Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Departure and Arrival in San José

Fly to Costa Rica and arrive at the San José airport. Meet your Travel Director and transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a guided walking tour of the city to explore its vibrant culture and history.

Day 2: Transfer to Monteverde with Coffee Plantation Visit

Travel to Monteverde, stopping along the way to visit a coffee plantation. Learn about the coffee-making process, from planting to brewing, and sample some freshly brewed Costa Rican coffee. Upon arrival in Monteverde, meet your warm and welcoming host families, who will host you for the next five nights. Enjoy your first home-cooked dinner and practice your Spanish with your hosts.

Day 3: Explore Monteverde Cloud Forest

Start the day with a traditional breakfast with your host family before heading to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Discover the incredible biodiversity of this unique ecosystem, home to over 400 bird species, 100 mammal species, and countless other flora and fauna. Keep an eye out for the elusive quetzal and playful sloths. Spend the evening sharing stories and cultural exchanges with your host family.

Day 4: Horseback Riding and Cooking Lesson

Begin the day with a horseback riding excursion through scenic trails, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and forests. In the afternoon, learn how to prepare authentic Costa Rican dishes during a hands-on cooking lesson, gaining insight into local culinary traditions. Return to your host family for the evening to share your stories from the day, and hear about their day!

Day 5: Mariposario and Night Walk

Visit the Monteverde Mariposario (Butterfly Farm) in the morning, where you’ll explore climate-controlled butterfly gardens, a medicinal plant garden, and a biodiversity center. Discover a live leaf-cutter ant colony and learn about their fascinating social behavior. In the evening, embark on a guided night walk through the cloud forest, where you’ll encounter nocturnal wildlife like frogs, insects, and mammals that are more active after dark. Return to your host family!

Day 6: Zipline Adventure

Experience the thrill of the Monteverde Canopy Tour, a world-famous zipline adventure that offers a bird’s-eye view of the forest. Glide from platform to platform and enjoy the lush scenery from above. Spend your final evening with your host family, reflecting on your incredible homestay experience and exchanging heartfelt goodbyes.

Day 7: Arenal Volcano National Park and La Fortuna Waterfall

Leave Monteverde and travel to the San Carlos region, arriving in La Fortuna, home to the iconic Arenal Volcano. Explore Arenal Volcano National Park, where you’ll learn about the region’s volcanic activity and walk through lava fields. Visit the breathtaking La Fortuna Waterfall, which cascades nearly 250 feet into a jungle pool. End the day by relaxing in natural hot springs warmed by geothermal energy. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in San Carlos.

Day 8: Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge

Travel north to the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, passing through lush agricultural landscapes of sugar cane, pineapple, and orange plantations. Take a boat cruise along the Rio Frio, where you’ll observe diverse wildlife, including migratory birds, caimans, monkeys, iguanas, and more.

Day 9: School Visit and Return to San José

Visit a local school in the morning to engage in activities with Costa Rican students, fostering cultural exchange and building connections through art, music, dancing and a game of soccer. Afterward, travel back to San José for a farewell dinner and overnight stay.

Day 10: Fly Home

Transfer to the airport for your flight home, bringing with you unforgettable memories of Costa Rica’s natural beauty, warm hospitality, and unique cultural experiences.