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 walk with your Travel Director and learn about San José’s colonial past and Spanish influences. Tonight, get to know your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner.

Day 2 - San Carlos

In the morning, depart San José to drive to the town of La Fortuna. Visit Arenal Volcano National Park and get a closer look at the active volcano. You’ll also see La Fortuna Waterfall, a breathtaking waterfall that drops almost 250 feet. Later, relax in 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. Then, 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.

Day 4 - Monteverde

This morning go horseback riding through the beautiful countryside. In the afternoon meet with students from a local school and spend the afternoon getting to know your peers and learning what life is like for teens in Costa Rica. Together you’ll enjoy an organized activity, like soccer, arts and crafts and dancing.

Day 5 - Monteverde

Explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest, 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. In the afternoon, see the forest from a different perspective as you fly through the forest canopy on the zip line course of the world famous Monteverde Canopy Tour. Later this afternoon, take an interactive cooking class to learn to make a traditional Costa Rican dinner.

Day 6 - Manuel Antonio

This morning, visit an orphanage, where you’ll spend valuable time playing with and teaching English to the children. We recommend bringing some school supplies to donate to the children. Later today, drive to Manuel Antonio situated on the Pacific Coastline. Spend the rest of the day soaking in the local culture and relaxing on the beach.

Day 7 - Manuel Antonio

Enjoy the day in stunning Manuel Antonio National Park. The small beaches, lush forests and hiking trails are yours to explore for the day. While exploring, spot the Capuchin monkeys that play in the trees just by the beach.

Day 8 - San José

In the morning depart Manuel Antonio for San José. 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. Tonight, join your farewell dinner with all your friends.

Day 9 - Return Home or Extend to Panama

Transfer to the airport for return flight to USA, or extend your program and travel to Panama (view details)