Heading out on a school trip to Costa Rica?

What you bring with you, from your attitude to the items in your suitcase, is one of the most important aspects of Costa Rica Student Tours. But to really make the most of your trip, go beyond a standard packing list, and check out our recommendations for the 10 things you must pack for your Costa Rican expedition!

1. Questions! There is a whole WORLD of new things to see, hear, touch, taste, try and experience on your expedition to Costa Rica! Come with questions about everything from how to open a coconut, to Costa Rican cultural traditions, common Spanish phrases, symbiosis in the cloudforest, where to get the best meal in Costa Rica, and more. Come with questions about anything you ever wanted to know about Costa Rica and how it connects to your life at home!

2. A Camera: Whether you bring a GoPro, video camera, or still camera, you will want to record and capture memories of monkeys, colorful butterflies, your new Tico friends, and your teacher squeezing her eyes shut as she zooms down her first zipline!

3. Plastic bags: Costa Rica Student Tours offer endless options for excitement and exploration, from whitewater rafting, to horseback riding, construction on a community service project, hikes in the rainforest, canyoning, surfing and more. You haven’t really experienced Eco-Immersion in Costa Rica unless some clothes get a bit damp and just ever so slightly dirty. Plastic bags help keep your suitcase and the rest of your clothes clean so you don’t bring too much of the rainforest back home!

4. Something from your Hometown: Bring a t-shirt or baseball cap from your hometown team, a postcard, or a small local souvenir. Something small to trade for a local item with some of the many Costa Ricans you will meet and connect with on your expedition, or leave behind as thanks for the warm “Tico” welcome you received.

5. An Open Mind: On your Costa Rica trip, you will meet some of the coolest, most inspiring people ever: farmers, scientists, families, artists, and more. You will also see and experience some amazing (and weird and wild) things – incredible insects, plants, and animals, new foods, different cultures, and varied habitats. Bring an open mind to make the most of each moment on your trip.

6. A Journal: To record your amazing experiences, remember the people you meet, the new things you tried and learned, and the many questions and inspirational moments you take away from each day of your journey.

7. An Instrument: Ok, if you play the Cello maybe not, but bringing an instrument, or picking up and playing the instruments lying around your eco-lodge, homestay house, or local restaurant, is a fun and instant way to connect with locals who will join you to jam. Bring your group together to showcase your talents!

8. A Spanish English dictionary: Costa Ricans love practicing English with visitors, and helping visitors practice and learn Spanish. A Spanish-English dictionary can help you as you explore village markets, connect with locals, and become a part of a Tico family during a homestay. Your bi-lingual naturalist guides are also always ready to help you to learn and use your Spanish skills, whatever level they may be!

9. Maps: Bring a Map of Costa Rica, so you can track each day of your journey. Bring a Map of your hometown so you can show locals where you are from and what it is like back home. Get a map of the world to see where you will be inspired to go next after your introduction to the wonders of Eco-Immersion travel!

10. A Smile: Pura Vida! (Pure Life) Is the national phrase of Costa Rica – one of the happiest countries on Earth! You will be amazed at how quickly language barriers and cultural differences melt away when you smile at a friendly Tico who is just waiting to get to know you!

Costa Rican Adventures – Crawford Hill is the owner and director of Costa Rican Adventures, an educational travel company focused on cultural immersion. An expedition leader, former biology teacher, and educational innovator, Hill has been guiding students and adults on wilderness adventures since 1974.

Article by GreenlandKid.com