Trade your typical spring break for something unforgettable! Join Beyond Bama and UA Outdoor Recreation in Costa Rica and experience a trip that blends adventure, culture and meaningful impact. The trip will take place Saturday, March 20 – Saturday, March 27, 2027.
Costa Rica: Building Community and Cultural Connections
Hike through the lush rainforest trails of Cahuita National Park, roll up your sleeves to help clean up the beach, and volunteer at a local school, connecting with students and making a real difference in their daily lives. Experience authentic Costa Rican culture firsthand — including a traditional cocoa demonstration.
We are proud to partner with Community Collaborations International. CC International puts volunteers to work where they are needed most and provides them with the support they need to get the job done! Founded in 1994, CC International has been a lead organization supporting the expansion and implementation of Alternative Break programs throughout the United States and internationally. They have guided over 20,000 student volunteers from over 200 universities and colleges and completed projects in 12 countries.
Cost and Travel Grants
The all-inclusive cost to participate is TBD. The cost will include all transportation (ground and airfare), supplies, lodging, all meals and snacks, tickets to cultural attractions and a UA Volunteer T-shirt. Upon acceptance to this trip, a non-refundable deposit of $300 will be due by October 23, 2026. Payment plans and travel grants will be available to qualifying students. If awarded a grant, you will be notified via email of the total amount awarded within 4 to 5 business days of completing the form. The grant will not cover the entirety of the trip and the remaining amount due will be the responsibility of the trip participant.
Payment deadlines:
October 23, 2026 – non-refundable deposit due
December 4, 2026 – 2nd payment due
January 15, 2027 – final payment due
Lodging and Food
Volunteers will stay in volunteer facilities that have been inspected and approved by Community Collaborations International. CCI provides all transportation once volunteer teams have arrived in Costa Rica. CCI also provides:
- safe and clean sleeping areas
- clean and functional bathroom facilities
- showers
- sanitary food service
- access to medial support
- onsite communications
- electricity
- fresh water
Cultural Excursions
Students can explore the historic city of Alajuela, where they can browse at the Mercado Central, or Municipal Market. This sprawling market is a chance to shop like a local, with fruit and veggie stands, as well as touristic stalls selling trinkets and hammocks. Give yourself time to get lost inside and see what treasures you discover! Students will also experience a cocoa demonstration with the BriBri, an indigenous group of approximately 10,000 people living in the Talamanca mountains and the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. White sand beaches, a turquoise sea and diverse marine life are some of the attractions that await students in Cahuita National Park, where we will relax before returning home.
What to Bring
Cell phones:
Remember to call your wireless provider before you go to add global roaming capabilities to your plan. You can also buy a SIM prepaid card at the Kolbi (the national telecommunications company) booth at the airport. A local line is not required to dial 9-1-1 in the case of an emergency.
Packing list coming soon!
Application and interview
To participate in a service trip, interested students must submit an application and participate in an interview. Students selected to go on service trips will be expected to attend pre-trip meetings to become familiar with the service they will be engaging with, the community they will be serving, and to also get to know the team they will be serving with.
If you are interested in participating in a service trip or want to learn more, you can fill out an application or reach out to beyondbama@sa.ua.edu. The application is linked below!
Service
Work closely with the Bribri community on road/infrastructure and school improvement, as well as any other projects proposed by the community. Volunteers will also complete community projects with local partners such as:
- reforestation
- sea turtle conservation
- working on agroecological farms
- work with local schools
- projects in the national park
- beach cleanup
Participant Responsibilities
- Attend group meetings to learn about the service, community, and agency that the team will be engaging with during the service trip.
- Adhere to the policies and procedures set by the University, service site, UA Outdoor Recreation and Beyond Bama both before, during, and after the service trip.
Have Questions?
We invite you to attend a drop-in session via Zoom to learn more about this experience!
Cancellation and Trip Refunds
Refunds will only be available in the event the University is able to recover any of the prepaid costs associated with your commitment. Participant cancellations received less than 30 days prior to the departure date for international trips are subject to a late cancellation fee of 50% of the total amount paid for the trip.
UA Outdoors and Beyond Bama reserve the right to cancel a program due to inclement weather, natural disasters, or extenuating circumstances. If UA must cancel a program in its entirety, a full refund will be provided, minus any non-refundable deposit fees paid to trip partners (outfitters, campgrounds, airlines, etc.). Refunds are not available for interruptions due to injury or illness, Acts of God, shortened trips, or changes to locations for safety reasons or other factors beyond our control.
Alternative Break trips are scheduled and paid for in advance by the University at the time of the participant’s commitment to participate. If the entire amount of the participant’s responsibility is not received by the due dates posted (see above), the student will forfeit their reservation on this trip.