Our 16-stage charity trek in Costa Rica is not about living in the gym, but it is a serious physical challenge. It's designed for people from all walks of life who aren't necessarily fit when they sign up but don't mind committing to a bit of training. Loads of people who sign up for our non-competitive charity challenges have low levels of fitness when they register. The point is to train, do your best, and reach your fitness goal while making a big difference for the charity that means the most to you.

Once you register for Camino de Costa Rica 2023, we'll send you a realistic training plan. This builds up gradually over time so you'll be ready and raring to go by the time we depart for Costa Rica. You can also check out our top trekking tips here and our indoor training ideas for the days you don't feel like facing the weather!

We strongly recommend you train for the challenge. We'll trek for 16 days in very humid conditions, encounter steep climbs in the mountains and tackle a lot of uneven terrains. The sense of achievement, however, will be like nothing you've ever experienced, and our trek will take us to some of the most remote and beautiful parts of Costa Rica.

Please invest in a pair of quality hiking boots with ankle support to wear during your training and on your trek in Costa Rica, as these are essential for walking on uneven terrain. We also recommend incorporating weekend-long treks and hills in your training.

Our supportive challenge guides and community spirit will help you conquer the trek of a lifetime. You're also likely to improve your mental health and well-being.

The Dream Challenges team are here to help you achieve your charity trek in Costa Rica, and we will support you all the way. We're always on hand to answer any questions that you may have about your training or the challenge itself.

Once you've signed up, we will send you a Camino de Costa Rica Welcome Pack with everything you need to know about your overseas challenge, including the itinerary, an example insurance policy, details about our challenge destination and the weather we can expect while we're trekking in Costa Rica, the structure of an average trekking day, a full kit list and a realistic training plan to help you get fit for the challenge. The training programme builds up gradually as the event gets closer.

We'll also send you regular email updates in the lead-up to the adventure, with more important details, motivational resources, training advice and seasonal fundraising ideas.

During the trek, we'll have a UK doctor with expedition medicine training accompanying the group at all times, along with a team of outdoor remote first-aid trained challenge guides.

Please don't be! The majority of people will sign up for Camino de Costa Rica on their own. Our challenges around the world are renowned for the amazing camaraderie and lifelong friendships made, as our groups take on these incredible adventures together.

Once you've signed up, we'll send you a link to a private Facebook group for everyone registered for Camino de Costa Rica. Please use this space to swap questions, advice and updates with your fellow trekkers on your training and fundraising.

You may also want to reach out to the other participants in this group to see if there's anyone in your local area you can meet up to train and fundraise with.

Everyone who is at least 18 years old by the departure date is more than welcome to join our trekking challenge in Costa Rica. We'll have adults of all ages taking part to achieve something awesome for charity — one of the many things that make our challenges so special!

If you would like someone under the age of 18 to join you on our Costa Rica trek, please contact us to discuss (01590 646410 or bookings@dream-challenges.com, Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm).

Your non-refundable registration fee of £499 per person is used to administer the challenge.

Your challenge costs of £3,750 (ie. 50% of the fundraising target if you choose the Sponsorship option) cover:

• Your flights (not including airport taxes and the fuel surcharge, capped at £475).
• Meals throughout the challenge in Costa Rica.
• Accommodation.
• All transfers and luggage transportation in Costa Rica.
• A team of awesome, outdoor remote first aid trained guides and Dream Challenges staff.
• Full support from the Dream Challenges office in the lead-up to and during your challenge.
• Medical and mechanical support, including a UK doctor with expedition medicine training, who will accompany us throughout the challenge.
• Your Camino de Costa Rica 2023 medal.

You will need a pair of quality walking boots with ankle support — these are essential for trekking on uneven terrain. Please also bring a 2-litre water bottle.

We'll supply you with a full kit list for your overseas trekking challenge well before we leave for Costa Rica.

In addition to paying your registration fee (£499) and your challenge costs (£3,750), you'll need to budget for your:

• Tourist visa for Costa Rica.
• Travel to and from the airport in the UK.
• Personal travel insurance.
• Gratuities.
• Personal expenses.

As we're not medically trained, we're afraid we can't offer you advice on this. We recommend you contact your GP or your local travel clinic, who will have the latest travel health advice.

We also recommend you visit the NHS Fit for Travel website here, to keep up to date with current travel health news and advice on staying healthy abroad.

NHS Fit for Travel website: https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home

Travel Insurance
You will need to take out your own personal travel insurance covering health, accident, loss and repatriation. Please arrange your insurance as soon as you can after you sign up to ensure you have coverage for your booking as well as the challenge.

In your Welcome Pack, you will receive information about an insurance provider that specialises in our type of overseas challenges and also covers you for cancellation due to medically-diagnosed COVID-19.

You can, however, take out your own insurance, providing it covers you for a charity trek in Costa Rica. Please ask the insurer about the nature of the cover. It is your responsibility to ensure you have adequate coverage for your challenge.

Please ask the insurer about the nature of the cover. It is your responsibility to ensure you have adequate coverage for your charity trek.

Visa
British passport holders require a tourist visa for Costa Rica. We will send you information and an application form to apply for your visa as our challenge draws closer.