Costa Rica Gandoca Expedition School Trips
GVI
GVI equips a new generation with highly relevant skills, throughfresh and innovative approaches. With us, bright young students become bold future leaders.
Holistic Personal Development:
We follow a holistic approach to ensure students get the skills they need to be successful in their studies and careers – all while making a positive impact in the world. Our goal is to equip them to lead bold lives that will positively influence critical global challenges.
Life changing ethical experiences:
GVI is focused on achieving long-term impact in collaboration with local partners to ensure the sustainability of all our community and conservation projects
These itineraries have been carefully developed to meet certain goals and learning outcomes.
Global leaders in health & safety:
Our proven emergency protocols allow rapid resolution and
communication. And our permanent in-country teams enable us to navigate emergencies more effectively than remote organizations.
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Example Itineraries for our 2026 trips
Day 1:
Arrive in Gandoca & Orientation
Spanish classes & language privelege
Day 2:
Wildlife refuge & community tour
Cultural awareness workshop
Day 3:
Mangrove and biodiversity
Day 4:
Spanish class continued
Cooking Tamales
Beach clean-up
Sea turtle conservation project
Day 5:
Organic cacao farm tour
Spanish lesson continued
Conservation project continued
Day 6:
Mangrove reforestation project
Recycling program
Day 7:
Community organic garden
Spanish class
Conservation project continued
Day 8-9:
The Sepecue community
Day 10:
Sustainable agriculture tour
Waterfall hike
Day 11:
Wildlife refuge hike
Beach time
Day 12:
Gandoca rainforest hike
spanish class
Say goodbye to the community
Day 13:
Hike in Cahuita National Park
Day 14:
Costa Rica's national museum
Depart from Gandoca
Arrive in Gandoca & Orientation
Spanish classes & language privelege
Day 2:
Wildlife refuge & community tour
Cultural awareness workshop
Day 3:
Mangrove and biodiversity
Day 4:
Spanish class continued
Cooking Tamales
Beach clean-up
Sea turtle conservation project
Day 5:
Organic cacao farm tour
Spanish lesson continued
Conservation project continued
Day 6:
Mangrove reforestation project
Recycling program
Day 7:
Community organic garden
Spanish class
Conservation project continued
Day 8-9:
The Sepecue community
Day 10:
Sustainable agriculture tour
Waterfall hike
Day 11:
Wildlife refuge hike
Beach time
Day 12:
Gandoca rainforest hike
spanish class
Say goodbye to the community
Day 13:
Hike in Cahuita National Park
Day 14:
Costa Rica's national museum
Depart from Gandoca
Which Curriculum Subjects do we cater for?
Conservation
Click to read full text Historically, the community in Gandoca has been fully dependent on the sea turtle conservation project to attract tourism to the area, which remains less developed and accessible than other coastal communities. However, as turtle nesting and hatching season is only six months long and involves only a small part of the community, our impact goals also include working alongside indigenous leaders, schools, local farms and other businesses to promote sustainable agriculture, economic development and the ecological health of the entire region.
Work alongside our local partners to promote sea turtle conservation and assist with coastal clean ups, community recycle projects, sustainable farming practices, and cultural exchange initiatives.
Citizenship
Our impact expedition nurtures global citizenship and gives teenagers the opportunity to develop cultural sensitivity, communication, conservation and community development skills.
Our experiential learning model is designed to develop practical conservation and community skills and increase cultural awareness in teenagers. “Core foundations”, “Global perspectives” and “Ready for today’s world” are the pillars of all our itineraries.
Cultural
Expedition
What size groups do we cater for?
30
Access for visitors with disabilities?
Location dependant. Your dedicated enrollment manager will help you find the best solution for your needs.
Visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)?
No.
Anything else?
What's included?
- Highly experienced and well-qualified field staff – one dedicated pre-trip coordinator and
one on-site group leader
- Pre-departure support (webinar, resource list, packing advice and visa support)
- Comprehensive pre-departure online hub which supports student in preparing for trip
-Airport and in-country transportation
- All accommodation, meals, and cultural immersion activities and excursions
- Entry fees and transportation for pre-arranged excursions
- Guest speakers and lectures
- Community service work and materials
- Comprehensive health and safety procedures
- Two free placement for a chaperone for every 12 paying students
What's not included?
- Visas and vaccinations
- Spending money (maximum of $200/equivalent allowed)
- Personal gear and kit
- Pre-departure withdrawal insurance
- Cancellation insurance
- Personal belongings insurance
- Travel insurance – unless otherwise stipulated
- Medical insurance – unless otherwise stipulated
- Flights
- Highly experienced and well-qualified field staff – one dedicated pre-trip coordinator and
one on-site group leader
- Pre-departure support (webinar, resource list, packing advice and visa support)
- Comprehensive pre-departure online hub which supports student in preparing for trip
-Airport and in-country transportation
- All accommodation, meals, and cultural immersion activities and excursions
- Entry fees and transportation for pre-arranged excursions
- Guest speakers and lectures
- Community service work and materials
- Comprehensive health and safety procedures
- Two free placement for a chaperone for every 12 paying students
What's not included?
- Visas and vaccinations
- Spending money (maximum of $200/equivalent allowed)
- Personal gear and kit
- Pre-departure withdrawal insurance
- Cancellation insurance
- Personal belongings insurance
- Travel insurance – unless otherwise stipulated
- Medical insurance – unless otherwise stipulated
- Flights
Who are GVI?
GVI has over 20 years experience in over 40 countries and is one of the top rated organizations offering experiential education opportunities across the globe. We specialise in volunteering, internships, apprenticeships, fellowships and school service learning ewpeditions.
At GVI, all project work is community lead and guided by out team of impact directors.
All program goals are directly aligned to the United Nations Social Development Goals.
Teacher Checklist
Risk Assessments Inspection Visits Free Places for Teachers School Travel Forum Assured Duke of Edinburgh Award Tailor your trip
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