Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a faculty-led program?
A faculty-led program is a customized international learning experience designed around a course, academic theme, or specific learning objectives, with a faculty member leading the group. These programs combine classroom learning with real-world experiences, allowing students to explore their subject matter through site visits, guest lectures, cultural experiences, professional meetings, service learning, and other hands-on activities.
The Traveling Monkey works with faculty and institutions to develop programs that connect the itinerary directly to the academic goals of the course while taking care of the logistics and local coordination.
2. Can we customize our program?
Absolutely! Every Traveling Monkey program is fully customizable. You can choose from elements of our existing programs or start completely from scratch and build an itinerary around your academic goals, interests, schedule, and budget.
We can customize everything from the destinations and accommodations to academic visits, cultural activities, meals, transportation, and service-learning opportunities. Our goal is to create a program that feels like your program—not a standard package.
3. How much do programs cost?
Programs start at approximately $3,500 per student, although the final cost will depend on the specific program.
Factors such as the number of participants, length of the program, accommodations, transportation, meals, activities, academic programming, and other inclusions can all affect the price. We work closely with each client to understand their priorities and create a program that provides the best possible experience within their budget.
We can also help identify areas where adjustments can be made if you have a specific target price per student.
4. How many students can participate?
We can work with a wide range of group sizes, from small faculty-led groups to larger university programs. Whether you are traveling with a small group of students and faculty or organizing a larger program, we can help structure the itinerary and logistics accordingly.
Group size can also influence accommodations, transportation, activity availability, and pricing, so we take this into consideration from the beginning of the planning process.
5. How long can a program be?
Programs can be customized to fit your academic calendar and schedule—from short-term programs of just a few days to multi-week experiences.
Whether you are planning a spring break program, January-term course, summer faculty-led program, graduation experience, or another type of short-term international experience, we can build the itinerary around the amount of time you have available.
6. What types of academic experiences can you include?
We can incorporate a wide variety of academic and experiential learning opportunities depending on your course objectives.
These may include guest lectures, university visits, professional and industry site visits, NGO and community partnerships, service-learning projects, workshops, cultural immersion activities, meetings with local experts, research opportunities, and reflection sessions.
We also believe students benefit from seeing multiple perspectives. When appropriate, we incorporate shadow reporting and diverse viewpoints into programs so students can develop a more comprehensive understanding of the topics they are studying and engage in meaningful critical thinking.
You can find a list of past collaborators HERE.
7. Do you provide transportation and accommodations?
Yes. We can coordinate the major logistical components of your program, including accommodations, private in-country transportation, airport transfers, meals, activities, and other travel arrangements.
We work with trusted local partners to select accommodations and transportation options that are appropriate for the group's size, itinerary, academic needs, and budget. Having these details coordinated in advance allows faculty to focus on their students and the academic experience rather than managing day-to-day travel logistics.
8. Who coordinates the program in Costa Rica?
A dedicated Traveling Monkey staff member will support your group before, during, and throughout the program, providing continuity from the initial planning stages through departure.
During the pre-departure phase, we work closely with faculty and program leaders to finalize logistics, review the itinerary, coordinate vendors and academic partners, prepare travel documentation, provide participant information, and make sure everyone is prepared for the experience ahead.
Once in Costa Rica, your dedicated Traveling Monkey coordinator will accompany the group throughout the program, providing local coordination, logistical support, activity and transportation coordination, and on-the-ground assistance. From managing the daily details to responding quickly when unexpected issues arise, we are there to help keep the program running smoothly so faculty can focus on their students and academic objectives.
9. How do you handle health and safety?
Health and safety are a priority in every Traveling Monkey program. Risk management is incorporated into the planning process from the beginning, including consideration of transportation, activities, accommodations, emergency procedures, and local conditions.
We provide pre-departure risk-management information and guidance, as well as in-country support and emergency assistance throughout the program. Our local presence also means that faculty and students have someone on the ground who understands the local environment and can respond quickly when unexpected situations arise.
For more detailed information, please read our Health & Safety Plan as well as our Code of Conduct.
10. Can you accommodate dietary restrictions and accessibility needs?
Yes. We understand that every group has different needs, and we encourage faculty and program leaders to share dietary, mobility, medical, accessibility, or other requirements with us as early as possible in the planning process.
We will work with our local partners, restaurants, accommodations, transportation providers, and activity operators to identify appropriate options and make reasonable accommodations whenever possible. Early communication is important so we can plan appropriately and ensure the best possible experience for every participant.
11. Do you provide international insurance?
Yes. International health and emergency coverage can be included as part of your program package, or participants may provide proof of their own qualifying international insurance coverage.
All participants are required to have valid international health and emergency coverage in order to participate in the program. During the planning process, we will discuss the available coverage options and requirements for your particular group and make sure everyone is appropriately covered before traveling.
12. How far in advance should we plan?
We recommend beginning the planning process 6–12 months in advance, particularly for larger groups or programs that require specific academic visits, university partnerships, accommodations, or specialized activities.
Planning early gives us more flexibility when coordinating local partners and helps ensure that we can secure the accommodations, transportation, activities, and academic experiences that best fit your program.
That said, we understand that opportunities sometimes come together quickly. If you are working with a shorter timeline, contact us—we are happy to explore what may be possible.
13. Can The Traveling Monkey help with pre-departure planning?
Yes! Our support begins well before your group arrives in Costa Rica.
We can provide pre-departure information, Packing Tips and travel guidance, risk-management materials, itinerary documentation, participant resources, insurance information, and other materials to help students and faculty prepare.
We can also work with program leaders to review the itinerary, clarify expectations, discuss logistics, and answer questions before departure. Our goal is to make sure participants arrive informed, prepared, and ready to engage with the program.
14. Does The Traveling Monkey also organize other types of tours?
Absolutely! While we specialize in custom faculty-led and educational programs, The Traveling Monkey also organizes custom group trips, cultural experiences, adventure tours, service-learning programs, graduation trips, and private travel throughout Costa Rica.
Whether you're looking for a faculty-led academic program, a high school graduation trip, a service-learning experience, a professional or educational group visit, or a customized group adventure, we can design the itinerary, coordinate the logistics, and provide on-the-ground support from start to finish.
If you have a group with a specific idea in mind, let's talk. We can build the trip around your group, your goals, and your budget.
15. How do we get started?
Getting started is easy! Click HERE to get started by completing our Custom Faculty-Led Program Preference Form, booking a virtual meeting with our team, or sending us a message.
We'll learn about your group, academic goals, dates, interests, and budget, and then work with you to begin developing the program.
From the first conversation through the group's return home, we're here to help turn your ideas into a well-planned, meaningful Costa Rican experience.