Costa Rica 7 days, 6 nights

Itinerary – Depart for the Arenal Region, where you will visit a local community for an intercultural exchange.  Here, you will learn about Costa Rican cultures and traditions, and you can share some of your traditions as well.

Today will be full of activities such as learning Costa Rican traditional dances, games, and, if you are up to it, a football match with the locals.  You will also enjoy a delicious meal prepared by the community.

This afternoon, check in to a La Fortuna-area hotel and have time to rest before dinner.  La Fortuna is the center of the Arenal region recreation area.   Views of Arenal Volcano grace the landscape and heat the geothermal hot springs in the area.  Arenal Volcano is one of Costa Rica’s most notable natural features. Standing at 5,437’, this volcano has been resting (not active) since 2010. However, it is no less majestic to behold as it rises above the rainforest floor that surrounds its base.   Arenal Volcano frames the skyline with near-perfect symmetry.   This evening, relax with your friends in the local hot spring pools.

Overnight:  Arenal Region

Meals:   Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Itinerary – After breakfast, travel to a local rural community.

Working alongside local community members, you directly support specific projects with your labor and supplies. (provided)   Project examples include painting at a school, assisting in building new classrooms, or general maintenance of a rural school.   Groups will work directly with the community.  Projects are chosen based on community needs at the time of your visit.

To thank you for your hard work, the community members will prepare and serve lunch for the group.

This afternoon, enjoy the local hanging bridges.  There are several stationery and suspension bridges to cross, some shorter and some up to 300’ long.  Bridges are modern, safe, and built to blend in with the environment.  Have your camera handy; the best views of Arenal Volcano are from the bridges.  Be on the lookout for a variety of wildlife, species of monkeys, and several tropical bird species.

After dinner, return to your hotel for a relaxing evening by the pool with your friends.

Overnight:  Arenal Region

Meals:   Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Interested in additional activities?

Consider adding a guided hiking tour of the Arenal Trail.  The route winds through the lava flows from the volcano’s 1968 eruption.   See great panoramic views of Arenal Volcano and Arenal Lake.  Learn about native plant and animal species from your guide and soak up the incredible views from an observatory.

Want a little more adventure?  Consider a Canopy Zip Line Excursion.  Your tour will begin with a warm welcome and a brief safety speech by your bi-lingual guides.   All zip liners will have a rigorous equipment check before starting the course.  Enjoy this thrilling aerial adventure of approximately 2 miles in length.  You’ll begin from a tower nearly 40’ high and glide down several cables of varying lengths – the longest nearly ½ mile long. Speeds will top around 35 miles per hour! Each platform was strategically designed at varying heights to allow you to observe the rain forest from different angles and photograph the awe-inspiring scenery.

Overnight:  Arenal Region

Meals:   Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Itinerary – Enjoy a delicious breakfast before checking out and departing for the Guanacaste region on the Pacific coast.

On the way, stop at Los Llanos de Cortes waterfall and have a chance to be awed by Mother Nature.   The trails are gradual and make moderate to easy walks for all ages.   Llanos de Cortes is a clean, well-shaded, shallow pool for a wonderful nature experience.  Watch in the trees above the waterfall and try to spot white-faced monkeys and even sloths.

After lunch, continue to our beach hotel.

Overnight: Tamarindo

Meals:   Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Itinerary – Today will be extra special as your private Catamaran takes you silently along Costa Rica’s Gold Coast.  You will pass some of Guanacaste’s exotic bays, white-sand beaches, and tropical jungles. Keep your eyes on the water as you may spot some dolphins, sea turtles, flying fish, or even a whale.

Once the catamaran gets to a calm bay, you can jump into the beautiful clear water and snorkel while the crew prepares your lunch.

After lunch, continue to snorkel. Or, your group might want to add an environmental service project.  Spend some time removing plastics from the beach.  Working with a local agency, learn about plastics and their effect on oceans and ocean life and how you can help reduce plastic pollution in your community.

Return to your hotel and have a little to freshen up before departing for the farewell dinner.

Overnight:  Tamarindo

Meals:   Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast this morning, say goodbye to the wonderful people and beautiful scenery as you head to the airport for your flight home.  You will always think fondly of your memories of your exotic adventure in Costa Rica.

This itinerary is fully customizable.  Tour lengths range from five to ten days.   Itineraries can focus on Adventure, Service Learning, STEM, or a combination!