General Questions

WHAT MAKES TRISKALLIAN TOURS DIFFERENT?

Our Safety policies, our dedicated and caring trip leaders, our extensive and close community ties in the amazing locations in which our programs are based, our adventurous activities and meaningful volunteer projects all equate to trips that inspire and excite our travelers.

We are not simply tourists or visitors passing through the towns in which we operate our programs. We are genuine members of these communities. To us and our travelers, this makes all the difference in the world.

HOW CAN STUDENTS AND PARENTS COMMUNICATE DURING THE SUMMER?

Different programs and locations allow for different means of communication. In nearly all cases, students will be in locations that allow them to email or call home daily if the desire exists. Parents must understand that certain locations and days full of adventure sometimes equate to an inability to contact home everyday, but contacting home is certainly capable near daily.

CAN STUDENTS BRING CELL PHONES ON TRIPS?

The use of cell phones is not allowed during the course of the trip. Taking a little break from text messaging never hurt anyone.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE TUITION?

Our tuition is all inclusive. There are absolutely no hidden costs in our definition of all inclusive. International airfare, lodging, 3 meals a day, all activities, all entry and departure taxes and all transportation within the destination country is included in the tuition.

ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL FEES OR COSTS?

We suggest that travelers bring a small amount of spending cash for snacks and souvenirs. The welcome packet for each program will detail the suggested amount of spending money that students should bring on each specific program.

DO TRAVELERS USUALLY COME WITH FRIENDS?

Sometimes students travel with friends, sometimes they don't. If you choose to join a Triskallian program by yourself no need to worry. The breadth of new experiences and activities that you will be sharing with your fellow travelers means that you'll be close friends with your fellow travelers in no time at all.

DO STUDENTS NEED TO POSSESS SPECIAL SKILLS FOR VOLUNTEER PROJECTS OR OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES?

The only necessary skills for community service projects are a desire and willingness to work hard and help the lives, environment and wildlife of the communities that we have grown to love. Oh yeah, being okay with getting a little dirty helps too.

WHO ARE THE TRIP LEADERS?

Our trip leaders are dedicated, safety-conscious and inspiring individuals. Our trips are nothing without the best possible leaders, and we are fully aware of this fact. Our leaders do not view this is as simply a "summer job". Instead, our leaders passion for our trips is one of the aspects of our programs of which we are most proud.

WHAT IF THERE'S AN EMERGENCY?

Triskallian Tours has evacuation and emergency procedures in place in the areas in which our programs operate. During the summer months, we operate a 24 hour Triskallian phone line which parents or family members may call at any time.

CAN YOU GIVE ME THE NAMES OF FAMILIES WHO HAVE TRAVELED WITH TRISKALLIAN IN THE PAST?

Please contact our office and we will gladly put you in touch with past travelers and parents of travelers who are more than happy to discuss their experiences traveling with Triskallian Tours.

WHO PARTICIPATES IN TRISKALLIAN TOURS PROGRAMS?

High school students from all over the United States participate in our programs. Students who have a desire to immerse themselves in cultures completely different from their own and eagerly participate in amazing outdoor activities and inspiring volunteer projects are welcome to join our programs.

SHOULD I BE NERVOUS IF I DON'T KNOW ANY OTHER TRAVELERS BEFORE MY TRIP BEGINS?

Not at all. The majority of our travelers choose to participate on our trips without knowing anyone else on the program before it begins. The amazing breadth of experiences that our travelers participate in together means that travelers quickly become friends with fellow travelers. These friendships continue long after our trips end.

WHAT EXPECTATIONS DOES TRISKALLIAN HAVE FOR TRAVELERS?

The most important qualities that our travelers can bring with them are a positive attitude and respect for their fellow travelers. We expect our travelers to follow our trip rules, beyond that we ask our travelers to have a positive attitude in everything we undertake.

CAN YOU CATER TO SPECIAL DIETS?

We are capable of catering to almost every dietary need. When applying please alert our staff to any specific dietary restrictions.

WHAT TYPE OF VACCINATIONS ARE REQUIRED ON YOUR PROGRAMS?

Before embarking on a trip, a student should contact a family physician for the most up-to-date health information. A family physician or travel clinic will be able to administer any country specific required vaccinations. Please contact our office with any specific medical questions.

Surf and Service Questions

WHERE DO YOUR TRAVELERS STAY?

In Samara our trips are based out of the Tico Adventure Lodge. Beautiful, clean rooms are built into the lush jungle. A treehouse with a ping pong table and a pool with a rope swing are just some of the features that make the Tico Adventure Lodge the place to stay in Samara. The main surf shop in town is also connected to the lodge, meaning that if you surf in Samara, you want to stay at the Tico Adventure Lodge.

WHAT ARE THE MEALS LIKE?

In Samara, our travelers eat very, very well. For breakfast and lunch we eat our meals at Restaurant Samareno. Owned by our close friends, this restaurant serves American and Costa Rican breakfasts and delicious Costa Rican food for lunch as well as sandwiches and burgers. For dinner we choose from a variety of excellent restaurants in Samara. Pizza, typical Costa Rican restaurants and bbq's are some of our travelers favorites, but the great variety of options in this small beachside town is astounding.

WHAT VOLUNTEER PROJECTS DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN?

Our close relationships in Samara mean that our community service projects are designed to truly aid the community that we have grown to love. In implementing volunteer projects, we speak with community leaders and gain a sense of where the most need lies for volunteer action. Past projects have included after school arts programs, sports camps, environmental protection projects and teaching English in local schools.

HOW ARE THE DAYS DIVIDED?

Each day we surf, we engage in volunteer projects and we take part in an outdoor activity. As with nearly all surf spots in the world, in Samara it is necessary to surf with the correct tides. Thus, some days the surf might be in the morning, zip-lining might be directly after lunch and our volunteer project would then be in the late afternoon. On another day surf might be in the late afternoon, meaning the above schedule would reversed.

WHAT DO TRAVELERS DO AT NIGHT?

BBQ's and bonfires on the beach, watching surf videos, playing cards and boardgames or just hanging out and talking about the day and getting ready for the day to come. It's hard to imagine, but our nights are nearly as much fun as our days.

DO TRAVELERS NEED TO KNOW HOW TO SPEAK SPANISH?

Not at all. While a little bit of Spanish never hurt anyone traveling through a Spanish speaking countries, the vast majority of people in Samara speak excellent English. Having said that, if our travelers wish to practice and improve their Spanish, there is great opportunity to use Spanish as well.

Turtle Protectors Questions

WHERE DO TRAVELERS STAY?

Located directly on the beach, the ASVO camp at Playa Buena Vista is designed to have minimal environmental impact on this beautiful, secluded beach. To this end, the encampment is very rustic. An open-air kitchen and dining space are located on the first floor and the second floor consists of dorm style bunkhouses overlooking the hatchery and the waves of Playa Buena Vista. There is no electricity at the camp. While the lodging is very rustic, this setting helps our volunteers engulf themselves in the natural world around them and in the efforts to help save this endangered species.

WHAT ARE THE MEALS LIKE?

The majority of our meals are eaten at the encampment at Playa Buena Vista. These meals are prepared collectively by the volunteers and usually consist of traditional Costa Rican dishes, pastas, fresh fruits and vegetables. The food is delicious! We are also able to cater to special diets.

HOW PHYSICALLY DEMANDING IS THE VOLUNTEER WORK?

In clearing the beach of debris and helping to maintain the hatchery and camp, some strenuous activity is required, yet it is nothing that an active high school student cannot undertake. Working towards a common goal is something that our travelers take great pride in.

HOW ARE THE DAYS SPENT?

Each day our travelers engage in projects geared towards protecting Olive Ridley Turtle nesting sites on Playa Buena Vista. This work is varied, yet each project is crucially important to the survival of this species on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast. Examples of this work include clearing the beach of debris so that the turtles will have places to nest and repairing and maintaining the hatchery. Each night our travelers engage in patrols on the beach, searching for nesting mother turtles. Also, each day our travelers take part in awesome outdoor activities. Sample of these activities include jungle canopy zip-lining, surf lessons and sea-kayaking trips. Our days are full of adventure, inspiration and meaningful, volunteer work.

AM I GUARENTEED TO INTERACT WITH TURTLES?

Our program is designed to run during the height of turtle season on the Pacific Coast. However, because we are working with animals in the wild, we cannot guarantee that turtles will arrive on the beach during the period that our sessions operate. This usually happens, but it must be noted that this is not a guarantee.

DO TRAVELERS NEED TO KNOW HOW TO SPEAK SPANISH?

Not at all. While a little bit of Spanish never hurt anyone traveling through a Spanish speaking country, the emphasis of this program is on turtle conservation efforts, not Spanish. Having said that, if our travelers wish to practice and improve their Spanish there is great opportunity to use their Spanish.