¡Bienvenidos a Costa Rica! It's time to see what the Pura Vida lifestyle is all about.
See crocodiles at the Tarcoles River before arriving at Playa Hermosa, a black sand beach famous for its surf.
Your first Costa Rican dinner will be on the Pacific Ocean for sunset. Enjoy a refreshing beer or cocktail with your new friends as you settle into this beautiful country.
Then, head down the coast to Manuel Antonio and check in to your hotel in an area known for its wildlife.
Unwind in the pool and get ready for tomorrow’s adventure.
Walk to Manuel Antonio National Park, where you’ll engage in a nature walk along an easy path leading to one of the most beautiful beaches on the planet.
Look out for three types of monkeys and two types of sloths while enjoying an untouched slice of paradise.
For those craving an even further off-the-beaten-path activity, you can spend your morning hiking to the epic Cathedral Point trail in the Manuel Antonio National Park. This trail is an excellent opportunity to see white-faced monkeys in their natural habitat.
In the afternoon, take a local ferry to the island of El Cocal to visit one of Under30Experiences’s flagship community sustainability projects.
Practice your Spanish with the locals, learn to cook tortillas, and weave friendship bracelets together. This is one of U30X’s top cultural experiences, and better yet, it supports a community with limited resources.
To start your day right, enjoy some Costa Rican coffee and a Gallo Pinto for breakfast.
As we head into the rainy season, this morning presents a perfect opportunity to enjoy the catamaran for snorkeling and admire the coastline of Manuel Antonio.
In the afternoon you can relax at the beach or learn how to surf.
Wake to the sound of toucans or scarlet macaws, and treat yourself to a second cup of fresh Costa Rican coffee.
Today, you’ll be crossing suspension bridges, zip-lining through the trees, and rappelling down waterfalls in the rainforest on a canyoning adventure.
Spend your afternoon relaxing in the warm waters of the Pacific at Playa Espadilla, consistently ranked one of the best beaches in the world. Those who want to keep their adrenaline level high can take an optional surf lesson.
Wake up early for a delicious breakfast and reflect on the week’s adventures.
As our experience comes to a close, we hope you are feeling rejuvenated after spending five days as part of our travel community.
Take included private transportation with your group back to the airport for your flight back home.
Looking to see the rainforest and volcanoes on your visit to Costa Rica? Check out our nine-day Costa Rica Extended experience.
"I had an amazing time on the Costa Rica starter trip. This was my first time traveling solo and U30X was a great way for me to safely see another part of the world and meet new people. Our trip leaders were Adrian and Delphine; they were very knowledgeable and fun. It felt more like we were just hanging out with our friends who happened to know a lot about the country rather than following around tour guides." -Amy B.
"Truly unforgettable! For my first experience leaving my home country, I couldn't have imagined anything better. Amazing trip leaders, amazing people, amazing experience. I would give more than five stars if I could!!!!" -Morgan R.
"I wish I could quit my day job and travel the world with U30X, but that's unfortunately not realistic. I just returned from the Starter Costa Rica trip guided by Jonno and Lauren. This experience combined all of my favorite memories from sleep away camp, beach vacations, and the desire to see new cultures into one tremendous trip. Our guides were extremely fun to be with and made sure all of our needs were met. The schedule for each day was flexible based on what we each wanted and was jam packed with some awesome adventures. If I had to pick just two favorite activities, I'd have to say they'd be taking a super legit cooking class taught in Spanish and practicing yoga in the jungle. But, everything else was amazing, too!! Go book a trip immediately and don't think twice! U30X FOR THE WIN!!!" -Cat D.