Costa Rica: Pura Vida Service (Middle School)

How do flights work?

Chaperoned group flights are available from Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), or Newark (EWR), to San José (SJO). Alternatively, students can travel independently. Rustic Pathways Program Leaders coordinate airport pickup and ensure safe departures for students not on chaperoned flights.

After enrollment, our Personal Travel Advisors can assist with booking and logistics.

International flights are not included in program tuition.

What are the arrival and departure dates if my student flies independently?

Dates on this page run from the day the group flight leaves the U.S. to the day the group leaves Costa Rica. The group lands in San José the same day.

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.

What's included in the price?

Included: Lodging (all 7 nights), all meals, all airport transfers and ground transport, all activities, excursions, and entrance fees, 24/7 staff support.
Not included: International airfare, travel insurance, personal spending money.

Do you offer financial aid or scholarships?

Yes. Payment plans are available for all families, and Rustic Pathways offers both need-based financial aid and merit scholarships. Explore scholarships and financial aid →

Is travel insurance required?

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

What is the enrollment fee?

A one-time enrollment fee is charged when you enroll, separate from the program tuition. It covers enrollment processing, pre-departure advising and trip planning.

The fee is non-refundable after the first 24 hours.

What if my family has an emergency and we have to cancel?

March 31 is the date that matters. Cancel up to then and the program tuition is refunded, less the non-refundable enrollment fee and any airfare already booked. The enrollment terms carry the full schedule.

We know some things are outside anyone’s control. If your family faces a serious documented emergency, contact us; we review these situations individually and will do what we reasonably can to help.

Who's supervising my child?

New Rustic Pathways Program Leaders go through a four-month selection process that includes vetting, training, evaluation and candidate winnowing. 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).

100% of Rustic Pathways Program Leaders hold current CPR and First Aid certification, every program includes at least one leader with 3 or more years of field experience, and Program Leaders range in age from 22 to 45.

How are middle schoolers supervised?

The middle school session follows the same supervision standards as every Rustic Pathways Student Travel program, with a group made up only of students ages 12 to 14.

• Rustic Pathways Program Leaders are housed on site and available overnight.
• Rustic Pathways uses Two-Deep Leadership so a single staff member is not alone with students.
• Each student has an individual one-to-one check-in within 24 hours of arrival, and Rustic Pathways sends a Safe Arrival email within 12 hours.
• Rooms are gender-separated, every student gets an individual bed, and every student on the program has the same “In For the Night” curfew.

Are rooms gender-separated?

Yes. Students room with same-gender peers at the La Fortuna base house and the San José hotel, and every student gets an individual bed. Program Leaders are housed on site and available overnight.

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.

What is Rustic Pathways' phone and smart device policy?

Rustic Pathways programs follow the Trip Before Scroll policy. Phones and other connected devices are stored securely by program staff during daytime programming and handed back after the final scheduled activity. Students keep them overnight, subject to quiet-hours and lights-out rules.

Medical and accessibility needs and travel days are exceptions. Read the device policy and contact arrangements.

The base house has Wi-Fi, but speeds vary.

How can I reach my child?

Students receive their phones after the final scheduled activity and keep them overnight, subject to quiet-hours, lights-out rules, and connectivity. Families receive expected timing, time-zone guidance, and contact details before departure.

For non-emergency program concerns, contact the Country Director using the WhatsApp details provided before departure. For routine help, call the Rustic Pathways office at +1 440-975-9691 during published office hours. For an urgent matter at any time, use the 24/7 emergency number in the pre-departure materials.

If a student needs to contact home during programming for an urgent matter, medical need, significant personal concern, or family situation, a Program Leader will help arrange communication as soon as circumstances reasonably allow.

How big is the group and how old are the participants?

Every student in this session is 12 to 14, and the session has 20 places.

Has this middle school session run before?

Yes. The middle school session of Pura Vida Service ran in summer 2026 with 10 students ages 12 to 14. The 2027 session runs June 29 – July 6.

Can international (non-U.S.) students join this program?

Yes. Rustic Pathways programs are open to students worldwide, and Rustic Pathways reports that its alumni come from 53 countries. International students usually book their own flights to San José (SJO), where staff coordinate pickup. Visa requirements vary by passport, so contact a travel advisor for guidance.

Do students come with friends, or on their own?

Mostly on their own: 94% travel solo. Program Leaders run ice-breakers on day one, and because the session is middle schoolers only, everyone is meeting students their own age.

What is the accommodation like?

Nights 2 to 6 are at a private Rustic Pathways base house in La Fortuna near Arenal Volcano, with gender-separated rooms, private bathrooms, hot water, and common spaces. Nights 1 and 7 are at a hotel near the San José airport. Student rooms generally sleep 2 to 5 students.

Can friends room together?

Yes. Roommate requests accepted during enrollment.

Can the program itinerary change?

This itinerary reflects what we intend to deliver, and we work hard to make that happen. Since programs operate in real-world conditions, activities may change due to weather, health and safety factors, transportation, site availability, or local circumstances.

If plans need to change, our team will use its judgment to adjust the schedule while prioritizing student safety and preserving the program’s purpose and quality.

Will my child have unsupervised time?

No unsupervised time in public areas. Free time is structured with staff nearby, and students relax at the base house pool and common areas.

Can you accommodate dietary needs & food allergies?

Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and common dietary restrictions accommodated with advance notice. All dietary needs collected during enrollment and shared with meal providers.

How much spending money?

Spending money depends on your student’s habits; most families send a small amount for snacks and souvenirs. Students never need to bring money to give away because Rustic Pathways pays tips, host-family and community contributions, and site donations on their behalf. US dollars are widely accepted in Costa Rica, and the Costa Rican colón is also used locally.

Do we need a visa?

US citizens don’t need a visa for Costa Rica. Travelers from other countries may need one; contact Rustic Pathways for advice on visa requirements.

What if my child gets homesick?

Homesickness is common in the first few days, and staff are trained to help. Read how Rustic Pathways supports students with homesickness.

Do you support neurodiverse students?

Rustic Pathways welcomes all students. Learn about the Rustic Pathways approach to inclusion

Who is this session for?

Students ages 12 to 14. This is the middle school session of Pura Vida Service, so everyone in the group is in that age range.

Students ages 14 to 18 travel on the high school sessions of Costa Rica: Pura Vida Service, which follow a similar route with their own service projects.

Is this a good first trip away from home?

It is set up for one. No prior travel experience is required, and every student in the group is 12 to 14. Most students join without knowing anyone (94% travel solo), and Program Leaders run ice-breakers on day one.

The group spends five of its seven nights at one base house in La Fortuna, and Rustic Pathways Program Leaders are housed on site and available overnight. Each student has an individual one-to-one check-in within 24 hours of arrival. Homesickness can come up in the first few days, and staff are trained to help.

Which students thrive on this program?

Middle schoolers ages 12 to 14 who are curious, like being active outdoors, and are ready to spend a week on service work with students their own age. Students who are open to new foods and to making friends in a new setting do well here. No prior travel experience is required.

What does a typical day look like?

Most days start with breakfast at the base house in La Fortuna, followed by service work: improvements at the local elementary school or trail maintenance in Arenal Volcano National Park. Afternoons alternate between more service and adventure, such as zip lining and an organic farm tour on Day 4, a soccer match with local students on Day 5, or rafting the Sarapiquí River and the natural hot springs on Day 6. Evenings are group dinners and reflection with the Program Leaders.

Who might this program not suit?

Students who are not yet ready to spend a full week away from home, or who need a lot of private space or alone time. The program is group-based: shared rooms, shared meals and a full daily schedule. Wi-Fi at the base house is limited, and phones are stored securely during daytime programming. Students who dislike warm, humid weather or physical outdoor work may find the days hard.

Why La Fortuna and the Arenal region?

La Fortuna sits at the base of Arenal Volcano, surrounded by rainforest, rivers, and wildlife. Most of the week’s service work and activities happen around the town, where the group stays at one base house for five nights: the school and national park service sites, the zip line canopy, the organic farm and the town center.

Why Costa Rica?

Costa Rica sets aside a large share of its land as national parks and reserves, including Arenal Volcano National Park near La Fortuna. Its “Pura Vida” way of life, centered on gratitude, community, and joy, gives the program its name. Rainforest, rivers, and wildlife sit right next to the service sites around La Fortuna.

What cultural experiences are built in?

A cultural presentation at a local school on Day 2. A tour of an educational organic farm on Day 4, where students learn about traditional agriculture and medicinal plants. A cultural exchange with local students and a soccer match on Day 5. Local meals such as gallo pinto, plantains, and fresh tropical fruit through the week, and time in La Fortuna’s town center for souvenirs.