Route: San José to Turrialba, then back to San José for the flight home
How is safety managed, and where do students stay?
Rustic Pathways prioritizes student safety with a written risk management plan for every program. Students spend two weeks with a Costa Rican host family in Turrialba, plus the first and last nights at a hotel in San José.
Supervision and safety
- Supervision Median 4.37:1 student-to-staff ratio, maximum 7:1. In Turrialba, Program Leaders are based in town for the two weeks, see students at the school each weekday, and are reachable at any hour.
- 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; Turrialba has a hospital in town.
- Program Leaders Background checks through Sterling, more than 80 hours of training (40+ in person), CPR and First Aid certified.
- Homestays Two students to a family, so nobody spends the first evening alone.
Where they stay
Two weeks with a Costa Rican host family in Turrialba, and the first and last nights at a hotel in San José.
- Host family in Turrialba · 12 nights Two students to a family, in a room of their own or shared with the other student, with all meals at home.
- Hotel in San José · 2 nights A hotel near the airport for the first and last night, in gender-separated rooms.
- Two students to a host family
- Program Leaders stay nearby and see every student each day
Accommodation can change by session and availability. We confirm where each student stays before departure.
What a week looks like
Mornings are Spanish class, grouped by level so a beginner and a near-fluent student are not in the same room. Afternoons are activities with the group in and around Turrialba, and evenings are dinner at home with your host family.
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
Students who traveled to Turrialba describe what stayed with them.
“Experiencing Costa Rica and specifically Turrialba was incredible. Being in a non touristy city was a great look into the real Costa Rican daily life.”
“Throughout the trip, I noticed a shift in the way I held myself. I found myself not only developing my soccer skills, but I also found myself gaining more confidence both on and off the field.”
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.
Where do students sleep, and who supervises at night?
At their host family’s house, two Rustic Pathways students to a family, in a room of their own or shared with the other student. Program Leaders are based in Turrialba for the two weeks, see students at the school each weekday, and are reachable at any hour. On the first and last nights in the San José hotel, students room with same-gender peers.
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.
- 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. 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. Gateways are confirmed for each departure. 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 flight 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) |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 6 – Jul 20, 2027 | Tue, Jul 6 | Tue, Jul 20 |
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, and nights 2 to 13 are with your host family in Turrialba.
Do U.S. citizens need a visa for Costa Rica?
U.S. citizens 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
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.
Turrialba has a regional hospital, and Cartago is about an hour away.
Will my child have free time?
Some afternoons include free time in Turrialba with Program Leaders nearby, and family days are spent with the host family. There is no unsupervised time in unfamiliar public places, and students are never alone with just one adult.
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 days, medical and accessibility needs, and certain homestays are exceptions.
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?
The group is limited to 16 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
How much Spanish does my child need?
None. Classes are grouped by level, so complete beginners are fine. What matters more is a willingness to try Spanish at home every evening.
How many hours of Spanish instruction are included?
Students receive 40 hours of Spanish instruction across the two weeks: 3 to 4 hours each weekday morning, grouped by level after a placement test on Day 2.
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.
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?
$4,595 at checkout ($4,495 Program Tuition + $100 enrollment fee), about $306 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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