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Costa Rica

Costa Rica: Volcano and Rainforest Service — Custom School Trips

Groups of 8+ | Custom Dates | 18 Service Hours | Fully Supported | 4.9 on GoOverseas

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Spend a week diving into service and adventure activities around our stunning Volcano and Rainforest Service Base in beautiful La Fortuna. Get immersed in the local culture and contribute to community-initiated projects focusing on infrastructure, education and the environment. Zipline through the rainforest, search for wildlife like sloths and monkeys and learn about local agriculture. Test your bravery while white water rafting and relax in the hot springs. By the program’s end, you’ll see why Costa Rica is famous for its stunning landscapes, friendly people and fun activities.

“La Fortuna was beautiful. I’ve literally never seen anything like it. 

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 8-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’ll be with you for the duration of the program. Have a traditional Tico lunch and head to your new home for the week. Settle in, eat dinner, and play games or enjoy the pool. Get a warm welcome to La Fortuna! Flights: Rustic Pathways is happy to book your flights as an optional add-on service.
2

Tico Village Life

Start the day with a cultural presentation, enjoying local music, dance, and stories about the community. Participate in sharing and learning activities as you get inspired for your next few days in town. Afterwards, join in a pre-service debriefing, discussing what you are about to experience during your hands-on work in La Fortuna. Following lunch, head to your first community service location. Contribute to service initiatives in cooperation with local community leaders. Projects will focus on community infrastructure development, educational facility improvement, and environmental initiatives and will vary by day. Our team will provide you with more details about your projects closer to the date of travel; typically you’ll contribute to a few projects over the course of a few days to see varied aspects of local community initiatives. Overnight: Rustic Pathways Base House, La Fortuna
3

Community Service

Launch into your second day of service projects. Gain a greater understanding of what these projects mean to the community. Learn how it can take years for communities to fundraise for infrastructure improvements. Take a break for lunch and work for a few more hours in the afternoon. At the end of the day, travel back to the base house to enjoy the pool, hang out and relax. Overnight: Rustic Pathways Base House, La Fortuna
4

Ziplining & Farm Tour

Wake up early to head out for a high speed adventure. Zipline above the rainforest, looking out for wildlife and taking in the views. Afterwards, travel to Finca Don Juan for lunch. Learn how fresh produce is cultivated and enjoy some samples. Wrap up the day playing games, and hanging out at the base house. Overnight: Rustic Pathways Base House, La Fortuna
5

Back to Community Projects

Return to the community you met on your first day of service. Spend the day putting finishing touches on your projects. If time allows, explore the town of La Fortuna, stopping in their coffee and ice cream shops and souvenir places. Overnight: Rustic Pathways Base House, La Fortuna
6

Service & Hot Springs

Spend one last morning on your community service projects. Say goodbye to local friends you’ve made and have lunch at a spot with a stunning view. Spend the afternoon at one of the nearby hot springs in town. Soak in the naturally heated volcanic water. Arenal Volcano is known for these hot springs! Afterwards, join your group for a delectable dinner. Buen provecho! Overnight: Rustic Pathways Base House, La Fortuna
7

Rafting Adventure!

Wake up early for breakfast. Get suited up and grab your paddles, as you hit the rapids of the Sarapiqui River! Enjoy the rich greenery surrounding one of the most beautiful rafting locations in Costa Rica. At the trip’s end, change your clothes and eat at a local lunch spot. Then hop in the van and watch the views go by during a two-hour drive to San Jose. Back in the city, enjoy dinner and join in a closing discussion and the traditional Rustic Ties ceremony. This unique and powerful activity allows students to reflect on their program experience and discuss how to share what they’ve learned with their communities back home. Overnight: Hotel, San Jose
8

¡Adiós, Costa Rica!

Say goodbye to Costa Rica as your program leaders take you to the airport for flight. We hope the people you’ve met, perspectives you’ve gained, and lessons you’ve learned will serve you well as you head home. Flights: Rustic Pathways is happy to book your flights as an optional add-on service.

Total: 8 calendar days / 7 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
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