Monday - Thursday:	9am - 7pm
Friday:	9am - 5:30pm
Saturday:	10am - 4pm

Costa Rica Experience - Sept to Nov

£1,549 Land Only (trip code: CRXP) 4 weeks

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£1,549, 4 weeks, Costa Rica

Adventure 5 out of 5
Relaxation 4 out of 5
Culture 5 out of 5

Trip Highlights

Volunteer on the sea turtle conservation project and help preserve this natural paradise
Explore the range of the exotic sights and sounds that Costa Rica can offer
Go white water rafting down class 3-4 rapids
Take a trip by kayak to Isla Chora and snorkel over the reefs
Help improve the living conditions of the local people

Trip Summary

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What's included?

Airport transfer
All accommodation
Meals according to itinerary
Welcome and farewell dinner
All tours and activities as per itinerary
24-hour emergency help

What's not included?

Flights
Travel insurance
Some meals
Alcoholic beverages
Personal expenditure

Our Costa Rica experience allows you to explore some of the most exciting sights and sounds the country has to offer. Whether you are travelling to the Arenal Volcano or enjoying the beautiful beaches of Samara, you will have an unforgettable time.

The Costa Rica experience also has some of our most challenging and rewarding volunteer projects to take part in, from sea turtle conservation to helping build new homes for disadvantaged local people. Once the satisfyingly hard work is finished the typical Costa Rica experience then heads to the idyllic Bocas del Toro islands, thought of by many as the most beautiful islands in Central America, off the coast of Panama for some rest and relaxation. If you take the extra adventure option there will also be the opportunity for some exhilarating activities along the way.

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When do I want to go?

Showing all departures (4)

Dates of Departures	Duration	Price (Land Only)	Trip Status
Sun, 2 Sep 2012	4 weeks	£1,549	Available	Book now
Sun, 21 Oct 2012	4 weeks	£1,549	Available	Book now
Sun, 1 Sep 2013	4 weeks	£1,549	Available	Book now
Thu, 10 Oct 2013	4 weeks	£1,549	Available	Book now

What will I be doing?

Arrival and Turtle Conservation (Days 1 to 7)
Trek, Surf and Horse ride (Days 8 to 12)
Volcanoes and Hot Springs (Days 13 to 20)
Travel to Panama (Days 21 to 24)
The last few days of adventure (Days 25 to 29)

Arrival and Turtle Conservation: Days 1 to 7

Next Leg

Destination info

It is very easy to see why Costa Rica is such a popular destination with travellers from all over the world. It has something to suit everyone, from the beautiful beaches of the Pacific Coast to the untouched rainforest that covers much of the country. With over 27% of the country being made up of protected habitats and national parks, this is a haven for nature lovers with its variety of landscapes, flora and fauna. Your experience of Costa Rica will encompass everything from its rich colonial heritage to its colourful towns and vibrant, friendly people.

Location: Alajuela to the Pacific Coast

Day 1

A member of staff will collect you from the airport and take you to the hostel accommodation in Alajuela. If your flight arrives before 6pm, you will be able to join the welcome dinner that we have organized for you in a local restaurant. Depending on the arrival time of your flight there may also be some free time before the meal for you to settle in.

Day 2

It’s an early start today as we begin with your orientation; between 7.30am and 8:00am a Real Gap team member will come to the hostel to collect you, and walk you through the town of Alajuela to the Real Gap offices. Once at the offices breakfast will be served. The orientation session generally runs from 8.00am until approx 10.30am with a 15-minute break. After the orientation you will transfer to the location of your first volunteer placement at the Turtle Conservation Project– Playa Buenavista! A packed lunch will be provided.

Days 3-6

Today you will begin a memorable volunteer placement on the beautiful Pacific Coast of Costa Rica at the Buenavista Sea Turtle Conservation. You will spend 5 nights at the camp in very rustic accommodation giving you a real back to basics experience. You’ll have the opportunity to get involved in all aspects of the project during your stay, activities may vary depending on the needs of the project at the time, but could range from beach patrols to releasing baby turtles back into the ocean!

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are provided throughout your time at the Turtle Conservation Project.

Day 7

After breakfast we leave Buenavista, and head back into the nearby town of Samara. We leave in the same way that we arrived, starting with a walk back along the beach and crossing the river where a truck will be waiting for us to take us into Samara. Tonight we stay in beach cabins right on the beach!

No meals are included.

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Previous Leg

Trek, Surf and Horse ride: Days 8 to 12

Next Leg

Destination info

Location: Samara, Bijagua

Day 8

Today we take a trip by Kayak over to Isla Chora, just off the coast off Samara. It takes approximately 1 hour to get to the island, where you will have time to snorkel over the reefs or simply relax on the beach. The whole trip will last approximately 3.5 hours.

No meals are included but soft drinks will be provided for you.

Day 9

You’ll have free time today to chill out and enjoy the beach at Samara.

You’ll have your surf lessons today. We’ll start off with the basics by learning to stand on the board from the safety of the beach, then it’ll be time to hit the waves with your English speaking professional surf instructor for a hour long lesson; after the lesson you’ll be able to keep the board for a while to practice what you have learnt!

No meals are included.

Day 10

Today we travel by public transport up into the mountains, to the little village of Bijagua in the northern part of Costa Rica. We’ll be staying in an Eco Lodge nestled in its own private Rainforest.

Dinner included.

Day 11

After a hearty local breakfast, we venture into the forest to see the tree canopy from above! This part of the forest boasts 3 hanging bridges to walk across – by far the best way to spot wildlife in Costa Rica!

The hike will take approx 2 hours and in the afternoon you’ll have time to relax to the sound of the cicadas and take in the breathtaking view from Las Heliconias , where you can see two volcanos and on a clear day you may be able to see all the way to the Nicaragua lake!

Breakfast and dinner included.

Day 12

An early start today, as we have breakfast at the lodge, then head back into the town of Bijagua to pick up our steeds! We’ll spend 2 hours on horseback riding through the lush jungle and through rivers until we reach Volcan Tenorio National Park. Here we dismount, and continue on foot up through the trails of the park, until we reach the majestic Rio Celeste or “blue lagoon”, with a waterfall and the viewpoint. The hike will take approximately 3 hours and at the end of it a traditional lunch awaits us in a local “soda” (small Costa Rican diner serving local specialities).

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

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Previous Leg

Volcanoes and Hot Springs : Days 13 to 20

Next Leg

Destination info

Location: Volcano Arenal, Baldi Hot Springs, Panama, San Ramon

Day 13

After breakfast, we will continue our travels by public transport to the magnificent Volcano Arenal – a must see on any trip to Costa Rica! The Arenal volcano is one of the most active volcanoes in the Americas. We stay in a family run hotel, with an amazing view of the perfect conical volcano outside! You’ll have free time to explore the charming town of La Fortuna, with plenty of souvenir shops, cafès and internet - or you may like to treat yourself to a massage after yesterdays hike!

Lunch and dinner not included

Day 14

Today it’s time to relax as we take a trip to Baldi Hot Springs – natural thermal pools at the bottom of the smoldering volcano! There are 23 different pools of varying temperatures along with water slides, saunas, wet bars and botanical gardens all for you to explore and enjoy! If you’re lucky you may be able to see the lava flowing from the continuously erupting crater in the distance.

No meals included

Day 15

We venture a bit closer to the Arenal Volcano today; we drive to the other side of the Volcano where we enter Volcan Arenal National Park. After a short hike through the dry tropical forest we reach the old lava flows from the huge eruption in 1968. Later on, we move to a safe observation to watch the volcano; if we’re lucky we may feel the ground tremble and see the night sky lit up with explosions of ash and lava in a natural display of fireworks.

No meals included

Days 16 - 20

It will be an early start on day 16 as we head off to our second volunteer project in San Ramon where you will be helping to build new homes for local people. We travel by public transport and head straight to our local hotel on the outskirts of town. You’ll have some free time when you arrive to relax or start exploring the town.

Lunch and dinner included on day 16.

Your work schedule and construction site will be discussed with you once you arrive in Costa Rica; transport to and from your building site is included during your days of project work.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided on days 17 and 18, a packed lunch will be provided for you to take to the building site with you.

On day 19 we will be spending the day on a zip lining tour through the forests approximately 1 hour from San Ramon in the mountains. In total there are 9 platform cables, a tarzan swing and 3 extra long cables! Whizzing through the canopy on a zip line is an experience not to be missed.

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Previous Leg

Travel to Panama: Days 21 to 24

Next Leg

Destination info

Location: San Jose to Pananma

Day 21

We say goodbye to San Ramon, and head back into the capital city of San Jose. Our accommodation is in a lively Hostel located in Barrio Amon in the centre of the city. We will take a walking tour around the capital, taking in the sights such as the National Theatre, Plaza de Cultura, the central market and the artisan fair.

Breakfast included

Day 22

It’s a very early start today as we are collected to go white water rafting! We travel towards the Caribbean, and stop for a typical breakfast along the way.

Our rafting guides will meet us in the town of Turrialba, and take us to where our tour begins. After a safety briefing, we start this adrenaline packed tour down class 3 - 4 rapids and stopping for a picnic lunch at an famous reserve.

The tour takes approximately 4 hours and we will be met at the end by our transport which will take us down the Caribbean coast to Puerto Viejo. Here we will stay in a beach house and the rest of the day will be free time for you to chill out after the rafting.

Breakfast and lunch included.

Day 23

Today we leave Costa Rica, only for a few days though, so don’t worry you will be coming back!

We take the 2 hour journey down to the border with Panama by public transport. After completing all the necessary immigration requirements, we are in a new country!

Once in Panama we travel by minibus down to the docks where we hop on the water taxi over to the beautiful islands of Bocas del Toro. From the border crossing, the journey is approximately 1.5 hours.

Our accommodation will be in a quiet hostel with an amazing decking area over the ocean, which is located on the main island of Isla Colon.

No meals included.

Day 24

We’ll be taking a boat trip today to Starfish beach, locally known as Playa Estrella, which gets its name from the masses of starfish that inhabit the area. Once we arrive you’ll have free time for the rest of the day to relax on the beach.

No meals included

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Previous Leg

The last few days of adventure: Days 25 to 29

Destination info

Location: Bocas del Toro to San Jose

Day 25

Today we head off to the remote Zapatillas Islands, a pristine marine national park which is approximately a 2 hour boat ride from Bocas del Toro. Here you’ll have the chance to be Robinson Crusoe, as you spend the day on these twin uninhabited islands.

No meals included.

Day 26

It’s a full day today as we head out on the boat again! First stop is dolphin bay, to hopefully see these friendly mammals as they swim up close and play in the wake of the boat. Next, we head off to Coral Cay, to snorkel around the beautiful reef – if you’re lucky you may see moray eels, lobsters, rays and possible a turtle or two!

After snorkeling the tour stops for a lunch break (lunch not included) before continuing onto Bastimentos island, and the private Red Frog Beach.

Our last stop is another snorkel experience on a high drop off with a possibility that you may see sea horses, barracudas, crabs, and maybe even a nurse shark!

The tour will last for approximately 6 hours.

No meals included

Day 27

It’s our last day in Panama!

Enjoy it as you please as you have free time all day…souvenir shopping for traditional Panamanian textiles, hop aboard another boat to visit another island, or just chill in the hammock!

No meals included

Day 28

Today we take the water taxi back across to the mainland, followed by a minibus to the town of Changuinola where we take the direct bus back into Costa Rica and onto San Jose. We still have to pass through immigration, so remember to keep those passports handy!

We should arrive back in San Jose in the afternoon where we will hop on another bus back to the hostel in Alajuela, where we started this fantastic adventure all that time ago.

A farewell dinner will be arranged for the evening where you can share your stories with your fellow travelling companions.

Dinner included

Day 29

After what we trust has been a thoroughly enjoyable adventure it is time to bid farewell to Costa Rica and Panama. No activities are arranged for today but a transfer back to San Jose International Airport will be arranged for you.

Please note: Itineraries and activities are subject to change

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Additional Information & FAQs

Minimum age

Minimum age 18, maximum age decided on health and fitness of potential participant.

Minimum numbers required on this trip

This trip does require a minimum number of travellers to run. Please confirm with our travel advisors that the trip has met the requirements before booking flights.

Accommodation

The types of accommodation will vary throughout the programme from hostels to beach cabins to a lodge in rainforest!

Meals

Some meals are included in your programme, these are noted on your programme itinerary. On the days where meals are not included this is a fantastic opportunity to sample some of the traditional local dishes that Costa Rica and Panama has to offer; food is extremely cheap to buys in both countries.

Advice & Safety

Throughout your programmes you will have the support and guidance of the programme co-ordinator and team. You will be provided with competent assistance and help with any questions or advice you may need during your stay.

You will be assigned a personal travel advisor who will co-ordinate your programme with you. Feel free to contact them at any time before you go, or when you are on your travels.

In addition, you will have access to a 24 hour emergency contact number so you can contact one of our staff at any time should you need to.