Overview
Explore Costa Rica’s diverse ecosystem and culture on an educational tour that takes your students from the Caribbean coast to the Pacific, through (and above) rainforests, and into its capital city of San José. Spot sea turtles in Tortuguero, drive through a banana plantation, and take a boat ride through the canals of a lowland rainforest. Search the canopy of a cloud forest and coastal rainforest for monkeys, sloths, and toucans. Hike a volcano and soak in its hot springs. Create an authentic local dinner and learn traditional dances.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in San José
Groups flying from the West Coast may be required to depart on Day 0.
Meet your Tour Director
Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.
Day 2
LEAP Costa Rican school visit
Visit a Costa Rican school to meet local students, practice Spanish and see the differences between schools there and schools at home. (Please note that school visits will not be possible on certain dates due to schools not being in session. WorldStrides will update you as early as possible.)
Travel to Tortuguero
See a banana plantation
Drive through a banana plantation.
Day 3
Tortuguero National Park visit
Canal tour
Get up close with some of Tortuguero’s coolest inhabitants. Make your way through the park’s narrow waterways, where the overhanging vegetation can bring 300 species of birds, 168 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 60 species of mammals right up under your nose.
Day 4
Travel to Arenal
Arenal is famous for its volcano, an unavoidable presence while traveling within this part of the country. It is tall, imposing, perfectly symmetrical shape makes it instantly recognizable.
Hot springs visit
Let the volcanoes take you away. At Arenal’s hot springs, bubbling lava fields heat the waters to make nature’s own jacuzzi.
Day 5
Travel to Monteverde
Because of its humidity and latitude, the entire city of Monteverde can disappear in a second under a massive cloud cover. Founded by Quakers in 1951, the city boasts the best in Costa Rican creatures. Observe a proud display of howler monkeys, revered quetzals and native frogs in the dense cover of the cloud forest.
Monteverde Cloud Forest reserve night walk
Step into the Monteverde Cloud Forest and be transported to the lush world of the Costa Rican rainforest. The towering trees, abundant shrubs and vibrant flowers create a luscious oasis for a huge array of animals, including jaguars, toucans and monkeys.
Day 6
Canopy zipline tour (optional)
Harness in and soar above the jungle canopy on a thrilling zip line tour that takes you through the Costa Rican rainforest. For safety reasons, weight restrictions apply to this activity.
LEAP Cocina Tica
Cook Costa Rican style! Create authentic local foods and sit down to savor your delicious creations.
Day 7
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve day walk
Travel to Manuel Antonio
Lunch
Day 8
Manuel Antonio National Park visit
Combining white sandy beaches with lush tropical forest, Manuel Antonio is the perfect place to see a variety of Costa Rican wildlife, from white-faced monkeys and sleepy-faced sloths, to green turtles and orange-and-black-shelled land crabs.
Lunch
Day 9
Travel to San José
LEAP Dance the El Torito!
Costumed Costa Rican folklore dancers teach you the El Torito, as well as other traditional dances, then relax and watch the pros perform.
Day 10
Return home OR Extend your stay
Board your flight home or choose to extend your trip one day to whitewater raft in San José, where a guided excursion takes you through Costa Rica’s lush landscapes and thrilling rapids. After your adventure, return to the city for an overnight stay before flying home the next day.
Already Included
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Professional development credits (CEUs) for educators
Scenes from Costa Rica
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.