Overview
Students will enhance their Spanish language skills and discover Costa Rica’s amazing natural attractions in this immersive learning program. Start each day with a Spanish language class, and then head out to practice what you've learned while discovering the biodiversity and culture of this unique country. See a bubbling volcano, hike through the rainforest, and learn to prepare local dishes in a cooking class.
Itinerary
Day 1
Tour must depart North America on Sundays
Arrive in San José
Groups flying from the West Coast may be required to depart on Day 0.
Meet your Resident Director and travel to Heredia
Your 24-hour Resident Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.
Health & safety program orientation
Participate in an orientation session covering health, safety, and program expectations.
Begin homestay
Our home for our stay will be with our homestay families in Heredia, where three meals will be provided daily. Heredia is the capital city of the Heredia Province, one of the most beautiful provinces of Costa Rica. Nestled in the foothills of the dormant Barva Volcano, Heredia is surrounded by lush green hills dotted with coffee plantations, tropical forests, and national parks. Heredia offers visitors the ideal location for exploring the region's natural beauty.
Daily group discussion and evening activities
We do not learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on experience - John DeweyOn every evening of the program, we will set time aside to update our Reflection Journal andshare thoughts and impressions that have come to the fore in the course of the day.
Overnight in homestay
Day 2
Spanish language and culture classes
We will have the opportunity to participate in language classes that will enhance our cultural understanding and linguistic skills.
Doka Coffee Plantation tour
Visiting the largest coffee plantation in Costa Rica will allow you to learn everything about the process related to cultivation, processing and good practices, as well as your natural and cultural environment.
Overnight in homestay
Day 3
Spanish language and culture classes
We will have the opportunity to participate in language classes that will enhance our cultural understanding and linguistic skills.
Heredia city walk
Take an walking tour of Heredia; a refreshingly pleasant and relaxed Costa Rican city which is a great location for anyone looking for a truly unique Costa Rica experience. The city is emblematic of the Costa Rican lifestyle; showcasing pleasant plazas, lush green spaces and parks, and friendly people enjoying their days.
Dance lesson
Enjoy a dance lesson conducted by professional instructors at the Universidad Latina.
Overnight in homestay
Day 4
Spanish language and culture classes
We will have the opportunity to participate in language classes that will enhance our cultural understanding and linguistic skills.
Overnight in homestay
Day 5
Spanish language and culture classes
We will have the opportunity to participate in language classes that will enhance our cultural understanding and linguistic skills.
Cocina Tica cooking class
Cook Costa Rican style! Create authentic local foods and sit down to savor your delicious creations.
Overnight in homestay
Day 6
Spanish language and culture classes
We will have the opportunity to participate in language classes that will enhance our cultural understanding and linguistic skills.
Free time
Overnight in homestay
Day 7
Travel to Arenal
Arenal is famous for its volcano, an unavoidable presence while traveling within this part of the country. It is tall, imposing, perfectly symmetrical shape makes it instantly recognizable.
Canopy zipline tour
Soar through the treetops for the unmatched close-up of the New World’s best wildlife refuge. Harness yourself to cables that run between platforms high in the trees, then step into thin air and zip from tree to tree. Experience a true bird-eye view from your new aerial perspective. For safety reasons, weight restrictions apply to this activity.
Baldi Hot Springs visit
Visit the Baldi Hot Springs and take the opportunity to submerge yourself in the natural medicinal waters. The springs include several pools of varying temperatures, all surrounded by nature.
Day 8
Arenal Volcano National Park visit
Arenal Volcano National Park is located in the northern region of the country and is home to one of the world’s most active and impressive volcanoes. Besides the volcano, this national park has various hiking trails that wind through the tropical highland forest as well as the lowland wet forest. Also within the park is a magnificent man-made lake, Lake Arenal (the largest lake in Costa Rica), which provides over 40% of the country’s energy production.
La Fortuna Waterfalls visit
Hike down through the lush rainforest alongside the La Fortuna waterfalls, which cascade down a stunning 240 feet. Finish the day with a swim in the still pool at the bottom of the falls.
Travel to Heredia
Overnight in homestay
Day 9
Spanish language and culture classes
We will have the opportunity to participate in language classes that will enhance our cultural understanding and linguistic skills.
Volunteering orientation
Today marks the beginning of the volunteering phase of the program and will begin with a short orientation and a visit to the location we will be based in. Note: Final location for service activities will be confirmed at a date closer to time of travel.
Overnight in homestay
Day 10
Spanish language and culture classes
We will have the opportunity to participate in language classes that will enhance our cultural understanding and linguistic skills.
Zoo Ave visit
Visit Zoo Ave where we will view dozens of scarlet macaws, reclusive owls, majestic raptors, several different species of toucans, and a host of brilliantly colored birds from Costa Rica and around the world. Enjoy a stroll along the paths where to get a close look at large iguana, deer, monkeys, and a 12-ft. long crocodile. Zoo Ave houses only injured, donated, or confiscated animals.
Movie night
Overnight in homestay
Day 11
Spanish language and culture classes
We will have the opportunity to participate in language classes that will enhance our cultural understanding and linguistic skills.
Artisan open-air market visit
Spend some time in the Costa Rican artisan open-air market that sells everything from handcrafted jewelry, elaborate woodwork, and dairy products.
Teatro Nacional Costa Rica visit
Visit the National Theater. Designed after the Opera House in Paris, it is considered to be Costa Rica's most important architectural landmark.
Folklore farewell dinner
Final reflection and group discussion
A student led session, following on from the previous reflection sessions, in which the group identifies goals achieved, both group and individual, both internal to the group and externally in the service work achievements, to bring context and resolution to the week's experience before heading home. This evening we make the final entries in our Reflection Journal and individuals can, if they want to, share significant individual observations with the group.
Overnight in homestay
Day 12
End homestay
Travel to San José
Recognize perspectives and communicate ideas
Throughout the program, we will set time aside time for discussion, guided reflection, and time to write reflections on self-discovery and what we have learned. "We do not learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on experience" - John Dewey
End tour
Already Included
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)
Tips for local guides and drivers
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Language-intensive classes (details in itinerary)
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
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.