Let’s get the paperwork out of the way so we can focus on the fun stuff.

Your passport must

• be valid for at least six months after your return.

• match your name and birthday on file with EF.

• have three blank pages available.

A visa may be required for travel depending on where you're traveling and/or your citizenship.

For more information on passports and visas, visit our Passports & Visas help center article.

Traveler tip: Make two photocopies of your passport and any additional travel documents: one to bring with you and one to leave at home.

Not to sound cliché, but we can’t say this enough: pack light! Different airlines have different carry-on policies and checked bag fees, so ensure your bag meets their guidelines by checking your specific airline's baggage policy.

Most travelers find it easiest to go without checking bag. Here are some tips for getting as much as possible into that carry-on suitcase:

• Wear your bulkiest shoes on the plane and pack the lighter ones. Same thing goes for jackets and heavier clothing.

• Packing cubes or vacuum seal bags can save space and help you stay organized.

• Make the most of your personal item by using a tote bag or backpack that you can reuse throughout the trip.

• Roll your clothes instead of folding them. Pack the bigger items first and use smaller items like socks and underwear to fill in the gaps.

Remember to pack light! You'll be toting your own luggage around at airports and hotels, so bring only what you need and ideally in a carry-on bag.

To see a full packing list, visit our What to Pack article in the help center.

To get started, here are the essentials:

• Passport—bring a photo copy and leave one at home too

• Visa—if applicable

• ATM card—call your bank prior to departure to alert them of your upcoming travel

• Purse or small day bag with a zipper

• Converter/adapter for any electronics

• Toiletries

• Medications and a copy of any prescriptions*

• Comfortable, casual clothing check the weather before you pack!

• Dressier outfit

• Raincoat and umbrella

• Reusable water bottle

• Comfortable walking shoes for example, one pair of sneakers and one pair of sandals

• Versatile layers

• Comfortable, casual clothing in breathable, lightweight fabrics

• Bathing suit

• Comfortable shoes like sneakers and waterproof sandals

• Hat, reef-safe sunscreen, and bug spray

• EF’s emergency numbers

  • Calling from within the US: 1-800-873-2250

  • Calling from abroad: 001-617-619-2913

 *All medications should be in their original containers. Put medications in your carry-on bag only in case a checked bag gets lost or delayed.

The best things in the world are free (like seeing La Fortuna waterfall for the first time). Still, a little spending money can go a long way while you're abroad:

• Spending money: Budget $40-$60 per day for pocket money. Three meals per day are included in the program, so this covers souvenirs and additional activities. If you’re an especially avid souvenir hunter, you’ll want to give yourself more wiggle room—financially and in your suitcase.

• Currency: Costa Rican colón. We don’t recommend traveling with large sums of cash. At the start of your program, we recommend bringing the equivalent of $60 in the currency of the initial destination. After that, ATMs are the most convenient way to withdraw cash since they accept a wide variety of bank and credit cards.

• Tipping: We suggest $8 per day for your Field Director, inclusive of the day you arrive and meet your Field Director and ending the day you depart for home.

Traveler tip: Be sure to let your bank know you’ll be traveling so they can put an alert on your account and inform you of any international fees.

Imagine it: you’ve finally arrived. It’s been a few hours since you left home, but your feet are firmly planted on the ground again. Today’s challenge? Fight off jetlag and make the most of the day.

Unless you arrive at night, be prepared to hit the ground running. Staying awake on arrival day is the best way to fight jet lag and adjust to any time difference. If there are other groups on your program, you may wait at the airport for them to arrive. To make things a bit easier:

• Pack toiletries and a change of clothes in your carry-on for when you land.

• Stay hydrated—it helps reduce jetlag.

• Travel in comfort, not necessarily in style, and get as much sleep as you can on the flight before.

Your dedicated Field Director—a physical and cultural guide—will be with you throughout your program. Our Field Directors work tirelessly behind the scenes to coordinate logistics like managing reservations and making sure everything flows seamlessly, so that you can enjoy your time without sweating the details. They are there to acquaint you with each new city and make sure everyone is safe, confident, and making the most of every moment.

You'll spend most of your time abroad learning and exploring, but you should also know what to expect when you settle in for the night.

• Hotels: Our hotel partners absolutely must meet our standards for quality, safety and cleanliness. That means your rooms will be safe, clean, comfortable, and equipped with private bathrooms. Hotels are typically 30–45 minutes from the city center by coach bus or public transit or conveniently located to the sites you'll be visiting, which comes in handy if you want to explore different areas.

• What to expect: Hotels abroad may feature smaller rooms than you’re used to and may not have air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, television, or elevators. All the more reason to get out and explore.

• Rooming: You may share a room with someone from another group if you’re traveling with more than one college or university—which has led to more than a few incredible cross-country friendships. Since hotels vary from city to city, room assignments might also be different from one hotel to the next. Standard accommodations vary based on age. For more information, visit our Rooms & Roommates help center article.

Traveler tip: Electrical outlets in different countries may be different from the ones we're used to. Make sure you research what type of converter and/or adapter is needed for your travels!

P.S. In San Jose, the hotels are typically Western-style chain hotels. Once you leave the city, you will be in eco-lodges or bungalow-style hotels which are different than you might be used to. Tropical conditions make insects and small animals (such as ants, mosquitoes, lizards, spiders and frogs) more prevalent.

You should expect food and portion size to be different than what you're accustomed to at home. Kick off each day with an included continental breakfast. All lunches and dinners will be included, too. We work with local restaurants to provide a pre-set plated meals inspired by the region, giving you the opportunity to experience authentic dishes.

• Costa Rican food is flavorful but not spicy. In Costa Rica, expect to try fresh fruits, strong coffee and lots of rice and beans, typically with chicken or another meat each day. It is also common to see familiar foods in Costa Rica like pasta and sandwiches. Fresh fruit juices will often be served with meals, in addition to water.

Traveler tip: Water is chlorinated throughout the country and safe to drink. However, some people may choose to use bottled water.

Here's how you'll get around to make the most of your travels.

• Flights: Into and home from San José

• Bus: Main mode of transportation on the ground.

• Motorboat: Transportation to and from  included activities.

• Walking/hiking: Hands down the best way to explore a new place. Be ready to walk and hike a ton (we're talking 5-7 miles per day) to see as much as possible.

Traveler tip: The roads in Costa Rica are windy, curvy, and mountainous. You will also be traveling by motorboat for activities. Consider bringing medicine if you're prone to motion sickness or seasickness.  

You will be covering a lot of ground in nine days, so this program will feel fast! In order to maximize your time each day, you will leave the hotel bright and early and return some time in the evening. Most days will be pretty packed with activities and there will be limited exploration time. You'll have a mix of time on the bus, walking, hiking and on a boat to get around. Be prepared to walk between 5-7 miles per day.

You'll spend 1-2 nights in each hotel before moving on to the next, meaning there’s no time to waste! Your group will hit the ground running in each new place.

Exploration time can vary depending on a few factors like the number of planned activities and general travel variables like traffic. How you spend your exploration time is entirely up to you, and your Field Director is a great resource for recommendations.

Do learn common words and phrases:

• Hola = Hello

• Buenos dias = Good morning

• Buenas tardes = Good afternoon

• Buenas noches = Good night

• Gracias = Thank you

One phrase you’ll definitely hear a lot is “pura vida,” which means “pure life.” It’s used as a way to celebrate life and gratitude. You’ll hear it as a greeting or to say goodbye, and you’ll start to feel the “pura vida” way of life as you spend time in Costa Rica!

About 8% of the Costa Rican population is Afro-Costa Rican, descended primarily from waves of Afro-Caribbean migrant workers who settled in Costa Rica. These communities primarily live on the Caribbean coast of the country.

Tipping in restaurants is generally around 10%, as a service charge is often included in the bill. However, if the service charge is not included, leaving a tip is appreciated.

Costa Rica was the first Central American country to allow same-sex marriage, despite some religious and culturally conservative norms that made this quite a political feat. LGBTQ+ travelers typically find Costa Rica a welcoming place, though in more rural or conservative areas, there can still be homophobic or transphobic biases — or just a lack of awareness around these topics.