Costa Rica Service
- Can I join this program even if I don’t speak Spanish?
- What are the service projects like?
- What kind of wildlife will we see in Costa Rica?
- What is the weather like in Costa Rica?
- Do I need immunizations to go to Costa Rica? What about malaria medication?
- Do I have to get to San Jose, Costa Rica on my own?
- Where do we sleep?
- Do I really need a fleece jacket in Costa Rica?
- Do I need a passport?
- Do I need a visa?
- What is the best part of this trip?
Can I join this program even if I don’t speak Spanish?
Yes. The first two days are spent in Spanish classes, so that even students with no prior Spanish skills will learn greetings and some basic conversational skills. The classes are designed to help build your communication skills, enabling you to form stronger bonds with the local people you will be meeting and helping.
What are the service projects like?
ARCC has been operating programs in Costa Rica for over a decade, and we have built relationships with a variety of individuals and small communities who enjoy hosting ARCC student groups. We are proud to be able to connect our student groups with these small communities, where you will have the chance to make a difference in these Ticos’ lives. The specific service projects that each group will work on depend on what is most needed in these communities at the time. Past projects have included: making repairs to local schools, teaching English to school children, creating community vegetable gardens, planting trees for rainforest re-forestation projects, and assisting with a Leatherback Sea Turtle protection project.
What kind of wildlife will we see in Costa Rica?
In Costa Rica there is an enormous diversity of animals. While we are in the rainforest, we often watch monkeys playing in the canopy, hear the squawking of scarlet macaws, and see iguanas scurrying up a branch. Many groups see sloths and tapirs. On the coast, we may see schools of tropical fish, giant sea turtles, and even dolphins! Costa Rica is known for its abundant wildlife and wild lands. On this trip we will experience the very best of it.
What is the weather like in Costa Rica?
In Costa Rica, the weather is a lot like Florida in the summer time. During the day it can be hot, sunny and humid. Late afternoons often bring showers, which will cool us off. You will often go to bed with only a simple cover as it is warm enough to sleep without your sleeping bag. When we ascend into the cloud forest the temperature becomes a little cooler (like in the 50’s at night) and you will want to crawl into your sleeping bag to stay snug.
Do I need immunizations to go to Costa Rica? What about malaria medication?
ARCC requires that all students traveling to Costa Rica be protected from Hepatitis A. There are two ways to do this: and IG Serum or a Hepatitis Vaccine. Speak to your doctor about these options. ARCC recommends (but does not require) that all students traveling on the Costa Rica Service Adventure take Chloroquine as a preventative measure against Malaria. ARCC groups spend relatively little time near malaria affected areas (approximately 4-5 days out of 21). As there can be side effects to the malaria medication, we suggest you consult your doctor regarding treatment. Medication does not prevent someone from contracting malaria, it simply helps the body’s recovery if this disease is contracted. To our knowledge, we have never had a student contract malaria after traveling on an ARCC Costa Rica trip.
Do I have to get to San Jose, Costa Rica on my own?
No. We offer an optional escorted flight that leaves from Miami, Florida that flies to San Jose. The trip officially begins in San Jose, but every year about 90% of students choose to take the optional escorted flight. This option is available from San Jose back to Miami as well. If you choose to meet the group in San Jose on the first day, you will be met at the airport by one of your leaders.
Where do we sleep?
During this adventure we sleep in a variety of accommodations: guesthouses, small simple hotels, camping in tents, and in the homes of Costa Rican families. When staying with Costa Rican families, we all stay together with the same family. The group does not split up into individual “homestays”.
Do I really need a fleece jacket in Costa Rica?
Yes. At night, when the sea breezes start blowing in, it can get a little chilly. Also, when we climb into the upper-elevation rainforest of Savegre it can cool off quite a bit. A fleece jacket is the perfect way to ward off the chill at night.
Do I need a passport?
Yes. ARCC requires that all students traveling to Costa Rica have a valid passport. Passport applications are available at the post office. If you do not already have a passport, you should apply for one as soon as you enroll in this adventure. It normally takes six weeks to process a passport application.
Do I need a visa?
No. Costa Rica does not require visas for American citizens who are staying less than one month.
What is the best part of this trip?
Many students cite the chance to meet local people as the best part of the trip; others say it is the overwhelming natural beauty of Costa Rica! Students love connecting with the local people in the small communities that we visit, and having the chance to make a difference in the lives of some of these people. The adventure activities are also often listed as highlights-surfing at pristine beaches, riding a zipline through the rainforest, playing in waterfalls and seeing an abundance of wildlife. However, it is the lifelong friendships you make on an ARCC trip that ultimately can be the best part of any ARCC adventure.