- Duration
- 12 days
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Focus
- Biology & service
- Regions
- Six
- Group
- School groups
Discover the beauty and biodiversity of San José, Sarapiquí, Arenal, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio on an unforgettable journey through rainforests, volcanoes, cloud forests and tropical beaches.
The route moves deliberately from the capital to the Caribbean canals of Tortuguero, then inland to the volcano country around Arenal, up into the Monteverde cloud forest and finally down to the Pacific coast. Along the way students work alongside a rural community, visit a village school, learn where chocolate and coffee come from, and walk the canopy on hanging bridges.
It is a trip built for curriculum links in biology, geography and environmental science, with enough adventure in it to keep a Year 10 group talking about it for years.
Day 1 · Arrive in San José and get your bearings in the Central Valley
Pura vida starts here
Welcome to Costa Rica
Arrive in San José and get your bearings in the Central Valley
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Arrive in Costa Rica
Upon arrival, once you have passed migration, baggage claim and customs, you will reach the arrival exit where you will meet our representative holding a sign bearing your name.
Our guide will check your travel details and provide transportation to your hotel. The drive from the airport takes about 25 minutes.
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Welcome to San José
San José is the capital and cultural heart of Costa Rica, a city surrounded by mountains and volcanoes in the Central Valley. For school groups it is a chance to explore the country's traditions: the National Theatre, the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum and the National Museum, or the local markets filled with crafts and fresh tropical fruit.
The city also acts as a gateway to Costa Rica's natural wonders. Within a short drive, groups can reach coffee plantations, rainforest reserves and volcanic landscapes.
Day 2 · Through Braulio Carrillo and by boat into Tortuguero
Rainforest, then riverboat
San José to Tortuguero
Through Braulio Carrillo and by boat into Tortuguero
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Breakfast at the hotel
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Overland and by boat to Tortuguero
Embark on our overland transfer through the Caribbean region, a journey that unveils the beauty of Braulio Carrillo National Park and the plantations growing typical local produce, including bananas.
Upon arrival at the Tortuguero pier (Caño Blanco / Pavona), a boat will take you on a scenic two-hour journey to Pachira Lodge, just in time for lunch.
In the afternoon, immerse yourself in the local culture with a guided tour of the village of Tortuguero. The village, no more than a couple of blocks wide, is a lively hub with a main street winding between the locals' houses, souvenir shops, mini supermarkets and restaurants.
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Welcome to Pachira Lodge
Pachira Lodge
PO Box 1818-1002, Nationalpark Tortuguero, Costa Rica
Nestled on the banks of Costa Rica's northern Caribbean canals, Pachira Lodge offers student groups the chance to experience the rainforest and wildlife of Tortuguero National Park up close. Accessible only by boat, it provides a sense of adventure while staying comfortable, safe and well-organised.
The property features around 90 rooms and bungalows with private bathrooms, ceiling fans and screened windows, many arranged close together for group supervision. All meals are included, buffet-style, with set menus and communal seating.
Day 3 · The canals and turtle beaches of Tortuguero National Park
Where turtles come ashore
Tortuguero National Park
The canals and turtle beaches of Tortuguero National Park
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Breakfast at the lodge
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Tortuguero National Park by boat
After breakfast, enjoy a guided walk along the trails of Pachira Lodge with some free time before lunch. In the afternoon you will visit Tortuguero National Park via the canals in open boats for better visibility.
Established in 1975, Tortuguero is one of Costa Rica's most biologically diverse wilderness areas. It covers 26,156 hectares and was created primarily to protect the most important nesting area for green turtles in the western Caribbean.
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Lunch and dinner at the lodge
Drinks not included.
Day 4 · South to Sarapiquí, rivers, rainforest and farms
Where the rivers run
On to Sarapiquí
South to Sarapiquí, rivers, rainforest and farms
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Breakfast at the lodge
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Morning departure to the main dock, then private transport to Sarapiquí
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Welcome to Sarapiquí
Sarapiquí is one of Costa Rica's most exciting regions for students to explore. Known for its rainforests, winding rivers and biodiversity, it is a living classroom.
The area is famous for the Sarapiquí River, where groups can enjoy safe rafting or boat rides while learning about the river's role in local communities and ecosystems. The surrounding rainforest is home to toucans, monkeys, brightly coloured frogs and butterflies, making it a strong setting for hands-on lessons in biology and conservation.
Sarapiquí also has strong cultural roots. School groups can visit family-run farms, pineapple plantations and chocolate-making tours, discovering how agriculture and sustainability are part of everyday life.
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Lunch at El Ceibo
Lunch is included at the local restaurant El Ceibo. Drinks not included.
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Welcome to Ara Ambigua Lodge
Ara Ambigua Lodge
La Guaria, Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, Costa Rica
A nature-focused hotel in Sarapiquí, surrounded by tropical gardens and rainforest, designed with sustainability in mind.
The lodge offers comfortable rooms, a swimming pool and on-site dining, but its real highlight is the setting. Students don't have to go far to see wildlife — toucans, frogs, butterflies and even sloths are often spotted within the lodge's private reserve. Walking trails through the gardens give groups a safe and easy way to connect with nature.
Day 5 · Working alongside the community, then Latin dance
Work first, dance after
Community service
Working alongside the community, then Latin dance
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Breakfast at the lodge
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Community service project
Community service projects provide an opportunity to make a difference. Working alongside local community members, you directly support specific projects with your labour and supplies, which are purchased with group fees.
Examples of projects would be painting a school, collaborating on the construction of a new classroom, or helping with the general maintenance of a rural school. Depending on the community's needs, we also work with other types of institutions, such as improving a community meeting space.
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Lunch provided
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Latin dance class and dinner
Dancing is the soul of Latin America. If you have always wanted to learn Latin dancing, this is the class for you.
Day 6 · Chocolate from bean to bar, then on to volcano country
From bean to bar to volcano
Chocolate and on to Arenal
Chocolate from bean to bar, then on to volcano country
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Breakfast at the lodge
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Chocolate tour
Group departure to the Arenal area, visiting the chocolate tour en route. This two-and-a-half hour tour opens up the secrets of one of mankind's favourite foods.
Originally from Central America, this plant has an extraordinary history: it was one of the most important products for the Mayan and Aztec cultures, as well as other Central American cultures.
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Lunch at a local restaurant
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Welcome to Arenal
Arenal is one of Costa Rica's most famous destinations, known for its dramatic volcano, lush landscapes and natural hot springs. The Arenal Volcano, once one of the world's most active, now rests quietly but still shapes the entire region.
For students, Arenal is a living science lesson. The area is rich in geothermal activity, rainforest ecosystems and volcanic geology. Groups can walk across hanging bridges through the treetops, explore lava fields, and visit conservation projects that highlight the importance of protecting biodiversity.
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Welcome to the San Bosco Inn
San Bosco Inn
100mts North From Banco Nacional, La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Situated in the heart of La Fortuna, San Bosco Inn offers student groups a well-located, mid-range base with access to the area's natural attractions and adventure activities.
From its central location, groups can easily launch into waterfalls, volcano walks, canopy tours, hot springs and caves, which minimises transit time. It is modest rather than luxury, but provides pools, Wi-Fi, breakfast and communal spaces, along with meeting rooms that work well for daily group briefings.
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Dinner at a local farm
Day 7 · A day at San Rafael Elementary School
Lessons both ways
San Rafael Elementary School
A day at San Rafael Elementary School
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Breakfast at the hotel
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Visit to San Rafael Elementary School
San Rafael Elementary School is located in the Peñas Blancas area, 25 minutes from Arenal Volcano. It is a rural school educating approximately 137 children aged 4 to 12, all of scarce resources. They constantly need contributions, especially uniforms, school supplies, clothes, personal cleaning items and food, because they provide all children with at least one of their main meals every day.
The visit takes approximately three and a half hours. You will spend time with the children, practise some Spanish while they learn English with you, and they will offer a folkloric dance show — you can dance with them, dress in typical clothes, taste sugar cane juice from their artisanal trapiche and visit the farm animals.
At the end of the visit you will have a short Costa Rican cooking class at Doña Ligia's house, preparing tortillas on a wood stove. Lunch is offered here by some of the mothers and grandmothers of the San Rafael schoolchildren.
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Lunch at the community visit, dinner at a local restaurant
Day 8 · Arenal Volcano trails and La Fortuna Waterfall
The volcano that went quiet
Volcano and waterfall
Arenal Volcano trails and La Fortuna Waterfall
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Breakfast at the lodge
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Hike to Arenal Volcano
Located 15 kilometres from La Fortuna, between the foothills of the Cordillera de Tilarán and the San Carlos plains, Arenal Volcano National Park is one of the most visited destinations in the Northern Zone.
Several trails — Heliconias, Coladas, Tucanes and Los Miradores — allow observation of much of the park's flora and fauna, as well as the remains of lava tracts. The park covers a 12,124-hectare area.
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La Fortuna Waterfall
This waterfall is an easy hike and a great refreshing swim, administered by a local non-profit association. The 70-metre ribbon of water falls into a swimming hole surrounded by tropical forest, protected by the local conservation project.
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Lunch and dinner at a local restaurant
Day 9 · The canopy on hanging bridges, then up to the cloud forest
Above the canopy, into the cloud
Hanging bridges and Monteverde
The canopy on hanging bridges, then up to the cloud forest
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Breakfast at the lodge
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Arenal hanging bridges
The hanging bridges walk taken to the next level with our naturalist guides, experts in the park's wildlife. With their knowledge of the species inhabiting the tropical rainforest, they will show you small animals that would otherwise go unnoticed, and help you observe and photograph them up close.
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Lunch at a local restaurant
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Welcome to Cipreses Monteverde
Cipreses Monteverde
Monteverde, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Located in the cloud forest region of Monteverde / Santa Elena, Hotel Cipreses offers student groups a peaceful, nature-oriented base from which to explore the biodiversity of the area.
Its proximity to the cloud forest reserves makes it well-suited to ecology, biology and biodiversity studies, and to guided tours focusing on flora, fauna, birds and conservation. Rooms are comfortable but not luxurious, and the hotel is a few minutes' walk from the Santa Elena commercial centre.
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Dinner at a local restaurant
Day 10 · Monteverde: coffee, canopy tram and ziplines
Coffee, cloud and cable
Monteverde cloud forest
Monteverde: coffee, canopy tram and ziplines
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Breakfast at the hotel
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Welcome to Monteverde
Monteverde is one of Costa Rica's most extraordinary regions, perched high in the cloud forests of the Tilarán Mountains. The area is world-famous for its misty forests, where tall trees are draped in moss and orchids.
For students, Monteverde is a chance to step into a living laboratory. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is home to an incredible variety of plants, birds and insects, including the resplendent quetzal. The community itself has a fascinating history, founded in part by Quaker families who settled here and helped protect the land.
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Coffee tour
Today you will enjoy a shared coffee tour. This immersive two-hour experience takes you deep into the world of sustainable coffee, from seed to cup. Walk through the fields, meet local producers, and get a behind-the-scenes look at a real working coffee farm.
Lunch included.
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Tram & Trek / Treetopia
One of only five cableways in Costa Rica and the only one in Monteverde's cloud forest, the Tree-Tram is a leisurely ride through the canopy with stunning views. Take the cable car up the mountain, then experience a journey through the cloud forest on 1.9 miles of ziplines.
Day 11 · La Paz Waterfall Gardens and back to the capital
Waterfalls on the way back
La Paz Waterfall Gardens and back to San José
La Paz Waterfall Gardens and back to the capital
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Breakfast at the hotel
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Group departure to San José via La Paz Waterfall Gardens
La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park is the most popular nature tour in the San José area, featuring five famous waterfalls and the largest animal sanctuary in Costa Rica. It is among the best places to see wildlife in the country.
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Welcome to Auténtico Hotel
Hotel Auténtico
Calle 40, San José, Costa Rica
A comfortable and student-friendly base in San José, known for its safe, welcoming atmosphere and excellent location, making it ideal for school groups starting or finishing their Costa Rican adventure.
The hotel offers spacious rooms, a swimming pool and a restaurant serving local and international food. Staff are experienced in welcoming groups, so check-in and mealtimes run smoothly. It sits minutes from the National Museum, the Gold Museum and the local markets.
Day 12 · San José city tour and the flight home
Not goodbye, see you soon
Hasta pronto
San José city tour and the flight home
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Breakfast at the hotel
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San José city tour and airport transfer
Today we will collect you from your hotel to enjoy the San José city tour, then transfer you to the international airport in time to board your flight home.
Everywhere you will go
Want this trip built around your school?
Every itinerary here is a starting point. Tell us your dates, your year group and your budget, and we will rework it.