Teacher Taster Trip

Experience Life in Costa Rica

Experience a Camps International expedition on a rewarding teacher taster trip to Costa Rica. This immersive experience is designed to give educators first-hand insight into how our expeditions challenge, inspire and develop young people, both inside and beyond the classroom.

Costa Rica is a world leader in sustainability, biodiversity and environmental protection — a living classroom rich with real-world learning opportunities. On this taster trip, you’ll see what it’s like for students to live and work in rural and coastal environments, contributing to meaningful conservation and community projects while building resilience, independence and global awareness.

Along the way, you’ll experience Costa Rica’s extraordinary landscapes, from lush rainforests to tropical coastlines, and meet the local communities and project partners who bring these expeditions to life.

Students on wildlife river cruise with Camp Costa Rica

Upcoming Trip Details

Spend 6 days, 5 nights

Trip Dates: March to April – specific dates to be confirmed

Cost: USD $250

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Coffee Tour Monteverde, School Expedition Camps International

What’s Included

A fully supported expedition, from start to finish

Your expedition cost is comprehensive and covers the incredible activities you’ll be taking part in, as well as the extensive support you’ll receive in the lead up to your Teacher Taster Trip.

Flights are included.

Don’t forget you’ll also need your travel insurance, vaccinations, visas, kit and some spending money. Do not worry, you will receive expert guidance on all of these once you sign up.

Camps International Company Representative
All meals
Unlimited drinking water
All accommodation mentioned in the itinerary
All activities mentioned in the itinerary
Entrance fees for all sights mentioned in the itinerary
Transfers in private vehicles
Project costs and management
24 hour support throughout expedition

Accommodation

Where will you stay?

You’ll stay in a mix of accommodations, from hotels to authentic expedition camps, reflecting the reality of a Camps International journey.

Camp Caño Negro

The boundaries of Camp Caño Negro are formed by the waters of the Caño Negro refugio (wildlife refuge) which stretches into Nicaragua. Situated in the far north of the county it is next to one of the world’s most important migratory bird habitats. Relax in the mornings spotting caiman basking on the banks of the waters edge.

Location: The community of Caño Negro is located in the Alajuela Province. 4 hours from San José.
Accommodation style: Cabins
Bed type: Bunk beds
Toilets: Flushing
Showers: Cold, running water
Power: Will need a universal adapter/converter
Signature dish: Hash palm with chicken with sauce
Social areas: Large lawns ideal for chilling out on

Camp Salitre

Immerse yourself in the community of the indigenous Bribri people, who are proud of their distinct culture and have autonomous control of their lands. They are working hard to protect their identity and sustain the beliefs of their forefathers. Camp Salitre is based in a group of traditional, wooden buildings surrounded by forest. You’ll be sharing the camp with your fellow travellers and some local toucans!

Location: Bueno Aires, Puntarenas Province, 6.5 hours from San José
Accommodation style: Cabins
Bed type: Bunk beds
Toilets: Flushing
Showers: Cold, running water
Power: Will need a universal adapter/converter
Signature dish: Heart of palm mincemeat, rice, and chicken in sauce
Social areas: An outdoor chill out area
Activities: Soccer with community, tortilla making

Sample itinerary

This itinerary will give you an insight into what you can expect on your expedition. It is dependent on time of travel and some elements may be subject to change.

Day	Activities	More details
Day 1	Arrival and Transfer to Camp	On arrival at Liberia International Airport, you’ll be met by a member of the Camps International Costa Rica team and transfer to your hotel before visiting Camp Caño Negro. At night, Caño Negro comes alive with wildlife rarely seen by day. After dinner, experience two hours of fascinating nocturnal sights and sounds—wear long sleeves, pants, and closed shoes for comfort. Overnight in hotel
Day 2	Caño Negro National Park + Transfer to Uvita	We’ll start the day with a boat tour through Caño Negro National Park—an ideal way to understand the environment, observe wildlife, and see the conservation challenges that shape project work in this region. Camps International’s work in Costa Rica primarily focuses on environmental conservation. Later in the morning, you’ll meet representatives from the government ministry responsible for forestry and habitat regeneration, gaining insight into national conservation priorities and how our projects support long-term environmental goals. After your boat trip, you will begin the bus journey to Uvita on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. This cross-country travel mirrors the experience students have and provides a broader understanding of Costa Rica’s geography and regional diversity. After dinner, we’ll discuss the teacher role on expedition, including how Camps International staff, Expedition Leaders, and accompanying teachers collaborate to support student safety, learning, and personal development. Overnight in hotel
Day 3	Marine Conservation & Indigenous Community Projects	Another early start as we head out on a snorkeling excursion within the marine national park. This is a key adventure component of many Costa Rica expeditions and offers students the chance to explore marine ecosystems first-hand. There is the possibility of seeing sea turtles, tropical fish, reef sharks, and on the boat journey, sightings of dolphins and whales may occur depending on the season. After snorkeling, we’ll travel to Camp Salitre, home to the Indigenous Bribri people. Here, you will learn about their deep spiritual connection to the land and their efforts to preserve cultural identity. Before dinner, we’ll discuss how Real World Studies can be used as a framework to explore key global issues in context, linking what we observe on the ground directly to student project work and giving those projects authentic, real-world relevance. Enjoy dinner and a welcome dance. Overnight in camp.
Day 4	Culture and Community	After breakfast, you’ll visit local project sites and learn about the upcoming conservation and community initiatives student groups will support in this area. You’ll participate in a short taster activity, mirroring the type of hands-on work students complete on expedition. Projects here often focus on balancing human activity and environmental protection. The community takes pride in its heritage and its care for the environment. This afternoon is dedicated to exploring Costa Rican culture—both modern and ancestral. You’ll have a tour around the camp where you can learn about Bribri traditions, including medicinal plants, historical sites, and community beliefs, and will also gain insights into the cultural and historical significance of cacao. You’ll also have the opportunity to sample chocolate and try your hand at making jewelry. Enjoy dinner followed by a chance to reflect on your journey so far in front of the campfire. Overnight in camp
Day 5	Reflection	We’ll travel to the outskirts of San José in preparation for your return home. Your final dinner together provides time to reflect on the experience, discuss student outcomes, and ask any remaining questions about running a Camps International expedition with your school. Before dinner, you’ll visit the Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center, a registered non-profit wildlife rehabilitation facility founded in 1989 and located on 14 hectares of natural rainforest in Alajuela. The center protects and restores biodiversity through wildlife rehabilitation, breeding of endangered species, habitat preservation, and lifelong care for non-releasable animals. More than 2,700 wild animals are admitted annually, including sloths, jaguars, monkeys, tapirs, pumas, coyotes, birds, small mammals, and reptiles. Approximately 800 non-releasable endangered and common species are cared for at the sanctuary, with endangered species participating in breeding programs for species survival. Overnight in a hotel near the airport, commonly used by student groups on arrival and departure.
Day 6	Departure	After breakfast, it’s time to head to the airport and say goodbye to new colleagues and friends.