Experience Costa Rica
Home to over 5% of the world’s biodiversity and a leader in environmental conservation. Join us to explore Costa Rica’s lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and vibrant reefs! We offset carbon emissions generated per trip and a percentage of your trip cost is donated to impact organizations! Trips are organized based on your budget.
Caribbean Costa Rica
Where ocean meets rainforest. Join us on a trip featuring pristine beaches, vibrant reefs, and guaranteed capuchin encounters. During your visit you will participate in reforestation, meet and support the indigenous BriBri community, and enjoy adventures in rainforests, reefs, and mangroves! We arrange private transportation and tours.
Sample Itinerary:
Impact: Reforestation & The BriBri Community
DAY 1: SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA
We will pick you up from SJO airport (or anywhere within San Jose) and take you to your hotel. You will have a group dinner to meet fellow travelers and go over the trip schedule. If you arrive earlier in the day, we can provide transportation for sightseeing within San Jose. We request all travelers return to the hotel by 6:30pm for dinner.
DAY 2: REFORESTATION / CAHUITA
Today we will travel to our first stop in the Caribbean – Cahuita. Along the way, we will stop to plant trees at a forest reserve – enough to offset our trip’s carbon emissions – and have lunch. Your trip includes a donation to support local reforestation and we will learn how your contribution is being used. In the evening, you will have open time to explore the town of Cahuita.
DAY 3: CAHUITA NATIONAL PARK / PUNTA UVA
Our day starts with snorkeling Cahuita’s famous reefs followed by a guided walk through Cahuita National Park where you will encounter monkeys, birds, sloths, and more! Afterwards, we will stop for lunch and take a short drive to Punta Uva where you will have open time to enjoy your beachfront hotel and the surrounding area before dinner.
DAY 4: PUNTA UVA / BRIBRI IMPACT VISIT
You will start the day with an activity of your choice (included) such as diving, snorkeling, kayaking mangroves, or a relaxing massage! After lunch, we will visit and learn about the indigenous BriBri people. Your trip includes a donation to support the BriBri and we will get to see how those funds are being used as well as participate in a traditional chocolate ceremony
DAY 5: GANDOCA MANZANILLO / SAN JOSE
In the morning we will visit Gandoca – Manzanillo Wildlife Refugee, where we will search for wildlife and enjoy the pristine beaches. Afterwards, we will drive back to San Jose making stops on the way for lunch and to visit a local chocolatier. In the evening, we will have a group dinner to recap our trip, share highlights, and prepare for departure the next day
DAY 6: DEPARTURE
We will transfer you to the airport or anywhere in San Jose if you plan to stay in Costa Rica after our trip. Following your return, Sahara International will notify you when we mail your personal impact books
CENTRAL Costa Rica
Where abundant biodiversity surrounds a stunning volcano. Join us on a trip featuring lively rainforests, relaxing hot springs, and plenty of adventure. During your visit you will participate in reforestation, meet and support local students, and enjoy adventures in rainforests, waterfalls, and natural springs! We arrange private transportation and tours.
Sample Itinerary:
Impact: Reforestation & Local School Development
DAY 1: SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA
We will pick you up from SJO airport (or anywhere within San Jose) and take you to your hotel. You will have a group dinner to meet fellow travelers and go over the trip schedule. If you arrive earlier in the day, we can provide transportation for sightseeing within San Jose. We request all travelers return to the hotel by 6:30pm for dinner.
DAY 2: COFFEE TOUR / LA FORTUNA
Today we will travel to La Fortuna. Along the way, we will stop for a local coffee tour – with a unique twist – and to have lunch. In the afternoon, we will arrive to your resort with beautiful hot springs for you to enjoy and open time to explore the town of La Fortuna before dinner
DAY 3: ARENAL / LA FORTUNA
Today is all about your own adventures. You will spend most of the day participating in a tour package of your choosing such as visiting the the Arenal Volcano, floating down on a river safari, hiking to iconic waterfalls, exploring on an ATV, spending the day wildlife watching, or relaxing with a hot springs spa day. After your tour, you will have some open time before dinner
DAY 4: SCHOOL IMPACT VISIT / LAKE ARENAL
You will start the day with an impact visit to a local school to meet students, learn about the education system, and arrange a fun ice cream day for the school! Your trip includes a donation to support the school and we will get to see how those funds are being used as. After lunch, we will enjoy activities at Lake Arenal such as paddle boarding, kayaking, and jungle trails before transfer to your next lodge where you will enjoy a traditional Costa Rican dinner with a talented private chef followed by local dance lessons
DAY 5: REFORESTATION / SAN JOSE
In the morning we will participate in a reforestation tree planting – enough to offset our trip’s carbon emissions. Your trip includes a donation to support local reforestation and we will learn how your contribution is being used. Afterwards, we will drive back to San Jose making stops on the way for lunch and to visit a beautiful cafe. In the evening, we will have a group dinner to recap our trip, share highlights, and prepare for departure the next day
DAY 6: DEPARTURE
We will transfer you to the airport or anywhere in San Jose if you plan to stay in Costa Rica after our trip. Following your return, Sahara International will notify you when we mail your personal impact books
SOUTH PACIFIC Costa Rica
Where coral reefs surround the famous Manuel Antonio National Park – featuring pristine beaches, diving sites, and wildlife all around. During your visit participate in reforestation, get certified in coral reef restoration while enjoying diving, and participate in activities such as hiking rainforests, diving or snorkeling, and relaxing at the beach!
Sample Itinerary:
Impact: Reforestation & Coral Reef Restoration
DAY 1: SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA
We will pick you up from SJO airport (or anywhere within San Jose) and take you to your hotel. You will have a group dinner to meet fellow travelers and go over the trip schedule. If you arrive earlier in the day, we can provide transportation for sightseeing within San Jose. We request all travelers return to the hotel by 6:30pm for dinner.
DAY 2: MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK
Today we will travel to Manuel Antonio. Along the way, we will stop over the famous crocodile bridge. You will first enjoy Manuel Antonio National Park, a rainforest along the ocean, and later your resort with open time to explore the town of Manuel Antonio before dinner
DAY 3: REEF EDUCATION / DIVING
Today you start a course on coral reef conservation. After the classroom portion, join an afternoon dive to see the reefs of Costa Rica. After your tour, you will have some open time before dinner
DAY 4: REEF EDUCATION / DIVING
Today is your second day of reef education and diving. After completing the day, you will be certified in reef restoration. Enjoy the town of Manuel Antonio one more day before going back to San Jose
DAY 5: REFORESTATION / SAN JOSE
In the morning we will participate in a reforestation tree planting – enough to offset our trip’s carbon emissions. Your trip includes a donation to support local reforestation and we will learn how your contribution is being used. Afterwards, we will drive back to San Jose making stops on the way for lunch and to visit a beautiful cafe. In the evening, we will have a group dinner to recap our trip, share highlights, and prepare for departure the next day
DAY 6: DEPARTURE
We will transfer you to the airport or anywhere in San Jose if you plan to stay in Costa Rica after our trip. Following your return, Sahara International will notify you when we mail your personal impact books
Costa Rica
Minimum 15% of the trip cost must be donated to local organizations
Trip price includes pre-trip consultations, private transportation, upscale accommodations, all tours and activities as noted in the itinerary, donations to local organizations, reforestation, personal impact books highlighting your contributions, welcome gifts, guidebooks, and equipment for tours
Frequently Asked Questions
Want to create a custom trip?
Contact our team, share your vision, and let us curate an unforgettable itinerary. We can arrange small or large group trips with activities and nonprofit partners of your preference. We require at least 1 impact visit during our trip.
Need to make changes to your travel dates?
As long as you give us a 60-day notice, you can modify your dates one time at no extra charge. We will try to accommodate changes after 60 days, however, you may be subject to additional costs depending on changes to trip logistics
What is booking process like?
Once you request to book a trip online, Sahara International will contact you for trip consultations where we will discuss your budget, preferences, travel requirements, and any other requests. After payment, we will make travel arrangements.
Cancellation policies
We offer a full refund up to 60-days before your trip start date minus the non-refundable booking deposit noted in your trip details. After that, we will be unable to refund any cancelled trips, however, you will still receive impact books detailing how your funds contributed to local development.
What services do trips include?
Sahara International will arrange all aspects of your trip so you can relax and enjoy your trip! We will arrange for private transportation, accommodation, tours, donations + visits to nonprofit organizations, and meals. Your guide will be available to help throughout the trip
What is included in the price?
Prices are in USD and include pre-trip consultations, private transportation, high-end accommodation, tours, donations to impact projects, reforestation to offset carbon emissions, guidebooks, impact books, welcome gifts, meals as noted in your booking.
Want more information?
Unable to find the answers you need? Reach out to us directly to discuss your queries.