An Expedition for Teens
to Costa Rica
Your teen will never utter the words, “I’m bored” while exploring the beauty of Costa Rica. Discover the sights and sounds of a tropical rainforest from below and at treetop. Feel the tremors of mild volcanic activity and experience living laboratories situated on islands and reserves that leave even scientists amazed. Get involved in a service project and interact with disadvantaged children. New friends, exciting animals and unique lodgings create fun-filled days, and enough knowledge to impress the teachers.
Day 1 - Miami/San Jose
Board your flight to San Jose. Upon arrival, you will be escorted to your beautiful hotel in the exclusive district of San Rafael de Escazu. SAN GILDAR HOTEL.
Day 2 - San Jose
Today become familiar with the exceptional biodiversity of Costa Rica at 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. Visit a local orphanage and get to know the children while participating in a service project designed to improve their facilities and strengthen their relationship with the community. SAN GILDAR HOTEL. (B,L,D)
Day 3 - Sarapiqui Conservation Learning Center
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. 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. You will also have the option (at additional cost) of a river rafting adventure on the Sarapiqui, which will leave you breathless and just a little wet! SELVA VERDE LODGE. (B,L,D)
Days 4/5 - Sarapiqui/Tirimbina Biological Reserve
Delve into the Tirimbina Biological Reserve on a guided walk. This premontane forest leaves even scientists awestruck. An island in the middle of the Sarapiqui River, it serves as a living laboratory to debunk the mysteries of the rainforest by focusing on the global inter-relatedness of individual systems and species. Visit a dairy farm, butterfly garden and participate in a Latin dance class. Optional activities abound (at additional cost), including horseback riding, mountain biking and touring the rainforest canopy. SELVA VERDE LODGE. (B,L,D Daily)
Days 6/7/8 - Poas Volcano/Central Pacific Coast
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. 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. Arrive at your exquisite hotel set amidst a tropical rainforest and wildlife reserve. Over 250 tropical birds, white-faced capuchins, spider monkeys, sloths, coatis and armadillos reside here. Pristine white sandy beaches and the emerald green Pacific Ocean complete this picture-postcard setting. Next day, visit the Carara Biological Reserve, a living laboratory for scientists and nature enthusiasts and one of the country’s greatest areas of biodiversity. Look for crocodiles and caimans along with wading birds such as Roseate Spoonbills, Anhingas, jacanas, Pied-billed Grebes and Bare-throated Tiger-Herons. The incredible beauty combines a rare mix of varied tropical vegetation, with unique mammals and birds. Carara is also one of the few nesting areas remaining for the Scarlet Macaw, who can always be heard throughout the day and often seen in flight, particularly around dusk. Spend your last day at leisure relaxing beachside or enjoying one of the varied optional activities (at additional cost) offered, including a monkey trail canopy walk, Skyway tour, horseback riding, sea kayaking, white-water rafting or a day trip to Manuel Antonio National Park, ideal for swimming and snorkeling. PUNTA LEONA HOTEL. (B,L;B;B)
Day 9 - San Jose/Miami
Transfer to San Jose this morning to board your flight home. (B)
4-Day Optional Pre-Extension to 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. 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 (July – October), 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.
4-Day Optional Post-Extension to Monteverde
Explore Monteverde, a lush forest community and home to over 320 bird species, including one of the most beautiful, the Resplendent Quetzal. Walk through the heavenly Cloud Forest Reserve on the Selvatura Treetop tour – a series of bridges, trails and platforms that allows you an incredible view. Your lodge is nestled on a lush, mountainous slope with many self-guided hiking trails that lead to primary and secondary forests, open pastures and panoramic views of the Gulf of Nicoya. Located just minutes from the Santa Elena Rainforest Reserve and the Bajo Del Tigre Trail, your lodge also has a variety of optional activities (at additional cost) including horseback riding and mountain biking.
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 throughout the tour.
- 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.