June 27: Houston Airport Marriott Hotel
One of the leaders will stay at the hotel with students who arrive the day before departure. 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 and instructions on how to meet your leader.
June 28: Departure Day, Houston to Liberia
Group Meeting:
At 6:00 AM, meet your group leader and fellow students at the United Airlines check-in counter (outside of security) at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). This is the official start of your Putney summer!
Group Flight:
The group will fly on United Airlines flight #1512 departing Houston (IAH) at 8:55 AM, arriving in Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR), at 11:32 AM local time (3 hours, 30 minutes en route).
June 28 & 29: Playa Hermosa
Spend your first full day exploring Playa Hermosa, getting to know your leaders and group, visiting pristine area beaches, and participating in an in-depth orientation discussing life in Costa Rica, your project village, and group dynamics.
June 30 – July 5: Bonanza Norte
Travel by bus to our small host village located in a fertile valley. Work together with the local community to complete a series of construction, educational, and agricultural projects.
July 6 & 7: La Fortuna
Stay at a sustainable ecolodge located at the foot of the Arenal Volcano. Explore during the day and soak in the hot springs at night. Spend an afternoon riding rapids on the Sarapiqui River.
July 8 & 9: Rincon de la Vieja National Park
Stay at a family-run mountain lodge in Rincón de la Vieja National Park. Take a night hike to observe wildlife and horseback ride to a waterfall.
July 10 – 17: Bonanza Norte
Continue work on Community Service projects in our host village, Bonanza Norte
June 18 & 19: Playa Samara
Stay in bungalows near the beach at Playa Samara. Take surfing lessons, snorkel, swim, relax, and explore.
July 20: Playa Hermosa
On your last day in country, return to Playa Hermosa for a final, celebratory dinner on the beach with your group.
July 21: Return Day, Liberia to Houston
Group Flight:
The group will fly on United Airlines flight #1511 from Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR), returning to the International Arrivals Area of Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) at 11:30 AM (3 hours, 45 minutes en route).