Join Global Family Travels and experience Costa Rica, a leading destination for ecotourism, while enjoying fun adventures visiting its rainforests, volcanoes, and wildlife reserves. Your group will cultivate deep bonds with this country through immersive experiences and opportunities to work together on conservation community projects and enjoy a range of cultural activities, including chocolate-making!
A highlight of this trip is the immersive experience of exploring the beauty of Costa Rica's natural wonders in its rainforests, cloud forests, and some fun beach time towards the end of your trip to soak in the experiences of this amazing country! It offers an enriching opportunity for students to delve into some key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, such as #13: Climate Action, providing them with firsthand experience in contributing to the global goals.
Our trip begins in the capital city, San Jose, where we will get a taste for the multicultural heritage and vibrant culture of Costa Rica. Then leave the city behind for the first of many ecological destinations where guests will participate in conservation community projects on the Pacuare River and later with the Verdiazul organization to help with turtle conservation.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS are below, click on ITINERARY to see all the details.
At Global Family Travels we believe that the most powerful way to learn is through first- hand experience. We let the country and its people be your teachers and supplement your experiences with reading lists, informal discussions, and a pre-trip orientation which includes information on the culture and history of your host country, helpful words and phrases, and cultural “dos and don’ts”.
Learning themes unique to this tour include:
Costa Rican culture and history
Ecotourism and conversation in Costa Rica’s natural beauty
Flora and fauna of the rainforest
Sustainable tourism and its impact on the local economy
United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #13: Climate Action and how it is being addressed in Costa Rica
Various service projects take place during your adventure in rainforests, biological reserves and in communities we work with on this trip. Community service opportunities include a conservation hike with Rios Lodge and community, as well as a turtle conservation project with the organization Verdiazul. Located in Junquillal beach, 4 of the 7 turtle species make their journey here, making it the perfect opportunity to participate in a turtle conservation project!
This tour emphasizes authentic cultural experiences to give you a true taste of Costa Rica. Your group will have the opportunity to interact with Costa Rican conservationists and immerse in the natural beauty of the destination. You will also have a chance to go on a chocolate tour, visiting a traditional cacao plantation where you will get to see the cacao bean in its different stages for making chocolate. You will also immerse yourself through "Pura Vida" experiences, learning how connected Costa Ricans are to their natural environment and heritage!
Located in Junquillal, this organization focuses mainly on turtle conservation. Working with 10 local families in the region, they hold sea turtle and environmental protection workshops to forge a positive change for the ocean and the animals living in it.
Nestled within a rainforest overlooking the majestic Pacuare River, the Pacuare Lodge is situated in a breathtaking setting recognized by National Geographic as one of the world's top ten scenic rivers. Accessing this exquisite eco-lodge is an adventure in itself, as guests arrive and depart as part of a thrilling multi-day rafting tour on the Pacuare River.
Surrounded by lush rainforest, the Pacuare Lodge is located within a private reserve that is part of the largest network of protected areas in Central America, spanning over 1.2 million acres of pristine tropical wilderness.
Address: 300 Mts Sureste de la Escuela de Cerro Plano, Puntarenas Province, Santa Elena, Costa Rica
Phone: +506 2645 7600
Monteverde Country Lodge is the fully renovated sister property of Hotel & Spa Poco a Poco. It embodies the philosophy, experience, and aspiration to establish a new lodging option that emphasizes tradition and personalized service.
Combining the comforts of modern establishments with the rustic charm, warmth, and tradition of Monteverde from the 1980s, Monteverde Country Lodge offers a unique retreat experience.
Monteverde Country Lodge was granted by the Costa Rican Tourism Board with 3 levels on the Sustainable Tourism Certification. Ecological Blue Flag and Green Flag Accreditations have been awarded to Monteverde Country Lodge by two consecutive periods.
Address: 142, Provincia de Alajuela, La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Phone: +506 2479 1100
Experience the comfort of cozy rooms nestled amidst lush tropical gardens, offering unparalleled views of the majestic Arenal Volcano. Indulge in the relaxation of our rejuvenating hot springs and Mayin Spa. Delight your taste buds with the authentic flavors of Costa Rica, savoring international cuisine and the finest steaks at our renowned steakhouse.
Address: 200 este y 50 norte del Banco Nacional de Tamarindo, Provincia de Guanacaste, Tamarindo, 50309, Costa Rica
Phone: +506 4700 4747
Discover unparalleled ocean vistas at Tamarindo's premier destination. Our charming hotel features an infinity pool, a delightful restaurant, and breathtaking ocean views from every room in the vibrant Pacific beach town.
Escape to the tranquility of Wyndham Tamarindo, ideally situated near Tamarindo Beach on Costa Rica's North Pacific Coast. Nestled in one of Central America's most picturesque corners, we offer a tropical sanctuary, blending natural splendor, luxurious accommodations, and top-notch hospitality. Unwind in our infinity pool with a refreshing cocktail from the pool bar, or indulge your palate at Nauta, oceanfront restaurant serving delectable breakfast, lunch, and dinner options.
Hampton by Hilton San Jose Airport
Address: Airport Blvd, 1, Alajuela Province, Alajuela, 20109, Costa Rica
Phone: +506 2436 0000
Hampton Inn provides modern accommodations just one mile from San Jose International Airport. It features a large pool and a gym, as well as free Wi-Fi and free airport transportation.
The spacious rooms at Hampton Inn & Suites display contemporary décor and soundproofed windows, including cable TV, radio and telephone. Air conditioning and heating are supplied. Hampton Inn & Suites San Jose Airport has a tour desk for excursions and fun activities, such as visiting a butterfly farm located 3 miles away, or the National Museum, which is 8 miles from the hotel. There is free parking on site and a 24-hour front desk.
Much more than a traditional travel agency, Bellevue-based Global Family Travels’ mission is to Learn, Serve, and Immerse, using travel as a means to build cultural bridges and to foster global citizens. Using tourism to help solve community and environmental challenges, we organize sustainable travel opportunities in partnership with local and global non-profit organizations and support many communities across the world. For almost 15 years, Global Family Travels has used a community-based approach to develop both impactful global trips and local Seattle-area adventures.
We at Global Family Travels are passionate about creating community-based, family-friendly trips that are truly meaningful, encouraging travelers of all ages to become both stewards of the environment and citizens of the world. With the tourism industry having such an obvious impact on the climate, Global Family Travels has taken significant steps to not only be conscious of our impacts, but to actively work towards minimizing our carbon footprint. As signatories of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, we have pledged to halve emissions by 2030 and become completely net zero no later than 2050. Another way of working towards that goal of minimizing our carbon footprint is by becoming a Tomorrow’s Air member. Global Family Travels offers travelers the opportunity to contribute $25 (or more) to Tomorrow’s Air on every trip. This small payment contributes to removing emissions from our atmosphere, thus maintaining our planet’s health for future generations to explore it themselves. Even if you are taking a self-planned trip, you can still contribute to Tomorrow’s Air!
To learn more about Global Family Travels’ work in sustainability, click here.
Your Costa Rica: Learn, Serve, Immerse trip includes a unique mix of cultural and educational activities and participation in local service projects aimed at helping local conservation initiatives.
Costa Rica
