DAY BY DAY ITINERARY:

LETTER CODES : (B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1. WELCOME TO COSTA RICA . Arrival to the International Airport Juan Santamaría. Transfer to Hotel Sleep Inn and check in.

Optional and depending on arrival time: City Tour: Visiting: San Jose, University of Costa Rica, San Pedro, Principal buildings as National Museum, National Teather, Congress, Yellow House, Plaza de la Cultura, Gold Museum, etc. Residential areas and principal Malls. Evening, stop at El Pueblo, one of the most famous entertainment centers of San Jose . Dinner on your own.

Day 2. LA PAZ WATERFALLS & SARAPIQUI TOUR (B, L, D). Breakfast at the hotel and departure to the tour to La Paz Waterfall Gardens . Waterfall Gardens is proud to have the largest Butterfly Observatory in the world. The enclosed structure allows butterflies to soar freely while guests walk amid the natural habitat. An on site laboratory is a breeding ground for the eleven fluttering species. In the Hummingbird garden, our feathered friends will delight and fascinate you with their antics as they play and fight with each other at amazing speeds. These normally skittish creatures have become so tame; they will feed within a few feet of you. Another attraction includes a Serpentarium. This exhibits 30 of the most beautiful and deadly snakes of Costa Rica .  The exhibition puts you face to face with such famous snakes as the Bushmaster, Terciopelo, Green Vinesnake, and Golden Eyelash Viper to name just a few.  We are also one of the few Serpentariums in the world to host the colorful but venomous sea snake found off the Pacific Coast of Central America.

After exploring Waterfall Gardens , you will enjoy a delicious buffet style lunch at the terrace dinning room before to depart to Sarapiqui region. Overnight at Hotel Sueno Azul.

Day 3. SUENO AZUL TOUR. (B, L, D). During the morning, rain forest expedition into Sueno Azul Resort. Afternoon, free time for enjoy the hotel facilities or take optional tours: Horseback Riding, Canopy Tour, Rafting, Tubing, etc.

Day 4 ARENAL VOLCANO (B, L, D). Breakfast at the lodge and transfer to the next destination. Arenal volcano. Two hours bus ride will take us into the mountains of this fascinating region where the main attractions are the active volcano and the largest lake in Costa Rica . Upon arrival, check in at Hotel La Pradera or San Bosco in La Fortuna town.

Afternoon: Visit to Baldi Hot Springs where we can take a dip in the warm waters heated from within the volcano and have a great time in this unforgettable paradise. After dark and from this enchanted spot, with a little god luck, you will have the opportunity to see the volcano activity and the red incandescent lava flowing down from the top of the crater to the adjacent areas. Buffet dinner included.

Day 5. VOLCANO HIKE & ARENAL´S LAKE BOAT CRUISE. (B, L , D). After breakfast, boat tour in the Arenal`s Lake for admire the impressive volcano and wildlife & nature walk to the former lava flows into the National Park. Afternoon, visit to La Fortuna town and free time for explore the area on your own and learn about the Costa Rican traditions in a small countryside town.

Day 6. MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST (B, L, D) Say farewell to Arenal and departure to Monteverde Cloud Forest. Upon arrival, check in at Tropical Science Center Lodge. The Lodge is located at the entrance of the world famous Monteverde Reserve. During the afternoon, Cloud forest nature walk and before dinner, special lecture about the history of Monteverde and its importance as a world class research center.

Day 7. MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST – SAN JOSE. (B, L, D). During the morning, visit to Santa Elena Town and tour to El Trapiche (Suggar Mill Tour). El Trapiche Tour is a Costa Rican Family project that offers visitors a two hour long guided tour. 

We begin with a walk on our farm where our guests will learn about the production of sugarcane, coffee, and the traditional ways of cultivating bananas, arracache (a local legume), avocado, macadamia nuts as well as other products.  Also one can observe our Tilapia fish project and a small-forested area where it is possible to see various flora and fauna of the Monteverde zone.

During the tour of the farm, our visitors will have the opportunity to collect coffee, transport it to the grinding machines and see how the delicious Monteverde coffee is made.  Also on our farm there are oxen with a traditional cart waiting to transport visitors to the sugarcane mill where we will demonstrate the process of making brown sugar and all the other types of products made from sugarcane.  One can also enjoy a representation of the extraction of guaro, a Costa Rican alcohol made from sugarcane.  To end this eventful tour our guests can enjoy “picadillo de arracache ”, a traditional vegetable hash, accompanied by a cup of coffee or lemonade. After lunch, return to San Jose City and check in at Hotel Sleep Inn.

Day 8. TRANSFER OUT (B). Transfer to the International Airport and good bye.

NOTE : Rates based on Quad occupancy for the students and double rooms for the teachers. No single rooms available unless a single supplement is paid.

CHAPERONES : One free ticket for every 15 students.

MINIMUM : 15 students.

INCLUDE: 7 nights lodging in high quality Hotels, all land transportation within Costa Rica , all airport/ hotel transfers on scheduled arrival/ departures dates only, specified meals, specified tours, private transportation and naturalist tour guide.

NOT INCLUDED: International air fare, airport departure taxes, meals not specified in the itinerary, alcoholic beverages, personal equipment, extras in hotels (laundry, phone calls, room service), gratuities, or costs associated with changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond our control.

PRICE: Group rate: $ 795 (Minimum 15 students).

HATS TO BRING: Hiking Shoes, Bathing Suit, Binoculars, Camera, Beach Sandals, Suntan Lotion, Hat, Mosquito Repellent.

 * LETTER CODES : (B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner.

DURATION: 8 Days - 7 Nights.