COSTA RICA & GALÁPAGOS TREK

We have provided the following sample itinerary to give you a better sense of this experience. The actual program may vary, and an itinerary will be distributed no later than two weeks before the program begins. Even after the itinerary is sent, adjustments may still be made in coordination with tour guides and the tour operator—both leading up to and during the program—based on local conditions.

DAY 1 | DEPARTURE FLIGHT
Late night arrival in San José, Costa Rica for the start of the program. We’ll break the ice with some fun and engaging activities throughout the day so that you get to know everyone in the group. To learn more about how we organize travel to and from the program, click here. Have dinner and head to bed as soon as we arrive to prepare for an early morning start to your adventure.

DAYS 2–3 | SAN JOSÉ & PUERTO VIEJO
Begin the second day with breakfast before an immersive service experience at Fundación Humanitarian. Engage in hands-on service projects like mural painting or planting, and spend the afternoon with the abuelas, who are the pioneers of a local theater in La Carpio. Afterward, we’ll travel to the Caribbean coast for a day of adventure in Cahuita National Park, where you’ll explore the white-sand beach of Playa Blanca, hike through the park’s lush rainforest, and snorkel among coral reefs and vibrant underwater wildlife.

DAY 4 | BRI BRI INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY
Immerse yourself in the culture of the BriBri Indigenous Community, the largest indigenous population in Costa Rica. We’ll tour medicinal plant gardens, learn how to build traditional homes, and explore the sacred history of chocolate-making. Enjoy a hike to the stunning Volio Waterfall, a 50-foot cascade, and engage in service work with the community. End the day with a group dinner in Puerto Viejo.

DAY 5 | SHABBAT IN PUERTO VIEJO
Relax and recharge on Shabbat with a breakfast and a free day in Puerto Viejo. We’ll end the day with an Afro-Caribbean dance lesson and a group dinner.

DAYS 6–8 | SARAPIQUI
Kick off with a thrilling white-water rafting adventure before traveling to Sarapiqui, where you’ll spend the next few days immersed in community service. Work on projects like mural painting, revitalizing public spaces, and helping at a Costa Rican family farm—planting, harvesting, and preparing traditional meals like empanadas and tortillas. Along the way, enjoy a night hike through the rainforest and visit the Tirimbina Chocolate Tour to learn the history of chocolate.

DAYS 9–10 | LA FORTUNA
Travel to La Fortuna, where we’ll visit the iconic La Fortuna Waterfall by horseback, cooling off in the natural swimming hole. The next day, experience the thrill of zip-lining through the rainforest canopy and unwind in the Baldi Hot Springs.

DAYS 11–12 | SAN JOSÉ
Return to San José and start the day with a visit to Doka Coffee Farm to learn about Costa Rican coffee-making and enjoy a tasting session. We’ll celebrate Shabbat with services and a meal at a local synagogue. On the second day, relax with optional BBYO programming, sleep in, or take a walk through a nearby park. In the evening, join us for Havdalah and a group dinner in San José.

DAYS 13–16 | UVITA
Travel to Uvita and explore Antonio Manuel Park. Spend the day kayaking, paddle boarding, or canoeing through the mangroves, keeping an eye out for monkeys, sloths, and caymen. The next day, take a boat trip to the stunning Caño Island National Park for snorkeling and hiking. Then, visit the Boruca people to learn about their history and art, creating hand-carved masks and enjoying lunch with a Boruca family. We'll spend our final day shopping for souvenirs as we head back towards San José. Then, we'll head to the airport in San Jose to catch our flight to Quito and connect to the Galápagos Islands.

DAY 17–19 | SANTA CRUZ ISLAND
Fly from Quito to Santa Cruz Island and begin your adventure with a visit to the Twin Craters and Scalesia Forest. After settling into your hotel, visit the Charles Darwin Station and relax on La Playa de la Estación. End the day with dinner and some downtime at your hotel’s swimming pool.

Start the next day volunteering at Rancho Primicias, where you’ll help with reforestation and trail maintenance in the giant tortoise habitat. In the afternoon, explore the fascinating underground lava tunnels and learn about the island’s unique geology. Dinner will be at a nearby restaurant, where you can sample various local dishes.

Kick off the next morning snorkeling at Las Grietas, a stunning volcanic fissure with clear emerald waters. After lunch at a local spot, head to Tortuga Bay Beach for kayaking alongside sea lions and other marine life. In the evening, explore the shops along the pier and relax at your hotel.

DAY 20–24 | SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND
Take an early ferry to San Cristobal Island, where you’ll hike to Junco Volcano Lake and visit La Galapaguera, the Galapagos tortoise breeding center. After lunch, swim and snorkel at Puerto Chino Beach before meeting with a local coordinator to learn about beach conservation efforts.

Engage in a hands-on beach cleanup and reforestation activity at Hacienda Tranquila, contributing to the preservation of the Galápagos’ unique ecosystems. After a fulfilling day, enjoy Shabbat dinner and reflect on your experiences so far. Begin Saturday with BBYO programming, then spend the afternoon visiting La Loberia Beach or relaxing at Playa Mann to catch the sunset. Participate in a Havdalah ceremony and enjoy dinner in town.

On our last day, we'll embark on a day boat tour to Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido)—one of the most iconic snorkeling sites in the Galápagos—known for its incredible marine life. Onsite activities include visiting the Interpretation Center Tijeretas or enjoying free time to explore San Cristobal before our final dinner on the islands.

DAY 24 | RETURN FLIGHT
We'll head to San Cristobal Airport, fly back to Quito, then connect to our flight back to the U.S. It’s never goodbye, just see you later. Give your friends one last hug and part ways once your flight arrives at the airport. While your summer trip with us is over, the memories you’ve made will last a lifetime!

Our most frequently asked questions about this program are answered below. Additional program-wide FAQs are also available. Still need something? We’re here to help! Contact us.

How will my teen travel to the program?
BBYO will arrange for a group flight, and families will have the option of joining the group flight. If the group flight is not geographically convenient for your family, you are responsible for making your teen's flight arrangements to our arrival city, and from our departure city, based on guidance that we provide in the spring. Flight costs are not included in the program’s land cost. Learn more about flying to the program.

Is airfare between programs included when connecting two programs?
All connecting flights are included in the land cost for programs that connect. For more information, please visit our supervised flights page.

Where will my teen be sleeping?
The group stays in a mix of accommodations, including 3-star hotels and eco-lodges in Costa Rica and the Galápagos Islands. When booking our accommodations, we request for each teen to have their own sleeping accommodations in a shared living space. Our accommodations are typically outside of cities and provide space for teens to relax and explore in a safe environment. On a rare occasion, your teen may share a large bed with another teen of the same gender. We try to avoid this as best as possible, but sometimes have limitations due to hotel space.

How is the program staffed?
Each group is accompanied by a team of madrichim (counselors), a local tour leader, and a bus driver. Staff names are sent out approximately 2–3 weeks prior to your departure as part of the pre-trip preparation emails. Staff are asked to make welcome calls to teens before departure. Feel free to ask them any remaining questions you may have. Learn more about our staff team.

What's the summer weather like?
Both Costa Rica and the Galápagos have tropical climates, but conditions vary by region. In Costa Rica, expect warm, humid weather, with temperatures ranging from the 50s–90s depending on elevation. Rain is common in the afternoon or evening, especially during the rainy season in June and July. The Galápagos Islands have a dry season with temperatures ranging from the 60s to 80s, ideal for outdoor activities and wildlife exploration. Pack accordingly for both sun and rain!

How do you approach security?
The safety of the teens under our care is our guiding consideration. Learn more about our organization’s approach to safety & security.

What’s the typical group size?
Although it varies from year to year, our average group for Costa Rica & Galápagos Trek is comprised of 1–2 buses. The average bus size is 25–35 teens. Buses may include teens registered for this trip as well as teens registered for another trip that connects two programs. For details on bus assignments and friend requests, please visit our General FAQ page.

What's the food like?
In Costa Rica, teens will try local dishes like Gallo Pinto, Casado, and fresh fruits, while in the Galapagos, seafood and locally sourced produce are highlights. When traveling, your teen may encounter new foods that will not be to their liking, so we ask teens to be flexible and have snacks and other alternatives on hand just in case.

As a travel-based program, our meals take a variety of forms and may include hotel buffets, restaurants, catered meals, and allowance funds for participants to purchase a meal on their own. When a meal is served in a public buffet format (e.g. hotel breakfast), we will always ensure that there are vegetarian, pescatarian, or dairy options available and we will not restrict teens from eating the food of their choice.

Some meals may be provided via a cash allowance where teens will be given money to purchase the food of their choice, called a pizur meal. Such meals are typically arranged in an area where there are multiple restaurant options and teens can choose the food of their liking. When time is limited for meal choice, staff may choose to facilitate meal orders on behalf of teens using their allowance funds.

Participants with special dietary needs (i.e. lactose intolerance, gluten-free, kosher, etc.) should review our dietary restrictions commitment document and contact us in advance to be sure we can accommodate your needs during the program. 

Will I need a visa?
If you travel with an American, Canadian, or EU passport, good news! You don’t need a visa to enter Costa Rica or the Galápagos. If you travel with a passport from another country, you may need a visa.

What are the payment and cancellation terms?
All of these details are available here: Enrollment & Registration Terms.

How do I enroll my teen if we live outside of North America?
Visit this page to find all the information you will need and express your interest.

For more information, check out our general FAQs or the pre-trip guide.

Looking to combine two experiences for an extended summer of adventure, learning, and self-discovery? BBYO makes it easy! This trip connects our Stand UP Adventure Costa Rica program with the Galápagos Islands. Check out this other trip that connects with Costa Rica:

• Americas Trek

Learn more about our trip connections. BBYO will book connection travel for these programs and include it in the land cost of the program.