Welcome to the PRO Costa Rica Session 1 Accepted Student Information page.  Navigate the tabs below for everything you need to know before your epic adventure in Costa Rica.

To navigate back to your portal for payments, forms and due dates, click the My Account button above.

BEFORE you go to your account, be sure you LOGIN by clicking the LOGIN button at the top right of your screen.

Stay Informed

Here are the Top 3 things you need to be working on to prepare for your summer abroad. 

  1. Roommates and Program Groups
  2. Check your Flight Arrival Info
  3. Complete Pre-program Preparations
  • Join the 2024 PRO Costa Rica Session 1 GroupMe here!
    • When you join, post an introduction with your name, school and hometown.  If you’re looking for a flight buddy and/or a roommate, share that as well so you can connect with others looking for the same.
    • Please note: If you have specific questions about your program, please send them to LeadAbroad staff directly at info@LeadAbroad.com.  Program questions posted in GroupMe may get missed by staff members.
  • Follow us on Instagram and see our Costa Rica highlight. Search the tags #LeadAbroadLife and @LeadAbroad.

Preparing to Travel

Important dates for PRO Costa Rica Session 1:

  • Monday, May 13:  Students depart U.S. for San Jose; program begins
  • Friday, May 24: Program ends; students depart San Jose for U.S.

➡️ Arrival Window: May 13 from 10:00am-12:30pm

Group shuttle to the hotel after arrival:

  • All students arriving on flights arriving between before 12:30pm will be on the group shuttle.
  • If you are scheduled to arrive on May 13th before the group lands, you can wait at the airport for the group shuttle or pay for your own transfer to the hotel. LeadAbroad will assist you in arranging this transportation with LeadAbroad’s trusted transportation partner.

Group shuttle to the airport for departure back to U.S.:

  • The group will be traveling from Arenal back to San Jose on departure day and arrive around 10am. It is important that students do not book a return flight departing before 1pm.

Recommended Itinerary:

LeadAbroad recommends aligning your flights on one of the following itineraries. Whether you live near Atlanta and can drive to the airport, or if you need to connect from your hometown airport, we strongly suggest flying on our recommended flight. For more information about how LeadAbroad selects our recommended flights, please click here.

Depart: May 13, 2024 
Return: May 24, 2024

Recommended: Atlanta (ATL) on Delta Air Lines

Travel Dates Route Airline & Flight # Departure Time Arrival Time
May 13 ATL-SJO DL 1937 9:45am 11:46am
May 24 SJO-ATL DL 1756 1:11pm 7:19pm

➡️ Watch this quick video on tips on how to connect with the recommended flight from your hometown.

➡️ We highly encourage booking all flights (including connecting flights, if necessary) on the same airline to ensure the flights are all under one reservation (NOT separate tickets). This will reduce the challenges associated with delayed flights, lost luggage and other unforeseen travel issues. 

➡️ LeadAbroad will post all flights prior to departure so students can connect with others on their flight. 

➡️ Note: students will arrive to the SJO airport for return flights home around 10:00am. Students MUST book a flight that departs after 1pm.

Program Specific Orientation

  • PRO Costa Rica Specific Orientation: Click Here
  • Please note: Country-specific policies referenced in orientation may change based on changing government laws, health guidelines, current health environment or LeadAbroad rules designed to keep students safe. It is important to read all of LeadAbroad’s emails thoroughly to stay informed on the most updated policies, procedures and requirements.

You must submit the Final Pre-Departure Form to ensure you have completed the required check-list.

Click here for your PRO Costa Rica Packing List!

Suggested Donations for Costa Rica

Most Wanted (in order of need)
  1. Allergy Medications for Children and Adults: (Cetirizine (Zyrtec), loratadine (Claritin), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), Fexofenadine (Allegra))
  2. Anti-fungal creams: Clotrimazole, Terbinafine, Tolnaftate, Ketoconazole
  3. Hyrdocortisone 1% cream
  4. Acetaminophen for Children (suspension, chewable, droppers)
  5. Naproxen (Aleve 200mg)
Other Needed Donations
  • Cough syrup for Adults and Children (Dextromethorphan, Guafenesin, Ambroxol)
  • Gastic: Antacids (Tums), Ranitidine (Zantac)
  • Children’s and Adult Multivitamins
  • Antibiotics for Adults and Children: Azythromycin, Amoxicillin, Ciprofloxacin
  • Triple antibiotic cream
  • Ibuprofen
  • Vaginal Infection Treatments (Monistat, Myconazole, Nistatin (Nistat), Metronidazole (Flagystatin))
  • Strips for Glucometer Brand: FreeStyle Optium ONLY
  • Metformin (50: 1,000 mg pills)
  • KN95 Masks
  • Latex Gloves
  • Bandages, Band-Aids
  • Antiseptic: Rubbing Alcohol
  • Hand sanitizer

Click here for your PRO Costa Rica Budget Worksheet!

In-Country Details

While serving in San Jose

  • Students will be in humble accommodations at Lluvia de Oro
  • Address: Con rotonda, De la Casa Italia 50 metros este y 50 metros Norte, Calle Campeón, San José, 10101
  • Rooms will be double bunk beds and triple bunk beds per room
  • There is no air-conditioning so bring a small portable fan if you get hot in the evenings

While adventuring in Arenal

Click here to see your Roommates and Program Groups

To request a roommate, please submit the Housing Form (available in January) in your online portal by the posted due date.  Forms submitted after the due date may not be reviewed.  Once roommates are posted, we cannot make any changes. You may submit a Housing Change form by March 15th to request a roommate change.

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Click here for your PRO Costa Rica Sample itinerary!

Please note: this itinerary is subject to change at any point before or during the program. Closer to departure, we will send you instructions on downloading the Trip Plans app so you have real-time access to the schedule.