Costa Rica

It’s the world’s happiest country

Destination Overview

Do you want to provide your students with an oversea expedition to a country that has it all? Then look no further…

With stunning white sands of the Caribbean coast, protected tropical rainforests, mangroves, mountains, active volcanoes and the celebrated Pacific rollers… your students will be spoilt for choice.

But keep an eye out for the famous howler monkeys and flamboyant toucans!

Why not walk up the Irazu or Arenal Volcano, raft down the Pacuare River or trek through the rainforest to discover its hidden secrets before visiting Torturgero National Park, home to the green and leatherback turtles.

This beautiful part of the world is everyone’s cup of tea and perfect for a school group all with different interests!

Quick Facts

Grade – moderate

Altitude – 0m – 3,820m

Visa – No visa is required. Passport must have at least one day’s validity from the date you are leaving Costa Rica.

Capital – San José

Official Language – Spanish

Population – 4.8 million

Climate – Tropical all year round – Dry season is December to April and Rainy season is May to November.

Religion – Roman Catholicism

Currency – Costa Rican Colón

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Location + Itinerary

Costa Rica is a rugged, rainforested Central American country with coastlines on the Caribbean and Pacific. Though its capital, San Jose, is home to cultural institutions like the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, Costa Rica is known for its beaches, volcanoes, and biodiversity. Roughly a quarter of its area is made up of protected jungle, teeming with wildlife including spider monkeys and quetzal birds.

Day 1 - Depart U.K and welcome to Costa Rica! One of the most diverse countries on Earth! Depending on your arrival time you may have the chance to visit the Central Market and start getting to know the Costa Rican culture.
Day 2 - After breakfast we start the drive all the way up to the highlands. On route we will visit Chieton Moren Shop in which you will receive an interesting explanation of the different crafts you will find from the 8 different indigenous territories. We continue our way to Cerro Las Vueltas, where you’ll spend the next 2 nights, learning about the Paramo and how this family decided to start a new life in their sustainable farm..
Day 3 - Today you will wake up with a breathtaking view and the chance to learn to milk the cows. After breakfast you will hike the magic paramo and find medicinal plants on the way and the local guide will explain their uses. During the afternoon you will learn the different processes they do in order to have a sustainable farm.
Day 4 - Head to the southern part of the country, to the Indigenous Territory of Terraba. The origin of the Brörán, proper name of the Térrabas, is known to be of Chibcha ancestry as well as other indigenous peoples that inhabit the South of Costa Rica. You will receive a presentation on the process of roasting and grinding cocoa and take a tour to learn about the cacao plant and its importance within the Térraba culture.
Day 5 - Visit to the petroglyph. You can carefully observe the symbolic drawings that were sculpted years ago by ancient Térraba and the meaning of these in their culture. We’ll then head to the indigenous town of Boruca. Daily life in Boruca reflects a self- sustaining agricultural village, but one where most of the economy is supported by artisan crafts and ecotourism. Then you continue to learn and do your own carved wooden mask and help in the process of weaving.
Day 6 - Project work - We build long-term relationships with the Terraba community leaders, organizations and schools, as well as NGOs to join efforts creating tangible benefits and achieving common goals. The projects are carried out with the help of these local leaders to ensure their appropriation and really collaborate where the communities are most needed.
Day 7 - After breakfast, we head out to a new habitat that will truly awaken your sense of wonder. Some beaches are for sunbathing and swimming, and some are for sailing and other watersports. Dominical is for surfing. In fact, it’s world-renowned, drawing surf fans from all over the globe to this small village in Costa Rica’s Puntarenas province.
Day 8 - Today we will visit Marino Ballena National Park. The park covers an extension of 171 land hectares and 5,375 sea hectares and is named after the humpback whales that migrate rom mid-July and October, and again in December through March from feeding and mating grounds in the north and south hemispheres to the warm tropical waters of Costa Rica. The objective of the park is to conserve the rich marine ecosystems that are found inside the park boundaries.
Day 9 - Today we say goodbye to Dominical and drive back to Alajuela On the way we will stop at Carara national Park - which in indigenous Huetar language means "River of lizards".
Day 10 - Departure and return to U.K.

What are you waiting for? Get started here...

What are you waiting for? Get started here...

"Fantastic!"

- Mel Black – Wilberforce College -

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