Happy New Year

My first trip of each new year is always with students -- and always an excellent reminder of why travel is the best educational experience. Seeing the world with fresh eyes and watching as students are in awe of their new experiences abroad is really an honor for me to be a part of.

The next adventure begins on Valentine's Day!


Cahuita is a laid back and vibrant little village in the setting of Costa Rica's unique Creole culture, brought about by its Afro-Caribbean heritage. Only 27 miles south of Puerto Viejo. Nearby Negra Beach (Playa Negra), aptly named after its black-sand, offers a pleasant atmosphere and good swimming.

From Luxury Travel: Bastimentos, Panama
Home to sea turtles and other reptiles, Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park is situated in the Bocas Del Toro District and the archipelago of Bocas Del Toro Province in Panama.

Panama’s first marine park has a great variety of plants and animal species and they also protect several types of environments.
This is a unique national park where you feel like you're on vacation because the amazing beaches, the islands and reefs, the protected forests and mangroves give you the feeling that you are in paradise.

But animals like the reptiles, the monkeys, and the sloths will remind you that you are in the middle of the nature and everything around you is mother’s earth children.

It's NOV 14th, which means in just 13 short weeks, we depart for San Jose and warmer temps!

While students are really hoping to see some manatees and monkeys on this trip, I am excited for them to be immersed in Spanish in two different countries as they explore coastal national parks and towns!

We will have 3 travel preparation meetings between Jan & Feb for all student travelers. Dates tbd, but usually on Wednesday afternoons.

We are already very excited and look forward to traveling with your student!
~ Sra. Laine

Payment Timeline

$500 Deposit to reserve spot asap

Make checks payable to Woodlawn School and write "international trip 2018" on the memo line. Drop checks off or mail to the Stinson main office. PO BOX 549, Davidson, NC 28036

Final balance due by JAN 12 and tip money (cash) due by FEB 7.

Total price: $2295.

This price includes round trip airfare, land tour, transportation (bus & boat), entrance taxes & fees, activity / excursion fees, 16 meals, & all lodging for 4 different hotels! Again, I cannot stress enough how this money goes directly to the local economies we are visiting by traveling with a company headquartered in San Jose. The quality of our hotels, meals, and the personal experience is top notch.

We work hard to make these trips affordable for the majority. Thank you for supporting Woodlawn's Travel program! ~ Laine

2018 International Trip Announcement!

Get your passports ready as we will visit TWO countries on this one trip!
The FEBRUARY 2018 TRIP is to the south Caribbean: coastal lowlands of Costa Rica AND the northern Panama islands of Bocas del Toro!

This trip is "beach-heavy" with many water activities. Usually we have ONE beach day on a trip, but this itinerary takes students through several coastal national parks - each one unique in flora, fauna, and habitat. Sunscreen, swimsuits, and a sense of adventure are required!

Itinerary:
FEB 14 - depart Charlotte for San José, CR. Welcome dinner in the city at night.
FEB 15 - Travel to Puerto Viejo and visit the Braulio Carrillo National Park - a transition forest between Cloud and Rain. Arrive at beach late afternoon.
FEB 16 - Visit with the BriBris indigenous community. Students will learn how to navigate a canoe, taste cacao and learn how they hunt with arrows.

Our hotel and the beach town are picture perfect!

FEB 17 - Transfer across the border into Panama! San San Pond Sak National Park and manatee sight-seeing in their natural habitat. Boat ride to our hotel on island of Bocas del Toro. Experience island life.
FEB 18 - Visit the pristine and gorgeous Zapatillas islands, coral reefs, Bastimentos National Marine Park, & snorkeling!
FEB 19 - Head back to Costa Rica for the final stretch of the trip in Cahuita - known as one of the best beaches and beach towns in CR. Students will also become more familiar with Afro-Caribe culture.
FEB 20 - Visit Cahuita National Park; return to San Jose late afternoon.
FEB 21 - Depart for Charlotte.

DETAILS:
Hotels:
San José - Parque del Lago (1 night)
Puerto Viejo - Cariblue (2 nights)
Bocas del Toro - Bocas Inn (2 nights)
Cahuita - La Diosa (1 night)
San José - Parque del Lago (1 night)

PRICE includes round-trip airfare, all hotels, entrance fees, activity fees, 16 meals, boat & bus transportation, and guide tips. Price - $2495.
We work with a local company headquartered in San José -- all monies directly benefit the communities we visit.
CHAPERONE is Señora Laine
TOUR GUIDE is the famous Alonso, certified Naturalist and Tour Director

Parents are welcome to attend and may opt in / out of daily activities at their discretion. Parent travelers have no chaperone duties, and their child still must report to teacher chaperone.

Student travelers sign up with the expectation of attending all group activities each day (illness would be the only exception.) These trips are very active and fun. Leave stress and drama behind, and join us on this next adventure! OPEN to students in grades 8-12 -- contact Señora Laine w/ any Qs!

Nicaragua - last night

Like all trips - it was full of activity and memories to last a lifetime. We met ex-pats that teach in Nicaragua, serve in the Peace Corp, and a retiree Special Ed teacher from Boston that builds apparatuses for disabled children to play independently.

The varied landscapes we saw from volcanoes to lakes, highland forest to towns and beach gave us a very diverse glimpse of the country in one week's time.

Many THANKS to Ms. Obando for sharing the love of her adopted country and BIG THANK YOU to ALONSO for accommodating & catering to our WL travelers.

Look for details this spring on next year's trips! Check out all pages on this blog on past trips, history, logistics, etc.

Nica - last days - Granada!

Alonso arranged covered carriage rides during our Granada city tour to help us beat the heat!

We visited Cafe Sonrisas (Smiles Cafe) where Barcelona ex-pat Antonio began a hammock making business for people who are hearing impaired. Antonio was a chef in Barcelona and so he added a kitchen to the hammock 'factory' and employs hearing impaired / mute Nica citizens. WL students learned to sign their names in Nica sign language, how to weave a hammock and had lunch on site! It was an awesome experience. Afterwards, students visited a school that aids disabled children and adults in gaining independence. The school does therapy of all kinds and teaches its clients how to make things, how to buy food at the supermarket, how to take care of themselves, along with reading & writing. The final visit of the day included a visit to Ms. Obando's former school!