"The trip made memories I will
never forget. I was impressed with the wide variety of activities - they were scheduled appropriately to blend educational, service, and fun activities. As I listen to my students rave about their trip, I get a better insight into the life changing moments they experienced. Each person we encountered added significantly to our trip."

"The people were the highlight for me. Our guides, as well as the families, the volunteers at the conservation projects, and
everyone   that we encountered
along the road, were my favorite
part. To experience Costa Rica as the real people actually live in it,
not as a tourist, was absolutely fantastic!!"

"This trip was the best 2 weeks
of my life! I absolutely love Costa Rica. The activities were awesome (visiting indigenous tribes, swimming in waterfalls, ziplining, rafting). we stayed in places that mostly
weren't too touristy, so we could
get a feel for what Costa Rica was really like."

"I was definitely amazed by the simplicity of the lifestyles, but I
was sort of expecting that. What I
wasn't expecting was the innate hospitality, warmth, and generosity
of every single person I met! "

"This trip went above and beyond any expectations I could have had.
 I expected a grueling adventure
with back-breaking labor. What I
got was incredibly fun, educational, and just fantastic. Its the coolest thing I've ever done. Truly."

"Costa Rica is notorious for overflowing with North Americans
but EcoTeach keeps us off the tourist track, for the most part. Remote visits to the turtle station and BriBri offer unique ecological and cultural experiences that are hard to come by. Thank you!"

Aurora Community College
Dates: May 17 to 27, 2010
Cost: $1750 + airfare

• Trip Registration
• Trip Information
• Travel Insurance
• Forms
• Places & Projects
• Web Links
• Payment Due Dates
• Cancellation & Refund Policy
• Passport/Documentation
• Immunizations
• Flights

Trip Registration

Just download the registration form, fill it out, sign it, and return it to your professor along with a $95 deposit.

With the registration form and deposit, you will receive permission to enroll in one of the three courses that are traveling to Costa Rica (ANT 275, BIO 275, or SPA 275).  Tuition for this 3-credit hour course will be due according to CCA’s payment schedule (and is paid through CCA’s Cashier’s office).

Trip Information

• Welcome Letter
• Trip Itinerary: Science Students
• Trip Itinerary: Spanish Language Students
• Trip Itinerary: Anthropology Students
• Trip Map
• Safety Comes First
• Travel FAQs
• Packing List

Travel Insurance

EcoTeach includes Post Departure travel coverage in the cost of the trip. Cancellation coverage is available at an additional cost. If you would like to review these policies please email Deb Smucker and request a description of coverage.

• Travel Insurance Overview

Forms

• Registration Form: fill this out to sign up for your trip. Give it to your professor

• Participant Information Form: fill out this form and return to EcoTeach or fill it out online (you will be emailed information on how to access your record after you sign up for the trip).

• Cancellation Form: if you need to cancel, please fill this out and return it to EcoTeach. You will remain an active participant until this form is received.

Places & Projects

• Costa Rica Overview
• Butterfly Farm
• Sea Turtle Information
• Estacion Las Tortugas
• Arenal Volcano Information
• Finca Educativa (Organic Farm)
• Volcano National Park
• EcoGlide Ziplines
• Cabanitas Resort
• Catarata Eco-Lodge
• Sol Colibri Coffee Coop
• Las Vueltas Lodge

Web Links

• EcoTeach YouTube site
• EcoTeach Facebook page
• Tortuga Coffee: Sell coffee, raise money
• USA State Department Costa Rica Consular Sheet
• CIA World Factbook: Costa Rica
• USA Passport Application
• Center for Disease Control: Travelers Health
• Earn College Credit: Sign up for credit from Eastern Washington University
• EcoTeach Foundation
• Costa Rica Tourism Board
• Tico Times: An English newspaper
• Maptak: Costa Rica map
• SEE Turtles: Promoting responsible sea turtle tourism

Payment Due Dates

The trip deposit should be given to your professor. All other payments can be paid directly to EcoTeach via check or credit card. Checks should be payable to "EcoTeach".

Cancellation & Refunds

You must submit a cancellation form to be cancelled from the trip.

Passports & Documentation

A passport is required to enter Costa Rica. For US citizens, no visa is need but the passport must be valid for 90 days after the day you arrive. Citizens of other countries should check with the Costa Rican Embassy to determine entry requirements. US Citizens can go to US Department of State for passport and travel information.

Immunizations

No immunizations are required to enter Costa Rica, however the Center for Disease Control does have several recommendations. We strongly encourage you consult your doctor or a travel clinic with question on immunizations as EcoTeach does not provide medical advice.

Flights

You are responsible for purchasing your own flights. Your arrival city is San Jose, Costa Rica (airport code is SJO).

ARRIVAL: The program will begin the morning of May 17, so please plan to arrive either on the Frontier flight that arrives May 17 at approximately 6am, or fly in the night before. If you arrive on May 16th or earlier, we can assist with hotel reservations, but you will be responsible for hotel and transfer costs.

DEPARTURE: You can arrange to depart anytime on May 27.