College Break Costa Rica: Sarapiqui to Puntarenas

Well, ideally, 5 minutes ago. But we get it takes some time to figure out the best trip for you. We do recommend booking as soon as possible, this not only secures your spot on the trip, it also allows you the most time to pay for your trip. The closer we get to departure the more challenging securing your reservation becomes. If you’re booking under 99 days prior to departure, give us a call to book your trip. For more information on the late reservations process, visit our Help Center.

You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on your trip here. Simply type in the name of the tour and you’ll see all of the entry requirements including passport validity, visas, and electronic transit authorizations. 

Note that this information will default to US passport holders. If you hold a passport from outside the US, please make sure to consult your country’s immigration and travel site to determine the best documentation needed for your travels.

These trips are designed to give you those life-shaping adventures you see on your feed—without the stress or the scary price tag. Travel with friends or go solo and find your people along the way. Basically, it’s champagne vibes on a seltzer budget, with all the planning done for you. These trips are exclusively for travelers 18-24, not a skinny-jean-wearing millennial in sight!        

Trips in the College Break Collection are exclusively for travelers ages 18–24. If you or a travel companion are over 25, we encourage you to check out any of our other amazing itineraries!

Groups can vary in size (often between 20–44 travelers) but are guaranteed to leave you with memorable friendships that often last a lifetime. Whether you want someone to do it for the plot with, or just someone to share a gasp with when you see your bucket list icon, you’re sure to be the annoying friend that comes back and doesn’t shut up about their amazing time abroad with their new best friends. Check out our Rules of the Road and the role all travelers play in creating a fun and inclusive group.

Traveling solo? Have no fear! Over 60% of our travelers join an Ultimate Break tour solo. It doesn’t matter if you’re an introvert, an extrovert, or anything in between, our tours are designed to build connections that will last a lifetime. You get to know the rest of the group through the EF Ultimate Break app before you even depart, and our EF Tour Director expertly helps the group get to know each other and bond during experiences like the Welcome Dinner, excursions, and throughout the tour. First time traveling with us? Check out our resources for first time travelers here.

That’s up to you! Prices default to booking without flights but we are happy to take one more thing off your plate and book your roundtrip airfare.

When you book flights with us you’ll get:

• The ability to roll the cost of your airfare into our interest-free monthly payment plan.
• One checked bag per traveler included. (note: some destinations do not include a checked bag, primarily in Central America. Please refer to your packing list once your book your trip for tour specific information)
• Expert guidance on how to work with the airline when flight delays and cancellations occur.
• Transfers to and from the airport on your tour’s arrival and departure dates.
• Flexible rebooking options if your itinerary changes.
• Flexibility around your arrival and departure airports. You’ll have the option to fly in or out of most airports if you want to add any independent travel before or after your tour.
• Assurance that you will only be booked on airlines that meet our rigorous safety standards.

If you have preferences regarding an airline or are traveling with someone and wish to be on the same flight as them, you can read more about flying with your friend here. We’re always happy to look into it however we can’t guarantee we will always be able to accommodate.

Flight details are released for preview 60 days before departure and your e-ticket and confirmation number will be available 30 days before you depart.

If you choose to book flights yourself, keep in mind that you’ll be responsible for transfers to and from the airport. For more information about choosing your own flights, including general arrival and departure times, visit our help center.

During your trip, you’ll stay at accommodations handpicked by our team of local experts. Each property is centrally located, so the sights, shops, restaurants, and nightlife you came to experience are right outside your door. 

Rooms are exclusively for EF Ultimate Break travelers and are group share style, separated by gender. Everyone gets their own bed and rooms include an en suite bath.

Your Tour Director is with you during your entire trip. They’re part logistics master, making sure you get to see all that we have planned; part rockstar, sharing with you local hotspots; and part guru, sharing and inviting you into the culture. Our Tour Directors are fully trained and ready to support you in making your journey safe, seamless, and unforgettable!

In some locations you will be met by a local guide who will lead you through our traveler-inspired walking tour. You’ll get some local history and culture while also making sure you hit the photo stops. You’ll walk away with an insider’s perspective and some great pictures.

We recommend budgeting $80-$100 per day to cover tipping, food, and shopping. You know your spending habits best, if you want to do it all budget on the higher end. 

The local currency is the colón. USD is also widely accepted in Costa Rica. We strongly advise that you take debit and credit cards (ideally with a chip), which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed. Cash is king in Costa Rica, so bringing cash in advance is not a bad idea. Make sure to check with your bank or credit card company about withdrawal fees and/or foreign exchange fees. While better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, ordering currency from your local bank may be an option.

Excursions are available for purchase at a discounted rate prior to departure. Some excursions may be available for purchase while you are on tour directly through your mobile app but are subject to availability and will be more expensive.  

We recommend purchasing excursions at least 3 days prior to your tour departure. Please note some excursions have advance booking deadlines. Check your tour itinerary for more information to ensure you don’t miss the deadline to add them.

Pack your most comfortable shoes and prepare for an adventure. You’ll be walking and moving a lot on each day of this trip. We rate these tours high due to the daily activities on tour, the extra adventures you might encounter (think kayaking) or the length of the tour! On these tours, be prepared to:

• Walk a minimum of 15k steps per day (more if you add excursions)
• Use public transportation
• Climb on and off a motor coach or vehicle unassisted
• Manage your own luggage (including carrying luggage upstairs if no elevator)
• Climb stairs and up hills to different sites and be comfortable on various terrains (think cobblestones, uneven stairs, etc.)
• Stand for long periods of time during guided commentary and photo stops
• Navigate on more difficult terrain (ex. snow/ice, hiking trails)

With over 60 years of experience, our travelers safety is a top priority. Our expert teams are constantly review national and international travel guidelines to ensure your trip will meet our rigorous safety—and satisfaction—standards. While our destinations are safe, it’s always important to stay aware of your surroundings and follow basic safety guidelines. Pickpocketing can occur, especially in crowded areas or tourist hotspots. Keep your belongings secure and be cautious with strangers offering unsolicited help or deals.  

Here are a few additional points:

• Health and safety: Talking with your healthcare provider about any vaccinations or medication you may want to consider. Here are some additional tips for traveling with medication and traveling with allergies.
• International data plan: In the event you need to get in touch with your Tour Director or Ultimate Break while abroad, it’s important to invest in an international data plan. Call your cell phone provider to understand their plans or look into purchasing a sim card.
• Transportation safety: Keep your belongings close and stay alert. At the end of a night out, use trusted transportation like a licensed taxi, Uber of Uber like service, and always have cash on hand.

You can learn more about our safety commitment here.

Ultimate Break trips are a welcome environment for all. While we work hard to cultivate an inclusive environment in our groups, we recognize some people may have additional reservations based on their identity that they need to consider while traveling. Check out some resources on our identity and international travel page and reach out if you have any questions.

When you travel with Ultimate Break, you’ll make a positive impact on the places you visit and the people and animals you meet along the way. That’s because our three core Responsible Travel commitments—protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and promoting animal welfare—are at the heart of every tour we offer.

Learn more about EF’s Impact approach here.