June 25: New York LaGuardia Airport Hotel
If you have reserved and paid for a hotel room, the Putney Student Travel flight escort will meet you at the hotel and stay overnight with the group. We will send you an email two weeks prior to departure with details about the hotel reservation and instructions on how to meet your the flight escort.
June 26: Departure Day, New York to Liberia
Group Meeting: At 4:00 AM, meet the Putney Student Travel flight escort and fellow students at the American Airlines check-in counter (outside of security) at LaGuardia Airport (LGA). This is the official start of your Putney program!
Group Flight: The group will fly on American Airlines flight #2266 departing New York (LGA) at 6:59 AM on June 26, arriving in Miami, FL (MIA), at 10:07 AM. The group will continue on from Miami, FL (MIA), on American Airlines flight #1378 departing at 11:38 AM and arriving in Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR), at 12:27 PM local time on June 26 (7 hours, 30 minutes en route).
June 26–28: Playa Hermosa
Spend the first few days of the program getting to know one another during a group orientation facilitated by the leaders, review the rules and safety precautions, and explore our new surroundings while enjoying beautiful Playa Hermosa.
June 29–July 5: Playa Hermosa/Silencio
During this portion of the program, the group is subdivided into two smaller groups. Half of the group remains in Playa Hermosa for a week of exploring and adventure. Activities include snorkeling in nearby Culebra Bay, hiking to spectacular waterfalls, learning about geothermals at Rincon de la Vieja National Park, visiting a local farmer’s market, and a surf lesson at Playa Grande with professional guides. The other half of the group travels to Silencio, our community service village located in the mountains near Lake Arenal. Stay in the local community center and work on small projects. Local contacts teach us the skills we need to know to complete our projects. Teach English to local children, learn how to milk a cow, and play soccer with new Costa Rican friends during this incredible week.
July 6 & 7: La Fortuna de San Carlos
The whole group reunites during a two-day excursion to Arenal Volcano where we stay at a sustainable eco-lodge. Indulge in delicious, fresh food, enjoy a guided ranch and botanical garden tour, take a yoga class, and bond as a group. Explore the surrounding area with the eco-lodge’s professional guides on horseback, by kayak and on foot. Spend an afternoon as a group gliding through the air on a jungle zip-line adventure. Enjoy an evening soak in the natural hot springs together with your group.
July 8–13: Silencio/Playa Hermosa
During this portion of the program, the group is subdivided into two smaller groups again, swapping locations.
July 14–16: Playa Hermosa
Reunite as a whole group for the final days of the program. Participate in Putney Olympics, relax at the beach, reflect on the incredible experience, and celebrate your adventure with new friends.
July 17: Return Day, Liberia to New York
Group Flight: The group will fly on American Airlines flight #1322 departing Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR), at 1:22 PM local time on July 17, arriving in Miami, FL (MIA), at 6:22 PM. The group will continue on from Miami, FL (MIA), on American Airlines flight #2325 departing at 8:00 PM, returning to the International Arrivals Area of LaGuardia Airport (LGA) at 11:01 PM on July 17 (7 hours, 30 minutes en route).
July 17: New York LaGuardia Airport Hotel
The Putney Student Travel flight escort will stay overnight with the group. If you have reserved and paid for a hotel room, we will send you an email two weeks prior to departure with details about the hotel reservation.