Location
  • Costa Rica
Length
2 - 12 weeks

Program Details

Program Type
Direct Enrollment
Timeframe
Summer
Housing
Dormitory

Pricing

Price Details
Costs vary depending on program. Between $ 1,195 and $1,895 per week, plus international airfare to San Jose, Costa Rica. Students traveling from the United States will travel on our escorted group flight from the United States, international participants can choose to take our group flight from the USA or arrange their own airfare.
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Meals Wifi
What's Not Included
Airfare
Jan 30, 2020
Jan 02, 2020

About Program

Since opening Costa Rica operations in 2003, Rustic has expanded to include the most spectacular regions of this Central American paradise. From the Pacific to the Caribbean, from rainforests to rivers, from service to adventure, our programs here encompass the breadth of what Costa Rica has to offer. Our team of talented local staff members challenge veteran travelers with new experiences and introduce more novice adventurers to the joys of travel.

With our large staff of local Ticos, you’ll quickly feel at home in Costa Rica and easily slip into the lifestyle of pura vida, a phrase meaning “pure life.” Embrace the idea of living life to the fullest as you learn to relax, appreciate nature, and experience everything Costa Rica has to offer.

Program Reviews

9.66 Rating
based on 113 reviews
  • 9-10 rating 93.81%
  • 7-8 rating 5.31%
  • 5-6 rating 0%
  • 3-4 rating 0%
  • 1-2 rating 0.88%
  • Impact 9.4
  • Support 9.6
  • Fun 9.3
  • Value 9.4
  • Safety 9.7
  • Growth 10
  • Support 10
  • Fun 10
  • Housing 7
  • Safety 9
Showing 1 - 8 of 113 reviews
Default avatar
Natalie
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Turtle Conservation Project in Costa Rica

My Rustic Pathways trip showed me a new way to look at the world. As the trip progressed, each day I started to put more and more into the tasks at hand. I realized how satisfying my hard work can be. Through the trip, I learned that even a little work on a project is a start in making a large difference. Although my trip was only 10 days, my perspective of volunteering changed. I was pleasantly surprised by the other teens’ commitment to our work helping the environment. My Rustic Pathways experience changed the way I view my carbon footprint and it has pushed me to make myself a better person and citizen of the world.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
As you head into this trip keep an open mind. You are going to see another culture and many new parts of nature. If you are open to trying new things, you will come out with so much more from your experience. So use this chance to meet new people while learning about yourself and what you are capable of. If an opportunity on the trip is offered, say “yes”. You might be nervous, but quickly your perspective will change and you’ll have the best time. With a willing, excited and open mindset, you can come out of the trip with so much more than you started with.
12 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Cristina
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Costa Rica Nicoya Turtle Expedition.

In Costa Rica not only did we get to play and care for several turtles but we also were enriched in the Costa Rican culture. Everyone in Costa Rica is so genuine and friendly, in the streets there is always music playing and people dancing, And don’t be surprised if a Costa Rican grabs your hand to dance as well. In the first half of the trip it was more community service based. We helped to clean up beaches from plastic and save/relocate turtle eggs. At night we would walk the beaches looking for turtles ready to give birth, and if so we would help them. The last week of the trip was all adventure we went to water falls and several different communities to meet people. Overall, this trip was life changing, I learned so much about the environment, the culture, and asking the way made life long friendships. I highly recommend this trip to newer travelers looking for fun and adventure.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
I would advise bring a deck of cards. With the fee time they give you it is always more fun if you and your friends have a fun card game to play. Also it helps to build friendships faster.
13 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
melise
9/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Surf and Service in Costa Rica

The experience with Rustic Pathways doing surf and service in Costa Rica was incredible. The trip was a combination of watersports such surfing, kayaking and swimming along with doing service work helping to build a new sports facility for a local school. Every aspect was well planned out and the staff was amazing. Traveling there was somewhat complicated but the Rustic team too all the stress out of the planning and the journey was fun. Working with the local community opened my eyes to the world outside of Los Angeles and I feel we made a difference in improving the lives of the people we worked with. The surfing was world class and the instructors helped us improve while ensuring we had fun. It was such a great experience that we have signed up again for next year.

What would you improve about this program?
Really, there is very little that I would change about the program. We have already signed on for next year 10 months in advance which shows how much I valued and look forward to repeating the experience.
12 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Alexander
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Costa Rica Language Immersion with Rustic Pathways

This past summer, I went on a Rustic Pathways teen tour to the beautiful country of Costa Rica. The program was a Spanish Immersion Program where the goal was to leave speaking much more Spanish than when the program started. Before I left, I was naive about what was going to happen while I was there. I was unaware of the amazing program leaders that would be there to help us enjoy ourselves, the other students that I would form long-lasting friendships with, and most importantly the lessons I would learn about life in general. We learned that there is a large difference between a traveler and a tourist. A traveler goes to a different country and learns the different customs and culture. A traveler tries new food and embraces the fact that they aren't in their home country anymore. A tourist goes on a vacation and acts as if they were in their own country with no changes. Rustic Pathways and their program leaders taught us that it was important to experience different cultures because we are more isolated than we think we are in the United States. We are in a bubble and it is amazing breaking out of that bubble and experiencing what life is like outside.

Within the program itself, we had a daily Spanish class for a couple of hours each morning. In the group, there were 4 travelers and a Costa Rican native Spanish speaker teaching us the language. It helped us practice our conversation to a point where we were comfortable using it to speak to the people around the city. After this, we did some activities such as white water rafting or visiting local coffee farms. During the night, we stayed with a host family and they cooked us a delicious dinner. It was very fun practicing our Spanish skills with them. I would certainly recommend Rustic Pathways to other students because it really changed my thinking about many things and burst the bubble that I was inside of.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
The most unfamiliar things that I ate while in Costa Rica were the fruits that aren't found in the US. I ate starfruit, rambutan, tamarind, and many more delicious fruits.
12 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Lauren
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Most Rewarding Experience!

I’m my group as all girls, and I was afraid it would be cliquey but quite the opposite happened. The first night all of us went into one room together and shared laughs and stories. I’ve never in my life felt so close with people I barely even knew! There was never a moment when I felt excluded because everyone was friendly with everyone. I initially wasn’t excited about the all girls part but it actually enhanced my experience! The group dynamics was a huge part of why this was my favorite trip. I did another rustic trip the year before which was still an amazing experience but the group dynamics really made the experience memorable. The group leaders also weren’t just adults to me but friends who I had fun and light conversations with because they treated me like a person and not a job kid to babysit.

What would you improve about this program?
I would improve the program by adding more group bonding activities to help break the ice.
13 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Winnie
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Summer Leadership in Costa Rica

I began my trip to Costa Rica with the mindset of saying yes to everything. I did not want to miss out on any opportunity I could have while I was there. I went on every hike, even hikes where only 4 of us went on in the rain, did every activity, and was always helping out. I think the best way to go into a trip would be by following that mindset. By saying yes to everything I got so much out of the trip and would not change it for the world. Also, I went in wanting to make new friendships that would last a lifetime. I made so many friends from all over the United Sates and even from other countries. I still keep in contact with these people all the time as well. It might seem scary to go away from your parents and go on a trip, but it was such a great experience and everyone there was great. The counselors are so fun and help you out with everything and anything and are always looking out for you. I would 100% recommend this trip to anyone looking for adventure and looking to make an impact on someone and something bigger than themselves.

What was your funniest moment?
During the trip I celebrated my birthday. The day after my birthday we went to the beach with a bigger group of people then just the rustic trip. At the beach we were provided lunch with music. The people playing the music asked if it was anyone’s birthday and my friends told them it was my birthday. I had to go up in front of all these random people and shake maracas while they sang me happy birthday. Then they continued to make sure I got dessert first before anyone else. I will never forget the awkwardness and laughs that came with that experience.
10 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Poppi
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Unforgettable Adventures- Rustic Pathways BriBri Indigenous Culture and Serive

This past summer I took part in Rustic Pathway's BriBri Indigenous Culture and Service trip. The experience was truly unforgettable. While in Costa Rica I met new friends, went on adventures, and was able to give back to a native community. The trip provided the perfect balance of adventuring, learning, and helping. By going on a Rustic Pathways trip I was truly immersed in the pura vida lifestyle and got to learn local insider knowledge from my leaders. While on my trip I went river rafting, surfing, boating, and hiking. Additionally, we learned about medicinal plants, the unique Costa Rica ecosystem, and how to make cocoa butter and jelly. The service work that we took part in was centered around helping a native Costa Rican community, the BriBri. While staying in Yorkin, the town where the BriBri live, we helped paint a house for their school teacher to live in and we helped to build a greenhouse for their school. Although the service work was rewarding, the best part of staying in Yorkin was getting to know the locals. Their positive energy and acceptance was inspirational and their simple, community-driven way of life opened my eyes to a fresh perspective. If you are looking for a summer experience of adventuring, growing, and stepping outside of your comfort zone, I would highly recommend this program!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Take a risk and step outside of your comfort zone! Before this trip I had never ventured out on my own, but I am so grateful that I did. This trip solidified my desire and capabilities for increased independence. It allowed me to explore on my own and be accepted into a new community. If you are on the fence, I recommend going for it because the risk that I took with going on the trip came with great reward.
14 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Logan
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Rustic Pathways Nicoya Turtle Expedition

The most amazing part of this trip was the service work. Every night we went on night walks to find turtles crawling up on the beach to lay their eggs. On the first night, I got the chance to catch the turtle eggs as the turtle was laying them. This experience was life-changing because I was able to interact with wildlife on an extremely intimate level. This provided a more authentic perspective than learning from a textbook.
Another highlight from the trip was learning about the Costa Rican culture and community. We went on side trips which allowed us to learn about native food, agriculture, and customs. My favorite part about the Costa Rican community was the Pura Vida lifestyle. All the people that we interacted with were so friendly, welcoming, and easygoing.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice would be to focus on the trip and enjoy it. At first, it can be a little difficult to adjust to being in a new place with new people and you might feel homesick, but the best way to get rid of that feeling is to appreciate what is happening around you and enjoy the experience because it goes by really quickly.
15 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers

Hi there Cesca, I would recommend checking out our blog channel all about prepping for your program. It won't be specific to Summer Camp Leadership, but might help. (Link below.) I would also check out our student lead Facebook group – Rustic Pathways Travelers 2018. Hopefully that helps, but please feel free to reach out to us at hello@rusticpathways.com if you have any additional questions...

Basically, Rustic Pathways has a program called group travel, and you can choose which country you want to go. For the Costa Rica group travel programs, the prices range between $1945 and $2355.