Costa Rica in a Nutshell Costa Rica
9 Days from £2610pp
Based on a group size of 30 students and 3 teachers (free places) travelling in April 2026. All compulsory charges that we have been able to calculate are included in the price. departure tax of $29 will be payable at some airports, we'll highlight any expected local charges in your tailored quote.
We provide transparent and realistic pricing that reflects a full itinerary of engaging activities. As former teachers, we know your time is valuable, so we focus on giving you clear, honest quotes from the outset.
Witness breath-taking natural wonders like lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls, towering volcanoes, and enchanting cloud forests while learning about environmental protection.
This trip focuses on the Costa Rica's diverse landscapes and climatic zones where your students will see diverse flora and fauna, brought to life by expert guides who will also introduce you to the country's vibrant culture along the way.
No matter your subject focus, we’ll work with you to create an itinerary for an unforgettable experience. The following 9-day itinerary is an example of a Costa Rica trip, our Travel Specialists will tailor-make your trip to suit your academic interests, budgets and abilities.
What's included
- Return flights from London to San Jose
- Hold luggage for all passengers
- Professional Guide
- 8 nights accommodation with bed linen and possible shared facilities
- Staff rooming based on the same sex teachers sharing multi-bedded rooms
- All excursions, activities and entrance fees as specified in the itinerary
- Full board basis
- Travel disruption support
- Loyalty Scheme with a range of benefits and discounts
Day
1
Arrive in San Jose
As you touch down in the capital of Costa Rica, your guide will accompany you into the vibrant city of San José.
Once you arrive at the hotel, your group will get their first taste of the country’s delicious food with a welcome meal.
Day
2
Tortuguero
Ascend into the volcanic mountains surrounded by lush green rainforests as you drive through the Braulio Carrillo National Park. As you descend the other side, the landscape changes to productive agricultural land, featuring an abundance of banana plantations.
Travel to Tortuguero by boat along the rivers and canals.
Visit Tortuguero National Park. This biodiverse park marks the freshwater–saltwater transition, with lagoons, canals, beaches, and wetlands. Walk the beach with your guide to explore how wildlife adapts to this unique rainforest ecosystem.
Between July and October, you may see nesting Green, Hawksbill, and Leatherback turtles!
Day
3
Tortuguero National Park & village tour
Start with a guided wildlife boat tour at dawn- the best time of the day to explore rivers and waterways and spot a wide variety of wildlife.
Once you return to the village of Tortuguero, you have a choice of activities to enjoy for the rest of the morning including:
- A cacao and chocolate tour
- A guided nature walk
- Voluntary work at the San Francisco school
- A lecture on sea turtles or the rainforest
- A hill hike up a 110m extinct volcano
Afterwards, explore Tortuguero village with a guide.
Attend a talk on Caribbean heritage, exploring how history, landscape, religion, language (Creole English/Patois and Spanish), and Afro-Caribbean music and dance shape the region’s unique culture. Then learn about the thousands of sea turtles that nest locally each year.
Day
4
Sarapiquí & Tirimbina rainforest walk
Travel west to the Sarapiquí region.
Explore the premontane rainforests along the Sarapiquí and Puerto Viejo rivers, a biodiversity hotspot popular with ecotourists.
Choose from activities in and around Sarapiquí, including arts and crafts, chocolate and cooking classes, dance, a Melipona bee tour, or guided night wildlife walks.
Alternatively, visit the Tirimbina Biological Reserve, a rainforest research station on the Sarapiquí River. Cross its 860ft hanging bridge to explore 345 hectares of rainforest with expert guides, or take part in field studies, night tours, or a cacao tour.
Day
5
Arenal Volcano & La Fortuna
Visit La Fortuna Waterfall, a 70m cascade famed for inspiring Jurassic Park, where you can descend 530 steps to swim in the plunge pool. Near the entrance are a butterfly garden and orchid trail.
Continue to Arenal Volcano National Park to explore the forests surrounding 1,633m Arenal Volcano, the country’s youngest volcano. Discover past lava flows and learn about its role in geothermal and hydroelectric energy.
End the day relaxing in the thermal pools of Baldi Hot Springs before returning to La Fortuna for the night.
Day
6
Monteverde
Drive to Monteverde, renowned for its cloud forest microclimate and extraordinary biodiversity (around 50% of Costa Rica’s species).
Often shrouded in morning mist, the forest’s humidity sustains this rich ecosystem— making it the ideal time to explore the trails. Walk with your guide to spot unique plants and hidden wildlife in the forest floor and canopy.
In your free time, you’ll have a variety of options to choose from in the Monteverde area including
- A coffee, chocolate and sugar cane tour
- A cooking class
- Free time exploring the shops, restaurants and galleries of the mountain town of Santa Elena
Before leaving La Fortuna in the morning, there’s also the option of walking along the sloth trail.
Day
7
Monteverde cloud forest
Spend your final morning in Monteverde crossing treetop hanging bridges for a canopy-level view of the cloud forest. Explore quietly at your own pace to spot new wildlife among the leaves and branches.
In the afternoon, choose to continue exploring Monteverde, visit the artisan town of Sarchí—famous for its painted oxcarts—or head to San José for a city tour, the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, cultural workshops, or a farewell dinner at Mirador Tiquicia.
Day
8
Transfer to San José
Once you’ve reached the airport and said goodbye to your guide, it’ll be time to say “¡Adios Costa Rica!”
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School Trip Planning Hub
We know that the real job of selling a school trip is down to you and your colleagues so we've collated some helpful resources for you to use to make sure you not only get the buy in from your students and their parents, but also that you have all the details you need to ensure a simple planning process.
Launching Your School TripCurriculum links
- Geography
- Tectonic processes, landforms & hazards
- Weather processes & hazards
- Ecosystems
- Coastal processes, landforms & management
- Rural environments
- Urban environments
- Population & migration
- Economic change & development
- Tourism
- Cultural, ethnic and gender geography
- Food & water resources
- Sustainability
- Globalisation
- Water, carbon & nutrient cycles
- Oceans
- Global systems, trade & global governance
- Changing places
- Geographical skills
