7 Days
Trip Favorites
Paos VolcanoMarino Ballena National ParkSan JoseManuel Antonio National Park
Local Conditions
66℉ Current Temp
Current Time

Highlights

Travel Route

Video Overview

Take a look inside our Costa Rica travel programs!

Your Adventure, Day by Day

Day 1 Welcome to Costa Rica!
  • Arrive in San José Meet your WorldStrides representative and begin your once-in-a-lifetime experience!
  • Orientation Hear an overview of the key concepts you’ll learn, as well as the sites you’ll visit.
  • Hotel check-in and Dinner
  • Overnight in San José
Day 2 Explore Alajuela and Costa Rican Culture!
  • Breakfast and Hotel check-out
  • Depart for Alajuela
  • Alajuela Visit the renowned hometown of Juan Santamaria, a drummer boy turned national hero during the battle of Hacienda Santa Rosa against William Walker in 1856. Santamaria sacrificed his own life to preserve the independence of the country, an act that is honored throughout the city with parades and fiestas every April 11, on Juan Santamaria Day.
  • Poas Volcano (weather permitting) Get a firsthand look at the magnificent craters of this active volcano and observe the plants and animals that thrive amid the volcanic eruptions.
  • Morning Montane Forest Walk in the Volcano Trails
  • Depart to Central Pacific Area
  • Experience Costa Rican Culture Gather with community members for lessons on preparing a traditional Costa Rican dish.
  • Lunch
  • Canopy Tour While hooked to a zip line, soar through the forest treetops and see jungle life in the Costa Rican rainforest from a bird's eye perspective!
  • Depart for Hotel
  • Dinner
  • Overnight in South Pacific Area
Day 3 Discover Costa Rica's Natural World
  • Breakfast
  • Bird Watching and Forest Tour Meet your guide for an early morning hike in search of bird species in the Hacienda Baru National Wildlife Refuge. Seven kilometers of walking trails, three kilometers of pristine beach, and a fantastic orchid garden are ready to be explored!
  • This forest, beach, and habitat assessment will include a series of field exercises, including beach profiling, coastal plant identification, and studying winds, currents, and velocities!
  • Lunch
  • Horseback Riding Tour Ride through miles of traffic-free dirt roads and jungle trails, and choose between a waterfall or a beach trail.
  • Dinner
  • Introduction to Whales Become familiar with the Cetacean species found in Costa Rica at Marino Ballena National Park and discuss their migrations.
  • Overnight in South Pacific Area
Day 4 Continue to Explore Exciting Ecosystems!
  • Breakfast and Hotel check-out
  • Marino Ballena National Park Travel to Pinuelas Beach, then travel by boat along the breathtaking coastline of this unique national park.
  • Marine Habitat Exploration Experience ocean air, refreshing views and invigorating boat travel. While dolphin, turtle and whale sightings are not guaranteed, an appreciation for these majestic creatures is inspired by the informative content shared by your guide as you travel through their ocean home.
  • Snorkeling in Marino Ballena National Park Visit Pinuelas and Ventanas Beach to cool off with a tropical fruit snack and cold drink on the beach. Snorkel around the island, observing the richest marine fauna in the area.
  • Lunch
  • Depart for Manuel Antonio
  • Butterfly Botanical Garden Identify different species of butterflies and study their reproduction process and life cycle at the Manuel Antonio Nature Park and Wildlife Refuge’s botanical atrium.
  • Dinner
Day 5 Discover Manuel Antonio
  • Breakfast
  • Guided Hike in Manuel Antonio National Park Search for rare wildlife including the sloth and various species of monkeys that call Central America home on this guided hike.
  • Volunteering Project in Manuel Antonio The refuge is currently researching and developing nature exhibits to help protect and reproduce local species in danger of extinction, including orchids, bromeliads, and amphibians.
  • Lunch
  • Cultural Excursion Take a short stroll through the town of Quepos in search of the perfect souvenir or snack. Get a taste of typical Costa Rican life!
  • Dinner
  • Overnight in Manuel Antonio
Day 6 Aquatic Adventures
  • Breakfast and Hotel check-out
  • Outrigger Canoe Tour Paddle through the clear, calm waters and soak in the view of colorful fish surrounding the rock reefs below.
  • Lunch
  • Jungle River and Mangrove Adventure Discover the hundreds of incredible bird and reptile species that flourish in this transitional rainforest.
  • Depart for San José
  • Souvenir Stop Stop along the way to pick up a souvenir in one of Costa Rica’s shops featuring items from various local regions.
  • Farewell Dinner at a Local Costa Rican Restaurant
  • Experience Costa Rican Culture Gather for dancing lessons and experience tropical Latin dances.
  • Overnight in San José
Day 7 Departure to the U.S.
  • Breakfast and Hotel check-out
  • Depart San José for Home *This itinerary may be modified and inclusions and airports substituted depending on your travel dates, arrival and departure times, national holidays, hours of operation in Costa Rica, and events beyond WorldStrides’ control.
    Please note: Prices vary depending on departure city and duration of program.

Have Questions? We Have Answers.

Related Stories from the WorldStrides Blog

7 Facts About The Ocean on World Oceans Day

Read more

Did you know that today is World Oceans Day? The UN General Assembly designated June 8 as World Oceans Day with a resolution in 2008. The idea was first proposed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro as a way to celebrate our shared…

Keep Reading