A Note on Communication: We have not included regular mailing addresses because we don’t recommend communication by paper mail, parcel post, or international delivery services. Letters/packages will arrive after a long delay, if at all. E-mail is much more effective.
July 1: Travel Day
Group Flight from Newark: Optional group flight from Newark International Airport on United Flight #1442, departing at 9:00AM and arriving in Liberia, Costa Rica at 12:15PM.
A Putney Student Travel flight escort will meet you at Newark International Airport and fly with you to Costa Rica. You should meet the group at the check-in counter for your flight at 6:30 AM. Your flight escort will carry a sign that says “PUTNEY,” so they will be easy to find.
Group Flight from Houston: Optional group flight from Houston Intercontinental Airport on Continental Flight #1510, departing at 5:15PM and arriving in Liberia, Costa Rica at 7:45PM.
A Putney Student Travel flight escort will meet you at Houston Intercontinental Airport and fly with you to Costa Rica. You should meet the group at the check-in counter for your flight at 2:00 PM. Your flight escort will carry a sign that says “PUTNEY,” so they will be easy to find.
*Please note that if you are flying on a connecting flight into Newark or Houston as an ‘unaccompanied minor’, we will meet you and your airline assigned flight escort at the departure gate (not at the check-in counter).
July 1 – July 3: Orientation, Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica
We will spend the first few days of the program getting to know one-another, reviewing the rules and safety precautions, and learning about our new surroundings while enjoying the beautiful Hermosa beach. We will go over an outline of what to expect in the three weeks to come.
July 4-10: Group A in Playa Hermosa / Group B in Silencio
Group A will remain in the Playa Hermosa area, sleeping at Villa Huetares. Group B will travel to Silencio, our community service village located in the mountains near Tilaran. Students will be assigned to Group A or B upon arrival in Costa Rica.
July 11-12: La Fortuna de San Carlos, Costa Rica
Both groups reunite during our excursion to the Arenal Volcano. We’ll be staying at the sustainable ecolodge, Rancho Margot. While at Rancho Margot, we’ll explore on horseback, in kayaks, and on foot during the day and soak in the hot springs at night.
July 13-19: Group B in Playa Hermosa / Group A in Silencio
Group B will return to the Playa Hermosa area, sleeping at Villa Huetares. Group A will travel to Silencio, our community service village.
July 20-21: Final Farewell, Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica
The groups reunite for the final days of the program, to reflect on the experience, relax, and say their goodbyes.
July 17: Travel Day
Group Flight to Newark: Students fly from Liberia to Newark on United Flight #1446, arriving at Newark International Airport at 8:30 PM.
Group Flight to Houston: Students fly from Liberia to Houston on Continental Flight #1511, arriving at Houston Intercontinental Airport at 11:07 AM.