Program Directed by
Juliana Gutierrez & Gregorio Rojas
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
- 2025 Dates
June 15 — June 29
June 19 — July 10
July 2 — July 16
July 12 — August 2
July 19 — August 2
June 19 — July 10
July 2 — July 16
July 12 — August 2
July 19 — August 2
- tuition
$5,590 or $6,590 + airfare
Costa Rica
Community Immersion, Cloud Forests, & Tropical Beaches
- 2025 Dates
June 15 — June 29
June 19 — July 10
July 2 — July 16
July 12 — August 2
July 19 — August 2
June 19 — July 10
July 2 — July 16
July 12 — August 2
July 19 — August 2
- tuition
$5,590 or $6,590 + airfare
Live and volunteer in a rural Costa Rican community and work side by side with local people on meaningful community service projects. Wake each morning to the sounds of howler monkeys and birds and spend the day contributing to a construction-based project, playing fútbol with local kids, and learning how to make traditional Costa Rican dishes.
- Highlights
• Work with Tico friends to build a community center
• Practice Spanish and help local cooks prepare meals
• Play an afternoon game of fútbol with local children
• Raft along the rapids of the Sarapiquí River
• Practice Spanish and help local cooks prepare meals
• Play an afternoon game of fútbol with local children
• Raft along the rapids of the Sarapiquí River
“Working in the village with local residents made Zach feel like he was truly a part of something.”
—Deirdre M., Brooklyn, NY
Itinerary
These itineraries represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
2-Week Itinerary
Departure — Travel Day
Meet your fellow high school student travelers and one or more of your leaders in Miami, and fly together to Liberia, Costa Rica. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Rainforest Ecolodge — 3 days
Upon arrival, travel to a secluded ecolodge and working ranch. Settle into your rustic accommodations and participate in an in-depth program orientation to discuss life in Costa Rica, break the ice with games, and get to know your group. Explore the property with local guides and learn about permaculture, renewable energy, and sustainable practices at the lodge. Take a morning yoga class, visit a coffee farm, and kayak on the calm surface of Lake Arenal. Follow hiking trails through the rainforest to waterfalls and swimming holes. During your time here, learn about Costa Rica’s history, language, and culture, get to know your group and leaders, set goals for your independent project, and prepare for the rest of your trip.
Host Community — 9 days
Travel to your host community, a small town surrounded by lush mountains and fertile farmland. Immerse yourself in everyday life as you work with warm and welcoming Costa Rican people to undertake several community-initiated volunteer projects. Lend a hand laying the foundation for a community center, or shadow a farmer to learn how to milk a cow or harvest bananas and pineapple. In the evenings, relax with Tico friends, hike to a hidden swimming hole, learn new songs on the guitar, play games of fútbol in the town plaza, or join local fiestas. Each Putney group lives and partners with different host communities and do not meet during the program.
Pacific Coast — 2 days
Stay overnight in an ecolodge perched in the mountains overlooking the southern Pacific coastline. Snorkel off a secluded beach, take a surfing lesson with guides, or hike to a beautiful vista for a picnic lunch. In the evening, go salsa dancing, take a night hike under the stars, or play guitar around a beach bonfire.
Whitewater Rafting — 1 day
Near the end of your program, undertake a final challenge with your group. Spend a day whitewater rafting with professional guides through the Río Sarapiquí or Río Pacuare, surrounded by breathtaking, lush rainforest.
Return — Travel Day
Fly from Liberia, Costa Rica, to Miami with your group and a leader, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
3-Week Itinerary
Departure — Travel Day
Meet your fellow high school student travelers and one or more of your leaders in Miami, and fly together to Liberia, Costa Rica. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Rainforest Ecolodge — 3 days
Upon arrival, travel to a secluded ecolodge and working ranch. Settle into your rustic accommodations and participate in an in-depth program orientation to discuss life in Costa Rica, break the ice with games, and get to know your group. Explore the property with local guides and learn about permaculture, renewable energy, and sustainable practices at the lodge. Take a morning yoga class, visit a coffee farm, and kayak on the calm surface of Lake Arenal. Follow hiking trails through the rainforest to waterfalls and swimming holes. During your time here, learn about Costa Rica’s history, language, and culture, get to know your group and leaders, set goals for your independent project, and prepare for the rest of your trip.
Host Community — 13 days
Travel to your host community, a small town surrounded by lush mountains and fertile farmland. Immerse yourself in everyday life as you work with warm and welcoming Costa Rican people to undertake several community-initiated volunteer projects. Lend a hand laying the foundation for a community center, or shadow a farmer to learn how to milk a cow or harvest bananas and pineapple. In the evenings, relax with Tico friends, hike to a hidden swimming hole, learn new songs on the guitar, play games of fútbol in the town plaza, or join local fiestas. Each Putney group lives and partners with different host communities and do not meet during the program.
Coastal Rainforest Excursion — 2 days
Take a weekend excursion to explore Costa Rica’s stunning coastal rainforest, pristine beaches, and astounding biodiversity. Stay in bungalows, hike to a remote waterfall, interview local wildlife experts, and scout for howler monkeys and sloths.
Pacific Coast — 2 days
Stay overnight in an ecolodge perched in the mountains overlooking the southern Pacific coastline. Snorkel off a secluded beach, take a surfing lesson with guides, or hike to a beautiful vista for a picnic lunch. In the evening, go salsa dancing, take a night hike under the stars, or play guitar around a beach bonfire.
Whitewater Rafting — 1 day
Near the end of your program, undertake a final challenge with your group. Spend a day whitewater rafting with professional guides through the Río Sarapiquí or Río Pacuare, surrounded by breathtaking, lush rainforest.
Return — Travel Day
Fly from Liberia, Costa Rica, to Miami with your group and a leader, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Itinerary
These itineraries represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
2-Week Itinerary
Departure — Travel Day
Meet your fellow high school student travelers and one or more of your leaders in Miami, and fly together to Liberia, Costa Rica. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Rainforest Ecolodge — 3 days
Upon arrival, travel to a secluded ecolodge and working ranch. Settle into your rustic accommodations and participate in an in-depth program orientation to discuss life in Costa Rica, break the ice with games, and get to know your group. Explore the property with local guides and learn about permaculture, renewable energy, and sustainable practices at the lodge. Take a morning yoga class, visit a coffee farm, and kayak on the calm surface of Lake Arenal. Follow hiking trails through the rainforest to waterfalls and swimming holes. During your time here, learn about Costa Rica’s history, language, and culture, get to know your group and leaders, set goals for your independent project, and prepare for the rest of your trip.
Host Community — 9 days
Travel to your host community, a small town surrounded by lush mountains and fertile farmland. Immerse yourself in everyday life as you work with warm and welcoming Costa Rican people to undertake several community-initiated volunteer projects. Lend a hand laying the foundation for a community center, or shadow a farmer to learn how to milk a cow or harvest bananas and pineapple. In the evenings, relax with Tico friends, hike to a hidden swimming hole, learn new songs on the guitar, play games of fútbol in the town plaza, or join local fiestas. Each Putney group lives and partners with different host communities and do not meet during the program.
Pacific Coast — 2 days
Stay overnight in an ecolodge perched in the mountains overlooking the southern Pacific coastline. Snorkel off a secluded beach, take a surfing lesson with guides, or hike to a beautiful vista for a picnic lunch. In the evening, go salsa dancing, take a night hike under the stars, or play guitar around a beach bonfire.
Whitewater Rafting — 1 day
Near the end of your program, undertake a final challenge with your group. Spend a day whitewater rafting with professional guides through the Río Sarapiquí or Río Pacuare, surrounded by breathtaking, lush rainforest.
Return — Travel Day
Fly from Liberia, Costa Rica, to Miami with your group and a leader, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
3-Week Itinerary
Departure — Travel Day
Meet your fellow high school student travelers and one or more of your leaders in Miami, and fly together to Liberia, Costa Rica. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Rainforest Ecolodge — 3 days
Upon arrival, travel to a secluded ecolodge and working ranch. Settle into your rustic accommodations and participate in an in-depth program orientation to discuss life in Costa Rica, break the ice with games, and get to know your group. Explore the property with local guides and learn about permaculture, renewable energy, and sustainable practices at the lodge. Take a morning yoga class, visit a coffee farm, and kayak on the calm surface of Lake Arenal. Follow hiking trails through the rainforest to waterfalls and swimming holes. During your time here, learn about Costa Rica’s history, language, and culture, get to know your group and leaders, set goals for your independent project, and prepare for the rest of your trip.
Host Community — 13 days
Travel to your host community, a small town surrounded by lush mountains and fertile farmland. Immerse yourself in everyday life as you work with warm and welcoming Costa Rican people to undertake several community-initiated volunteer projects. Lend a hand laying the foundation for a community center, or shadow a farmer to learn how to milk a cow or harvest bananas and pineapple. In the evenings, relax with Tico friends, hike to a hidden swimming hole, learn new songs on the guitar, play games of fútbol in the town plaza, or join local fiestas. Each Putney group lives and partners with different host communities and do not meet during the program.
Coastal Rainforest Excursion — 2 days
Take a weekend excursion to explore Costa Rica’s stunning coastal rainforest, pristine beaches, and astounding biodiversity. Stay in bungalows, hike to a remote waterfall, interview local wildlife experts, and scout for howler monkeys and sloths.
Pacific Coast — 2 days
Stay overnight in an ecolodge perched in the mountains overlooking the southern Pacific coastline. Snorkel off a secluded beach, take a surfing lesson with guides, or hike to a beautiful vista for a picnic lunch. In the evening, go salsa dancing, take a night hike under the stars, or play guitar around a beach bonfire.
Whitewater Rafting — 1 day
Near the end of your program, undertake a final challenge with your group. Spend a day whitewater rafting with professional guides through the Río Sarapiquí or Río Pacuare, surrounded by breathtaking, lush rainforest.
Return — Travel Day
Fly from Liberia, Costa Rica, to Miami with your group and a leader, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Featured
Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.
Featured
Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Service
During your time in Costa Rica, you can expect to work on several different volunteer projects—light construction projects where you may learn to mix cement and lay blocks or paint a community building, and environmental projects such as planting seedlings or shadowing local farmers. The focus of this program is learning about another culture by forming meaningful relationships with local people and undertaking a shared service experience together. You should come to the summer with an open-mind, eager to participate in new experiences and interested in exploring another culture and way of life. Everyone participates in all of the group’s projects on a rotating basis, and lends a hand in meal preparation and cleanup. To learn more about our Service programs click here.
Independent Project
In addition to group projects, pursue an independent project and explore an aspect of local culture of particular interest to you—learn to cook gallo pinto, interview local girls and women, or organize a community-wide soccer tournament.
Language Practice
Proficiency in Spanish is not required; however, students who study Spanish in school will have opportunities to practice while communicating with local people. Students who do not speak Spanish will have the opportunity to learn some basic language skills.
Technology
To encourage full engagement and immersion in the Putney travel experience, we limit the use of cell phones and other devices on our High School programs. Students are allowed to use their phones in transit to the program, and keep their devices throughout. During in-country orientation, leaders will lock phones with a code, unlocking them for the second half of the program. During the tech-free portion of the program, students have the opportunity for a weekly call home according to a pre-arranged schedule. For more details, please see our FAQ.
Physical Activity
This is a physically active summer travel program. The service work and afternoon activities can be strenuous, and you can expect to spend most of each day outside; playing with local children, surfing, trekking , and swimming. You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active, and that you are excited about trying all activities.
Accommodations
Living accommodations in the host community are very simple. We live together as a group in a community building or school. We sleep on camping pads and share simple bathrooms and showers. During excursions, we sleep in beds in simple but comfortable ecolodges, bungalows, or family-run inns. Leaders reside together with the students throughout the program.
Meals
In the host community we eat delicious, home-cooked meals prepared by local cooks. Each day several students from the group form cooking and cleaning crews and help the cooks prepare meals, Tico-style. During excursions, we eat most meals in restaurants and occasionally visit local markets to shop for picnic lunches.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Service
During your time in Costa Rica, you can expect to work on several different volunteer projects—light construction projects where you may learn to mix cement and lay blocks or paint a community building, and environmental projects such as planting seedlings or shadowing local farmers. The focus of this program is learning about another culture by forming meaningful relationships with local people and undertaking a shared service experience together. You should come to the summer with an open-mind, eager to participate in new experiences and interested in exploring another culture and way of life. Everyone participates in all of the group’s projects on a rotating basis, and lends a hand in meal preparation and cleanup. To learn more about our Service programs click here.
Independent Project
In addition to group projects, pursue an independent project and explore an aspect of local culture of particular interest to you—learn to cook gallo pinto, interview local girls and women, or organize a community-wide soccer tournament.
Language Practice
Proficiency in Spanish is not required; however, students who study Spanish in school will have opportunities to practice while communicating with local people. Students who do not speak Spanish will have the opportunity to learn some basic language skills.
Technology
To encourage full engagement and immersion in the Putney travel experience, we limit the use of cell phones and other devices on our High School programs. Students are allowed to use their phones in transit to the program, and keep their devices throughout. During in-country orientation, leaders will lock phones with a code, unlocking them for the second half of the program. During the tech-free portion of the program, students have the opportunity for a weekly call home according to a pre-arranged schedule. For more details, please see our FAQ.
Physical Activity
This is a physically active summer travel program. The service work and afternoon activities can be strenuous, and you can expect to spend most of each day outside; playing with local children, surfing, trekking , and swimming. You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active, and that you are excited about trying all activities.
Accommodations
Living accommodations in the host community are very simple. We live together as a group in a community building or school. We sleep on camping pads and share simple bathrooms and showers. During excursions, we sleep in beds in simple but comfortable ecolodges, bungalows, or family-run inns. Leaders reside together with the students throughout the program.
Meals
In the host community we eat delicious, home-cooked meals prepared by local cooks. Each day several students from the group form cooking and cleaning crews and help the cooks prepare meals, Tico-style. During excursions, we eat most meals in restaurants and occasionally visit local markets to shop for picnic lunches.
A Day in the Life: Host Community
Due to the traveling nature of this summer program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in our host community.
- Morning
7:00am
Prepare breakfast with cooks from the community
8:00am
Work in small groups to lay the foundation for a community center
- Afternoon
12:00pm
Eat a homemade lunch and relax
2:00pm
Photograph and interview local residents for your independent project
4:00pm
Play a game of pick-up fútbol with Costa Rican friends
- Evening
6:00pm
Enjoy dinner with your group
8:00pm
Group meeting to discuss the day
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Service
During your time in Costa Rica, you can expect to work on several different volunteer projects—light construction projects where you may learn to mix cement and lay blocks or paint a community building, and environmental projects such as planting seedlings or shadowing local farmers. The focus of this program is learning about another culture by forming meaningful relationships with local people and undertaking a shared service experience together. You should come to the summer with an open-mind, eager to participate in new experiences and interested in exploring another culture and way of life. Everyone participates in all of the group’s projects on a rotating basis, and lends a hand in meal preparation and cleanup. To learn more about our Service programs click here.
Independent Project
In addition to group projects, pursue an independent project and explore an aspect of local culture of particular interest to you—learn to cook gallo pinto, interview local girls and women, or organize a community-wide soccer tournament.
Language Practice
Proficiency in Spanish is not required; however, students who study Spanish in school will have opportunities to practice while communicating with local people. Students who do not speak Spanish will have the opportunity to learn some basic language skills.
Technology
To encourage full engagement and immersion in the Putney travel experience, we limit the use of cell phones and other devices on our High School programs. Students are allowed to use their phones in transit to the program, and keep their devices throughout. During in-country orientation, leaders will lock phones with a code, unlocking them for the second half of the program. During the tech-free portion of the program, students have the opportunity for a weekly call home according to a pre-arranged schedule. For more details, please see our FAQ.
Physical Activity
This is a physically active summer travel program. The service work and afternoon activities can be strenuous, and you can expect to spend most of each day outside; playing with local children, surfing, trekking , and swimming. You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active, and that you are excited about trying all activities.
Accommodations
Living accommodations in the host community are very simple. We live together as a group in a community building or school. We sleep on camping pads and share simple bathrooms and showers. During excursions, we sleep in beds in simple but comfortable ecolodges, bungalows, or family-run inns. Leaders reside together with the students throughout the program.
Meals
In the host community we eat delicious, home-cooked meals prepared by local cooks. Each day several students from the group form cooking and cleaning crews and help the cooks prepare meals, Tico-style. During excursions, we eat most meals in restaurants and occasionally visit local markets to shop for picnic lunches.
“I wish I could go on a Putney trip every summer because of how much I learned and grew in such a short amount of time. The experiences I had and the people I met are things that I will remember for a lifetime and I am so grateful.”
—Kate L., Walt Whitman High School, Bethesda, MD
Program Directed by
Juliana Gutierrez & Gregorio Rojas
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
