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Pura Vida Costa Rica

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12 Day Program in Costa Rica

12-Day Program | Unforgettable Spanish Immersion in Costa Rica Your unique Spanish language immersion journey begins upon arrival in San José. A Spanish-speaking, certified naturalist guide will lead you through a thrilling adventure showcasing Costa Rica’s stunning natural beauty. From ziplining through rainforests to caring for rescued animals, you’ll experience it all. Keep your eyes open for monkeys, sloths, and iguanas as you explore! Afterward, students will spend six days and nights with a warm and welcoming familia tica, where their classroom Spanish skills will come to life in this rich, immersive experience. Our Family Stay Experience® allows students to become temporary locals, embracing the pura vida lifestyle that makes Costa Rica so special. Note: All travel dates are tentative, pending teacher approval and airline confirmation.

Program Price: $3,139

Please note that the base price does not include the cost of international flights* Prices are based on a minimum group size of 18 students. When the minimum group size is not reached, a small-group supplement will apply. Final prices are determined by dates, air arrangements, family stay communities and other program components as confirmed by Xperitas, as well as the total size of the group and number of leaders at the time of final billing. Prices are subject to change due to fluctuations in fuel prices, exchange rates, and airfare costs beyond the control of Xperitas.

Email Lucia@xperitas.org with your departure city for an estimated international flight cost.

🐦Save $200 when you enroll before June 15, 2026 (discount applied to final payment)

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Travel Dates

All travel dates are tentative, pending teacher approval and airline confirmation.

OVERVIEW

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

DAY 1

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San José

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Arrival in San José & transfer to hotel

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Meals Included: None

DAY 2

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Arenal

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Transfer to Arenal

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Start off your time in Costa Rica by visiting La Marina Rescue Center in San Carlos. While at La Marina, you will learn about the center's work in wildlife conservation and environmental education. Afterwards, you will participate in various volunteer activities, such as maintaining the center grounds, preparing animal meals, and assisting with veterinary clinic tasks. This hands-on experience provides a unique opportunity to contribute to conservation efforts while learning about the importance of protecting wildlife and their habitats.

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Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 3

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Arenal

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Begin your day visiting a local waterfall where you’ll hike down to the refreshing pool below.

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Next, make your way to an organic tropical farm where you will get to meet local farmers. Learn about tropical crops, squeeze sugar cane juice and more.

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Afterwards, participate in a reforestation project. You will have a chance to plant a tree in your school’s honor and then enjoy a freshly prepared lunch.

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Cap off the evening with a refreshing dip in the hot springs.

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Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4

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Manuel Antonio

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Start the morning cruising through the canopies as you zipline through the trees!

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Head toward the Pacific coast and its gorgeous beaches. Keep your eyes peeled for sloths, crocodiles and colorful parrots along the way!

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Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 5

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Manuel Antonio

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Explore Manuel Antonio National Park. Here you'll experience a unique blend of stunning beaches, lush tropical forest, and diverse wildlife.

Afterwards, enjoy a group surf lesson and free time to relax on the beach. Keep an eye out for white-faced capuchin and squirrel monkeys, sloths, and iguanas as you immerse yourself in the natural beauty of this incredible destination.

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Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 6

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Family Stay

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Now the real adventure begins! Make your way to the family stay community where students will spend the next six nights with a Costa Rican family! ¡Pura vida!

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Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Days 7 - 11

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Family Stay

Immerse yourself in the Costa Rican culture by experiencing everyday life with your host family! It’s your opportunity to use your language skills in real-life situations and make new friends!

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Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 12

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Return

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Transfer to the airport

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Bid adiós to your tico host family as you depart for the United States with a lifetime of memories!

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Meals Included: Breakfast

The order of this itinerary and all itinerary items are subject to change based on unforeseen circumstances that may arise prior to or during the program.

INCLUSIONS AND EXCLUSIONS

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What's Included

  • Round-trip airfare from city listed (and any airline fuel surcharges at time of booking)

  • In-country transportation (air, motorcoach, van, as applicable)

  • All overnight accommodations

  • Insurance for accidents or illness and trip cancellation coverage due to medical reasons only

  • International phone allowance $10 per day for one leader while in country

  • Local Spanish speaking guide during tour portion of itinerary

  • Xperitas Family Stay with all meals included

  • Local Family Stay Coordinator on call during family stay

  • 24/7 Xperitas emergency support while abroad

  • Meals as indicated on the itinerary

  • Tipping allowance of $70 per student

Activities Included

  • Animal rescue center tour + volunteer experience

  • Reserve Hike at La Fortuna Waterfall

  • Organic farm visit

  • Reforestation project

  • Hot springs

  • Ziplining

  • Manuel Antonio National Park

  • Group surf lesson

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What's not Included

  • Airline baggage fees

  • Variance in air cost due to changes in group contract after booking or if the group size prevents using the booked air contract.

  • Costs incurred due to late or missed flights

  • Activities and excursions listed on the itinerary but not in program inclusions, above, are to be paid using the student entrance fee allowance

  • Passport, visa (including ETIAS) or other document costs

  • Transportation to/from departure city

  • Any meals not indicated on itineraries

  • Spending money and gifts

  • Any fees associated with advanced seating assignments

  • Small-group supplement when group has fewer than 18 participants

PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION SCHEDULE

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Important Deadlines

Payment reminders will be sent 1 week and 1 day before each payment is due.

Accepted Payment Methods

Payments may be made by credit card, debit card, ACH transfer, or check. A 2.9% processing fee applies to all credit and debit card transactions.

Checks must be made payable to Xperitas and include the participant’s full name and destination country. Postdated checks are not accepted and will be returned.

Family Stay Application

  • Family Stay applications are due on November 1, 2026.

Passport Submission

  • Passport information and copy of passport due on December 1, 2026/February 1, 2027

XPERITAS FINANCIAL AID

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Bringing Equity to Student Immersion Travel

Xperitas is a nonprofit educational organization committed to making our short-term immersion travel programs accessible to as many students as possible. We provide meaningful financial aid on a “needs based” sliding scale to create equitable access. Over the past decade we have dedicated over a million dollars to financial aid, scholarship and classroom grant programs.

Financial Aid Applications Due October 15!

THE FAMILY STAY EXPERIENCE®

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Authentic Language Immersion

At Xperitas, we work with teachers to provide their students with outstanding language and cultural immersion experiences. We believe that when students have an authentic experience outside of the classroom, using their language skills in a different culture, they make a deeper cultural connection. Our programs are designed to inspire students to make personal connections with communities worldwide and gain greater cultural awareness. Benefits reported to us by teachers, parents and the students themselves are as follows: 

  • A better understanding of language and the nuance of dialect 

  • An understanding of language within the context of the culture 

  • A greater awareness of different perspectives  

  • A sense of increased independence, self-sufficiency, and cultural competence 

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How are Host Families chosen?

Since 1972, we have carefully selected families who volunteer to share their home, language, and culture with our student travelers. Students live with a local host family while abroad on their language immersion program, creating an authentic language and cultural immersion experience, unmatched by other cross-cultural programs. No Family Stay Experience is “typical”; every one is as unique as the families that host.

  • Families are volunteer, not a paid service

  • Students share meals and family routines in the target language

  • Families and students explore differences and similarities in culture and tradition

These connections can last a lifetime! Many students and host families stay in touch for years afterward.

The success of our Family Stay Experience® is due to our network of of dedicated Family Stay Coordinators around the world, who work tirelessly to ensure a safe and enjoyable hosting experience.

  • Xperitas Family Stay Coordinators are local to the host communities

  • Recruit and screen families in their own networks and match them to Xperitas participants

  • Are on call 24/7 during the program to address any issues that arise