COSTA RICA
EXPEDITION.
Explore one of the greatest biological crossroads on the planet.
“
It was one of the greatest once-in-a-lifetime experiences for me. Getting to know and learning from the indigenous community was amazing.
”
– Costa Rica Venturer, 2025
COSTA RICA FACTFILE
THIS IS VIBRANT COSTA RICA.
Costa Rica is one of the great biological crossroads of the planet: rainforest, cloud forest, active volcanoes and two coastlines. It’s also home to some of the most isolated indigenous communities in Central America. You’ll embrace the spirit of Pura Vida, central to the way of life in Costa Rica.
You won’t be the same after Costa Rica. That’s what makes it worth doing.
Home to indigenous communities
Home to 8 indigenous communities making up only 2.4% of the population living in 24 demarcated reserves
Diverse microclimates
Costa Rica has 12 distinct microclimates from hot, dry forests to cool, misty cloud forests
Biodiversity hotspot
Despite covering only 0.3.% of the planet’s surface it is home to 6% of earth’s biodiversity
Dramatic landscapes
Volcanic mountain ranges, misty highlands, lush tropical rainforests and stunning coastlines both Caribbean and Pacific
ONLY IN COSTA RICA
Expeditions highlights
in COSTA RICA
01
TREK ACROSS COSTA RICA
200km through rainforests and mountains, making it the longest route on any Raleigh Expedition. River crossings, serious altitude gain, long days, sleeping in community centres and under open skies.
02
THE WILDLIFE
Expect wildlife you’ve never seen before, dirt in your fingernails and an unfiltered connection to nature you won’t get anywhere else.
03
FIELDBASE TURRIALBA
Your base for the entire Expedition sits just outside Turrialba – a town shadowed by a volcano, surrounded by dense, lush forest. This is where it all starts, and where you’ll keep coming back to.
04
CHIRRIPO HILL COMMUNITIES
Work as a team among the least accessible territories in Costa Rica. Adapting to life in indigenous regions, you’ll push yourself to step up and figure things out quickly.
CHOOSE YOUR JOURNEY
Two ways to
experience Costa Rica.
The challenge
Phases.
The full 8-week Expedition has all four Challenge Phases. The 4-weeker has two.
01
ENVIRONMENTAL
Protection
A wildlife haven, Costa Rica is one of the world’s most biodiverse nations. With dense rainforest canopy, wetlands thick with birdlife and volcanic peaks, it holds 5% of the world’s biodiversity. But this landscape is fragile. Deforestation, habitat loss and a shifting climate put real pressure on the land, the wildlife and communities who call it home.
This is where you step in. In border areas near Panama, you’ll be in national parks building trails, restoring habitat, monitoring wildlife. You’ll learn from experienced biologists and conservation experts who know this land. You’ll pick up skills of the forest, building shelter, running a camp kitchen, and sourcing water. It’s the kind of self-sufficiency that only comes from living properly off-grid, deep in the canopy.
Expect wildlife you’ve never seen before, dirt in your fingernails and an unfiltered connection to nature. Here you will build practical conservation skills and proof that you can survive, thrive and act in wild places.
02
ENDURANCE
TREK
At 200+ km, this is the longest trek of any Raleigh Expedition. You push yourself through rainforest and mountain landscapes, passing through different rural communities along the way. With misty mornings that burn off by midday, you will make steep and arduous climbs that test every muscle.
You may be camping in tents, on floors in rural classrooms or community centres, with conditions basic and minimal. But no matter the experience, you will be seeing Costa Rica on foot, the only way to truly see this stunning place. Your endurance will be tested, as will the cohesion of your team. Carrying each other through the hard days, you’ll share the summit views with your teammates and will refuse to let anyone fall behind.
Harness your team, dig deep for the endurance inside you, and you will go the distance.
03
Community Action
Costa Rica is home to eight indigenous peoples, making up just 2.4% of the population across 24 protected territories. Much of these indigenous communities exist in remote areas in the rugged mountains, with traditions and customs not found elsewhere. They hold onto traditions that most of the world has lost, from unique basket weaving and archery. Much of these unique societies are built from the local environment, relying on local plants like cacao and ecotourism.
Amongst their charm and uniqueness, they face challenges. Located so remotely, often miles off-road and hours from cities, it’s not easy building new infrastructures here. You’ll get to know the community and team up with them on constructing new facilities, like classrooms and halls, which will support the community and local education. Long days of hard, physical graft, planned and delivered hand-in-hand with the people who call it home.
04
THE FINAL
CHALLENGE
The Final Challenge represents the ultimate test of every skill developed throughout the Expedition. It will show you how far you’ve come since you arrived.
The challenge will be unique and designed specifically for you and your team. Whether it is project or endurance based, you will develop an effective plan, problem-solve and prove your leadership on the ultimate experience to earn your Raleigh stripes.
The Final Challenge is only featured on the 8 Week Full Expedition.
Turrialba
Fieldbase
Your base for the Expedition sits just outside Turrialba – a town shadowed by a volcano, surrounded by dense, lush forest. This is where it all starts, and where you’ll keep coming back to.
INDUCTION
Your Expedition will start at Fieldbase where you will have your first briefing. This will include safety, procedures and projects. But most importantly here you will meet and get to know your teammates before you start this adventure together.
CHANGEOVER
Between each Phase you’ll return to Fieldbase for Expedition Changeover. An opportunity for some respite, you’ll sort your kit, debrief from the Phase before and prepare for the Phase ahead.
ENDEX
You’ve made it – this is the final stage of your Expedition. This is when you’ll finally hang up your boots, reflect on what you’ve achieved and celebrate with your fellow Venturers. It’s the end of your Expedition, but the start of your life ahead.
COSTA RICA EXPEDITION FAQS
Where in Costa Rica does Raleigh International operate?
Raleigh International operates from its Fieldbase near Turrialba, Costa Rica. Expeditions take place across a range of rural communities, protected natural areas and remote landscapes, combining Community projects, Environmental conservation and an Adventure Challenge. Project locations vary each Expedition, giving Venturers the opportunity to experience different parts of Costa Rica.
What projects will I work on?
There are two kinds of projects on a Raleigh Expedition: Community Action and Environmental Protection. The Community Action Phase places Venturers on grassroots development projects – building schools, improving water access, or working directly with local partner organisations. The Environmental Protection Phase focuses on conservation work in some of the world’s most biodiverse habitats – from rainforest monitoring to wildlife surveys.
What sort of food will I be eating on Expedition in Costa Rica?
Raleigh provides dry and fresh food, and Venturers rotate to cook for the group. The staple food in Costa Rica is rice and beans, which can be accompanied by different vegetables and proteins. Tropical fruits are delicious and very sweet, and we eat them frequently.
Where will I be staying on Expedition with Raleigh in Costa Rica?
You’ll stay at our Fieldbase near Turrialba on arrival and in between projects. Fieldbase is a basic building which permanent in-country staff use as an office. It also has a dining area. Venturers stay in large communal ‘army style’ tents, with a social communal area. On the Community Action Phase, you’ll usually stay in a classroom or community centre with shared basic cooking facilities and basic toilets and showers. On the Environmental Protection Phase there will be a variety of accommodation ranging from tents to basic bunk beds at the rangers building in the National Parks. On the Endurance Trek you’ll usually stay in local community centres or classrooms of towns you pass through, with sometimes camping along the way. Facilities are basic.
What is the weather like in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is a tropical country so the weather is warm all year round. There is a ‘rainy season’ and a ‘dry season’ but as with any tropical environment, you can expect rain at any time of year. That is what makes Costa Rica so lush and beautiful.
Will I need a visa for Costa Rica?
Whether you need a visa to travel to Costa Rica will depend on your nationality, purpose of visit, country of residence and length of your stay. Your Venturer Coordinator will provide you with all the relevant information. The cost of visas isn’t included in the price of your Expedition.
What language is spoken in Costa Rica?
The official language of Costa Rica is Spanish, however there are also five indigenous languages spoken: Cabécar, Bribri, Maléku, Buglere, and Guaymí. We recommend you learn as much Spanish as you can before you come; this will make communicating with members of the community and partner organisations easier. We also recommend practising hiking in preparation for the trek, but this is not necessary.
How long are Expeditions?
Raleigh offers 8- and 4-week Expeditions in Costa Rica. Depending on the length of your Expedition. Venturers on the 8-week Expedition will take part in both types of projects, whereas 4-weekers will complete either one Community Action or one Environmental Protection Project.