Travel for Teens: Costa Rica Adventure & Service

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Choice Camps Recommendation of Travel for Teens: Costa Rica Adventure & Service

Travel for Teens offers a fun and authentic travel experience for teens that goes beyond merely sight-seeing and bus tours. With native trip leaders to guide groups through host countries, Travel for Teens offers unparalleled access to the world of teen travel. Trips feature choices in activities and isn’t bound to rigid schedules which enriches each individual experience. Programs provide for every taste and interest.

To get the most out of the traveling experience, Travel for Teens requires little to no bus time and stays in authentic hotels or homestays and avoids bland chain hotels. Immersion into the culture is a top priority for each trip and maximizes the experience. Travel for Teens hopes to make tour members more competent, confident and prepared for a world outside of their comfort zone.

Trip Description

Begin with a journey from San Jose to the Caribbean coast via the Pan American highway and a river boat that takes you deep into the rainforest. Nestled between the river and beach, the lodge is surrounded by rainforest, has its own frog sanctuary, butterfly farms, and big comfortable bungalow style rooms connected by a wooden walkway. In the morning you’ll head out with you guide onto the river and into the pristine, untouched protected areas of the rainforest to look for monkeys, brightly colored tropical birds, snakes, giant iguanas and other rare wildlife! Spend one morning helping to clean up the beach next to the lodge where giant turtles lay their eggs and after dark head out to watch them build their nests.

Then head to La Quinta de Sarapiqui, a family-run rain forest resort where you’ll take a night bat tour and even touch, feed and safely release them. The following morning participate in a tree planting activity to help the restoration process of the native flora, specifically the Almendro de Montaña, to improve the habitat for the Green Macaw.

The next stop is Arenal. In the afternoon head to La Fortuna waterfall, a 210 foot ribbon of water gushing into a pool to relax and swim. The following morning head into town to a local school to help out with whatever may be needed at the time: you may paint a wall, do some light handiwork, or interact with the students.

Next, head off to the Rincon de La Vieja where you’ll stay in what was once a cattle raising ranch but was converted to a comfortable hotel years ago. Here you’ll go on a zip lining canopy tour, ride 400 meters down a mountain waterslide and ride horses (or a tractor, if you'd rather not ride horses) up to relaxing hot springs!

Our final stop is a 750 acre beach resort on the Pacific coast to soak up the sun on world class triple flag white sand beaches, enjoy the resort's many amenities (pools surrounded by tropical nature, snorkeling, water sports, even an 18 hole mini golf course!). Go on a crocodile safari for an up close look at these incredible animals in their natural habitat.

The charm and splendor of Costa Rica is almost tangible; from arrival to sad wave goodbye, the warmth of the people and the marvel of natural beauty is a truly spectacular and indispensible experience. Come learn the meaning of Pura Vida in Costa Rica!

Staff Overview

All staff members undergo extensive interviewing, training, and ongoing evaluation. All counselors are certified in first-aid and CPR. Very few new staff are hired each year due to high retention rate. Trip leaders do not lead a trip without prior experience as a TFT counselor. With few exceptions, students are fully supervised on all of our journeys. Most staff members have lived in the countries they are leading each trip in and are able to offer deeper insights into the culture and lifestyle.

Setting & Accommodations

Travelers will stay in authentic hotels close to the center of each city to maximize the cultural experience. Travel for Teens tries to avoid staying in chain hotels to encourage immersion into each specific region.

Safety Standards

Travelers are under staff supervision at all times except select hour to hour and a half shopping trips. While on the mountains professionals supervise and teach correct technique to avoid injury. Travel for teens analyzes every aspect and detail of each trip and goes over contingency plans and emergency numbers for each country. Each site and hotel is visited and approved before bringing a group and first aid kits are always on hand. English-speaking doctors are on hand most of the time, but when they are not the bilingual staff act as interpreters.