Pricing:

Our most popular trip is the 8-night/9-day excursion, although we will provide you with your desired trip length. See our sample itinerary. The average 8 night/9 day trip cost with us for 2011 for a team of 10 to 20 people, including building materials, local labor, lodging, meals, transportation, fun trips and exit taxes, was right at $810 per person, which we expect to be right at $825 per person in 2012 due to lodging, transportation and food cost increases, some with us and some during fun trips. The costs lower slightly with larger teams and rises with smaller teams, and also varies depending upon your choices of fun trips and lodging.

Other length mission trips are available as well, with prices varying accordingly. Longer mission trips cost less per day, and 30 day trips can be as low as $1500 per person including lodging and a couple of fun trips. Please contact us for an information packet, containing a detailed option and price list.  We'll then work through the packet with you to help determine your trip cost. Due to airline costs being high during Spring Break and seat availability being more scarce, trips scheduled during this time should be organized more in advance than trips planned for other times of the year.  For more info about ongoing projects, etc., check strongmissions.blogspot.com.

You receive:

• Work materials, tools, and local labor supervision

• All ground transportation in Costa Rica

• Various choices regarding day fun excursions and overnight stays plus work week lodging-see information packet

• All work-week meals

• The San Jose airport departure tax

• No hidden costs or registration fees

• Inexpensive and comfortable lodging options (see Lodging below), all of which have beds (no sleeping on floors at Strong Missions)

• More choices regarding service projects, mission work, fun excursions, restaurants, and lodging-see info packet

• An English/Spanish speaking guide’s personal touch from trip registration to completion

• All group activity fees included in trip itinerary

• The knowledge that you’ve truly touched the lives of the world’s lower income people

• What’s not included:

  • International airfare

  • Insurance fees (80 cents per day per person-go to gbgm-umc.org/vim/insuform.htm to get the forms & mail insurance money directly to them)

  • Fun trip meals unless otherwise arranged

  • Optional activities available through local tour agencies unless otherwise arranged (i.e. canopy zip lines, snorkeling, coffee tours, etc., see info packet-we do receive great discounts and pass them on to you)

  • Special room assignments unless otherwise arranged

  • Snacks and souvenirs

• Lodging:
  
  A wide variety of lodging is available, from moderate range hotels to inexpensive church centers and mission houses. This means that each participant will have a bed, shared or otherwise.  Hotel costs are figured at 2, 3, or 4 to a room as availability permits. Beds are not shared, unless otherwise arranged with group leader.  Lodging at the Strong Missions house costs $10 per night per person, with bunk beds, and the Los Horcones Hotel, which we also run and is on the same property with the SM house, runs $12 per night per person.  There are also several other local hotel options.  Please contact us personally to receive the team info packet.

• Airfare:
  
  Depending upon your group size there are a number of options. If you have 6 persons or less it is possible to pick up great airfare from major providers through various online ticket or travel companies. Some of these online companies allow up to 6 ticket purchases at one time. If you don't have a problem splitting your group for air travel or trying to buy tickets back to back with the chance that you might not be able to get all from one carrier, this still may be an option for you. Also check out the Delta, American, Continental, TACA, and United Airlines group websites or telephone group sales for pricing. At times they are cheaper than anyone else, and usually much easier to work with regarding reservation changes.  One travel agent that some groups have used and recommend is Gordon Moody (Director of Missions at Educational Opportunities Tours in Florida).  His email and website are gmoody@travelwithus.com & www.missions.travelwithus.com.  For students check out, statavel.com for cheaper airfare tickets. We don't directly endorse or work with any organization or agent.        

• Payment schedule and Refund Policy:

• 100% of the trip cost is due 1 month prior to departure. Please sent payments 5 weeks in advance to ensure it arrives on time. Most large payments are made by bank transfer which is the quickest and safest manner of payment, although payments can also be made by check.

• Another major difference offered by Strong Missions is that we will refund any money not used for trip costs up to the date of your group’s departure.  We do not want to make money from your group’s or any participant’s misfortune, so any money not used for reservations, materials, food, etc., will be refunded to you.  This is our guarantee.

   

  Specializing in Short Term Mission Trips to assist the children of Costa Rica