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Airplane Above the Clouds

FLIGHT BOOKING

Health and Safety

We have you covered.

GLASS is typically a first-time experience for our students––first-time flying, first-time flying independently, or first-time flying internationally.​  We ensure that this first-time experience is comfortable, for students and parents alike, by making ourselves accessible and sharing detailed preparation information, well in advance of your program.

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As you prepare for the travel component of your GLASS experience, we want you to know:

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  • You're not alone. Our team will support you throughout the pre-departure process––whether that's answering your questions, reminding you of upcoming deadlines, or scheduling a phone call with you to discuss any concerns you have about flying.

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  • Preparation is key. As athletes, we all know the importance of preparation. Preparation can make large tasks feel small.  From the day you register to the day you depart, we dedicate our time to preparing you for this international travel experience––be sure to take advantage of the preparation opportunities we share!

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  • This is a part of the experience. A key aspect of the GLASS experience is stepping outside your comfort zone. When we are outside our comfort zones, we open ourselves up to immense growth opportunities. Our goal is to provide an 'outside the comfort zone' opportunity that is safe and worth the investment. 

Flight Booking Process Overview

Students participating in our Costa Rica programs are responsible for booking their own airfare to San Jose, Costa Rica and from Liberia, Costa Rica.

 

Once enrolled in a GLASS Costa Rica session, you can begin looking for flights through Google Flights or directly through your preferred airline. Although we recommend that you book your flights around 8-10 weeks prior to the start of your session, you are able to purchase your flight as early as you’d like.

 

Please keep in mind that airfare refund and credit options vary depending on the airlines and fare (ticket) type. 

Step 1:|Check Passport Status

Your passport needs to remain valid throughout the duration of your program. We recommend that your passport is valid for at least three months after your departure from Costa Rica.

 

When checking your passport, it is also important to note exactly how your name appears on the passport information page. It is imperative that your flight ticket reflects the same name that is shown on your passport. For example, if your passport’s ‘Given Name’ includes your first and middle name, be sure to include both when booking your flight.

 

If you do not have a passport or need to renew your passport, please visit the following website to take the appropriate next steps -- https://www.usa.gov/passport. Please apply as soon as possible because these processes can take 10 to 12 weeks.

 

Once you confirm that your passport is valid through the end of your GLASS session, please upload a copy of your passport in your pre-departure travel portal.

Step 2: Book a Flight

Booking your flight can be done online using Google Flights or through various airline websites and apps. We recommend Google Flights as a starting point because you can compare flight itineraries from multiple airlines. You can access Google Flights here: https://www.google.com/travel/flights

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Before purchasing your ticket, please double-check the following information:

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  • Your Name: The name on your flight ticket should match the name on your passport.

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  • Dates: The arrival and departure dates of your ticket should match the start and end date of your session. For example, if your GLASS session is June 21st - June 30th, then you should be arriving in Costa Rica on June 21st and departing on June 30th.

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  • Destination: 

    • ​Session #1 students will fly into San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO) and out of Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR).

    • Session #2 students will fly into Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR) and out of San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO).

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  • Arrival Time: Please make sure your flight arrives between 9AM - 11PM on your session’s start date. 

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  • Departure Time: Please make sure your flight departs between 5AM - 4PM on your session’s end date. 

Step 3: Share Your Itinerary

Once you book your flight, it is important to communicate your itinerary details to our GLASS team so we can coordinate your in-country travel arrangements. Our staff will greet you upon arrival and accompany you to the airport for departure. Please follow the steps below to ensure our team has all of the necessary information:
 

  1. Save Your Itinerary - Download & save a copy (or take a screenshot) of your flight itinerary. Please make sure that the following information is visible in the photo:

    • Airline(s)

    • Confirmation Code(s)

    • Originating Airport

    • Arrival & Departure Flight Details (including arrival and departure dates, times, & flight numbers)
       

  2. Share Your Itinerary with our Team - Please upload a copy of your flight itinerary in your pre-departure travel portal.

Step 4: Prepare for Your Trip

Once you book your flight and you upload your passport & flight information to your account, we handle the rest!

 

About 6 weeks before your session, we email you a Pre-Departure Guide which will help you navigate the international travel component of GLASS. It also includes important information such as staff contact info, a packing list, COVID-19 considerations, and other important reminders.

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In the weeks leading up to your trip, it is important that you continue to monitor your flight itinerary. Please communicate any flight itinerary changes with Annika via email (annika@beyondsportstours.com). We recommend that you download your airline’s app and sign up for email or text notifications so you don’t miss any itinerary changes. 

  • What does GLASS stand for?
    The Girls Leadership Academy for Service & Sport
  • What sports do you offer training programs for?
    Our sports-performance training is applicable to athletes from all all sports. We focus on athletic aspects such as speed, agility, quickness, and more! While in Costa Rica, we also do our best to offer students optional sport-specific training blocks, so students have the opportunity to maintain their sport-specific skills while abroad.
  • Do I need to speak Spanish?
    A Spanish language ability is not required for participation in GLASS. However, students interested in learning or practicing Spanish will have the opportunity to do so! During our service-learning sessions, students will engage directly with the local communities. Those with a Spanish language background will be able to refine their communication skills. Those who are new to the language will receive basic vocabulary and phrases, so they can also take part in the language learning opportunity.
  • Do I need any vaccines or additional shots to travel to Costa Rica?
    No vaccinations or special shots are required for travel to Costa Rica. Please consult your physician for any specific individual recommendations prior to traveling. The COVID-19 vaccine is not currently required for our Costa Rica programs––that is subject to change based on local mandates in Costa Rica. You can learn more about our COVID-19 considerations here: www.beyondsportsglass.com/health-safety
  • What if I have any allergies or dietary restrictions?
    During the enrollment process, students and their families will complete our Student Health Form where they will submit information about food allergies and restrictions. While most allergies can be easily accommodated, in some cases we may request a phone call to discuss allergies or dietary restrictions in greater detail.
  • What happens if I become sick or injured while in Costa Rica?
    Students are covered by CISI Health Insurance, a world leader in study abroad travel insurance. All accommodations are within 20 minutes of a private hospital in case of illness, accidents, or injuries. Costa Rica’s private hospitals are staffed by world-class physicians, many of whom attended medical school in the United States. For minor health concerns, we may utilize local clinics. We always encourage students to notify a staff member as soon as they are feeling unwell so that we can provide appropriate care and seek a medical professional if necessary.
  • How many staff members will be present at all times?
    We maintain (at least) a 6:1 student-to-staff ratio throughout the program. Our staff is also available 24 hours a day.
  • Is Costa Rica safe?
    Costa Rica is a tourism-friendly country and Beyond Sports has 13 years of experience hosting students in Costa Rica. You will find just how true this is when you experience the incredibly warm and welcoming local people and a culture that emphasizes relationships, family, and hospitality. While Costa Rica is a friendly country, students will participate in an orientation upon arrival to cover topics such as safety while abroad. Students will also be accompanied by GLASS Mentors throughout the program. We maintain a 6:1 student-to-staff ratio.
  • When is the application deadline?
    Although there is no set deadline for applications, spots will fill up fast, so we encourage you to fill out the application as soon as possible.
  • What are the steps of the application and admission process?
    Please view our application page for more details: www.beyondsportsglass.com/apply
  • Do I need to know Spanish in order to be accepted?
    Spanish language ability is not required to be eligible for GLASS.
  • Do I need to be a certain age or in a certain grade to be eligible?
    The Girls Leadership Academy for Service & Sport is for high school female athletes. This includes any female athlete who is entering her freshman year of high school through girls who have just graduated and are about to enter their freshman year of college.
  • What are the credit and refund opportunities?
    Please refer to our Credit & Refund Policies page.
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