Places
Explore key regions, cities, sites, and routes in Costa Rica.
Why Costa Rica
Costa Rica blends “pura vida” hospitality with rainforest biodiversity and trusted community networks—perfect for impact teams, donor gatherings, student groups, and retreats. San José anchors service projects, Arenal and Monteverde offer creation-care learning, and the Pacific coast provides rest and donor appreciation. With stable infrastructure, bilingual partners, and environmental stewardship, leaders can focus on storytelling and generosity—drawing from our travel commissions guide to sustain momentum.
Top Highlights by Theme
- San José & Central Valley: Metropolitan Cathedral, National Theatre, local markets, and NGOs addressing education, trafficking, and healthcare.
- Arenal & Northern Zone: Arenal Volcano, hot springs, eco-lodges, hanging bridges, and rural collaboration with agricultural cooperatives.
- Monteverde & Cloud Forest: canopy tours, coffee farms, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, and environmental education partnerships.
- Pacific Coast: Manuel Antonio National Park, Jacó surf outreach, Guanacaste beaches, and marine conservation projects.
- Caribbean Option: Puerto Viejo and Cahuita for Afro-Caribbean culture, coral reef restoration, and permaculture farms.
Sub-Regions & Routes
San José Basecamp
- Launch in San José for city orientation, partner meetings, and culture nights.
- Visit Poás or Irazú volcano for reflection and creation overview.
Arenal & Northern Outreach
- Travel to La Fortuna; combine jungle reflection, service projects, and hot spring downtime.
- Engage in reforestation, water projects, or education partnerships in nearby villages.
Monteverde Cloud Forest
- Increase altitude for canopy walks, sustainability lessons, and quiet retreats at eco-lodges.
- Collaborate with environmental organizations and indigenous communities.
Pacific Coast Retreats
- Manuel Antonio or Guanacaste for beach downtime, marine conservation, donor appreciation dinners, and small-group debriefs.
- Surf outreach in Jacó or turtle conservation on Nicoya Peninsula (seasonal).
Trip Length & Pacing
7 Days
- Arrive San José; orientation and partner briefing.
- Service day in Central Valley; visit markets and cultural sites.
- Travel to Arenal for volcano viewpoints, project follow-up, and hot springs downtime; depart.
9 Days
- Adds Monteverde cloud forest learning, zip-lines, and coffee cooperative storytelling.
- Includes Pacific coast retreat day for rest and donor appreciation.
12 Days
- Comprehensive circuit: San José, Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio/Guanacaste, plus optional Caribbean extension.
- Adds marine conservation, surf outreach, and additional donor events.
- Allows flexible morning, leadership workshops, and long-term planning with Costa Rican partners.
Best Time to Go
- Dry season (December–April) offers sunny days with occasional breezes—ideal for service and outdoor gatherings.
- Green season (May–November) brings afternoon showers, lush landscapes, and fewer crowds; we schedule indoor projects and flexible excursions.
- High humidity calls for hydration and light clothing; we build rest and shade into each day.
Group Logistics
- Airports: San José (SJO) and Liberia (LIR) for Guanacaste; we coordinate internal transfers.
- Transport: charter buses, minibuses, 4x4s for remote projects, and boat transfers for coastal or river excursions.
- Lodging: guesthouses, eco-lodges, beach resorts, and boutique hotels with meeting spaces.
- Meals: Costa Rican cuisine—gallo pinto, casados, plantains, fresh fruit; safe water and dietary needs managed with partners.
- Mobility: light to moderate—jungle trails, hanging bridges, beach sand; we provide accessible alternatives and rest stops.
- Fundraising moments: volcano viewpoint gatherings, hot spring reflections, canopy sessions, and sunset dinners on the coast.
Extensions & Combos
- Pair with Guatemala or Belize for Central America circuits.
- Add Colombia or Peru for Andean collaboration.
- Combine with Dominican Republic or Cuba for Caribbean outreach.
Safety & Stewardship Notes
Costa Rica is stable with eco-friendly infrastructure. We coordinate safe lodging, trained drivers, hurricane monitoring, and environmental best practices so leaders can focus on participants and rest.
FAQs
- Q: Do we need visas? A: U.S. travelers receive a 90-day stay on arrival; passports must be valid six months beyond travel dates.
- Q: Are vaccinations required? A: No mandatory shots; we recommend hepatitis A/B and typhoid, and provide guidance on mosquito precautions.
- Q: How do we balance service and rest? A: We build rhythms of collaboration and downtime—often with beach, hot springs, or cloud forest retreats.
- Q: Can donors join service-focused trips? A: Yes—Costa Rica offers comfortable lodging, unique adventure, and hands-on engagement that resonates with supporters.
- Q: How far ahead should we plan? A: Reserve 6–9 months ahead for dry-season travel, eco-lodge space, and marine conservation projects.
Review fundraising ideas in our travel commissions guide, or add Costa Rica to your request via the lead form when you’re ready to plan.
Highlights
- San José & Central Valley: urban partners, education initiatives, and cultural immersion
- Arenal & La Fortuna: volcano views, hot springs downtime, and service in the north
- Monteverde & cloud forest: canopy walks, coffee cooperatives, and learning in the mist
- Pacific Coast: Manuel Antonio, Jacó, Guanacaste—coastal retreats, marine conservation, and donor appreciation
Fundraising for Churches
How Churches Use Costa Rica
- San José congregations partnering on education, trafficking prevention, and discipleship in urban neighborhoods
- Arenal and northern villages for clean water projects, agricultural training, and volcano-view devotions
- Monteverde cloud forest retreats with canopy worship, sustainability lessons, and donor appreciation dinners
- Pacific coastal sabbath (Manuel Antonio, Jacó, Guanacaste) to rest, snorkel, surf, and capture stories before returning home
What Works Well
- 7–9 day itineraries linking San José ministry with one rainforest destination and a coastal sabbath
- Morning worship/teaching windows in mission compounds, jungle pavilions, or beachfront venues before service projects
- Climate-aware pacing with hydration, indoor rest in the afternoons, and evening debrief to process impact
- Fundraising moments: rooftop worship in San José, hot spring testimony night, canopy devotion, and sunset catamaran cruise for donors
We coordinate safe lodging, transportation, and ministry partners so pastors can focus on shepherding teams, honoring donors, and caring for creation.
Sample Ministry Focus
- Arrival devotion in San José, orientation with partner church, and cultural dinner
- Service day (clinic, water filters, VBS) in the Central Valley; evening worship at local congregation
- Travel to Arenal for volcano hike, small-group discipleship, and hot springs sabbath
- Monteverde canopy walk, sustainability workshop, and donor appreciation dinner with local coffee
- Pacific coast sabbath with beach worship, snorkeling, or surf ministry; final debrief before departure
What ETS Tours Provides Here
- Custom routing across San José, Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio/Jacó/Guanacaste, and Caribbean add-ons with vetted guides and ministry liaisons
- Worship logistics: church permissions, portable sound, translation, communion supplies, and outdoor setups
- Transportation: charter buses, 4x4 support, boat transfers, and domestic flights if needed for coast-to-coast pacing
- Ministry partner vetting: churches, schools, clinics, ecological NGOs, and social enterprises throughout the country
- Hospitality touches: mission guesthouses, jungle eco-lodges, beach resorts, and locally sourced dining experiences
- Fundraising support: donor gifting (coffee, chocolate), storytelling coaching, generosity prompts, and post-trip follow-up templates
- Safety: hurricane and rain monitoring, medical contacts, safe water/food protocols, and emergency contingency plans
Talk with us to design your Costa Rica ministry itinerary, or add Costa Rica to your request at the lead form.
Ready to explore Costa Rica with your group?
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