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Costa Rica is a fairly small country, but it is still one of the most biologically diverse regions in the world. Visitors can explore the Pacific or Caribbean coasts, volcanoes, and rainforests and encounter countless species of mammal, insect, reptile, and bird. While the environment is impressive, there is much more to tempt visitors to Costa Rica. Adventure awaits around every corner, and the unique culture of La Pura Vida beckons through food, music and art.
- Meet your tour director: Relax and enjoy our scheduled flight from North America. Our 24-hour Tour Director will meet us at the airport and remain with us until our final airport departure. Our private coach will be waiting to transfer us to our hotel in San Jose, Costa Rica.
- San Jose overview: This is the capital and largest city of Costa Rica. Located in the Central Valley, San José is the seat of national government, the focal point of political and economic activity, and the major transportation hub of this Central American nation. Today it is a modern city with bustling commerce, brisk expressions of art and architecture, and spurred by the country's improved tourism industry, it is a significant destination and stopover for foreign visitors.
- Meeting: At the hotel, meet with your group to overview safety conditions and etiquette expectations in Costa Rica.
- Lunch:
- Walking Tour: Get to know San José, including Plaza Park (the oldest continuously used public open space in the city, now known as Plaza de Cesar Chavez), and the Juzgado (town hall). The many other places of interest include Chinatown, the First State Capital (at the site of the Fairmont Hotel), the US Post Office (the city’s first federal building), the birthplace of A.P. Giannini, the Peralta adobe (the oldest Spanish structure in the downtown area), and the Trinity Episcopal Church (the oldest church building in San José).
- Dinner: We will dine this evening in a local restaurant.
- Breakfast: This morning you will enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
- Lunch:
- Local business visit: Themes for business visits will be developed in collaboration with your school. A typical visit includes a management discussion, leadership speaker, facility tour and/or presentation.
- LEAP: Cocina Tica: Cook Costa Rican style! Create authentic local foods and sit down to savor your delicious creations.
- Breakfast: This morning you will enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
- Doka Estate Coffee Tour: Meet a 600-acre family owned coffee estate, located on the fertile slopes of famous Poás Volcano that produces the country's finest Arabica coffee. During the Doka Coffee Tour, visitors are taught the ancient techniques of coffee growing, harvesting, milling and roasting. At an altitude of 4,500 ft above sea level, the crisp cleanmountain air and abundant sunshine create the perfect combination for coffee production. You can also take advantage of this visit to ask about green business practices and sustainability.
- Lunch:
- La Paz Waterfall Gardens: This location is one of the most beautiful and fascinating attractions in Costa Rica. Enter the Aviary to explore the birds of Costa Rica and even hold a toucan! Continue into the huge Butterfly Garden featuring a variety of species and an excellent learning center. Next, view the monkeys before we explore the hummingbird and orchid gardens, where we can get up close to hummingbirds. After lunch, visit the small serpentarium featuring many of Costa Rica's snake and lizard varieties. We continue to the cats exhibit to see the beautiful and massive Costa Rican jaguars. Hike down the perfectly laid out trails to viewing points along the 4 La Paz Waterfalls, each viewing point seemingly more impressive than the last.
- Dinner: Tonight we will have dinner in the hotel restaurant.
- Breakfast: This morning you will enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
- Visit a local business: Today, we will visit a local business. Themes for business visits will be developed in collaboration with your school. A typical visit includes a management discussion, leadership speaker, facility tour and/or presentation.
- Lunch:
- Dinner: Tonight we will have dinner in the hotel restaurant.
- Breakfast: This morning you will enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
- Visit a local business: Today, we will visit a local business. Themes for business visits will be developed in collaboration with your school. A typical visit includes a management discussion, leadership speaker, facility tour and/or presentation.
- Lunch:
- LEAP: Dance El Torito!: Costumed Costa Rican folklore dancers teach you El Torito, as well as other traditional dances. After that, you relax and watch the pros perform.
- Dinner: We will dine this evening in a local restaurant.
- Breakfast: This morning you will enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
- Shopping and free time: Today we will have the opportunity to visit the San Jose mall for some time to shop.
- Dinner: On our final night we will enjoy a farewell dinner together.
- Breakfast: This morning you will enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
- End of tour: Our rewarding and enjoyable tour comes to an end as our Tour Director accompanies us to the airport on our final day.
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Students carrying money should be advised to keep cash in a safe place such as a money belt or wallet in a secure pocket. Where possible, it is best for travelers to carry only what they may need for the day, and to secure the rest of their cash in their luggage. For international travel, you may take a credit card or bankcard that can be used at international ATMs. Remember to check with your credit card company or bank to make sure your card will work overseas. Travelers checks are not recommended and are not allowed for minors.
Yes, WorldStrides offers one of the best fundraising programs in the industry. Our Gift of Education program puts each student in charge of their own fundraising—and best of all, 100% of the money the student raises goes directly to help pay for their trip. Students can send e-cards, letters, and share Facebook links with friends and family members. In one simple click, friends and family can make a direct contribution to the student’s trip. It so easy—and that’s why we call it the perfect fundraiser! Visit fundraising.worldstrides.com to start your fundraising!
