Spend a week participating in impactful service work and heart-pounding adventure activities on this exciting student trip to Costa Rica.
Staying in a host village, you’ll contribute to community infrastructure projects and learn about local culture and traditions. Along the way, you’ll get to explore the beautiful rainforests, volcanic peaks and biodiverse areas that the country is famous for.
Embark on an adventure with some of Costa Rica's most thrilling activities, including soaring above the treetops on a zipline and tackling the rapids of whitewater rafting.
why you’ll love this trip
- Spend 2 days completing service work on community infrastructure in a Costa Rican village.
- Soak in soothing hot springs fed by the famous Arenal Volcano.
- Go whitewater rafting down the Sarapiquí River, passing lush rainforest and looking for monkeys in the trees.
- Take a ride on the most exhilarating zipline in Costa Rica, passing through massive canyons and soaring high above the rainforest.
- Visit a cocoa plantation, learn the history of the plant and make your own delicious recipes.
Arrive at San Jose Airport (SJO) and meet your Infuse Program Leaders who will be with you for the duration of the student trip to Costa Rica. Head to the hotel and settle in, relax after your long flight and join the group for an orientation discussion about the week ahead on this international student tour, expectations for your adventure and an introduction to the local culture. Pura vida!
Wake up early for breakfast at the hotel and head north towards La Fortuna, one of the most beautiful towns in Costa Rica. Enjoy the breathtaking and scenic ride through the cloud forest to arrive in the hometown of the world-famous Arenal Volcano. You’ll be amazed at the view of the volcano rising above you!
After lunch, your Program Leaders will spend some time getting to know you better and learn about your expectations for the international student tour.
This first evening, your host village will welcome you with a cultural presentation, featuring traditional music, dance and stories about the community you’re partnering with. This is a beautiful night of sharing and learning and will give you lots of inspiration for your next few days in town.
Today on the student trip to Costa Rica, you’ll contribute to service initiatives in the villages around La Fortuna.
Divide your day between morning and afternoon service sessions, selecting from a range of ongoing initiatives developed and overseen by Infuse Program Leaders in collaboration with local community leaders. These projects, which will vary depending on the day and community-driven needs, will focus on improving community infrastructure, enhancing educational facilities and supporting environmental efforts. Typically, you will contribute to a few projects over a few days to see the varied sides of community projects.
On your second day of service, you’ll dive deeper into the projects, refining your skills and gaining a better understanding of their significance to the community. These initiatives, which take communities years to fundraise for, are making a huge impact by fostering pride and enhancing shared spaces for village members.
After completing one final full day of service on the international student tour, you’ll be rewarded with an early dinner followed by a relaxing evening in natural hot springs, fed by the volcanic waters of Arenal Volcano—famous for its soothing thermal springs!
Get ready for a ziplining adventure through the rainforest canopy! You’ll ride an open-air gondola up to an observation deck for fantastic views of the Arenal Volcano and the Arenal Lake. From here, you will start riding down on a zipline track stretching across canyons and in between treetops. Prepare yourself - this is the most thrilling zipline in the country!
In the afternoon, the group will hike through the different trails of the Arenal Volcano National Park. You’ll get really close to the lava tracks of its last eruption in 1968 and enjoy stunning views of this perfectly cone-shaped volcano. Spot wildlife while you walk along the trails and learn about Costa Rica’s flora and fauna with your local naturalist guide.
The fun continues into the evening when a local salsa dance instructor will join the group to teach you the basic steps of salsa, merengue, bachata and other Latin dances. Be sure to practice your new moves so you can impress your friends when you get home!
Another adventurous day on the international student tour! Get suited up, grab your paddles and hit the Sarapiquí River! As you raft down the river, enjoy the rich greenery and fun rapids that have earned the Sarapiquí a reputation as one of the most enjoyable whitewater destinations in the world. Along the way, you'll have the chance to spot wildlife such as monkeys, toucans, and iguanas.
At the pull-out point, you will be able to shower, change your clothes and make your own sandwiches for lunch before going back to your hotel.
After getting some rest, taking a nap and refreshing, head out to the town of La Fortuna to do some souvenir shopping and eat an ice cream or drink a smoothie with your friends.
Spend your last morning on this international student tour in La Fortuna visiting a cocoa plantation. You’ll learn the history of this delicious plant and will have lots of fun making your own chocolate recipes during the all-you-can-eat activity at the end of the tour.
Enjoy a final lunch before embarking on your journey back through the rainforest and mountains to San José. Along the way, you'll stop for snacks and capture stunning photos of the breathtaking cloud forest views. Later, reunite with your group for a grand farewell dinner celebration in the country's capital.
All adventures must come to an end and today you will finish your international student tour. Your Program Leaders will take you to the airport for your departure as you say goodbyes and reflect on your adventure in Costa Rica.
We hope the people you’ve met, the perspectives you’ve gained and the lessons you’ve learned on this student trip to Costa Rica will serve you well as you head home.
