Costa Rica

Trip Length:

10 Days

Cost:

$3,540

2024 Dates:

March 30 - April 8
June 9 - June 18
June 16 - June 25
June 30 - July 9
July 27 - August 5

Enroll By:

Program Full
Program Full
Program Full
Program Full
Program Full

Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Picture yourself ziplining through the jungle, kayaking across a volcanic lake, and defying gravity on a hanging bridge.

In addition to the adrenaline rushes, you can look forward to unwinding on beautiful beaches, taking a dip in some natural hot springs, and learning traditional crafts from local artisans.

Get ready for...

  • Hiking up Mount Arenal volcano and through Manuel Antonio National Park - two of the most biodiverse places on Earth
  • Helping to preserve the ecosystem by planting your own tree, meeting with expert naturalists, and touring the Santa Elena Biological Reserve
  • Immersing yourself in local culture through your time spent visiting the Sarchi Craft Village

Bring a Friend and Save!

We know that seeing the world is more fun when you do it with friends. That’s why we’re offering you $200 off when you bring a friend on your WorldExplore trip. As an added bonus, your friend will also enjoy $200 off their trip. Win-win! You can learn more about claiming your savings by speaking to a member of our team.

Take The Leap

Throughout your trip, your Tour Director will guide you through various LEAP activities, from learning about efforts to preserve the delicate ecosystem of Costa Rica to exploring the capital city of San Jose. All LEAP activities are designed to inspire active discussions about the various cultural and historical monuments you’ll be visiting, and to make you feel even more connected to the world around you.

What's Included

Authentic, local meals

Comfortable Double Accommodations

Expert Tour Director

Entrance to museums and historic sites

Round trip airfare*

*Roundtrip airfare from the designated international airport hub is included. Any travel costs from your location to that hub are not included.

Travel securely knowing that your trip is backed by WorldAssist – our global team of security experts that are available 24/7 to address any questions or concerns.

Itinerary Highlights*

Day One – Group introductions and welcome dinner
Day Two – Depart on a group flight to San José
Day Three – Explore Arenal Volcano National Park
Day Four – Go kayaking on Lake Arenal and test your nerves at a hanging bridge
Day Five – Travel to Monteverde and go horseback riding along the valley
Day Six – Enjoy ziplining through the jungle and visiting a biological reserve
Day Seven – Travel to Puntarenas to enjoy the beach and a crocodile safari
Day Eight – Explore Manuel Antonio National Park
Day Nine – Visit the Sarchi Craft Village and return to San José
Day Ten – Depart on group flight back to the States
DAY ONE
  • Arrive in gateway city
  • Registration at a hotel near the airport
  • Group introductions and welcome dinner
DAY TWO
  • Final packing
  • Group flight to San José
  • Arrive in Costa Rica!
  • Enjoy a group dinner and quiet night before the adventure begins
DAY THREE
  • After breakfast, head north towards Arenal Volcano where you’ll spend your day exploring Arenal Volcano National Park with your expert guide
  • There are actually two volcanoes located in Arenal Volcano National Park -- the 5,357-foot high namesake and the 3,740-foot Chato Volcano. The Arenal Volcano is an active spout, spewing lava regularly since its last major eruption in 1968. The sprawling protected land around these volcanoes is home to thousands of species, including parrots and howler monkeys.
  • After your exploration, head to the hotel to freshen up before dinner at a local restaurant
  • Enjoy an evening activity, journaling or time relaxing
DAY FOUR
  • This morning, grab your gear as you head out for a kayaking tour around Lake Arenal -- Costa Rica’s largest landlocked body of water
  • After lunch, take a stroll through the sky on one of Costa Rica’s infamous hanging bridges
  • There’s no better way to experience the diverse ecosystem of Costa Rica’s forests than by walking among the treetops.
  • After dinner, enjoy a relaxing soak in the natural hot springs
DAY FIVE
  • After breakfast, you and your groupmates will set off for Monteverde
  • In Monteverde, enjoy a horseback riding adventure with your local guide
  • Experiencing Costa Rica on horseback is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You’ll ride along the ridge of steep valleys before heading into the forest to discover waterfalls and pristine meadows, finishing your tour as the sun begins to set over the horizon.
  • Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and some downtime
DAY SIX
  • Bird’s Eye View: Head out this morning for a ziplining adventure through the jungle canopy, stopping at platforms along the way to learn about different flora, fauna, and animal habitats from your guide
  • After lunch, head back into the clouds on your visit to the Santa Elena Biological Reserve
  • The Santa Elena Biological Reserve is dedicated to preservation of the Cloud Forest, so-called because clouds float within the treetop and provide necessary moisture for the plants and animals that call the Cloud Forest home. Some of those animals? White-faced and howler monkeys, jaguars, agouti, and the three-toed sloth.
  • After dinner, leave a positive (permanent) footprint in the forest when you plant your own tree in a budding forest
DAY SEVEN
  • Head towards the coastal oasis of Puntarenas this morning, where you’ll enjoy some relaxing free time on the beach
  • After lunch, enjoy getting your adrenaline pumping again on your tour through a crocodile safari
  • There are two native species of crocodiles in Costa Rica: the American crocodile and the Spectacled Caiman. American crocodiles can grow up to 20 feet in length and weigh over 1,000 pounds. Caimans are much smaller, around 8 feet in length, and weigh less than 100 pounds.
  • After dinner, enjoy an evening activity, journaling, and relaxing time
DAY EIGHT
  • Enjoy an entire day spent exploring Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the most biodiverse places on Earth
  • Established in 1972, Manuel Antonio National Park is home to thousands of animals, including sloths, iguanas, monkeys, crabs, and over 180 species of birds. The Park contains three distinct ecosystems: rainforest, beach, and coral reef. It would take a lifetime to explore it all!
  • Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and a quiet evening of rest
DAY NINE
  • Head further inland this morning towards the Sarchi Craft Village
  • Sarchi is a town dedicated to art. Arguably most famous for oxcart, or carreta, the main streets of the village are filled with over 200 different artisan workshops, stores, and stalls.
  • Return to San José for your final group dinner of tour
  • Enjoy an immersive folklore experience, learning about the different tales that are passed down through the generations in Costa Rican families
DAY TEN
  • Depart on a group flight back to the States

*The events included on this itinerary are subject to minor changes before your departure date.

Meet a WorldExplore Tour Director!

WorldExplore tours are led by experienced educators that have extensive, firsthand knowledge of the culture around you because your Tour Director is a local. That means exploring the lush wilderness of Manuel Antonio National Park with an expert nature guide and immersing yourself in authentic Costa Rican culture.

WorldStrides receives nearly 1,500 Tour Director applications each year. On average, only 70 applicants will make the cut.

Aura Tripovich Garcia

Hola! My name is Aura and I am a nature lover. Costa Rica allows me to explore my love of nature everyday. As a naturalist, guide and forest engineer, my focus is always preserving the environment and wildlife habitats. Life has taken down me different paths. I love to learn new things, and I enjoy music, yoga, and dance. Guiding visitors through my home country is incredibly special to me. I’ve been a Tour Director here for 14 years and I still experience every destination and activity as if it were the first time alongside my groups.

We are incredibly proud of our entire team of Tour Directors. Aura is just one example of our roster of experienced guides and may not be the actual Tour Director for your Costa Rica tour.

WorldStrides receives nearly 1,500 Tour Director applications each year. On average, only 70 applicants will make the cut.

What Our Travelers Are Saying...

“Costa Rica was amazing! The scenery was lush and beautiful and our tour director, Diana, and bus driver, Marcos, went above and beyond to make sure everything about our trip was incredible. We were able to do so many fun things…I cannot wait to go back!! Pura vida!!”

– Diana, 2022

“It was probably the best trip I’ve ever taken. Our tour director in Costa Rica was so awesome! He always made sure we were taken care of and was super insightful.”

– Susan, 2022