Study Abroad in San José Cultural Excursions

Arenal Volcano, Hot Springs and Monteverde Cloud Forest (3 days)

Included in program fee

Afternoon departure by bus to La Fortuna Waterfall on the Arenal route. Visit the Hot Springs where you can bathe in the warm waters of the spa.

On day two, enjoy the vista of the Arenal Volcano and the wide variety of birds and mammals that take refuge in Arenal Lake. Then travel to Monteverde to see the famous Cloud Forest which is the main destination for most tourists to Costa Rica.

Finally head to Monteverde Private Reserve, dedicated to the conservation of the area’s flora and fauna.

Includes accommodations, transportation, entrance fees and breakfast. Lunch and dinner are not included except buffet dinner at Hot Springs.

Manuel Antonio National Park (3 days)

Included in program fee

Afternoon departure by bus to Manuel Antonio National Park which has some of the most beautiful beaches on the Central Pacific coast. Spend the next day at leisure to enjoy the park and beaches: white sands and warm water surrounded by lush vegetation.

On day three, take a last look at the flora and fauna of the park including monkeys, sloths, raccoons and many species of exotic plants and flowers before an early evening return to San José.

Both excursions include accommodations, transportation, entrance fees and breakfast. Lunch and dinner are not included.

Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall (day trip)

Included in program fee

Stop for coffee at “Café 3 Generaciones” plantation en route to the Poas Volcano. On arrival at the Volcano, walk to the old crater lake and possibly see the crater. Visit the butterfly and bird house before enjoying a buffet lunch. In the afternoon, walk through the waterfall trails to see humming birds and frogs before returning to San José.

Includes transportation, entrance fees to Volcano and Waterfalls and buffet lunch at La Paz.

Optional excursion to Nicaragua (3 days - $345)

Early morning departure to the Nicaragua border. Continue on to Granada, a beautiful colonial town south of Managua. Stop at Lake Apoyo; one of the oldest lakes in Nicaragua. This lake was formed after the eruption of a volcano and then gradually filled with water. Check in to hotel then take an island tour of an archipelago formed by 365 small volcanic islands. Afternoon city tour on “volantas” or horse carriages.

The next day visit Masaya City Market. In the afternoon explore the Ruben Dario theater, Lake Managua and the cathedral.

Finally, enjoy breakfast at the hotel before returning to San José.

Fee includes accommodation, breakfast, transportation, sightseeing and entrances as indicated, but not lunch and dinner. Border tax at Nicaragua is not included and is approximately $15. A minimum enrolment of 10 students is required.

Optional excursion to Panama (3 days - $325)

Head to Almirante Bay where you will board a boat to Colono Island in Bocas and check in to the hotel. Take a boat tour to the Starfish Beach; a beautiful beach full of starfish! Enjoy a barbecue lunch on the beach and a free afternoon.

The next morning, head out on the Dolphin tour in a bay where groups of dolphins swim. There is the opportunity for snorkeling before lunch at Coral Key. In the afternoon, visit to Ranas Rojas Beach on Bastimento Island, home of the red venomous frogs. Free afternoon at the beach before returning to the hotel. Finally, have breakfast at the hotel before leisurely return to San José.

Fee includes accommodation, breakfast, transportation (land and boat), sightseeing and entrances as indicated, but not lunch (except the barbecue lunch at Starfish Beach) and dinner. A minimum enrolment of 10 students is required.

Dates and itineraries for all excursions are tentative and subject to change.