Highlights Trip to Costa Rica Costa Rica
8 Days from £1900pp
based on a group size of 26 students and 3 teachers (free places)
Costa Rica’s vibrant culture, colourful history, epic landscapes and wealth of activities to enjoy make it a haven for humanities students.
This itinerary showcases the very best of Costa Rican landscapes, from active volcanoes to dense rainforests. Plus with insightful guides, educational lectures, plus zip lining, boat trips, hiking, cooking classes and more; this itinerary perfectly combines curriculum links with fun and activity.
What's included
- Flights from London to San Jose
- Hold luggage for all passengers
- 7 nights’ accommodation
- Full board
- Professional Guide providing outstanding knowledge of Costa Rica
- All activities mentioned in the itinerary below
- Cost of Covid testing that may be required to fulfil the trip
- Our Covid Assurance
Ask about our approach to Responsible Travel
We believe the benefits of travel should not be lost for the next generation. In order to protect this world we live in and also inspire a new group of young people to fight for our planet, we are developing an approach to Responsible Travel that is founded in facts, empowers young people to take action and involves suppliers at all levels in minimising negative impacts of travel.
We are committed to finding and implementing maintainable strategies which include developing teaching resources, offsetting carbon emissions, benefitting local economies, protecting local cultures and becoming ‘Plastic Clever’ travellers.
We can’t do it alone. Will you join us?
Responsible School Travel
Day
1
Arrive in San Jose
You will arrive in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. You will have an orientation, where you will get to know your guide and learn about your exciting itinerary. After a delicious dinner you will head to bed to get a great night sleep before your action packed trip commences the next day.
Day
2
Tortuguero Day
The first exciting things you and your students will do is hop aboard a boat and head to Tortuguero.
Tortuguero National Park was an archipelago of volcanic islands until alluvial sediments from the interior mountains filled in the spaces and formed a network of marshy islands. Sand piled up where the river deposited land met the sea, and the turtle nesting beaches of Tortuguero formed.
The exceptionally high rainfall, and rich environment where the freshwater meets the sea makes the beaches, canals, lagoons and wetlands of Tortuguero areas of exceptional biodiversity. The National Park protects 19,000 hectares and has been recognised as protected nesting sanctuary since 1963, with Green Sea, Leatherback and Hawksbill turtles all nesting on the beaches here.
Students’ will get a chance to explore the village of Tortuguero. It’s location in the Caribbean side of the island, has helped influence its culture and the village is sustained entirely by eco-tourism.
As well as exploring the village, students will visit the Turtle Museum. One for the geographers of the group, in this small museum and conservation centre, you will have the opportunity to learn more about the different species of sea turtles that nest and lay their eggs on the beaches of Tortuguero. Students will gain an understanding of their life, habitat, and the importance of protecting them and also learn the efforts that are made to maintain their habitats.
The day concludes with a lecture on Caribbean culture. This lecture perfectly unites the humanities subjects as students understand how the history, landscapes, religion have shaped Caribbean culture in Costa Rica. This lecture also covers the subject of the Cultural manifestations in the Caribbean region. Costa Rica’s Caribbean culture is so unique and blended that it is almost like going to another country when visiting the area. Spanish and Creole English, called patois, are spoken everywhere. A wide variety of instruments, dances, and musical techniques contribute to the Afro-Caribbean music scene in Costa Rica. Faith and religious beliefs are much more diverse in this area due to a large number of religious backgrounds
Day
3
Tirimbina forest
After hopping back aboard a boat to leave Tortuguero, students will head to a banana plantation. Bananas have been a staple of Costa Rica’s economy for well over 100 years and today Costa Rica is the third largest banana exporter in the world. With more than 100,000 acres occupied by banana trees, this quick stop will allow students to see a fraction of this in action.
Students will head to Tirimbina, which protects 345 hectares of tropical rainforest. A third of this is used for their ecotourism and educational purposes. Students can take part in an educational programme; either exploring ecology and diversity or investigating forest composition. The perfect activity for geographers!
Following this, students will get a chance to get to know the rainforest better as they take a guided tour through the Tirimbina Rainforest and surrounding reserve. Your naturalist guide will explain further the area and the work undertaken by scientist. Along the way, you’ll learn about Sarapiquí’s variety of mammals, birds, insects, and amphibians.
The learning does not stop yet! Students will now enjoy a lecture on sustainability and conservation.
During this lecture students will cover a variety of themes related to the conservation of tropical forests. It will cover biodiversity, its influence in the ecology, natural heritage and conservation and how Tirimbina is a sustainable model vigilant of environmental, social and economic impact. All topics are aimed to educate about the importance of the forests for conservation worldwide.
Day
4
Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna & Baldi Hot Springs
After re-immersing themselves in the rainforest with a morning walk through it, students will head to Arenal Volcano National Park. Until recently, Arenal was the most active volcano in Costa Rica.
Your guide will lead you on a guided hike into the volcanic national park to learn about the explosive history of Arenal. The hike takes you through trails in the secondary forest around the base of the volcano and past lava fields from previous eruptions. Arenal is also a key centre for energy production featuring hydroelectric, geothermal and wind power plants.
After an explosive start to the day students will take the
490 steps to the epic La Fortuna Waterfall, where you can watch as the waterfall cascades from dense forest before plummeting 65m into an emerald pool below. After seeing the impressive falls, you can cool off by taking a dip in the waters below.
Your students will have learnt a lot today so next they will get a chance to relax! The Baldi Hot Springs is a tranquil resort featuring 25 thermal water pools. You’ll hear the hum of the tropical rainforest blend with the sound of running water, making you feel as though you are truly in paradise.
Day
5
Monteverde Cloud Forest
Day 5 is truly a once in a life time experience, as students head to Monteverde. National Geographic described Monteverde as “the jewel in the crown of cloud forests” and it is listed as one of the seven wonders of Costa Rica. 50% of the flora and Fauna in Costa Rica can be found here and it houses 2.5% of worldwide biodiversity.
The day begins with a search for one of Costa Rica’s most famous residents – Sloths! This guided walk along a 2 kilometre rainforest trail, is home to around 25 sloths! Student’s will hopefully get a chance to spot one, as well as hear about the importance of reforesting.
Students will head deeper into the rainforest with an exciting wildlife tour. With the help of your expert guide, students will explore the area which harbours over 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, tens of thousands of insect species, and over 2,500 varieties of plants.
Then, students will get their blood pumping and be able to see the forest from a new height in this adventurous Zip lining activity! Zip line on Costa Rica’s longest cable and become truly immersed in virgin forest. The tour is made up of 15 cables and 18 viewing platforms, crossing over two miles of forest and combining the thrill of the zip line with a unique perspective of the tree top canopy.
Day
6
Monteverde, Cooking Class, Orchard Farm & Playa Hermosa
Head straight back into the cloud forest to start your day. This time, you will explore the forest via their treetop hanging bridges. Monteverde treetop walkways provide a fantastic way to safely observe the cloud forest canopy at your own pace. From the bridges you will be able to observe the endemic biodiversity of the cloud forest, as well as lookout for wildlife that resides in there. The trail is 1.9 miles long and is made up of eight bridges of various lengths which range between 170 feet and 560 feet.
Students have a unique way of enjoying lunch today, as they will be making it themselves. You will get a flavour of Costa Rican culture today with an exciting cooking class. During the class students will learn how to prepare traditional Costa Rican dishes such as Tortilla Aliñada, Empanada de Platano and Prestiño.
Costa Rica has more than 1400 species of orchids. At this farm you will be fully immersed in their beauty as you see the abundance of colour and get your senses tingling with the wide variety of smells.
In the spirit of exploring plenty of landscapes, students will leave the rainforest behind and head to a beautiful golden sand beach. Here you will be able to enjoy some free time.
Day
7
Manuel Antonio National Park
Although one of Costa Rica’s smallest national parks, Manuel Antonio doesn’t compromise when it comes to its remarkable biodiversity, abundance of wildlife and pristine beaches. You will have a whole day to explore the area. The island is home to extensive trail system and your guide will take you on a hike through the forested hillside, where you will find animals, plants and flowers that are native to Costa Rica. Students will also visit the former island of Punta Catedral, which is now connected to the mainland due to sediment and sand build up. The locals call this stretch of white sand beach Tombolo. Here you will find the park’s two amazing beaches, Playa Manuel Antonio and Playa Espadilla Sur.
Day
8
Poas Volcano National Park & Sarchi Artisan Town
Just because it is your final day does not mean the action is over just yet! Another volcano is on the cards today! Students will get to visit Poas Volcano, one of the most renowned in Costa Rica. Poas volcano can be found in the country’s most visited national park of the same name. When you arrive at the rim of the caldera you will see the Botos Lake which has filled the crater. The lake has teal acidic water and sulphuric fumaroles which bubble and steam.
Next, visit the quaint town of Sarchi, which is probably most famous for the bright and colourful oxcarts that have been made here for over a century. You will be able to pick up one of the intricate arts, crafts and souvenirs that are created here.
Time to say adios Costa Rica after an amazing trip!
Day
9
Day
10
Trip notes:
We haven’t been able to include all of the incredible things to see and do in Costa Rica. Get in touch with our team to receive our guidance on activities available and create an itinerary bespoke for your group, designed for your interests and budget. This trip is based on a group size of 29 (26 students and 3 teachers) travelling in October 2022. You can add an additional teacher for £35pp extra.
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