Step into an unforgettable two-week journey that blends thrilling adventure, deep cultural immersion, and meaningful service learning in Costa Rica. You’ll live and work in a remote ranching village high in the cloud forest, where you can make a lasting impact by building vital community infrastructure. Organize lively soccer games with local students, sharpening your Spanish skills and forging friendships with your Costa Rican hosts. Raft through the lush Pacuare River rainforest and surf the gentle Pacific waves, challenging yourself both physically and mentally. Along the way, experience “Pura Vida” as you learn to hand-make traditional tortillas and empanadas, savor locally grown chocolate and coffee, and embrace the laid-back, joyful Costa Rican way of life. This program builds confidence, resilience, and a global perspective that will stay with you long after the journey ends.
Costa Rica
Pura Vida Experience
14 days
Trip duration
7th & 8th
Grades
14 days
Jul 16 - Jul 29, 2025
Miami, FL
Arrival & Departure
$4,895
Tuition
14 days
Trip duration
Jul 16 - Jul 29, 2025
7th & 8th
Grades
*Airfare for group flight from Miami additional
Overview
Highlights
- Work on Critical Building Projects in a Rural Village Community
- Learn to Surf the Peaceful Waves of the Pacific Ocean
- Whitewater Raft the Canyons of the World-Famous Pacuare River
- Immerse Yourself in “Pura Vida” (Pure life!) Culture of This Amazing Country
- Organize a Community Soccer Match and Cultural Exchange at a Costa Rican School
- Zipline Through the Breathtaking Rainforest Canopy
- Explore Hidden Rainforest Waterfalls and Natural Waterslides
- 10 Hours of Service Learning
Want to learn more about traveling with ARCC or have more questions about this program?
Schedule a Call with Marisa Abrahams
Experience Authentic Costa Rican Culture
Immerse yourself in the heart of a small, rural Costa Rican community nestled high in the mountains. Live with a local family and dive into their daily routines—help prepare traditional meals bursting with fresh ingredients, and spend time tending to farm animals alongside your hosts. As you practice your Spanish, you’ll gain deeper insights into their history, culture, and way of life.
Culture
Thrilling Rio Pacuare Rafting & Jungle Adventure
Embark on an exhilarating whitewater rafting journey down the stunning Rio Pacuare, surrounded by dense rainforest and cascading waterfalls. After a day on the rapids, relax at a scenic ecolodge perched above the river, where you'll fall asleep to the sounds of tropical birds and monkeys. Soar through the jungle on canopy ziplines, then cool off in crystal-clear waterfall pools. Cap off your adventure on the white sand beaches of the Pacific, where you’ll hone your surf skills with guidance from experienced instructors, soaking up the sun and ocean breeze.
Rafting
Surfing
Service Learning in the Heart of Savegre
Join forces with local residents and your team to support meaningful community projects in the coffee-rich highlands of Savegre. As you work side by side with locals, you’ll get an intimate look at a way of life that contrasts with your own, gaining a fresh perspective on daily routines. From repairing communal buildings and roads to helping care for farm animals, every task makes a difference. You may also contribute to a greenhouse project aimed at growing native plant saplings, helping to strengthen the community’s sustainability efforts.
Service
Common Questions
All food, lodging, transportation, and activities are paid for with your trip tuition. Group airfare is additional and the cost depends on the program.
In order to be sure there are enough seats available on international group flights, ARCC books the international tickets in advance and families are invoiced for the cost of the international airfare.
Families are also responsible for booking flights or arranging transportation for students to meet their leaders and other group members at the program’s arrival airport. The leaders and students then fly internationally together as a group.
Each program has a specific packing list that has been designed to fit the program’s activities, length, climate, and cultural differences. You will receive this packing list in the comprehensive Welcome Packet that is sent to all students after they enroll in a program.
The specific service projects that each group will work on depend on the needs of the communities at the time that the groups are there. Past projects have included: Constructing composting gardens in a small village, making improvements to community roads or buildings, reforestation of native trees, or building a community soccer field.
Costa Rica is a relatively clean and safe place to travel. However, ARCC does recommend that you take some health precautions before your program. When you enroll in the program, you will receive more detailed information on pertinent travel vaccinations and immunizations. Please also refer to the Traveler’s Health section of the CDC website. Our leaders carry a full first-aid kit and are all certified Wilderness First Responders (WFR).
During this program, we sleep in a variety of accommodations: small hotels, community houses, and a jungle lodge.
Typically we will take a private 20-person shuttle from place to place. When traveling to more remote areas we will occasionally split into two groups and use smaller 4-wheel drive vehicles. We also take a short ferry ride during the turtle project portion of our program.
On this program, you will experience typical Costa Rican fare – rice and beans. This staple is supplemented with a delicious assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables. The group will also be creating the menu and preparing the meals during some sections of the program. Vegetarians and medical dietary requirements (i.e. allergies) are catered for. Students should inform ARCC of any dietary needs before the start of the program.
Have questions? Speak to one of our Program Directors, give them a call at (415) 332.5075 , they love talking about their trips!
