Environmental Biology & Math in Costa Rica

Your educational student tour to Costa Rica has begun as you travel to Liberia. As your plane descends, take a look out of your window to see expansive jungles and crystal clear waters. A local guide will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. 

The afternoon is yours to explore the local environment and look for wildlife on a nature path, jump into the hotel pool, or get a massage at the nearby spa. In the evening, you’ll meet with your guide for a traditional Costa Rican dinner. This is a great opportunity to get to know your guides and ask questions about your upcoming adventures!

Wake up excited for your first full day in Costa Rica! Today, you are off for a forty-minute drive to the Guanacaste Conservation Area in Santa Rosa National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is recognized for its scientific, historical, and cultural significance. Climb onto your safari vehicle to discover ten unique habitats within the park, including, savannas, marshlands, and deciduous forests. As you soak up breathtaking views, keep an eye out for wildlife; this protected park is home to over 250 bird species and 115 mammal species.

Continue your drive to La Casona, a monument building that commemorates the fallen heroes of the 1856 battles. Jump out of the vehicle for a hike through a tropical dry forest to reach a lookout point.

Soak up breathtaking views of the coastline and infamous Witch’s Rock. Next, you’re off on a drive to the mangrove forests in search of crocodiles. Finish the excursion with a picnic lunch of tropical fruits and homemade bread on the beach. 

Another day as a Worldwide Navigator, another adventure. Start your day with a drive to the Rincon de la Vieja National Park with a hot cup of coffee in hand. Upon arrival, you will embark on a hike through the Las Pailas Circular Trail before ascending the Vieja Volcano. While you walk, an expert guide will help spot wildlife such as monkeys, turkeys, toucans, and more! As you reach the volcano’s summit, stop to view its activity including fumaroles and bubbling mud pots. 

Following the hike, make your way to Oropendola Waterfall for a refreshing swim in the blue lagoon. Next, enjoy a well-deserved buffet lunch. End the day at the Rio Nego Hot Springs, which are thought to have healing powers. You can also take a dip in the volcanic mud bath. Smudge the clay mud over your face like a spa mask before washing it off in the cool river.

Start your third day out right with a history lesson at the Guanacaste Museum. Located in the headquarters of the city, this museum was once a penal center and weapon collector. Explore the renovated museum’s several exhibits that showcase the province’s cultural and natural heritage. Grab lunch at a local restaurant before driving to the city of Monteverde.

Take time to rest and unpack before embarking on a night tour at the Curi Cancha Reserve. Marvel in awe of the nightly symphony of insects and frogs. Keep an eye out for sleeping birds, tarantulas, and mammals. The tour is truly a magical experience!

Calling all adventurers, today was planned just for you! Begin with a drive to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, which is a distinct ecosystem in Costa Rica. The vegetation here thrives on a constant stream of moisture and is home to hundreds of plant and animal species. Enjoy the adrenaline of ziplining through this forest from treetop to treetop on 15 different cables. After indulging in a traditional Costa Rican lunch make your way to the Bat Jungle. Discover over ninety live bats in this simulated jungle environment. You’ll also get to listen in to an ultrasonic microphone to hear the echolocating of the bats. What an unforgettable experience?!

Rise and shine for another exciting day ahead. After breakfast, you are off to the Monteverde Butterfly Garden. Enjoy up-close and personal encounters with a variety of arachnids and insects while strolling through four unique gardens. Be sure to discover the rearing chamber, where caterpillars metamorph to butterflies, as well as the active leafcutter ant colony.

In the afternoon, grab lunch at a local restaurant before making your way to a nearby coffee plantation. Nine local families run this nature conservation and use their varying skills to farm coffee beans sustainably. Join alongside the workers to achieve a greater understanding of sustainability and agriculture in Costa Rica, learn what it takes to make great coffee, and understand the history of coffee in Costa Rica. Finish your excursion with a well-deserved cup of Costa Rican coffee!

In the evening, you will drive three hours to spend the night in San Jose. 

Wake up first thing for a drive to Tortuguero. You will stop along the way in Guapiles for a traditional Costa Rica breakfast before journeying on. Finally, you will arrive at the edge of the water at Cano Blanco or La Pavona (depending on the water level). Board your private boat for a transfer to Tortuguero. As you cruise, enjoy the wind in your hair and the fresh Costa Rican air. Congratulations for finally making it to your lodge! After dropping off your bags, head to a nearby restaurant for lunch. Next, you are off to the inner town of Tortuguero to discover its lifestyle, culture, and traditions. After spending quality time with the locals, return to your lodge for free time to relax and explore at your leisure. 

It’s another beautiful morning in Costa Rica. After breakfast, make your way to the waterfront for a boat cruise down the famous natural Tortuguero canals. Keep an eye out for monkeys, snakes, and giant insects as you ride. Following this, embark on a guided walk through the rainforest to learn about its different plants and animals. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before making your way to the Sea Turtle Conservancy Visitor Center. Here, you will interactively learn about sea turtles, natural history, and the conservation efforts that are being put in place to protect the animals from endangerment. After eating dinner at your lodge, you are off to search for the Green Turtle in its natural habitat with the help of expert guides.

Calling all nature lovers, today was planned just for you! Wake up for a delicious hotel breakfast before disembarking from Tortuguero enroute to San Jose. Along the way, you’ll make several exciting stops. Take a detour to the Braulio Carrillo National Park to drive through one of the most extensive national parks in the country. Discover its seven diverse habitats before stretching your legs with a hike up the Irazu Volcano. This is the highest active volcano in Costa Rica! There are several craters to explore, but today, you’ll trek to one which contains a green lake. From its summit, soak up spectacular panoramic views of the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. After your hike, learn more about this volcanism with a visit to the Irazu Museum. After lunch, continue your drive to San Jose, where you will spend the night.

Your final day in Costa Rica is all about learning as you explore the country’s capital city. Start at the Museum of Costa Rican Art to discover the artwork of Latin Americans in an indoor-outdoor, historic setting. Next, make your way to the National Museum of Costa Rica, which is located inside an old Bellvista Fortresses. Its exhibits showcase the country’s national and cultural heritage from the Pre-Columbian, Colonial, and Industrial Eras. Take a break from history for lunch at a local restaurant before heading out to the city’s National Theatre. Marvel in awe at its exquisite interior design and intricate decor. Your last two stops of the day are the Jade Museum and the Gold Museum, where you will discover the world’s most extensive collection of jade, as well as Pre-Columbian gold dating back to 500 AD. 

It’s hard to believe how quickly time can fly by! Take your last morning in Costa Rica to enjoy breakfast with your guides and friends. Reflect on your favorite memories of the trip – they will last a lifetime. After eating, you will be transferred to the local airport for your flight home.