Program Cancellation, Fees and Refunds: Should Newton Community Education need to cancel a trip for traveler safety we will return all monies we are able to get back from vendors and there will be no cancellation fee. You are highly encouraged to purchase travel insurance policies that meet your specific needs.

• Deposit due at time of enrollment: $510 for double accommodation ($870 for single accommodation)
• Final payment due September 20, 2022.
• If you withdraw from the trip before September 29, you will receive a full refund minus a $300 cancellation fee.
• If you withdraw from the trip on or after September 29, 2022, you will forfeit 100% of the order total.

The following is included in the price:

• 6 nights hotel accommodations
• 16 meals: 5 lunches, 5 dinners, 6 breakfasts
• All activities as specified in the program description

The following is not included in the price but is highly encouraged:

• Trip cancellation, lost luggage and trip delay insurance
• Tips and gratuities (for drivers, servers, guides and hotel staff)

Arranging Your Airfare: Airfare is not included in the cost of our trips. We recommend you review the details of the itinerary closely and be sure to book flights that arrive in time to meet the group. An airport transfer is included in the cost of the trip if you arrive during a specific window of time. If you book a flight outside of that arrival window, you are responsible for your own transfer to and from the hotel. We recommend booking these flights:

• Monday, January 2, Jet Blue: Boston > San Jose, Costa Rica (via Fort Lauderdale), departing Boston at 6:00am, arriving in Costa Rica at 1:44pm
• Sunday, January 8, Jet Blue: San Jose, Costa Rica > Boston (via Ft. Lauderdale), departing San Jose at 2:25pm, arriving in Boston at 11:33pm

or

• Monday, January 2, American: Boston > San Jose, Costa Rica (via Dallas), departing Boston at 5:52am, arriving in Costa Rica at 2:32pm
• Sunday, January 8, American: San Jose, Costa Rica > Boston (via Charlotte), departing San Jose at 3:44pm, arriving in Boston at 12:25am

Travel Insurance: Now more than ever, we are recommending that travelers purchase travel insurance. We recommend “Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR)” policies. The best travel insurance deals are usually available within 14 days of making your first deposit for the trip.

Passports & Visas: A passport is required for international travel, and many countries require that passports must be valid for at least six months after the date of entry. Certain destinations may require a visa for entry, U.S. citizens can check requirements at travel.state.gov; citizens of other nationalities should check with the appropriate embassy.

Group size: The maximum size of this group will be 15.

Activity Level: Newton Community Education travelers encompass a range of fitness levels, and we strive to create trips that meet everyone’s needs. Some sites will include walking up to 2 miles, sometimes on uneven surfaces and sometimes on an incline. You are always welcome to opt out of program activities. If your abilities do not match the above-listed physical guidelines, but you would still like to participate in the trip, please discuss with us ahead of time.

Age & Residency: Travelers for this trip should be 18 years or older with a valid passport. At this time we are not licensed to sell trips to residents of California, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa and Washington.

Disabilities and Special Needs: Newton Community Education is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with special needs and disabilities. If you have special needs requiring accommodation, please communicate them to us at the time of enrollment. We will discuss your request with you and make every effort to accommodate your needs.

Currency: The official currency of Costa Rica is the Colon. However, U.S. dollars are widely accepted in Costa Rica. Bring smaller bills like $1, $5, $10 and $20 bills. The bills will need to be in good condition as they will not be accepted if they are ripped or torn.  The larger the bill, the more perfect it needs to be.  Bills larger than $20 are difficult and might have to be changed at a bank.  You will most likely receive your change in the local currency: colones. Most establishments in Costa Rica don’t accept travelers cheques. If you don’t feel comfortable carrying cash with you throughout your trip and you don’t plan on purchasing things with a credit card, bring travelers cheques only with the intention of visiting a bank every few days to cash them in. Most places accept credit and debt cards. Just check with your bank about any possible fee you might have to pay to use your card internationally.

Internet & Phones: WiFi is available throughout Costa Rica. Contact your service provider to discuss international cell phone plans.

Electricity: Costa Rica uses 110 volt, 60 cycle electricity, same as the U.S. Plugs are typically the 2-pronged flat type, so U.S. travelers will not typically need a converter or adapter.

What to Wear: Comfortable and casual is best in Costa Rica. We recommend closed-toed shoes, long pants and a light jacket or sweater. Clothes that dry fast and wick away moisture are the best, especially when visiting the rainforest.

Weather: January is the second month of the dry season in Costa Rica. Even in La Niña years, when the rainy season extends longer than average, January is sunny and dry along the entire Pacific coast. This makes it one of the best months to visit Costa Rica. Temperatures range from the high 70's to low 60's.

Other things to pack: The essential items you need to bring to Costa Rica are face masks, hand sanitizer, mosquito repellent, sunscreen with SPF 30 or greater, hiking shoes or closed toed hiking sandals, sunglasses, a hat, waterproof phone case, camera, day pack, rain jacket and an insulated water bottle.

Newton Community Education closely monitors all recommendations and guidelines and will err on the side of caution. If there are precautions to be taken, we will take them. If the trip becomes unsafe, we will cancel. Certain risks — from natural disasters to accidents, outbreaks of illness, crime, insect-borne and other infectious diseases, environmental risks to health, terrorism and other unforeseen circumstances are inherent in travel. While such occurrences are out of our control, we make substantial efforts to be prepared for such situations. By enrolling in a program, you agree to assume responsibility for your own health, safety and welfare, and acknowledge that Newton Community Education cannot guarantee your health or safety at any time.

Bring sunscreen, insect repellent, hand sanitizer, Motrin or Advil, an antacid, and other over-the-counter medications you find useful.

Food & Drink: Tap water in Costa Rica is generally clean and safe to drink. In some areas of the country, though, mainly on the Caribbean side and in non-touristy pockets around the country, it’s best to stick to bottled water. Always check with your hotel or any restaurant you dine at whether the water is safe to drink. If you have any doubt, bottled water is widely available to purchase.

Valuables: Be aware of your belongings at all times, put anything that you don’t immediately need in the safe or a safe place, make copies of your passport and credit cards, spread out your cash in various hiding spots, and always lock your accommodations.

COVID-19 Vaccination Policy: For the greatest peace of mind and protection, we require all Newton Community Education participants to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including having received all recommended boosters if eligible.

Travel Health: In addition to maintaining necessary vaccinations, Newton Community Education recommends all participants consult with their physician, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Department of State regarding their health condition and any recommendations specific to the destinations they will visit or transit well before departure.

Program Details and Itineraries: We make every effort to operate our programs as advertised. The information on our website is updated regularly, and reflects the most up-to-date information. Itineraries or other aspects of a program may change due to situations beyond our control. If this happens we will do our best to notify you of the change prior to arriving on your program.

Accuracy of Information: While every effort is made to provide accurate information on our website and in our catalogs, Newton Community Education is not responsible for typographical errors, inaccuracies or omissions that may relate to program descriptions, pricing, and availability. Newton Community Education reserves the right to correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions that may appear in our publications, and to change or update information at any time without prior notice. If you discover an error on our website or catalog, please let us know.

Responsibility: These terms govern the relationship between you and Newton Community Education. By enrolling in a program with us, you agree to be bound by these Terms. Please be sure to read them carefully and make sure you understand them. Newton Community Education’s responsibility is limited. Newton Community Education organizes, promotes, and sells educational programs consisting of certain travel services, excursions and hotel accommodations that Newton Community Education purchases or reserves from various suppliers (collectively, "Suppliers"). Newton Community Education neither owns nor operates any of these Suppliers; they are independent contractors and are not Newton Community Education agents. Therefore, Newton Community Education is not responsible for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any Supplier or any other third party. You agree that you will look to such Suppliers, and not to Newton Community Education or its agents, for any accident, injury, property damage, or personal loss you may suffer. Without limitation Newton Community Education is not responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to person or property, death, delay, or inconvenience in connection with the provision of, or failure to provide, any goods or services occasioned by or resulting from – but not limited to – acts of God or force majeure, acts of war or civil unrest, insurrection or revolt.

Admission & Participation Policy: The granting or denial of admission to a program is within the sole discretion of Newton Community Education. Newton Community Education reserves the right to terminate participation in a program at any time when employee(s) or agent(s) consider a participant’s conduct incompatible with the interest, harmony, comfort or welfare of the other participants in the Program or with one’s own safety or welfare. Breaking US or international laws or endangering the safety of another trip participant will constitute grounds for terminating participation.