Girl Scouts: Colorful Costa Rica (Accessible) 2023

Discover Costa Rica, November 5 - 12, 2023


Spot toucans, sloths, and monkeys as you zip through treetops and cruise the coastline of beautiful Costa Rica on this accessible adventure. Unwind in thermal pools heated by the iconic Arenal Volcano and try your hand at cooking traditional Costa Rican cuisine—then enjoy the results of your hard work!

8 days, from

$2,699

per person. Designed for all travelers 18+.

GROUP SIZE

16 people max

ACTIVITY LEVEL

 
2
Check Availability or call 1-844-565-0453
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Details

TOUR DETAILS: Club Adventures has partnered with Wheel the World to provide accessible trips. These trips are designed for travelers looking for a slower-paced itinerary as well as travelers requiring special accommodations and wheelchair assistance. Additional information can be found in the “Things to Know” section.

  • Departure Date: November 5, 2023
  • Countries Visited: Costa Rica
  • Accommodation: Hotel (7 nights)
  • Single Supplement: $600
  • Transportation: Private Bus, Boat
  • Meals: 7 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 4 Dinners
  • Passengers: Maximum 16, Minimum 12

Travelers may not be exclusively female

HOTELS:

  • Park Inn by Radisson, San José
  • Pachira Lodge, Tortuguero
  • Hotel Ara Ambigua Lodge, Sarapiquí
  • Hotel Tilajari Arenal, Arenal

Hotels are subject to change

 

Itinerary

Show Full Itinerary

Day 1: San José

Hola! Welcome to Costa Rica. Your Local Leader will welcome you at the airport, assist with your luggage, and take you to our hotel in San Jose in a private adapted van. With over half the country's population living within its parameters, San José is an enjoyable city with intriguing museums and a dynamic atmosphere. If you arrive with time to spare, a good place to start exploring is the main plaza. Artisan booths are common here and you never know when there'll be a spontaneous art fair. Tonight, we’ll gather for a welcome meeting to discuss the days ahead.

*Please note, Club Adventures and Girl Scouts cannot guarantee that any departure will be exclusively female.

Day 2: San José > Tortuguero

Early this morning we will make our way to Tortuguero Island. During our travels, we’ll stop to enjoy a typical Costa Rican “Tico” breakfast. While enjoying the meal, be sure to look around, as there might be sloths in the trees! After breakfast, we will head to La Pavona pier to board the boat to Tortuguero. It is a calm one-hour ride. On the way, we will enjoy wonderful landscapes and might see iguanas, monkeys, and plenty of different bird species. We will then arrive at a 100% accessible lodge, where a lunch buffet will be available for us to enjoy. After lunch, we will visit the town of Tortuguero. We will explore this small, picturesque town while stopping to enjoy ice cream, discover the views of the seashore, and purchase local souvenirs if you wish. Accessible public toilets are available. Afterward, we will return to the lodge to have dinner, followed by a “Dessert and Chat” to spend time with your fellow travelers and enjoy some local sweets. (b, l, d)

Day 3: Tortuguero

This morning we’ll meet at our hotel’s private dock for a boat ride on the Tortuguero canals. During this journey, we will see all kinds of animals including birds, iguanas, monkeys, alligators, and sloths. This trip will be one of the highlights of your adventure! We’ll return to the lodge for some free time and a delicious lunch. The lodge boasts a swimming pool with a ramp and an amphibious wheelchair. It offers a very pleasant spot for a break. Later this afternoon, we will have a guided visit to the Sea Turtle Conservatory. (b,l,d)

Day 4: Tortuguero > Sarapiquí

We’ll start the day with breakfast and then continue our journey in an adapted van towards Sarapiquí. We will stop for lunch and be able to use accessible toilets on the way. Once we arrive at the hotel, we will have some free time before joining in an afternoon trek for those that wish. The walk lasts for about one hour and consists of an easy path, with a few steps. You will be accompanied by an expert animal sighting guide at all times and will have a great opportunity to discover the local flora and fauna. (b, l)

Day 5: Sarapiquí > Arenal

After having breakfast at the hotel, we will enjoy an accessible safari floating tour on the Sarapiquí River. Then we will lunch before continuing to Arenal. (b)

Day 6: Arenal

It’s time to head to the treetops. With impressive views of the lake and the Arenal Volcano, we will enjoy a day of total adventure. Ziplining is an exhilarating experience! We’ll be with guides that are highly trained and have vast experience in adapted ziplines. If time allows, we’ll stop at Mistico Park and discover its hanging bridges. After getting back to ground level, we will continue our day in Arenal Vida Campesina, where we will join a cooking class beginning with an introduction of the land and the produce that grows there. We will then prepare a typical Costa Rican dinner and enjoy the fruits of our labor. (b,d)

Day 7: Quepos–Manuel Antonio National Park

Explore the Manuel Antonio National Park today and discover all the wonderful secrets hidden in this forest. The high density of biodiversity makes the trails a unique place for observing species along the way. When going through the forest, pay special attention to the different layers of the rainforest, from the treetops, the understory, and the forest floor; this way you’ll be able to appreciate the many animals housed by this spectacular biological corridor. There will be time to have lunch before relaxing in the beautiful thermal waters. Assistance and an amphibious wheelchair are available. After spending the afternoon in the hot springs, enjoy dinner with the group before a Girl Scout closing ceremony to cap off an incredible adventure. (b, d)

Day 8: San José

After breakfast, we will travel back to San José Airport, where our time together will end.

Note: Travel time from Manuel Antonio is approximately four hours. Departing flights from San José should not be booked prior to 4 p.m.

Private Group Options

Want a once-in-a-lifetime reunion with your now-scattered friends or Girl Scout sisters? Set up an exclusive adventure with just your crew! All it takes is six travelers to lock in flexible departure dates and plan an incredible adventure.

Things to know before your trip

Costa Rica Accessibility Notes

Day 2: An accessible path to the dock is currently being constructed. At time of travel, wheelchair users may require some assistance, which will be provided by the dock staff.

Day 3: Access to this boat can be a bit difficult for wheelchair users but members of the lodge staff have received training and will assist with getting on and off the boat.

Day 4: The hotel offers accessible bedrooms, however, the inclinations can be a little high and travelers using manual wheelchairs will need a bit of assistance. Also, the restaurant has two floors, with the first floor accessible.

Day 6: For the zip line activity, adapted equipment and assistance is available at all times. The zip line operator and location is 100% accessible, with adapted restrooms and accesses, so that everyone can enjoy the experience.

Currency

CURRENCY:
The official currency of Costa Rica is the Costa Rican Colón (CRC)

Costa Rica is the most expensive country in Central America, particularly compared with its neighboring countries Nicaragua and Panama. Expect meals, souvenirs and optional activities to cost as much as they would in western countries. That said, Costa Rica has done a great job of looking after its natural wonders yet maximizing their potential as tourist attractions. So, while optional activities are pricey, you can expect a high standard of service, well maintained gear, clear paths and signalling and well trained local guides that allow you to make the most of every activity.

For this trip we recommend between USD 22 to 40 per day. How do we work this out?

Lunch - If you are happy with a quick snack on the go, you may get away with as little as USD5 to USD10 for a set menu at a local eatery or a sandwich and a drink at a café. On the other hand, a lunch meal at a more tourist restaurant can cost between USD10 to USD15.

Dinner - At dinner time, your leader will normally recommend restaurants where you can safely try the local specialties of the region. Expect meals to cost between USD12 to USD25 for a main.

These are indicative prices only. If you are in a tight budget, are happy to eat just local food and are not afraid of an upset tummy every now and then, you can eat cheaper than this. If you want to try just the finest food at the finest restaurants, then you can expect meals to cost as much as in the United States.

ATMs:
You can pay with major credit and debit cards at many hotels, restaurants and stores. You can use major credit cards and some debit cards to withdraw colones from ATMs and over the counter at banks. US dollars are widely accepted except for taxi fares (so if you arrive by plane please ensure you get some local currency at the airport before taking a taxi).

Weather

Hurricane season in this region is June to November, when landslides, mudslides, flooding and disruptions to essential services can occur. Club Adventures monitors any situations that arise, and may need to change itineraries or activities in response to these natural weather occurrences.

Meals & Dietary Requirements

While travelling with us you'll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in this region. Your group leader will be able to suggest restaurants to try during your trip. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule our groups tend to eat dinner together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There's no obligation to do this though.

Please let us know your diet requirements before your trip starts.

Generally speaking, in bigger cities/towns vegetarians can expect a reasonable range of vegetarian venues and/or vegetarian options within tourist restaurant menus. However, vegetarianism is not the norm in this part of the world so options can be limited when eating at homestays, small local restaurants, street stalls, markets, etc.

More restrictive diet requirements (vegans, celiac, gluten intolerance, fructose intolerance, lactose intolerance, etc.) can also be accommodated along this trip but you should expect a lesser variety than what you can expect at home. We recommend that, if possible, to bring your own supply of snacks with you.

Visas

Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveler. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it’s important that you check for the latest information. Please visit the relevant consular website of the country or countries you’re visiting for detailed and up-to-date visa information specific to your nationality. Your consultant will also be happy to point you in the right direction with acquiring visas. Visas can take several weeks to process, so familiarize yourself with any requirements as soon as you have booked your trip to allow for processing time.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is compulsory for all our trips. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Please ask your travel agent or Club Adventures team member for insurance options at time of booking.

Accessibility FAQs

Who are accessible trips meant for?
Anyone up for adventure! These itineraries are designed for anyone looking for cultural immersion at a slower pace, the opportunity to learn about a new destination with the support of a knowledgeable Local Leader, and to explore with a group of fellow travelers ready to get out there and explore the world. These departures were specifically designed so those with disabilities can experience the world like anyone else.

Is the accommodation accessible? How do you ensure it's accessible for me?
Accommodations chosen on these departures are wheelchair accessible. Rather than just listing that the rooms are accessible, we collect and provide accurate information about the accessibility of the hotel or accommodation during the reservation process. This way, before you even book your stay, you will know exactly what you are getting: whether the doorway width will accommodate your wheelchair, how high the bed is, or what type of accessible shower is offered in the bathroom. Our reservations team is happy to answer questions about the specific tour you are interested in.

Is it possible to enjoy participate in the tours if I am in a powered wheelchair?
Some city tours can be done in a powered wheelchair; other outdoor activities may require a transfer to a trekking wheelchair . Our team will help you find a trip that matches your individual needs and interests.

Are there going to be people available to help me?
Yes. Guides and assistants are available at all of our destinations. The travel professionals that you will meet throughout your trip undergo a training program to prepare them to provide an accessible experience.

How many spots are available per trip for those in a wheelchair?
This varies per destination based on the vehicle configuration, but typically a vehicle can hold a maximum of two wheelchairs. Please reach out to our team to inquire about availability. We suggest that, if interested, you book your spot to ensure you’re confirmed!

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Girl Scouts: Colorful Costa Rica (Accessible) 2023

8 days

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Unscripted experiences, insider access and authentic local flavors


Club Adventures is your key to seeing the world through a local lens. Whether you’re looking for a self-drive road trip through your own backyard, or guided journeys halfway around the world, Club Adventures by AAA takes you there – we are your backstage pass to new adventures. With Club Adventures, you’ll get the best of small group travel in a big way, plus the security and peace of mind of traveling with a brand backed by AAA. With over 100 years experience of trip planning for Americans, we've got your back. So, whether it’s a milestone birthday celebration, adventures with friends, or a family getaway, Club Adventures is perfect for all small group travel occasions.

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8 days, from $2,699

to book call 1-844-205-6226