For your Costa Rica Student Travel Trip, Greenway Nature Tours offer this exclusive Educational Trip to Costa Rica for experience the best of Costa Rica.

VISITING: Our educational trip to Costa Rica includes the following places: San Jose, Poas Volcano, La Paz Waterfall Gardens, Sarapiqui, Tirimbina Reserve, Arenal Volcano & Monteverde Cloud Forest.

EDUCATIONAL OBJETIVES: 

Day 1- Introduction about Costa Rica.

Day 2- Learn about Volcanology, Active Volcanoes, Explosive Volcanism, Submarine Volcanoes. Remote Sensing, Chemistry and Physics of Magma, Volcano Seismology, Costa Rica Wildlife and how Rehabilitation centers helps to protects it.

Day 3 – Live the experience to be in a real tropical rainforest – Be a scientist for a day – Learn about water cycle and its importance for the ecosystems – Experience a Hands-On program in a field exercise were students will evaluate the water quality of the Sarapiquí River through the use of the physical, chemical and biological analysis – At night, participate in a live lab about Bats and Vampires with real specimens just caught up from the nearby rainforest.

Day 4 – Visit a rural – local school and experience a cultural interchange with the local students. Learn about their socio-economical living conditions, local traditions, job opportunities, local agriculture and their educational system. In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxing time at Sarapiqui River doing whitewater rafting.

Day 5- To learn about underground rivers and hot springs. Have a blast enjoining at the Largest Hot Springs Park in the World.

Day 6 -To be a farmer for a day. Learn about the common crops in the area and how are they planted, harvested and prepared. On this Hands-On activity the students will interact with a local farmer his experience in the fields and be able to be a farmer for a day.

Day 7. To learn about the physical chemical processes that occur in nature and that change the color of a river due to the refraction of light.

Day 8- Experience a lake crossing by boat – Learn about Cloud Forest and its differences with a Rain Forest – Experience a night walk and why animals can be diurnals or nocturnal creatures.

Day 9 – Learn about sustainable management of resources through innovative programs linking international study and community development. Visit the Monteverde Conservation League and one of their most important projects: The Children´s Eternal Rainforest.

Day 10 – Discover the secrets of a plant that has transformed the entire world. Learn about one of the most popular drinks in the world, coffee and learn the best way to prepare it. Learn about how the sugar cane is processed and how is a traditional sugar mill.

LETTER CODES: (B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner. 

Day 1. WELCOME TO COSTA RICA (D). Our Educational Trip to Costa Rica start with the group arrival to the International Airport Juan Santamaria. Upon arrival at the San Jose airport, you will be met by one of our representatives how will explain your itinerary, answer any questions and provide you with a packet of vouchers and information about your trip. Transfer to Hotel Park Inn and free time at leisure.

Optional and depending on arrival time: City Tour: Visiting: San Jose, University of Costa Rica, San Pedro, Principal buildings as National Museum, National Teather, Congress, Yellow House, Plaza de la Cultura, Gold Museum, etc. Residential areas and principal Malls. Welcome Dinner in a typical restaurant in San Jose.

Day 2. POAS VOLCANO, LA PAZ WATERFALLS & SARAPIQUI TOUR (B, L, D).  Breakfast at the hotel and departure to the tour to Poas Volcano & La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Enjoy the contrasts of urban and rural areas, as we drive to the Poas Volcano National Park and continue up the mountains toward San Pedro de Poas. The good climate and fertile soils make this area very productive. Dairy farming, coffee, sugar cane, vegetables, all can be seen during this tour. Poas Volcano National Park is considered the largest geyser in the world, due to its explosive, geyser-like eruptions, which it frequently displays at irregular intervals. This park offers more than just the spectacular volcanic activity. The visitor will be struck by the intense green colours of the foliage and the great variety of wildflowers. The most conspicuous plant in the park is the poor man’s umbrella, whose leaves grow up to 2 meters in diameter. 

On a clear day, you will see the lagoon at the bottom of the crater, whose muddy waters changes colours depending on the volcanic activity. After enjoying the attractions of this park, we will take the road to La Paz Waterfall Gardens. This complex is an excellent educational center where you will learn about butterflies, Orchids, frogs, snakes and hummingbirds. Five magnificent waterfalls with nine observation platforms allow the visitors a close-up view of the falls and the spectacular La Paz River. 

Waterfall Gardens is proud to have the largest Butterfly Observatory in the world. The enclosed structure allows butterflies to soar freely while guests walk amid the natural habitat. An onsite laboratory is a breeding ground for the eleven-fluttering species. In the Hummingbird garden, our feathered friends will delight and fascinate you with their antics as they play and fight with each other at amazing speeds. These normally skittish creatures have become so tame; they will feed within a few feet of you. After exploring Waterfall Gardens, you will enjoy a delicious buffet style lunch at the terrace dining room. After lunch, drive to Sarapiqui. Upon arrival, check in at Selva Verde Lodge or similar and free time.

Day 3. SARAPIQUI – TIRIMBINA RESERVE HANDS ON ACTIVITY. (B, L, D). During the morning, Hands-On Scientific Program: River Water Quality. 

This activity aims to assess the quality of the water for one or more aquatic ecosystems (rivers, creeks) through physical, biological and chemical surveys. Using very interesting hands-on activities, easy to carry out on-site, the participants measure certain parameters of interest to discover the meaning of physical-chemical relationships between water and the diversity of animals and plants present in this aquatic ecosystem. This activity takes place in one of the many aquatic ecosystems of the reserve which enables visiting this area from a unique perspective. The activity takes place under the supervision of our expert on the topic who also coordinates the activities, he explains the procedures and techniques used and finally he promotes the discussion and ideas about the ecological reasons of the results obtain and their implications of activities and the health of human being. 3 hours activity.

After this program return to the lodge for lunch. During the afternoon, Spanish Lessons for 2 hours and free time for enjoy the swimming pool.

Evening: EDUCATIONAL BAT TOUR: Did you know that bats represent 50% (110 species) of Costa Rican mammals?  We invite you to enhance your education, dispel myths you may have heard about these wonderful mammals, and enjoy this adventure into the world of the bats. Tirimbina Rainforest Center will provide a multi-media presentation on the history of bats, their classification system, diversity, adaptations, reproduction methods, threats, and more.  And for the most popular part of the Bat Tour, a trained guide will provide visitors a safe opportunity to touch, feed and release safely captured bats. Visitors can also take a short-guided walk (15–30 min.) to see the mist nets used to gently catch these creatures.  The bats are kept for less than 2 hours and the professional methods used assure the well-being of the animals. 

Day 4. SARAPIQUI LOCAL SCHOOL VISIT – COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM & RAFTING TOUR. (B, L, D). Breakfast at the lodge and after it, transfer to the rural local school at Calle La Lucha. This is a very poor primary school with a student population of about 120 students in 6 levels. First to 6th grade. 

The students come from the community called La Lucha, a peasant´s village where many are immigrants from Nicaragua and work in the pineapple plantations or farms nearby.

During our visit, the group will learn about their living conditions, customs and traditions of this region. At the school, the group will help and support it doing volunteerism, such as school painting, reforestation, organic farms, flower´s gardens etc.  Sport activities will be arranged such as soccer games and several other traditional games commons in Costa Rica. Combined with this visit, the group will be able to visit a typical and small farm, where the owner will explain to the group the common crops in the region, how to plant it, harvest and prepare. Here the group will learn about Black Pepper, Pineapple, Cassava, Jack Fruit, Cashews, Malanga, sweet potatoes and many other products.

After this activity, return to the lodge and lunch. In the afternoon, A GREAT Whitewater Rafting tour in Sarapiqui River (Class III). Sarapiqui River is one of the most important economical resources of the town, where many activities  besides rafting are done: Boat Tours, Fishing, Transportation services to other regions, etc.

Day 5. ARENAL VOLCANO & BALDI HOT SPRINGS. (B, L, D). After breakfast, departure to our next destination: Arenal Volcano and Fortuna Town. Upon arrival, enjoy a delicious buffet lunch at the World Famous Baldi Hot Springs The largest Thermal Waters of the World. 25 Thermal Water Pools amidst the tropical rainforest, these 25 thermal water pools are filled by crystalline waterfalls, for the use and enjoyment of all visitors. The purity of the water will make you feel like you are floating in an oasis of healing, with birds singing all around and the sound of falling water that invites you to relax and recover your wellness and quality of life.

Extreme adventure lovers seeking an adrenaline rush and extraordinary experiences have the perfect challenge of sliding and bumping through whirling and curved pipe water slides. These Xtreme slides are fun for the entire family as it is impossible not to laugh and share the excitement of people splashing out from the pipes.

Lunch & Buffet dinner included at Baldi. Overnight at Hotel Magic Mountain or similar.

Day 6. ARENAL VOLCANO & LOCAL FARM VISIT. (B, L, D). After breakfast, transfer to Finca Don Juan for a practice & Lab about Organic Agriculture.

The general area of ​​the farm is 2 hectares, with a good use system under the foundations of PRODUCTION, CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION. They maintain more than 30 different crops with strict organic techniques, semi-stable cattle, methane gas production, tilapia and the manufacture of organic components in a small empirical laboratory: among them worms farm, bio ferments, natural bamboo hormones, capture and reproduction of mountain microorganisms , compost, fertilizers by osmosis of fruits, herbs or mixed, among others.

The farm has been divided into sections, including:

1. MATHEMATICS SECTION
2. MEDICINE SECTION
3. SECTION OF SOCIAL STUDIES
4. LOVE SECTION
5. SPIRITUAL SECTION
6. CHALLENGE SECTION
7. PEACE PATH

The visit to the Finca Educativa Don Juan it is to live an educational agricultural experience walking on trails in green area that make up geometric figures, you will participate in the cassava harvest, planting of it, harvesting of vegetables, fruits for homemade fresh, spinach and any other necessary ingredient to the lunch or dinner that they will then have with fresh products from the farm, grown organically through the concept of sustainability.

The tour includes moving to the biodigester, where pigs, chickens, quails and cows are in charge of giving us milk every day for cheese and custard, as well as collaborating with the production of methane and fertilizer gas. You can easily notice a closed cycle.

Normally the return of the tour is done by a path through the mountain area along the banks of the Burro River, a natural element that divides the cantons of San Carlos with San Ramón. Also as a mandatory step is to go to the TROJA, place where students will process the sugar cane in a manual trapiche (sugar mill).

Evening dinner in Fortuna Town.

Day 7. ARENAL – RIO CELESTE NATIONAL PARK (B, L, D) Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Rio Celeste National Park. (Light Blue River)

The Rio Celeste National Park is a beautiful 1.5 hour scenic drive from the Arenal Volcano through rural villages. The Río Celeste waterfall is near the Tenorio and Miravalles Volcanoes and is becoming an increasingly popular area to visit in Costa Rica for hiking. Once we arrive, we will begin a hike through the dense, lush, tropical rainforest that surrounds the Tenorio National Park. You and your nature guide can go at your own pace and you’ll learn interesting things about the rainforest along the way.

When we arrive to Los Tenideros, where two rivers come together, you’ll be amazed at the celestial turquoise blue watercolor that comes from the waterfall.

Local legend as explained by members of the Maleku indigenous group of the area claim that God was painting the sky a celestial blue color and reached down to dip his brush to turn the river its magical blue color.

But for a more scientific explanation, the celestial blue color is created when the minerals in the water: aluminum, silicon and oxygen are suspended in the water and refracts light from the sun so that the flow looks blue.

So, get your cameras ready because this is the perfect place to take photos of this unforgettable Costa Rica blue waterfall!

We’ll finish off with a delicious lunch at a local restaurant and then head back to La Fortuna as you relax in our bus. This Costa Rica hike takes about 1.5 to 2 hours or about 6 kms long (3 miles) and is considered a moderate hike.

Day 8. MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST & NIGHT WALK (B, L, D) Say goodbye to Arenal and start the journey to Monteverde Cloud Forest. This amazing transfer will consist of crossing the largest lake of Costa Rica and them continue by the mountains to Monteverde. Upon arrival, check in at Historias Lodge or similar. During the afternoon, visit to Santa Elena Town, the famous cheese factory and art galleries. Before dark, Monteverde Night Walk Tour. For those who wish to observe wonders hidden in the forest after dark, we offer guided night hikes. The tour begins just before nightfall, allowing us to see a wide variety of nocturnal critters. Special lecture and Lab. about Cloud Forest and Wildlife is included during the tour

Day 9. MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST (B, L, D) During this day the students will be able to visit one of the most famous worldwide biological reserves.

The Children’s Eternal Rainforest (or “BEN” after its Spanish name, Bosque Eterno de los Niños) is the largest private reserve in Costa Rica, bought and protected thanks to the fundraising efforts of children from around the world. The campaign was sparked by a group of Swedish primary school students in the late 1980’s, and quickly gained support from other schools, individuals, and organizations from 44 different countries.

Straddling 7 different life zones, the BEN is one of the most biologically diverse 23,000 hectares on the planet. Although it covers just 0.0048% of the world’s land surface, it is home to a wildly disproportionate amount of the world’s flora and fauna: 2% of the world’s orchids, 3% of the world’s butterflies, and almost 5% of the world’s bird species, to give just a few examples.

The BEN is also important as a watershed, feeding numerous downstream communities, farms, and hydroelectric projects. And it is the backbone of a block of protected areas that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to Arenal, La Fortuna, and Monteverde each year, providing the economic mainstay for thousands of local families.

The BEN is owned and managed by the Monteverde Conservation League, a Costa Rican nonprofit organization founded in 1986. To date, the MCL’s main achievement has been to purchase and protect this wonderland, and it continues to acquire critical, strategic pieces of land when funds area available. The organization’s main focus now, however, is on other forms of consolidation – specifically, seeking ways to achieve greater financial sustainability, strengthen its education programs, and foster more research in the BEN.

During our visit to this unique project, the students will be able to learn about the cloud forest, enjoy a nature walk, participate in living labs and receive lectures about ecology, natural history and community support.

Day 10. MONTEVERDE CANOPY TOUR– SAN JOSE. (B, L, D). After a strong breakfast enjoy one of the most popular tours in the world and it was created in Costa Rica: The ZipLine Canopy Tour at the best venue Sky Adventures. 

Sky Trek is a thrilling zipline circuit that’s located in the magical forests of Costa Rica. Sky Trek zipline courses begin at the top of the mountains, you’ll ride and open air gondola to this point while admiring the best views of the surrounding area and even more. From there on, you will start the zipline course down the mountain. Cables stretch from mountain to mountain, reaching incredible lengths and heights, crossing canyons, going into the forests, and even sometimes in between clouds. But Sky Trek is more than that, live a unique experience beyond distance or heights, admire unique views, and feel the adrenaline like no other adventure.

After lunch, return to San Jose City and check in at Hotel Park Inn. Farewell dinner.

Day 11. TRANSFER OUT (B). Transfer to the International Airport according with your scheduled flight and good bye. 

RATES: Please contact us for a quotation indicating number of students, adults and possible travel dates. Rates based on Triple & Quad occupancy for the students and double rooms for the teachers. No single rooms available unless a single supplement is paid. 

CHAPERONES:  One free ticket for every 20 students.

MINIMUM: No minimum

INCLUDE: 10 nights lodging in high quality Hotels, all land transportation within Costa Rica, all airport/ hotel transfers on scheduled arrival/ departures dates only, specified meals, specified tours, private transportation and naturalist tour guide. 

NOT INCLUDED: International air fare, airport departure taxes, meals not specified in the itinerary, alcoholic beverages, personal equipment, extras in hotels (laundry, phone calls, room service), gratuities, or costs associated with changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond our control. 

WHATS TO BRING: Hiking Shoes, Bathing Suit, Binoculars, Camera, Beach Sandals, Suntan Lotion, Hat, Mosquito Repellent.

Greenway Nature Tours is a Certified Travel Agency and Tour Operator by the Costa Rican Tourist Board with special certification in Sustainable Travel (CST).

We are members of SYTA (Students Youth Travel Association). For more Costa Rica Student Travel Programs visit our main page: https://greenwaytours.com/tours/student-tours-to-costa-rica/