COSTA RICA STUDENT TRAVEL PROGRAMS
Costa Rica is the perfect classroom for a middle school or high school student group trip and Adventures Under the Sun has 20 years of experience to prove it!
Our itineraries focus on outdoor environmental education and/o service while our passionate local guides introduce students to the political, social, environmental, economic, historical and gastronomical aspects of the country. In a short visit it is possible to witness the tremendous biodiversity protected by our exemplary conservation efforts. Our political stability and non-militarized government, as well as the numerous global flight options make it a safe and easy destination. And, Costa Ricans, or “ticos” are extremely friendly, passionate and educated people who love positive cultural exchanges.
TESTIMONIALS
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SAMPLE TRIP ITINERARIES
From whitewater rafting through the rainforest, surfing perfect waves, zip lining over a tropical canopy, or bathing in the hot springs on the flanks of the active Arenal Volcano…. We’ve got it all! We have various established itineraries you can choose from to some of the most unique and spectacular places of Costa Rica. Groups on a limited budget and time frame can experience the best of Costa Rica on one of our shorter 6 to 7 day itineraries. If you can, take your time and discover Costa Rica on a 9 to 10 day adventure immersion trip. Or, if your group has specific needs, contact us for a customized student trip.
It is not easy to decide what company to use to plan your class trip, and more difficult to decide on what journey. To make it simpler for you, Adventures Under the Sun presents our student group travel trip itinerary criteria. There are six key components for all our Student Group Journeys and they are: Accommodations, Locations, Comfort, zone levels, Trip Tasks Adventure and Service. Each category is rated on three levels. We use a sun icon to represent each level, much like a star is used to describe a hotel. Below are the ratings for each category.
SECURING AN ITINERARY AND TRIP DATES
Teachers, parents or others interested in a Student Group Journey with Adventures Under the Sun should contact us at least four months prior the intended travel dates in order to secure that all intended locations and destinations for your itinerary can be secured. Itineraries can be selected from those listed, or customized to meet your travel needs. To initiate the process, we will send you a questionnaire regarding dates, activities, educational agendas, etc. It is imperative to complete and return this questionnaire to begin processing your requests.
DEPOSIT
Once your journey itinerary and price is established, we will request a 50% deposit which will be used to secure all reservations. This deposit is non-refundable. The final balance will be due six weeks prior trip departure.
REFUND POLICY
The 50% deposit received to secure your reservation is non-refundable and applies to individual and/or group cancelations. Should there be an individual or group cancelation once the remaining balance has been received (six weeks prior trip departure), participants will be refunded the portion that has not been used to secure the contracted accommodations or activities for his/her participation. When withdrawing from a program prior to its start, please try to give sufficient advance notice in order to receive a healthy refund. Both the parent/guardian and participant should understand that AUSun has the right to terminate the participation of any member who refuses to abide by our rules, policies and guidelines. In this event, no refund shall be granted. If a participant withdraws voluntarily, for any reason whatsoever, after the start of the program, no refund will be granted. Participants will not be refunded if they must return home due to illness or injury incurred while on the trip. Many operating costs are based on total group expenses, not individual expenses; consequently, refunds are minimal and include expenses such as food and camping or special event fees. If an ongoing trip must be terminated for reasons beyond our control, AUSun will refund the cost of the trip on a daily-prorated basis. Our goal is to follow the itinerary contracted. It is understood that poor weather, mechanical difficulties and unforeseen problems may cause alterations to the itinerary. If an area or activity must be canceled for any reason, every attempt will be made to replace it with a similar one.
INSURANCE
All participants must be covered by medical insurance. We recommend that you have all participants check with their insurance carrier as to whether they will be covered for a trip of this nature. If not, we request that you purchase medical insurance specifically for your trip with AUSun. AUSun insurance does not cover theft, loss or damage of personal property and equipment of trip participants. We suggest you confirm that your insurance coverage includes items of this nature.
FAQs
A: Although Spanish is the national language of Costa Rica, you may easily get by without speaking it. Most “ticos” (Costa Ricans) speak some English and are very willing to learn. They also love to teach Spanish to foreigners.
A: Upon receiving your trip deposit, we will send you a Trip Forms and Information Folder that includes all the relevant and important documents you need to read, fill out and sign prior your trip. This will include Medical History Forms, Acknowledgement of Risk forms, Permissions Forms, etc. It will also list all the other relevant documents you may need to travel with for your trip. You must be sure to have a valid passport to travel to Costa Rica. It must have at least six months validity before expiring or you may not be allowed to enter or depart Costa Rica. Be sure your passport will not expire while traveling because it will be difficult to renew in Costa Rica, especially as a minor. IMPORTANT FOR MINORS UNDER 18 Some airlines may require minors traveling alone be assisted by an airline representative. Generally, this has an extra fee. Please be sure to travel with a copy of our Permission to Travel Letter and a photocopy of your passport. Visas are NOT required for those traveling from the following countries: European Union, United States, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, United Kingdom, Sweden, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay. If the country you are coming from is not listed here, please contact the Costa Rican consulate in your area. If you have any difficulties, AUSun may assist you as well.
A: Group sizes are generally defined by the client. We recommend an average of 12 – 17 kids, as this allows room for individual attention to be given to each student during the course by the teachers and trip leaders. We can accommodate much larger groups, however.
A: AUSun provides one trip leader for the first 15 students. We do recommend that at least one representative from your institution be present, thus establishing two adult chaperones for the group. After 15 though, we will recommend another trip leader or more chaperones.
A: AUSun trip leaders are required to carry a guiding license awarded by the National Tourism Bureau (ICT) after completing an intense course on Costa Rican natural history, English language classes, tropical biology, CPR, first aid, etc. AUSun also requires trip leaders to partake in our staff training program held every year and in which we teach them the guidelines, policies, procedures and standards of all of our programs.
A: AUSun requests that you have an updated Tetanus and Tuberculosis shot before coming on any program. The CDC recommends that those traveling to Costa Rica be inoculated for malaria and hepatitis. These inoculations are not required by AUSun; this is left to your discretion. Should you choose to be inoculated for these diseases, please be aware of the side effects. If possible, administer the inoculations well in advance so that side effects will not affect you during the program.
A: Adventures Under the Sun’s goal on your student group journey is to stimulate personal growth through real, face to face interactions and experiences amongst the students and with people and the environment; therefore, we strongly discourage and request that all students abstain from bringing a cell phone on their trip. This will also reduce the chance of cell phones getting lost, misplaced or even stolen; Costa Rica is a developing nation where poverty is still prevalent and temptations to steal are always a threat. Teachers or chaperones though, are welcome to bring phones to remain in communication with parents and school administrators. AUSun representatives in the office in Costa Rica know the exact location of all participants while on their adventures. In case of an emergency, parents can call the office or trip cell phone at any time, day or night, and the representative will get them in touch with the group as soon as possible.
A: Yes, AUSun can include any of these experiences in your itinerary. Costa Rican’s love to share their customs, traditions and language, and a “tico’s” hospitality is unmatched; therefore, we are always delighted when requests for such are made. Because we offer programs all over the country, Adventures Under the Sun has sought out various grassroots rural organizations and local non-profits in distinct communities, and the most dynamic language programs. We work closely with the members of these organizations to create the safest, most educational and ideal cultural experience for our visitors. Our outreach contacts are known members of the community and have ample historical knowledge of the families that provide homestays, and the locations in most need of help.
A: The group will travel in a private van or bus that can accommodate your entire group and your luggage comfortably. All vans or buses used for AUSun programs have insurance, carry a tourism transport permit, and have seat belts.
A: AUSun follows safety standards and regulations established by leading outdoor adventure tourism operators in the US and Costa Rica. We are covered by a Comprehensive Commercial General Liability policy with the Costa Rican National Insurance Institute.