Costa Rica Volcanoes & Rainforests Trip Costa Rica
10 Days from £2720pp
Based on a group size of 30 students and 3 teachers (free places). All compulsory charges that we have been able to calculate are included in the price. A 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.
Featuring baron volcanic peaks, mysterious cloud forests, tropical rainforests, and golden sandy beaches, students will be amazed at Costa Rica's variety of landscapes and climatic zones.
With sustainability and ecotourism at the heart of the country's goals, Costa Rica is a nature lovers dream destination.
Playing host to 5% of the world’s biodiversity, students will discover new flora and fauna at every location, enhanced by our expert guides.
You'll experience geography, biology, adventure, and culture with this 10-day trip, curated by our team of destination specialists and former teachers who will support you every step of the trip.
What's included
- Return flights from London to San Jose
- Hold luggage for all passengers
- Professional guide providing outstanding knowledge of Costa Rica’s culture & geography
- 9 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 in the itinerary
- Full board basis
- Travel disruption support
- Loyalty Scheme with a range of benefits and discounts
- All transportation in Costa Rica
Day
1
Arrive in San José
Touch down in Costa Rica’s vibrant capital of San José and meet your guide who will join you for the duration of your trip.
Day
2
Tortuguero
Head to Braulio Carrillo National Park. On the way you’ll pass between the peaks of the Barva and Irazu volcanoes towards the tropical rainforests.
Next, visit Tortuguero National Park, formed by a network of marshy islands, here freshwater meets the sea to create beaches, canals, lagoons, and areas of exceptional biodiversity. The park has been recognised as protected nesting sanctuary where Green Sea, Leatherback and Hawksbill turtles nest on the beach.
Walk along the beach and learn about the interface between the rainforest and the sea and how animals manage in these environments.
Day
3
Tortuguero National Park
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.
Next, choose from a cacao and chocolate tour, voluntary work at the San Francisco school, a lecture on sea turtles or the rainforest, or a hill hike up a 110m extinct volcano.
In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of Tortuguero village, learning about how its location has shaped its unique Caribbean culture and its dependence on ecotourism.
Delving deeper into this topic, students will also receive a talk on the Caribbean culture.
For your final activity of the day, you can’t miss a visit to the Sea Turtle Conservancy Centre.
Finish with a visit to the Sea Turtle Conservancy Centre. Here, you’ll learn about the different species of sea turtles that lay their eggs on the beaches of Tortuguero, gain an understanding of their life, habitat, and the importance of protecting them.
Day
4
Sarapiquí
This morning depart Tortuguero by boat to collect your coach. From here, head west to the Sarapiquí region.
Sarapiquí is becoming increasingly popular for ecotourism. While here, you have a range of optional activities to choose from including:
- An arts & crafts class
- A chocolate tour
- A cooking class
- A dance class
- The Melipona bee tour
- Guided wildlife night walk
- A guided tour of La Tirimbina Biological Reserve’s rainforest trails
La Tirimbina Biological Reserve also offers other activity options, including:
- Biodiversity field studies
- Night wildlife tours
- Twilight tours
- Science & butterfly field studies
- Bats & seeds field studies
- Water quality field studies
- Acacao and chocolate tour
Overnight stay in Sarapiquí.
Day
5
La Fortuna
Your first stop is La Fortuna Waterfall.
Plunging 70 meters into a vivid blue pool, the waterfall creates a humid microclimate rich with bromeliads, orchids, and ferns. Near the entrance, you’ll also find a butterfly garden and orchid trail.
In the afternoon, spend some time exploring the Arenal Volcano National Park. Rising 5,358 ft (1,633 m), Arenal Volcano is one of the country’s most iconic.
End the day unwinding in the geothermal pools of Baldi Hot Springs.
Drive to La Fortuna for your overnight stay.
Day
6
Tenorio National Park
As a popular tourist spot for nature lovers and adventure seekers, La Fortuna offers a wide variety of activities including:
- The limestone Venado Caves
- Hiking along the sloth trail
- Visiting the village of the indigenous Maleku people
As you leave, see the surrounding rainforest and Lake Arenal reveal lava fields gradually reclaimed by nature, your guide will explain volcanic processes and the region’s hydroelectric, geothermal, and wind energy production.
From here, head to the Tenorio National Park.
With scenic hiking trails and hanging bridges that meander through the rainforest, the most noticeable feature of the landscape is the Rio Celeste and its iconic waterfall.
Continue to your overnight stay in Miravalles.
Day
7
Stratovolcano of Miravalles, Las Hornillas Volcanic Activity Centre & Puma Rescue Center
Begin by exploring the dormant stratovolcano of Miravalles. Though it hasn’t erupted in recorded history, it fuels Costa Rica’s largest geothermal field.
At Las Hornillas Volcanic Activity Centre, witness bubbling mud pools, steaming fumaroles, sulphur-stained rocks, and hot springs and even enjoy a therapeutic mud bath.
Continue south to Puma Rescue Center, where students learn about wildlife rehabilitation and conservation. Home to monkeys, otters, deer, toucans, scarlet macaws, parrots, and five of Costa Rica’s six wild cat species, the centre rescues injured, orphaned, and illegally traded animals.
Finish the day in Monteverde for your overnight stay.
Day
8
Monteverde
Monteverde, described by National Geographic as “the jewel in the crown of cloud forests,” is home to around half of Costa Rica’s flora and fauna and 2.5% of global biodiversity. You’ll explore the canopy on a 1.9-mile treetop walkway of eight hanging bridges.
In the afternoon, you can choose from:
- A cooking class
- The cloud forest walk
- Explore the artisan town of Sarchi
- A coffee, chocolate and sugar cane tour
- Free time exploring the mountain town of Santa Elena
Given that your overnight stay is in San José, you may choose to explore the options within the city and surrounding area including:
- A city tour
- A piñata making class
- An evening cinema visit
- A visit to the Gold Museum
- A farewell dinner and dance show at the scenic Mirador Tiquicia
Day
9
Airport transfer
Depart for the airport for your flight home.
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