Exploring Costa Rica is one of our Student Programs to Costa Rica for high schools & Universitires interested in learn about tropical rainforest & volcanoes in our country.

VISITING: San Jose, Poas Volcano, La Paz Waterfall Gardens, Arenal Volcano & Miravalles National Park.

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- Understanding the main concepts of Tropical Ecology, Rain Forest, Water Cycle, Carbon Cycle, Food Chain, Preys and Predators in a natural habitat, Rain Forest Architecture and Structure. Underground rivers and hot springs. Have a blast enjoining at the Largest Hot Springs Park in the World.

Day 4 -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 5 – Explore a Tropical Wet forest, a mangrove ecosystem, learn about what is the RAMSAR International Convention, common species in a wetland ecosystem, interact with a local community that protects its ecosystem and how they use the natural resources in a sustainable way.

Day 6 – 7 – learn about renewable energies, Geothermal Energy Production, Active volcanoes & Geysers

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

Day 1. WELCOME TO COSTA RICA (D). Our Student Programs 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 (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, return to your hotel in San Jose.

Day 3. ARENAL VOLCANO & BALDI HOT SPRINGS. (B, L, D). Your breath-taking, adventure begins with a pickup from your hotel and a relaxing private drive through the wonderful Costa Rican. Your guide will point out many sights of interest including coffee plantations, sugar cane and citrus plantations, diverse fruit stands and rural farming communities. You will be heading Fortuna Town, about 2 hours drive from San Jose. Upon arrival to the beautiful property of Mistico Park, you will have some free time for use restrooms and explore the surroundings before to start the nature walk into the rainforest and enjoy the Hanging Bridges.

Located in the northern lowlands of Costa Rica, the impressive Arenal Volcano is a National Park that attracts thousands and thousands of tourists due to its beauty and recent past volcanic activity. Back in the 80´s the volcano was very active, but now has reduced its activity and we could say that it has entered a period of calm. However, the beauty of the Volcano and surroundings are just spectacular. Once in La Fortuna Town, a sightseeing tour will show you the highlights of the area and its rich diversity of tourist attractions, ecosystems, the lake, culture, customs & traditions of this emblematic town of Costa Rica.

At Mistico Park and Hanging Bridges, enjoy travelling the forest comfortably in our revitalizing paths full of nature and wildlife. In front of the majestic Arenal Volcano you can admire its beauty and the wonderful forest that surrounds it, as well as a reserve populated with wildlife in their natural habitat that will allow you an encounter with the roots of the human species. Walk across 10 regular bridges and 6 Hanging Bridges and gaze at a 18 meters (60 feet) waterfall within a comfortable non-slippery trail without steps and acquire a once in a life time bracing adventure. 

Later, you will relax in one of the best thermal water places in the area: Baldi Hot Springs. At Baldi Hot Springs you will find an endless dreamed stay, where the natural environment, colorful natural gardens, therapeutic waters, pure air and our care combine on a perfect state; the dream came true. The unique frame where your experience turns into the most unforgettable one. In here you will enjoy multiple thermal pools, a giant stem room, luxury pool bars, Giant waterslides, relaxing areas and much more.

Upon arrival to Baldi Hot Springs, enjoy a delicious Buffet Lunch before to jump into the Thermal Pools. 

Lunch & Buffet dinner included at Baldi. Overnight at Hotel KOKORO or similar. Our student programs to Costa Rica includes high quality hotels.

Day 4. 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 5. ARENAL – CAÑO NEGRO WILDLIFE REFUGE (B, L, D) Our Student Programs to Costa Rica includes this amazing wetland. Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Caño Negro Wetland.

Caño Negro is a spectacular internationally designated wetlands preservation site, and of vital importance for the environmental maintenance of the northern region of Costa Rica. Its habitat sustains a large variety of flora and fauna, many of which are unique or endangered species. Lying very close to the Nicaraguan border in northern Costa Rica, Caño Negro is an 800-hectare sweet water lagoon. During the dry season, the refuge is a key supplier of food for thousands of migratory aquatic birds arriving from the north. The wetlands are home to rare birds like the northern jacanas, ibises, jabiru storks, anhingas, cormorants and roseate spoonbills, as well as jaguars, pumas, ocelots, giant anteaters, caimans, river turtles, iguanas, emerald basilisks, and rare fish like the prehistoric Alligator gaspar fish.

Our visit to Caño Negro will include a boat tour and visit to the local community for learn about their efforts in wildlife species conservation and practices in sustainable management of natural resources including the turtles and gaspar fish farms.

Afternoon return to the hotel in Fortuna and dinner.

Day 6. ARENAL – MIRAVALLES (B, L, D) Early morning departure to our next destination: Volcan Miravalles. Upon arrival, check in at Hotel Thermomania or similar.

During the afternoon, free time for enjoy the Hot Springs and all the attractions of this place.

Day 7. ARENAL – MIRAVALLES – SAN JOSE (B, L, D) Breakfast at the hotel and educational program in Miravalles Volcano National Park.

This colossus is one of the most active volcanoes in Costa Rica; its main activity is composed of gas emanations and geysers which are used by the government in a geothermal project to produce electricity. We will visit “Las Hornillas”, a place situated at the foot of the volcano where some geysers all over the project. 

At this place, you will be able to horseback ride or to be carried by a horse drawn, to get to the forest and hike thru it for about 40 minutes to observe several waterfalls and some animals and plants.

After the hike, get covered by volcanic mud and enjoy the natural hot springs that emerges from the volcano getting a beauty treatment from Mother Nature. After all this experience, enjoy a delicious typical lunch before to depart to San Jose. Upon arrival, check in at Hotel Park Inn and dinner.

Day 8. 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: 7 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 Student Programs to Costa Rica visit our main page: https://greenwaytours.com/tours/student-tours-to-costa-rica/