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The
COSTA RICA
TRIP
2023 DATES
Feb 16 - 20, 2023
Presidents Day trip
SOLD OUT
March 8 - 12, 2023
3 Gal spots + 2 Guy spots left
May 10 - 14, 2023
2 Gal spots + 3 Guy spots left
May 25 - 29, 2023
Memorial Day trip - likely to sell out
A few Gal spots + 3 Guy spots left
June 7 - 11, 2023
June 30 - July 4, 2023
Nov 15 - 19, 2023
Nov 29 - Dec 3, 2023
Dec 13 - 17, 2023
Dec 28 - Jan 1, 2024
NYE trip - likely to sell out
5 days/4 nights
from $1,899 USD
Payment can be broken down into a $500 deposit + 3 additional installments.
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WHAT TO EXPECT
Welcome to Costa Rica! This beautiful country in Central America is known for its amazing outdoors, lush jungles and mountains, and an abundance of wildlife. It is home to some of the hottest surf spots and beach towns, populated by friendly, laid-back Ticos and Ticas, and is hands down one of the best places to unwind in nature.
On this trip, you can expect to spend a lot of time out on the waves, swimming or surfing, canyoning, and relaxing in hot springs. You'll have an opportunity to truly discover what pura vida is all about.
Come join us for a 5 day 4 night getaway to this amazing country and learn to embrace the pura vida!
For the love of
RIDING WAVES
FRUIT COCKTAILS
TROPICAL WILDLIFE
PURA VIDA
HAMMOCKS
FRESH SMOOTHIES
RAINFOREST HIKES
MORNING COFFEE
HOT SPRINGS
COSTA RICA
INcluded
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All accommodations in centrally-located hotels (boutique when possible, shared twin/double room)
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In-country transportation for included activities
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Group airport transfers
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4 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
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Welcome drinks
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Ziplining experience in the mountains
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Hot springs experience in the jungle
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Surfing lessons (beginner to advanced)
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Beer tasting
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Trip Manager throughout
*All activities are weather dependent; in the unlikely event that we are unable to run an activity, we will have a suitable alternative in place.
not included
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Flights (fly into and out of Liberia International Airport in Costa Rica)
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Mandatory trip insurance
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Meals not mentioned (budget around $150, depending on consumption habits)
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Incidental Expenses
Day by day
*Itinerary is indicative for 2023 and is subject to change
Day 1 - Tamarindo
Arrive
Welcome to Costa Rica!
Arrive at Liberia International Airport by 2 pm, and we'll take a group shuttle to the region of Tamarindo, a fun little beach town that will be our home base for the next few days.
We'll check into our hotel, get settled in and kick off this trip with a celebratory cocktail on the beach!
This evening, we'll walk to a local Costa Rican restaurant and get to know each other over dinner and drinks!
UNWIND
Day 2 - Rincón de la Vieja
BUENOS DIAS!
Rise 'n' shine - get ready for an adrenaline-filled morning in the mountains and volcanoes!
We'll stretch our legs after our flights by heading to a local national park, where we'll be ziplining through trees, around waterfalls and canyons.
In the afternoon, we'll enjoy a picnic lunch in the wild and afterward head over to nearby hot springs to continue relaxing in the jungle.
We'll make our way back into town for an evening at your leisure - unwind with cocktails with your travel mates, do some exploring, or hit the pillow early for a good night's sleep.
ADVENTURE
Day 3 - Beach
EN LA PLAYA
Surf's up! Today is all about enjoying one of Costa Rica's best features: its beaches.
We'll be getting surfing lessons and catching some waves with a local instructor. Whether you're a seasoned surfer or have never touched a board in your life, you're going to have a blast.
The afternoon is free.
We recommend exploring local beach bars or grabbing lunch at one of the many outdoor restaurants.
In the evening, we'll head to a local brewery for some drinks!
RELAx IN NATURE
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Day 4 - Beach
EXPLORE
Today is a free day for you to indugle Costa Rican spontaneity.
Kick back at one of the nearby beaches or try out a local activity, such as fishing, biking or surfing.
This evening, we'll enjoy one last family dinner and "salut!" to our new friends and our unforgettable Costa Rican memories!
PURA VIDA
Day 5 - Tamarindo
PURA VIDA
Today is our last day in Costa Rica.
We'll share one final breakfast together and bid our farewells before check out, at noon.
A group transfer will then be available back to Liberia International Airport at that time.
*Please note, this will be the only airport transfer slot that is arranged by us. If you plan to hang out a bit longer, we recommend arranging a separate transfer on your own.
Pura Vida
(phr) lit. "pure life"; to live a peaceful, simple, uncluttered life with deep appreciation of nature, family and friends; a "real living" that reflects happiness, well-being and satisfaction.
FAST FACTS
JUST FOR FUN
Locals refer to themselves as "Ticas" (for females) and "Ticos" (for males). The term is a mesh between the two words: Costa Ricans.
Costa Rica is one of the only countries in the world that runs almost entirely on renewable energy.
This amazingly and relatively small country holds an estimated 5% (!!) of the world's biodiversity — that's wild!
TRIP NOTES
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Book your flights into and out of Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport, also known as Liberia International Airport in Costa Rica (not to be confused with the country Liberia!).
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You'll have free time to indulge the activities that you love best locally, such as surfing, swimming or just kicking back and taking in the views.
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Costa Rica tends to be more expensive than other Central American and South American countries.
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All activities are weather dependent; in the unlikely event that we are unable to run an activity, we will have a suitable alternative in place.
About Costa Rica
Located in Central America, Costa Rica is a popular destination for those who are traveling to a Latin American country for the first time, as it is known to be extremely safe and many locals also speak some level of English. Ecotourism also draws in people who love nature and the outdoors.
This beautiful country is known for its lush jungles, surf towns, numerous waterfalls, coffee and chocolate plantations and of course, the amazing and relaxed approach to life that the locals embrace - the "pura vida" or the "pure life." You might hear this term used commonly as a greeting or farewell, to serve as a reminder to stop and savor the little pleasures of life!
If it's not the natural environment, it's the food; if it's not the food, it's the people. Whatever it might be, you are bound to fall in love with many of things (if not all!) that Costa Rica has to offer.
GOOD TO KNOW
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Language: Spanish (and many locals also speak some level of English).
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Currency: Costa Rican colón.
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Costa Rica is located in Central America.
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Daily expenses tend to be higher in Costa Rica than other Latin American countries.
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Weather can be rainy, cooler in the mountains, warmer on the beaches; but in any scenario, be prepared for lots of insects and mosquitos.
Flights
Fly into Liberia (LIR)
You'll need to be in Liberia by 2pm on Day 1, however with the recent amount of flight delays we recommend planning to arrive a day early just to be safe.
Feel free to leave whenever you like on day 9.
Heads up - we don’t recommend using Avianca Airlines.
Feel free to leave whenever you like on day 9.
Heads up - we don’t recommend using Avianca Airlines.
Fly out of Liberia (LIR)
We will be taking a shuttle back to LIR (arriving at the airport at 1pm), but you are welcome to stay longer and arrange your own transportation.
Want to check out flights for your trip?
Feel free to also set up flight alerts to Liberia so you can grab the best deal!
*FTLO is not responsible for any fees or costs related to flights. We strongly suggest that all travelers wait until they receive the official FTLO Greenlight Email to book flights. This will be sent 3-4 months prior to the start date of your trip.
trip reviews
We know how much you'll love the Costa Rica trip... but don't take our word for it!
Check out some of our alumni reviews.
"I recently went on the Costa Rica FTLO trip and had the absolute best time! This was their first trip since COVID so you can imagine how much we all wanted to be there and were ready for adventure and a good time and let me tell you FTLO delivered! It turned out to be an all-girls trip which made it that much more special in the making friends' department. Makayla was our trip leader and she had the best vibes and recommendations the entire time! We had the perfect balance of adventure, relaxing, eating, and party time! Just what us girls needed! Thankful for what FTLO has created it's truly a special experience. Also, I had the best roomie, so another BIG thanks to Makayla for doing an amazing job at pairing everyone up! There were 9 of us this trip and the trip didn't seem too big or too small. I thoroughly enjoyed all the activities that were included and appreciated the downtime we got to explore Costa Rica for ourselves! If you are thinking about it taking an FTLO trip do it you won't regret it! I'd for sure go again! Thanks again FTLO!"
– gabby
"I went to Costa Rica with FTLO. It was incredible. Prior to this trip, I had never traveled out of the US. I was hesitant to do so by myself (even though I travel by myself in the states all the time) because I wanted to make sure I was safe, had good experiences, had help if I needed it, and had people to spend time with. FTLO provided all of that and way more. I seriously could not have asked for a better time. I enjoyed all the people in my group; It felt like I was hanging out with casual friends. The food recommendations were incredible. The activities were everything I wanted to do (ranging from outdoors/active things, foodie experiences, and cultural experiences, plus more!). There was ample free time for me to do what felt good for me and there was no pressure to participate in anything. Just having everything planned for me and taken care of took away a ton of anxiety which made it possible for me to truly enjoy everything. I will definitely book again!"
– Liz
"FTLO did not disappoint, I went on their Costa Rica trip and I have nothing but great things to say. Starting with before the trip, they contact you with everything you need to know for the trip and inform you of the daily itinerary. This was my first time going on an FTLO trip, I was expecting the typical tour guides but they do an amazing job at structuring every day as unique and wonderful as possible. You can tell right off Day #1 that they did their research on the city and culture, they take you to very yummy restaurants for drinks & foods , and they provide hands down the best excursions. If I would've planned this trip for myself I wouldn't have gone to half the places we visited. Let's not forget about the others on the trip, everyone was so unique and different that only made the experience better. And our trip leader, Makayla, was ABOVE & BEYOND- She was always on the lookout making sure everyone was enjoying their time and available 24/7. I made incredible memories, and met really great people I call friends now! If you're thinking of going on a trip with them, DO IT! :) Definitely recommend if you like to travel!"
– Silvana
