Overview
Take your players to Costa Rica, a country where soccer is life, to grow their skills and love for the game. They’ll learn from professionals in exclusive coaching clinics, compete against local teams, attend a professional match, and enjoy a private tour of Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica. Beyond the field, explore the country’s natural wonders with a visit to La Paz Waterfall Gardens, a crocodile river safari, a guided hike up Irazú Volcano, and a full-day rafting trip down the Sarapiquí River.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in San José
Groups flying from the West Coast may be required to depart on Day 0.
Meet your Tour Director
Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.
Welcome meeting and orientation
Training session led by your own coaching staff
Participate in a training session at a local field in the area.
Dinner
Day 2
Training session led by your own coaching staff
Participate in a training session at a local field in the area.
Lunch
San José guided sightseeing tour
Democracy plaza, Metropolitan Cathedral, National Theater, Proyecto Gol
National stadium of Costa Rica guided visit
Take a guided tour of the National Stadium of Costa Rica (Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica). The stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in La Sabana Metropolitan Park, San José. It is the first modern sport and event arena to be built in Central America. The stadium was completed in 2011 and officially opened its doors to the public on Saturday, March 26 of that same year, with a capacity of 35,175 seats. The stadium serves as the home stadium of the Costa Rica national football team and it was used to host matches during the 2014 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, including the opening game, the third place match and the Final.
Dinner
Day 3
La Paz Waterfall Gardens visit
Visit La Paz Waterfall Gardens, one of the most beautiful and fascinating attractions in Costa Rica. Enter the Aviary to explore the birds of Costa Rica. Continue into the huge Butterfly Garden featuring a variety of species and an excellent learning center. View the monkeys and explore the hummingbird and orchid gardens. Hike down the perfectly laid out trails to viewing points along the 4 La Paz Waterfalls, each viewing point seemingly more impressive than the last.
Lunch
Friendly soccer match
Play an international friendly match against a local club or academy team. The team will meet and compete against athletes of similar ages and skill levels, and have the opportunity to make friends for life.
Dinner
Day 4
Travel to the Tarcoles River
Crocodile safari
Enjoy getting your adrenaline pumping again on your tour through a crocodile safari. There are two native species of crocodiles in Costa Rica: the American crocodile and the Spectacled Caiman. American crocodiles can grow up to 20 feet in length and weigh over 1,000 pounds. Caimans are much smaller, around 8 feet in length, and weigh less than 100 pounds.
Lunch
Friendly soccer match
Play an international friendly match against a local club or academy team. The team will meet and compete against athletes of similar ages and skill levels, and have the opportunity to make friends for life.
Dinner
Day 5
Training session led by your own coaching staff
Participate in a training session at a local field in the area.
Travel to the Central Pacific Coast
Lunch
Beach time
Attend professional soccer match
Experience a professional soccer match like never before as you chant and cheer alongside passionate fans and watch world-famous, international players go cleat to cleat on the field.
Dinner
Day 6
Professional coaching clinic
Participate in this special clinic with a guest coach, player, or instructor. The clinic is designed exclusively for your team and to enhance your skills in the areas identified by your coaching staff.
Lunch
Travel to Cartago
Irazú Volcano guided excursion
Gape at the 11,260-foot Irazú Volcano, the highest in Costa Rica. Still active, it last erupted in 1963 on the day that Kennedy visited; the eruption sent enough ash into the air that it dammed a nearby river and flooded the towns below. From its peak you can look inside the crater to see the bright green, sulfurous water inside or look out on the more tranquil view of both the Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans.
Dinner
Day 7
Sarapiqui River full-day guided rafting trip
The perfect way to experience Costa Rica at its best. After getting full safety and paddling instructions from your guide, head off into lush rainforest teeming with toucans, herons, and iguanas. Be on the lookout for basilisk lizards — these reptiles can scurry across the water on their hind legs, a feat that earned them the nickname “Jesus Christ lizards.” End your tour of Costa Rica’s most popular river with a traditional lunch prepared by your guide. For safety reasons, weight restrictions apply to this activity.
Lunch
Friendly soccer match
Play an international friendly match against a local club or academy team. The team will meet and compete against athletes of similar ages and skill levels, and have the opportunity to make friends for life.
Dinner
Day 8
Flight home from San José
Travel home
Already Included
WorldStrides Tour Director: A dynamic destination expert who makes learning come to life by leading your group's activities and discussions
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tickets to local games/matches (details in itinerary)
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Dedicated team practice time (details in itinerary)
Scenes from Costa Rica
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.