This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Telephone Icon

Costa Rica: Pura Vida!

Download PDF Handout
Rincón de la Vieja Highlights
  • Whitewater Rafting
    (or laid-back River Tubing)
  • Horseback Riding
  • Las Pailas Trail
  • Waterfall Swimming Hole
Arenal Highlights
  • Wildlife Rescue Center
  • 1968 Lava Fields Hike
  • Kayaking on Lake Arenal
Monteverde Highlights
  • Cloudforest Ziplining
  • Cocao & Sugar Tour
Palo Verde Highlights
  • Rio Tempisque River Cruise
  • Choratega Pottery Workshop
Tamarindo Highlights
  • Surf Lessons
  • Dream Beaches Tour

Introduction

Since 2009 we’ve been offering all-inclusive international travel programs for students interested developing real world travel skills while exploring some of the world's most interesting places as part of a small group.
Our programs seize every opportunity to practice foreign language, navigation, scheduling, collaboration, and budgeting skills with real world activities like cross-referencing street and metro maps, purchasing transit passes, researching opening days/times, navigating an itinerary and staying on schedule, choosing restaurants and making reservations, and eating well while staying within a meal allowance.

Itinerary

On this 9-Day Costa Rica program, you will experience everything for which Costa Rica is famed: volcanos, fumaroles, mud baths, thermal springs, sky-blue waterfalls, crystal-clear swim holes, bird watching, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, rainforest zip-lining, a river cruise, surfing lessons, amazing beaches, great food, and the best chocolate and coffee in the world.
This itinerary includes a day of Whitewater Rafting on the Rio Tenorio (or River Tubing on the Rio Colorado for those looking for a more laid back experience), and a service day where you'll spend the morning volunteering at a local Wildlife Rescue Center and the afternoon working with the local community.
Day Destination Overview
1 Rincón de la Vieja Meet your Program Director at the airport for an early morning flight to Costa Rica! Upon arrival, students will be transferred to our resort hotel in the heart of Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park.
2 Rincón de la Vieja Enjoy a full day of whitewater rafting with lunch on the river then return to the resort and try the mud baths or relax by the pool Watch the sun set over the savannah on a horseback ride before dinner.
3 Arenal Experience the sights, sounds, and smells of thermal activity on a guided hike along the Las Pailas Trail. Stop for a swim at the base of the Llanos de Cortez waterfall on the way to Arenal Volcano National Park.
4 Arenal
Wildlife Rescue		 Spend the morning at Arenal’s Wildlife Rescue Center learning about the resident animals and their recommended diets, helping to prepare meals and then visiting them with lunch. Spend the afternoon volunteering in the local community, then enjoy dinner followed by an after dark frog pond walk.
5 Arenal
Lake Arenal		 Enjoy the views from high up in the cloud rainforest while walking an extensive network of hanging bridges then head out across the lava fields of Arenal Volcano on the 1968 Trail. Kayak and relax on the shores of Lake Arenal on the way to Monteverde Cloudforest. Dinner in Santa Elena.
6 Monteverde
Cloudforest		 Early morning guided birdwatching in the lower rainforest followed by late breakfast. Head back into the cloud forest and zipline from tree to tree hundreds of feet above the ground, crossing valleys with cable distances over 1km. Learn about coffee, chocolate, and sugarcane before dinner.
7 Rio Tempisque Spend the morning on a wildlife sightseeing boat cruise down the Rio Tempisque before transferring to surfer’s paradise, Tamarindo. Along the way, you’ll stop in Guaitil - home to Chorotega-style pottery - where you can witness local artisans in action before trying to make or paint some yourself.
8 Tamarindo Spend the morning learning to surf in the warm, crystal-clear, turquoise waters of Tamarindo Bay. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon exploring three of Tamarindo’s most famous beaches. The day ends with some time to go souvenir shopping in Tamarindo before an evening of dinner and dancing in Tamarindo.
9 Airborne Board your private shuttle for a ride to the airport. Flight home. ¡Adiós Costa Rica!