Mawamba Lodge








Costa Rican Cuisine








Tortuguero National Park








White-faced capuchins
are polygamus because
the females out number
the males


Educator's Adventure to
Costa Rica

Don’t just watch the nature channel, experience it!  Leave the television remote behind and instead, explore the beauty of Costa Rica – from rivers and volcanoes, to butterfly gardens and dairy farms, to the rainforest canopy, channels, marshes and picture-perfect beaches. Extreme biodiversity and extreme fun! Give back to the communities as you interact with disadvantaged children and participate in service projects. Be part of conservation in action while assisting sea turtle biologists at Tortuguero. New friends, exciting animals and unique lodgings equal an unforgettable experience. Your classroom will never be the same again.

Days 1/2 - Miami/San Jose
Board your flight to San Jose.  Upon arrival, you will be escorted to your hotel in the exclusive district of San Rafael de Escazu. The next day, get familiar with the exceptional biodiversity of Costa Rica while visiting INBio – a combination museum, educational center and nature park.  Hike on trails, learn about butterflies at their butterfly garden and inspect a delightful series of animal sculptures created by one of the country’s premiere artists, Jose Sancho.  SAN GILDAR HOTEL. (B,L,D)

Day 3 - Poas Volcano/Selva Verde
Drive to the summit of Poas Volcano, which is in a constant state of mild activity and has erupted at least 39 times since 1828. Get your first taste of Costa Rica’s incredible biodiversity as you experience four habitats in a relatively small area – stunted forest, scarce vegetation, arrayan trees and a cloud forest. Over 80 bird species call this home, including one of the world’s most beautiful, the Resplendent Quetzal. Small mammals, such as coyote, long-tailed weasel and the endemic Poas green-yellow squirrel meander through the area. Continue your drive to Selva Verde Lodge, situated on a large private tract of tropical rainforest and adjacent to Braulio Carrillo National Park. This retreat is dedicated to educating guests about the wonders of the environment and its fragility in the face of modern development. SELVA VERDE LODGE. (B,L,D)

Days 4/5 - Sarapiqui Conservation Learning Center/Tirimbina Biological Reserve
Learn about the economic and logistical challenges of a dairy farm in Central America. Visit a butterfly garden fluttering with color. Then work with the Sarapiqui Conservation Learning Center on projects to aid in the on-going advancement of Sarapiqui County, which is one of the poorest in the country. You might find yourself painting local schools, cleaning up rivers or maintaining trails. Learn about their education system during a guided tour of a school and interact with students and teachers. Delve into the Tirimbina Biological Reserve, a premontane rainforest that leaves even scientists awestruck. An island in the middle of the Sarapiqui River serves as a living laboratory for study. Walk along a 328-foot suspended walkway through the rainforest canopy, and get a glimpse of the mythic rituals of the indigenous people at the Museum of Indigenous Cultures. You will also have the option (at additional cost) of a river rafting adventure on the Sarapiqui.  SELVA VERDE LODGE. (B,L,D Daily)

Days 6/7/8 - Tortuguero National Park
Drive through banana plantations, then board a speedboat to one of the wettest regions in the country only accessible by boat or small plane. Wildlife residing in many of the 11 distinct habitats includes monkey, tapir, ocelot, collared and white-lipped peccary, three-toed sloth and the Neotropical river otter. Green Macaws move around the upper rainforest canopy, unusual frogs abound on the banks and you may be able to spot the vibrant-colored poison dart frog in the undergrowth. A swamp dweller, see the extremely large bulldog bat. One of the most endangered Caribbean species found here is the West Indian manatee. This is also the most important nesting site for green turtles in the entire world and you will get to contribute to their on-going study by assisting sea turtle biologists, helping to tag and measure nesting turtles, some weighing up to 350 pounds and clocking in at almost four feet long. Other activities may include counting eggs, marking, inventorying and surveying nests and recording data. Your beachfront lodge is surrounded by stunning gardens and teeming with exotic birds and wildlife. MAWAMBA LODGE. (All Meals Daily)

Days 9/10 - San Jose/Miami
Drive back to San Jose where the rest of your day is at leisure.  Reminisce about your memorable journey at a farewell dinner. The next morning, board your flight home. SAN GILDAR HOTEL. (B,L,D; B)

Optional Post-Extension to Carara Biological Reserve & Manuel Antonio National Park
Carara Biological Reserve is a living laboratory for scientists and nature enthusiasts.  Look for crocodiles and caimans along with wading birds. Stop off at the Tarcoles River, legendary for its crocodile population. Relax at Manuel Antonio Park with miles of white sandy beaches and a lush forest that extends right to the beach – the ideal area for swimming, snorkeling and hiking. 

Your Journey Includes:

  • Roundtrip air transportation from Miami to San Jose.
  • All ground transfers in air-conditioned motorcoach.
  • Superior accommodations throughout as indicated or similar.
  • Accompanied by professional naturalist with a minimum of 10 travelers.
  • All meals as specified in the itinerary.
  • All park entry fees.
  • All applicable hotel/lodge taxes and gratuities for baggage handling.
  • Complimentary backpack, baggage tags and passport wallet.

For reservations or more information, please contact:
Classic Escapes Inc. at (800) 627-1244