Length: 8 Days

Dates: March 6-13, 2027

Costa Rica is a country with a limitless economy and a strategic location. To the traditional exports of bananas, coffee, sugar and beef, it has now added tourism and technology. This has helped the country maintain a high standard of living conditions and enabled residents to become landowners. With the highest level of foreign direct investment per capita in Latin America, Costa Rica continues its path of growth on the production of a wide variety of industrial and non-industrial products, leading its economy to prosper more and more. We are sure you will appreciate the standard of living in this wonderful country.

During this 8-day program students will be involved in several projects with a focus on schooling and environment preservation. They will also take part in a cooking class, a Calypso dance class and will have time to wander to pick up the perfect souvenir at the craft market.

• From 8 to 10 participants — $2,670

• From 11 to 14 participants — $2,330

• From 15 to 20 participants — $2,270

*Flight schedule is subject to change until ticketing is finalized

The group will become oriented with their neighborhood, the public transportation systems, nearby pharmacies, markets, ATMs, etc. Additionally, an in-depth safety briefing will be provided for what to do incase of an emergency.

The group will be taken for an authentic dinner with a wide variety of menu options to cater all diets.

Introduction to the activities that will be taking place throughout the duration of the program

Enjoy a great time sharing and learning about Costa Rica Caribbean cuisine and Afro-Caribbean culture. Costa Rican Caribbean cuisine is characterized by the use of species, herbs and coconut derivatives.

In this amazing park students will see the best combination of jungle trek and beautiful Caribbean beaches just a few meters apart

Medicinal Plants, Traditions, Chocolate Making

Bribri Waterfall is a secluded cascade set within lush tropical forest, known for its clear pools, gentle flow, and peaceful atmosphere. It’s a quiet, nature‑immersive stop ideal for a refreshing swim and a glimpse into the region’s rich indigenous landscape.

Demarcation and census of the turtles, March is the beginning of the leatherback turtles, the largest on the planet. It includes a talk, a small turtle museum, as it is the beginning of the season we will not be able to observe the turtles hatching, but the group will help ensure that they have an effective birth.

Calypso music has a unique and interesting history behind its origin, popularity, and appreciation in the mainstream music scene. It is a type of folk song primarily from Trinidad though sung elsewhere in the southern and eastern Caribbean islands.

Meet elementary school students and enjoy a lively English conversation with them. In turn, learn more about their school environment and daily routine.

This is Cahuita’s long, black-sand beach. Top spot for swimming due to the clean, calm water.

Snorkeling - The most popular feature of Cahuita National Park is its spectacular 600-acre coral reef. Although the reef has shrunk in recent years, it remains one of Costa Rica's most popular marine attractions.

Surfing Lesson - Follow the pura vida vibes enjoying a surfing lesson according to your expertise, from beginners to expert.

(Approx. 5 hrs)

We’ll visit a small coffee farm, led by a family that has been growing organic coffee for the last two decades. We will have tour of the coffee plantation and learn about sustainable coffee production and processing. The farmer/owner poses some very interesting questions about supply chain.

The highest Volcano in Costa Rica. Walk along its crater and see it in its magnificence!

*Flight schedule is subject to change until ticketing is finalized

• Community projects

• Cahuita National Park

• Bribri Indigenous Community Visit

• Introduction to Natural Products, Medicinal Plants

• Traditional Caribbean Cooking Lessons

• Introduction to Local Dance & Calypso Music

• Playa Negra

• Turtle Conservation Project

• Irazu Volcano

• Coffee Plantation

Prior to registering for this program, please consult the U.S. Department of State information on traveling internationally to your specific destination(s), so you are aware of the potential risks, restrictions, and recommendations.

Most SAA programs include a significant amount of walking, going up and down stairs, and use of public transportation. Each destination has its own laws on disability discrimination and accessibility. In some places, there are little to no legal requirements, which can make it difficult for travelers with particular accessibility needs.

Please email info@studyabroadassociation.com with any questions or specific accessibility needs.

Your program has a group flight arranged by SAA.

• It is important to note that with group flights, there is limited availability for changes such as date extensions, flight deviations, route changes, one-way flights, use of airline miles, etc. While a very small number of deviations may be allowed on group bookings, this varies by airline, cannot be guaranteed, and will incur additional costs.

• Seating assignments or special seat requests cannot be guaranteed for group flights, as they are at the discretion of the airline.

• Airlines have very specific deadlines for any special requests like deviations, route changes, etc. so you will need to submit this request via email to SAA at saafllights@studyabroadassociation.com at least 120 days prior to departure. SAA cannot guarantee any individual requests will be accepted by the airline.

• Any special requests for meals (dietary restrictions, allergies), Frequent Flyer or Known Traveler Number additions, or any specific accommodation-related seats requests need to be requested to SAA at saafllights@studyabroadassociation.com no later than 7 days before departure. Please note that SAA cannot guarantee that the requests will be accepted by the airline.

Housing accommodation selection will be based on group size, gender breakdown and availability. As a standard, SAA will book participants in shared rooms of 2-4 people per room, unless otherwise requested, with ensuite bathroom. Each participant will have their own bed. Specific accommodations and locations will be confirmed once final enrollment numbers are submitted to SAA, usually 3-4 months prior to arrival.

Any single occupancy upgrades must be requested via email at least 100 days prior to departure to be accommodated.

Accommodations are always centrally located and top-rated (minimum rating of 8 out of 10). Daily continental breakfast and free wi-fi included.

SAA includes in the cost of the program a GeoBlue international medical and travel health insurance policy. The plan includes coverage up to $500,000, has a $0 deductible, covers pre-existing conditions, and includes 24/7 mental health and wellbeing support. It also includes full coverage for emergency medical evacuation, political evacuation, and natural disaster coverage.

We get it - things happen and plans change! From flight delays or lost luggage, to last minute emergencies that mean you cannot go on the program as planned, our insurance partner, LewerMark Insurance, offers a variety of trip insurance options you may want to consider. Regardless of which trip insurance or insurance provider you consider to protect your trip investment, SAA strongly recommends travelers purchase a policy that includes both Cancel For Any Reason and Interruption For Any Reason (CFAR/IFAR), for maximum protection.

Participants are responsible to secure the necessary travel documents (passport, visa[s], entry authorizations, etc.). Failure to do so does not constitute grounds for a refund. Participants must obtain a passport and any applicable visas for the program prior to departure. Generally, passports must be valid for at least six months after the program end date.

Non-U.S. citizens will need to contact the embassy or consulate of their destination countries to ensure they meet specific entry requirements. This pertains to all countries that will be visited or passed through, including transfers between airports in foreign countries and re-entry into the United States.

More information is available through the U.S. Department of State at travel.state.gov.

• 60 days before departure SAA needs to receive passport details for all participants in order to confirm reservations on-site.

• Withdrawal or cancellation > 100 days before departure (December 4, 2026), SAA shall refund the deposit paid per person

• Withdrawal or cancellation 99-80 days before departure (December 24, 2026), SAA shall retain the deposit per person and will return any other recoverable costs available

• Withdrawal or cancellation 79 days before departure (December 25, 2026) to the arrival day, no refund shall be provided

• 150 days prior to departure $500 per person is due and payable by October 15, 2026

• 90 days prior to departure, the second payment in the amount of 50% of the remaining amount is due and payable by December 14, 2026

• 60 days prior to departure, the third and final payment in the amount of the remaining amount is due and payable by January 13, 2027

Lead Institutional Partnership Manager

eleonora@studyabroadassociation.com

Program Manager

laura@studyabroadassociation.com

Program Manager

chiara@studyabroadassociation.com

We are the dedicated SAA Team that will assist you with program questions, provide your group pre-departure orientation with SAA, make all your arrangements onsite, and help through your return back to the US. We are available to assist you at every point of the process!