The Culture of Costa Rica

Your tour abroad to study humanities has begun as you travel to San Jose, Costa Rica. As you descend, take a look out of your window to see expansive jungles, volcanoes, and crystal beaches. A local guide will be waiting to transfer you to your jungle lodge. 

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

Today you will explore the people and culture of Costa Rica. Start the day strolling down the historic Central Market, filled with food vendors that date back over 100 years. Next, walk through the historic streets of the city to view its architectural highlights. Visit Culture Plaza and its famous National Theatre. Finish the walking tour at a local artisan market to shop for souvenirs. Following this, you will enjoy lunch at Paseo de la Luz, which is known for its traditional cuisine. 

It’s time to leave the city to experience the topical nature of Costa Rica to learn about how its people adapt to its climate. You will travel to cloud forest for a gondola ride to the top of its mountains. Learn about the fragile and rare ecosystem from an expert guide. You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch with panoramic views of the surrounding area. Be sure to take lots of pictures! Next, build up the bravery for the skywalk. You’ll walk across suspension bridges from treetop to treetop. Keep an eye out for monkeys, toucans, quetzals, and coatimundis. 

Today you will travel back in time to discover the stories of two cities, San Jose and Escazu. These locations were once called the “Cities of Witches.” Take a spiritual walk through churches to hear about the history of Catholicism in Costa Rica, and how it has evolved. Next, you will visit a famous masquerade family who is known to wear their traditional Costa Rican masks. Enjoy a feast or local cuisine with them in a restaurant that’s over a century old. Next, you’ll travel to a coffee plantation to meet its workers. Costa Rica produces coffee for export and is respected internationally, so this is a great place to learn about the craft before heading back to your lodge. 

It’s time to visit the more rural areas of Costa Rica. You will head to an animal rescue center that treats wounded sloths. Explore the sloth gardens where the recovering sloths live, and a professional guide will educate you on the animals. After stopping at a local restaurant for lunch, you will arrive at the folkloric town of Grecia. Visit its famous Mental Church from the 1800s. Next, go to the Oxcart Factory to learn the craft of making oxcarts. You’ll also have a chance to paint an oxcart to bring home with you. What a great souvenir! 

You will begin your day by visiting another coffee plantation. This time, the workers will teach you how to brew the best cup of coffee in the world. Next, you’ll arrive at the rainforest jungle for a zip-lining adventure across the treetops and over the Arenal River. Following a picnic lunch, you will watch an indigenous tribe presentation to learn about the Maeku people’s culture and traditions. Continue this exciting day at the Paradise Hot Springs to bathe in thermal mineral waters before heading back to your hotel. 

It has been both an adventurous and educational week. We hope you had lots of fun, but it’s now time to leave. Enjoy a final breakfast with your group and guides before departing for your flight home.