Costa Rica Adventure Camp: Thrill for Teens

Course Description: Costa Rica Adventure Camp: Thrill for Teens

Costa Rica Adventure Tour for Teens 🇨🇷

Get your adrenaline flowing with a group of fellow adventurers in Costa Rica! Zipline through the cloud forest, whitewater raft the exotic Pacuare River, rappel down waterfalls, sea kayak along the Pacific, and surf world-famous beaches like Tamarindo and Dominical.

Led by outstanding summer program leaders and accompanied by a professional local guide, this small-group program blends high-energy activities with culture, wildlife, and “Pura Vida” chill time. Teens come home more confident, more independent, and full of stories they’ll never stop telling. 🌿

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Program Highlights 🌟

• Zip-line and hike through the Monteverde Cloud Forest canopy

• Learn to surf with professional instructors at Tamarindo Beach and Playa Dominical 🏄‍♂️

• Whitewater raft thrilling rapids on the Pacuare River

• Sea kayak along the Pacific Coast past dramatic rock formations

• Taste world-famous Costa Rican coffee at Café Doka ☕

• Horseback ride through forest trails near an active volcano

• Experience waterfall rappelling & canyoning by Arenal Volcano

• Snorkel near the beautiful Las Catalinas Islands

• Unwind in 25 thermal pools at Baldi Hot Springs

• Try traditional dishes like gallo pinto and fresh tropical fruit

• Enjoy a volcanic mud bath and natural spa-style experiences

• Marvel at the night sky during a bonfire and karaoke evening ✨

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Itinerary 🧭

Central Valley – Welcome to Costa Rica

Days 1–2 & 19–20 – San José & Central Valley

Arrive in San José and transfer to the Central Valley, where the group settles in, meets the leaders, and kicks off with fun icebreakers and a welcome orientation. You’ll jump straight into the adventure with a whitewater rafting experience that sets the tone for the rest of the trip.

At the end of the program, you’ll return to the Central Valley to:

• Visit the Central Market for local crafts, snacks, and souvenirs

• Share a farewell banquet with your new friends

• Fly home from San José, full of “Pura Vida” memories

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Rincón de la Vieja – Volcano, Mud Baths & Ranch Life

Days 3–4 – Rincón de la Vieja National Park

Head to the north of the country and immerse yourself in volcanic landscapes. Here, teens will:

• Explore Rincón de la Vieja National Park by horseback

• Hike near the volcano crater

• Try a natural mud bath heated by geothermal activity

• Enjoy downtime by the pool at an eco-style lodge

This section mixes adventure with a taste of Costa Rica’s raw, wild scenery.

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Flamingo Beach & Tamarindo – Surf, Snorkel & Bonfire Nights

Days 5–7 – Flamingo Beach & Tamarindo

Move to the Pacific coast for your first big beach block:

• Professional surf lessons at Tamarindo Beach

• Snorkeling near Las Catalinas Islands

• Beach and pool time with friends

• Karaoke and bonfire under the stars

It’s all about ocean fun, confidence in the waves, and relaxed evenings together.

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Arenal Volcano – Canyoning & Hot Springs

Days 8–9 – La Fortuna & Arenal

Travel inland to La Fortuna to experience one of Costa Rica’s most iconic volcano regions:

• Explore the town of La Fortuna

• Enjoy the famous thermal hot springs in the area

• Take on a canyoning / waterfall rappelling adventure surrounded by lush rainforest

An intense adventure followed by serious relaxation time.

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Monteverde Cloud Forest – Canopy & Culture

Days 10–12 – Monteverde Cloud Forest

Monteverde offers a magical, misty landscape and plenty of wildlife:

• Zip-line through the cloud forest canopy

• Hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, spotting birds and unique plants

• Join a Tico cooking class, learning to make local dishes side-by-side with friends

Nature, adrenaline, and culture all in one stop.

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Central Valley & Café Doka – Coffee & Latin Night

Day 13 – Central Valley

Return to the Central Valley for a deep dive into Costa Rica’s most famous export:

• Visit Café Doka to learn how coffee is grown, harvested, and roasted

• Taste freshly brewed Costa Rican coffee

• Wrap up the day with Latin dancing and music 💃🕺

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Dominical – Surf, Sea Kayak & Jungle Waterfalls

Days 14–16 – Dominical & Diamante Verde

Head south along the Pacific Coast to the laid-back town of Dominical:

• Surf lessons at Playa Dominical with professional instructors

• Sea kayaking past scenic rock formations along the coast

• A jungle hike in Diamante Verde, where you’ll discover hidden waterfalls and lush tropical scenery

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Manuel Antonio – Wildlife & Sunset Cruise

Days 17–18 – Manuel Antonio National Park

Finish your coastal time in one of the best-known national parks in the country:

• Guided naturalist tour of Manuel Antonio National Park (expect monkeys, sloths, and plenty of wildlife)

• A sunset catamaran cruise with snorkeling along the Pacific

Then it’s back to the Central Valley to say goodbye and fly home.

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Accommodations 🏨

This program uses comfortable, student-friendly hotels and lodges chosen for safety, location, and atmosphere. Typical features include air-conditioned rooms, Wi-Fi, pools, and social spaces.

You may stay at places such as:

• Central Valley – Hotel Adventure Inn (pool, AC, Wi-Fi)

• Rincón de la Vieja – Hacienda Guachipelin (eco-ranch style, pool, hammocks, AC, Wi-Fi)

• Flamingo Beach – Hotel Seis Playas (near beach, pool, AC, Wi-Fi)

• Arenal – Hotel Montechiari (volcano views, pool, AC, Wi-Fi)

• Monteverde – Hotel Cabañas la Pradera (charming cabins with Wi-Fi and forest views)

• Dominical – Villas Río Mar (riverside hotel near the beach, AC, Wi-Fi, pool)

• Manuel Antonio – Hotel Mimos (close to park and beaches, pool, AC, Wi-Fi)

Rooms are typically doubles or triples, and each teen has their own bed.

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What It’s Like 💫

This is a smaller, tight-knit travel group where teens quickly feel like family. The vibe is:

• Active and adventurous

• Warm, inclusive, and supportive

• Focused on trying new things and building independence

A professional local guide also travels with the group to add cultural insight, language help, and extra support.

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Group & Age Range 👥

• Group size: up to 28 participants

• Co-ed, teen-only group

• A Middle School departure is available for students currently completing 7th or 8th grade

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Meals & Daily Life 🍽️

• Three meals a day are included.

• Expect a mix of hotel meals and local restaurants, with plenty of fresh fruit, rice and beans, grilled meats, and familiar options for more hesitant eaters.

• Most common dietary preferences can be accommodated with advance notice.

Below is the original operational info you asked to keep unchanged 👇

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Meals & New Cuisines

Part of your travel experience will be immersing yourself in the local cuisine and culture, so please bring with you an open mind and a willingness to try new things. For example, Costa Rican traditional cuisine offers plenty of rice, beans, meat dishes and tons of fresh fruit, but don’t worry, they also have North American style options on the menu.

We have satisfied the choosiest of eaters and gladly accommodate most special dietary requests including vegetarian, food allergies, lactose intolerance, celiac disease, and kosher style. We welcome discussing your individual requirements with you and have extensive experience in this area.

Drinking Water

It’s generally okay to drink tap water in Costa Rica, except for a few select areas. As a precaution, we will provide purified drinking water in large containers so that travelers can fill up their reusable water bottles as needed.

Vaccinations

We recommend you follow the advice of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and consult with your physician for current immunizations and medication required for travelers to Costa Rica. These recommendations may change from time to time. We will send you detailed information in March (or upon enrollment if later) regarding the current recommendations for this itinerary.

Laundry

You will only need one week’s worth of clothing as outlined in the packing list that will be sent to you prior to departure. Every week you may drop off your laundry at a local wash and fold service and then pick it up clean, folded and ready to go.

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Program Logistics ✈️🚌

Flights to Costa Rica

• A chaperoned flight from South Florida is offered.

• Based on enrollment, a chaperoned New York flight may also be available.

• Teens from other regions can:

• Connect to the chaperoned flight, or

• Book flights that arrive/depart within the set time windows; staff will greet them after customs/immigration.

Return Flights from Costa Rica

• A chaperoned flight back to South Florida is available, and sometimes to New York depending on group geography.

• Teens from other regions can:

• Join the chaperoned route and connect home from there, or

• Fly directly home from Costa Rica with leaders staying in the airport until all flights in the time window have departed.

Transportation in Costa Rica

• Private, chartered deluxe air-conditioned motor coach with a professional driver is used for overland travel between locations.

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What’s Included ✅

Included in program tuition:

• All lodging

• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily

• All scheduled activities and excursions listed in the itinerary

• Airport transfers within designated arrival/departure windows

• Gratuities & taxes

Not included:

• International flights to/from Costa Rica

• Snacks

• Personal spending money (souvenirs, extra treats, etc.)

• Laundry costs

• Optional travel insurance (recommended)