San Jose, Costa Rica
Rain forest inhabitant
La Paz waterfalls
San Jose, Costa Rica
Costa Rica, described as Central America´s Garden of Eden, is an abundance of stunning landscapes and ever-present wildlife. It is one of the most bio-diverse areas in the world and home to a variety of habitats including volcanoes, mangroves and rainforests.
A trip to Costa Rica will be life changing, inspirational and educational and opens up a range of exciting activities.
From an amazing array of flora and fauna to hot springs, canopy zip lining and scintillating culture, there is much to be explored!
Established
November 29, 1777
Population
1.03 Million
Please see a sample itinerary below. All itineraries are fully customizable.
Trip Inclusions
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Round trip transportation
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6 Night hotel accommodations at a student-friendly hotel
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Breakfast served daily at your hotel
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3 Group lunches
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3 Group dinners
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Visit to San Jose
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Visit to Poas Volcano
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Visit to La Paz Waterfalls
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Visit to Sarapiqui
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Chocolate Tour in Sarapiqui
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Bird Watching Tour in Tirimbina
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Visit to Arenal Volcano
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Arenal Volcano Hot Springs
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Arenal Volcano Zip-Line
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Visit to Tortuguero National Park
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Visit to Braulio Carrillo National Park
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Comprehensive Travel Insurance Upon Request
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A-Z Travel Tour Manager
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Free chaperone spaces based upon the number of paying passengers
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Private security upon request
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All taxes and fees for above listed inclusions
Day 1
Morning: Departure and flight to San Jose, Costa Rica.
Afternoon: Welcome to San Jose! Upon arrival you will meet your tour guide and transfer to the hotel. Check in and freshen up.
Evening: Enjoy your welcome dinner with group at one of the local restaurants.
Day 2
Morning: After breakfast, your group will travel to Poas Volcano. The crater is 2708-meters (8884,5 feet) high and over a mile wide. It has erupted 40 times since 1828. You will see coffee plantations, fern, strawberry and flower farms. Enjoy the beautiful array of colors and sites. Marvel at the exuberant cloud forest of the Poas Volcano. At the volcano, you will have time to enjoy the impressive main crater with sulfur fumaroles. Then hike on a trail to the beautiful Botos Lagoon while learning about the different ecosystems in the park.
Afternoon: Have a typical lunch at one of the restaurants in the area. Continue to La Paz Waterfalls and wander the rails of La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Delight your senses at the waterfalls along the trail.
On the Magia Blanca Waterfall viewing platform, you can actually take a photo under the waterfall. Find beautiful sites at Templo Waterfall and Encantada Waterfall.
Evening: Meet for a group dinner in a local restaurant and head back to the hotel for rest before exciting day in the morning!
Day 3
Morning: Enjoy breakfast and afterwards meet your tour guide. Today you will travel to Sarapiqui in Tirimbina area. You will enjoy a Chocolate Tour in Tirimbina. In this tour you will learn about one of mankind ́s favorite foods – chocolate! This plant is native to Central America and was one of the most important products for the Mayan and Aztec cultures. The discovery of America led to the introduction of chocolate in Europe, transforming it into the product we all know. The tour starts by crossing the suspension bridge and former cacao-growing plot. During your hike you will learn about the natural and cultural history of the cacao tree as well as the story of chocolate. You will be shown the process by which cacao fruit is transformed into chocolate – harvesting, fermentation, drying etc. You will have the chance to taste different kinds of chocolate prepared in traditional way!
Afternoon: After lunch you will have time to rest or explore the local area.
Evening: Meet for a delicious dinner and afterwards get a well-deserved rest! You will spend the night in Sarapiqui.
Day 4
Morning: Enjoy breakfast at your hotel! Today you will start your day with a Bird Watching Tour. Costa Rica has the privilege of being one of the places with the greatest diversity of birds in the world. There are approximately 875 species. It is an important migration site, especially for the species travelling from North America. You will become familiar with the great variety of bird fauna found in Costa Rica. You will have the assistance of a naturalist guide knowledgeable in the Sarapiqui area which represents more than 54% of all birds found in Costa Rica.
Afternoon: After lunch head back to San Jose! Enjoy the rest of the day exploring the city on your own. See the newly renovated Jade Museum, stroll to Plaza de la Cultura which is the cultural and physical center of the city. It is wonderful for people watching. Don’t forget to grab a snack from a street vendor and watch the city come to life!
Evening: Meet for a delicious dinner and get a well-deserved rest!
Day 5
Morning: Enjoy a hearty breakfast as you are in for a full day of fun! Your group will be picked up at your hotel in San Jose, Alajuela or Heredia, and then head towards the Arenal Volcano National Park. You will embark on a 2h 30 minute drive while marveling at stunning views. Upon arrival, you’ll get ready for the adventure of your life – flying through the rainforest up to 60 meters above ground level on a zip-line and take in the breathtaking views as you fly above the canopy!
Afternoon: Enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant and get some rest. Next, make your way to the observatory to appreciate the natural beauty of the area and look for resident wildlife.
Evening: Return and have a lovely meal at a local restaurant. You will have a wonderful sleep tonight after the magical adventures of the day!
Day 6
Morning: After breakfast you will start your tour to Tortuguero National Park.
“Take part in an expedition through the dense jungle of one of the most beautiful and scenic regions of Costa Rica, where you can observe the wildlife and unique ecosystem of this fragile environment.”
You will leave early and travel through the Braulio Carrillo National Park, passing by mountains covered in beautiful forests, stunning views of rivers and waterfalls finally arriving at the Caribbean of Costa Rica. Here, you will walk through banana plantations to board your boat to Tortuguero National Park.
Afternoon: After lunch you will continue the magnificent tour and sail the exotic channels of Tortuguero National Park which is known for solitary beaches where the nesting of giant green turtles takes place from July to September. A network of channels and lagoons cross the National Park allowing you to view a great variety of flora and fauna as well as many species of animals inhabiting the park.
Evening: After arriving back in San Jose, meet for a farewell dinner with your group. Return to hotel and rest before your trip back home.
Day 7
Morning: After breakfast and check out, your group will depart for the Airport! Safe travels back home!
