Costa Rica and Panama
June 23 - July 6, 2022
Below is your final itinerary, including your flight, hotel details and important contact information.
24/7 On-Program Emergency Contact:
Call: 978-255-4601
Email: info@theglobalcitizenprogram
Important Documents
If you haven’t already, please be sure to complete your Student Success Agreement, Passport and Health Forms.
Travel Director
Meet Luis Miguel Cruz Comparaz
Luis was was born in Panama, in the rural areas of the province of Chiriqui. At the age of 16, he moved to Sacramento, California, and later to Costa Rica. Becoming a Travel Director seemed like the perfect way for him to share his love of nature and passion for his home countries while working with and meeting people from all over the world. He is excited to meet you in San Jose soon!
Teacher-Leaders
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Sue Algiers
“I think travel is one of the most important elements of a 21st century education. The self-confidence, maturity and cultural intelligence that I see our students develop is astonishing! As a Spanish teacher and a former exchange student myself, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of developing a world vision through global travel.”
Phone:
262-224-2100
Email:
algiersfamily@gmail.com
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Carley Fontana
“As a Spanish teacher, I believe there is no better classroom than the world itself. When students have the opportunity to see, practice, and experience what they’ve learned about in the traditional classroom, it reinforces their thirst for wanting to learn more. Students truly become “Global Citizens” when given the opportunity to interact with other cultures.”
Phone:
614-570-6346
Email:
senorita_fontana@hotmail.com
Hotel Details
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San Jose - June 23-24
Irazu Hotel and Studios
KM 3 Autopista General
La Uruca, San Jose
Phone: +506 2290 9300
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San Carlos - June 24-26
Campo Verde
9 KM W of Fortuna 35
Alajuela Province, La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Phone: +506 2479 1080
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Monteverde - June 26-28
Hotel de Montana Monteverde
Puntarenas Province
Monteverde, Cost Rica
+506 2645 5046
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Manuel Antonio - June 28-30
Hotel Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio Quepos
Costa Rica
Phone: +506 2777 1237
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San Jose - June 30-July 1
Irazu Hotel and Studios
KM 3 Autopista General
La Uruca, San Jose
Phone: +506 2290 9300
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Panama City - July 1-3
Holiday Inn Panama Distrito Financiero
Calle Ricardo Arango y calle 53E
Detras del Santuario Nacional Obarrio
Panama 0831
Phone: 507-3-058800
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Chitré - July 3-5
Hotel Cubita
Ave. Roberto Ramirez de Diego
Chitré, Panamá.
Phone: +507 978-0200
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Panama City - July 5-6
Holiday Inn Panama Distrito Financiero
Calle Ricardo Arango y calle 53E
Detras del Santuario Nacional Obarrio
Panama 0831
Phone: 507-3-058800
Flight Itinerary
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Costa Rica & Panama 2022
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Student Crew
Join our Student Photography and Social Media Crew!
We love featuring our student’s photography on our website and social media channels. If you’d like to be part of our crew, drop us a quick email and we will fill you in on the details!
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Flight to Costa Rica
Board your flight to San José, the capital of Costa Rica. Upon arrival meet your local Travel Director and transfer to your hotel. This afternoon, enjoy an orientation walking tour to learn about San José’s colonial past and Spanish influences. Tonight, get to know your fellow travelers at your welcome dinner.
Day 2 - San Carlos
This morning depart San José and drive to the town of La Fortuna. Meet with students from a local school. Then visit Arenal Volcano National Park to get a closer look at the active volcano. End your day, relaxing in the natural hot spring waters warmed by geothermal heat from the volcano.
Day 3 - San Carlos
Head north this morning, passing through sugar cane, teak, pineapple, and orange plantations. Later, cruise by boat on the Rio Frio to the world famous Caño Negro wildlife refuge, home to many migratory birds found nowhere else in Costa Rica. Look for black turtles, whistling ducks, roseate spoonbills, cormorants, anhingas, blue heron, and northern jacanas. Watch for caimans, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, green iguanas, and water-walking lizards. Tonight, take an interactive cooking class and learn how to make a traditional Costa Rican dinner.
The Sloth
These adorable, slow moving creatures sleep 8-10 hours a day and most often will be spotted hanging out in the trees of tropical forests in Central and South America. But did you know they are really great swimmers? They are faster in the water than on land and can stay under water for 40 minutes!
Day 4 - Monteverde
This morning visit La Fortuna Waterfall, a breathtaking waterfall that drops almost 250 feet. Then depart for Monteverde, an ecologically diverse area high in the mountains.
Day 5 - Monteverde
This morning explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest which is home to more than 400 species of birds and 100 species of animals including the jaguar, ocelot, tapir, three-wattled bellbird, bare-necked umbrellabird, sloths and the very elusive quetzal. You will also see the forest from a different perspective as you go on the world famous Monteverde Canopy Tour and Hanging Bridges. Later, go horseback riding through the beautiful countryside.
Day 6 - Manuel Antonio
Leave Monteverde and drive to Manuel Antonio, situated on the Pacific Coastline. En route stop at the Crocodile Bridge in Tarcoles to see the crocodiles, some ten feet long, hiding among the water hyacinths and other aquatic plants. Spend the rest of the day soaking in the local culture. relaxing on the beach and hiking along the coastline.
Walking on Clouds
Monteverde Cloud Forest is home to over 100 different mammals, and over 400 different bird species. Take a walk through the clouds to see how many you can spot.
Day 7 - Manuel Antonio
Enjoy the day in the stunning Manuel Antonio National Park. The small beaches, lush forests and hiking trails are yours to explore for the day. While exploring keep your eye out for Capuchin monkeys and be sure they don’t steal your lunch!
Day 8 - San José
In the morning depart Manuel Antonio for San José. En route, visit an orphanage, where you’ll spend valuable time playing and teaching English to the children. We recommend bringing some school supplies or clothing to donate to the children. Tonight, join your farewell dinner with all your friends.
Day 9 - Panama City
Fly from San José to Panama City located between the Pacific Ocean and the rain forest. Transfer to your hotel and then enjoy a walking tour of the Cinta Costera, the city's beautiful waterfront boulevard.
Connecting Two Oceans
Did you know the Panama Canal is basically a short cut connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans? Without this short cut, ships would have to sail an additional 8,000 miles around Cape Horn, the tip of South America. On average, about 14,000 ships sail through the canal every year.
Day 10 - Panama
This morning enjoy a boat tour of Monkey Island and then visit the Panama Canal, a marvel of engineering that opened in 1914. Learn about the fascinating history and construction of the canal as you watch ships navigate through the locks from the center's observation decks. Later, visit the historic district remnants of which date back to 1519 when the Spanish built their first city on the Pacific Coast. You will have time to visit the Casco Viejo at your own pace and perhaps buy a classic Panama hat.
Day 11 - Chitre
Morning hike in one of the parks in the city. In the afternoon travel to Chitré, the largest city on the Azuero Peninsula.
Day 12 - Chitre
Meet with a family of textile workers who specialize in creating polleras, colorful Latin American skirts. Lunch with a local family. This evening enjoy a traditional folklore dance show.
Day 13 - Panama City
This morning, meet with local artisans and see how they blend the region’s indigenous heritage with its Spanish influences to bring local culture and traditions to life. You will learn about the making of traditional Panamanian crafts such as devil masks, traditional drums, pottery, bread, and Pollera dresses. Afterwards, learn about pre-Columbian art in a painting workshop. Then drive back to Panama City. This evening, join your group’s farewell dinner.
Day 14 - Return Home
Transfer to the airport for return flight to USA.
Summer 2023!
Do you know someone who would make a great Global Citizen? Recommend them for one of our 2023 Programs by completing this form!
Do you want to go again?
Sue and Carley will be leading our “Highlights of Italy and Greece” program departing on June 19, 2023, or check out all of our 2023 Summer Programs!
