica. We hope the people you’ve met, perspectives you’ve gained, and lessons you’ve learned will serve you well as you head home.

Total: 7 calendar days / 6 nights. International flights are not included.

How Does Rustic Pathways Handle Safety?

24/7 Support

In-person staff + US emergency line

Trained Program Leaders

Background-checked, first-aid certified, deep local knowledge

Licensed & Insured Transport

Risk management plans for every program

Customizable Itinerary

Custom dates and duration

Learn more about Rustic Pathways safety protocols.

Costa Rica

What Do School Organizers Ask?

Flights & Cost

How do flights work?

School groups can arrange their own flights, or Rustic Pathways can arrange them as an optional add-on. In either case, teachers fly with students, and Rustic Pathways coordinates airport pickup and handles all in-country logistics.

What's included in the price?

Included: Lodging, all meals, in-country transport, all activities, 24/7 staff.
Not included: International airfare, travel insurance, personal spending ($150–200).

Is travel insurance required?

Travel insurance is not included in the program fee. Rustic Pathways recommends that families purchase travel insurance. Get a quote from our recommended provider →

Supervision & Safety

Who supervises the students?

Rustic Pathways Program Leaders complete a four-month vetting process, and programs maintain a 7:1 student-to-staff ratio. All Program Leaders are first-aid certified, and most have led multiple Rustic Pathways programs. Leaders range from 25 to 35 years old.

Are rooms gender-separated?

Yes. Students room with same-gender peers. Staff stay in adjacent rooms.

What about medical emergencies?

All Program Leaders are first-aid certified. Nearest hospitals are mapped out in all locations. Our health & safety team reviews all medical forms before departure and works with families to plan medications, allergies, and dietary needs.

Communication

Can students contact home?

Yes. Rustic Pathways’ policy is that students can call, text, or WhatsApp anytime. Rustic Pathways is happy to defer to established school policies instead.

How do families stay informed?

Rustic Pathways sends daily photo updates throughout the program.

Group & Logistics

How big is the group?

Group size varies based on the school’s needs. Contact Rustic Pathways for a custom quote.

Can friends room together?

Yes. Rustic Pathways provides a room list prior to travel. Schools can assign rooming allocations or allow students to choose their roommates.

Program Details

Will students have unsupervised time?

Structured independence with staff nearby. No unsupervised time in public areas.

Can Rustic Pathways accommodate food allergies? 

Yes. Dietary needs are collected during enrollment and shared with all meal providers.

How much spending money should students have?

$150–200 recommended. Tipping is included, no extra cash needed.

Support

What if a student gets homesick?

Homesickness can be common during the first few days; Rustic Pathways is well-prepared. See how staff support students through homesickness

Does Rustic Pathways support neurodiverse students?

Rustic Pathways welcomes all students. Read how Rustic Pathways supports neurodiverse students.

What Should Teachers Know?

Which students thrive on this program?
Students who are curious, adaptable, and open to new experiences. No prior travel experience is required.
What will students do each day?
Each day includes a mix of structured activities, cultural experiences, and group time. See the itinerary above for a day-by-day overview.
Costa Rica offers a unique combination of cultural richness, safety, and meaningful engagement opportunities for student groups. Rustic Pathways has operated programs here for years and maintains strong local partnerships.
How Do Flights Work?
School groups can arrange their own flights, or Rustic Pathways can arrange them as an optional add-on. In either case, teachers fly with students, and Rustic Pathways program leaders meet the group at the arrival airport and manage all in-country logistics from there.
What Meals Are Included?
All meals included. Dietary needs accommodated.
Included:
  • All lodging
  • All meals
  • In-country transport
  • All activities and excursions
  • 24/7 staff support
Not Included:
  • International airfare
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal spending money

What Other Program Types Are Available?

Costa Rica Americas Service + Adventure
Request a Quote