Day 1 You'll See: San Jose
Museos del Banco Central de Costa Rica (Gold Museum)
Mercado Central
Teatro Nacional
Grano de Oro Restaurant
Day 2 You'll See: Hot Rocks
Arenal National Park
Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort
Arenal Volcano Watching Tour
Day 3 You'll See: Monteverde
Canyoning Desafio Expeditions
Lucky Bug Gallery
Sofia
Day 4 You'll See: Monteverde
Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve
Monteverde Orchid Garden
Bat Jungle
Day 5 You'll See: Selvatura
Zip-line Canopy Tour Selvatura Park
Manuel Antonio National Park
Agua Azul
Day 6 You'll See: Manuel Antonio
Damas Island Estuary
Beach Time in Manuel Antonio National Park
Cathedral Point
El Patio Bistro Latino
Spend an amazing 6 days venturing your way through Costa Rica, hitting all the most popular landmarks, eateries, and natural beauties along the way! This is the perfect comprehensive introduction tour to the gorgeous and culturally vibrant country and will allow your group to get all the best shopping, sightseeing, and learning throughout the trip. Spend some time in the rainforest with the monkeys, taking a kayak tour, ziplining, or swimming the Pacific. You will have many opportunities to taste local flavors and learn local legends, so get ready for the trip of a lifetime!
Day 1
Museos del Banco Central de Costa Rica (Gold Museum) - Start your trip off right, at the Museos del Banco Central de costa Rica, also known as the ‘Gold Museum’. This museum was established in 1950, in an extraordinary building located in the heart of San Jose. The Museum’s goal upon opening was, and still is, to manage, preserve, research, and disseminate archaeological, visual arts, and numismatics of Costa Rica. Here your group will find permanent exhibitions and dynamic temporary exhibits relating to local heritage and history. The institution fosters public reflection on costa Rican identity and cultural heritage, making it an excellent stop for tourists and locals alike. On the 8th floor of the New Central Bank building there is a portion of the museum set aside for the display and education of none other than, well, gold! Not only that, but down below, in a subterranean level you will find 3,567 gold, ceramic, and stone objects in the Pre Columbian Gold section!
Mercado Central San Jose -Get ready to spend some time exploring the San Jose Central Market, the absolute largest (and perhaps most intriguing) market in the entire city. Established in 1880, this large, festival style open air market takes up an entire block of Avenida Central, just about 250 meters northwest of Parque Central, an easily assessed city area. The market consists of a complex of narrow alleys with a total of over 200 shops, stalls, and eateries referred to as ‘sodas’ (meaning cheap, casual restaurant). Take notice of local specialties, such as snakeskin boots, herbal remedies, local fresh cut flowers, and local handicrafts ranging from jewelry to woodwork. It is quite easy to see why tens of thousands of guests visit this market per day! Mercado Central San Jose is the perfect way to sample Costa Rican culture and food, and the best way to immerse yourself into the city and live/ shop as the locals do, so enjoy it to the fullest!
Teatro Nacional- Bienvenidos a la Teatro Nacional, the National Theatre of Costa Rica. This neoclassical structure designed by architect Roy Molinari is located in the central section of San Jose and was first built in 1897. The Theater/opera house strives to promote the production of high artistic level performing arts, and is considered a historical monument and the finest historical building in the capital. The exquisite interior holds lavish furnishings, and en frente de la entrance you will find statues of such figures as Calderon de la Barca, Ludwig Van Beethoven, and Frederic Chopin. Inside you can see a famous mural by the name of Allegory of Coffee and Bananas, the image by Aleardo Villa found on the 5 colon bill. It’s easy to see why the Philharmonic Orchestra of Costa Rica and similar local groups that perform weekly like to call this place home. While here your group may choose to take part in hourly bilingual guided tours or customizable group/school trip tours!
Grano de Oro Restaurant - Part of the Grano de Oro Hotel, right off of Paseo Colon, your group will find Restaurante Grano de Oro, a Costa Rican tropical eatery with fine European cuisine. Under the direction of French chef Francis Canal, this eatery is one of San Jose's finest dining establishments, for both locals and tourists alike. Once here it is easy to see why Travel + Leisure named it one of the ‘world’s best’ and Conde Nast named it ‘readers choice’ in 2013. While eating you will enjoy the charming ambiance of a period home with an elegant inner courtyard, the perfect spot in San Jose to enjoy the best of both indoors and out! Find the very best local specialty cocktails, beautifully presented dishes, and delicious desserts, all made with finest and most fresh ingredients. Don’t forget to save room for dessert while enjoying all this elegant food with international flavor, the Souffle Glace a la Naranja is to die for! This is one stop your students, and your stomach, won’t want to miss out on!
Day 2
Arenal National Park -Welcome to Arenal National Park, the 29,692 acre massive conservation area that holds scenic beauty and volcanic activity like no other! The Arenal Tilaran Conservation area is located mid-central country and was established in 1991, since then bringing in grand tourism and economic activity, developing the region nicely. The imposing volcanic massif known as the cone of Arenal Volcano is an active volcano and has been since it created the famous 1000 meter crater in 1968. The volcano is located between the foothills of the Cordillera de Tilaran and Plains of San Carks about 1755 meters above sea level, providing some of the most beautiful vistas in Costa Rica. There are several trails leading through lava flows and fields, secondary tropical forest, rivers and hot streams, waterfalls, and wildlife. Bring your camera and hiking boots and visit the Fortuna waterfall, Cerro Chato Lagoon (which used to be a volcano itself), and massively gorgeous Lake Arenal!
Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort - This Costa Rican paradise is located 13 kilometers Northeast of Centro de la Fortuna de San Carlos, within a hotel at the base of the Arenal Volcano. The hotel itself contains 102 rooms and 5 stars, a successful member of the ‘leading hotels and spas of the world’. This luxury hotel and spa offers guests a combination of volcanic energy from Arenal, the heat of the Rio Tabacon hot springs, and the purity and mystique of the surrounding rainforest. Some people consider this the ‘8th wonder of the world’ in fact! This spectacular setting is a wellness seekers dream destination, a true chance to bond with nature. The treatments available will be performed in one of eleven outdoor rooms, accompanying your experience of relaxation with smells of the rainforest and the babble of the springs. While here try Temazcal, a heavenly detoxifying ritual performed within a sweat lodge in the rainforest!
Arenal Volcano Watching Tour - The Arenal Volcano area is one of the most gorgeous in the country, and even the world, a patchwork quilt of green rainforests, winding rivers, waterfalls, wide canyons, active volcanos, and various hot springs. You can choose different canopy tours, waterfall rappelling, mountain biking, white water rafting, or any combination of these tours. The Arenal National Park as well as the Arenal Lodge and Observatory both offer various tours onsite! Through the Arenal Lodge and Observatory you can take the highly popular Lava Tour, a unique opportunity to see volcanic activity up close and personal! Walk through upen natural areas with patches of secondary forest and see local wildlife such as monkeys, toucans, parrots, and oropendolas. Your group will follow a trail up to the lava flow, created in the infamous 1968 eruption. The entire tour is 2.5 hours and 2 kilometers long and provides once in a lifetime opportunities to walk along the lava!
Day 3
Canyoning Desafio Expeditions - Canyoning is becoming one of Costa Rica’s most popular activities, the number one forerunner in adventurous and adrenaline-filled sports. Arenal National Park in particular is one of the countries absolute best places for this activity, due to its diverse terrain and abundance of natural rivers and waterfalls. Try your hand at waterfall rappelling, down climbing, river tracing, rainforest exploring, or even canopy ziplining while here! After receiving gear and a quick lesson you will be participating in a 3 hour canyoneering adventure including 4 rappels, one from the highest waterfall point at 200 feet, and a buffet style traditional tipico lunch (gallo pinto, yuca, chicken, cabbage salad, etc). Your group may also choose any other offered tour, such as the mystical Lost Canyon adventure, La Fortuna Horseback Riding, Combo ziplining and water rafting tour, or perhaps the Gravity Falls Waterfall Jumping Tour, the most extreme adventure offered!
Lucky Bug Gallery - Welcome to the Lucky Bug Gallery, part of the larger Lucky Bug Bed and Breakfast. This complex houses 5 absolutely stunning and outdoors-oriented rooms to stay, an on-site and very delicious restaurant, and an art gallery/gift shop! Lucky Bug is a family owned and professionally run business that is locally and internationally known for it’s perfectly landscaped grounds and various artistic touches throughout the property. Some people even claim that this is the ‘best gift shop’ in the country! Within the gallery and gift shop you will find a ‘host of creations made by your host family’, a wide selection of fun, vibrant, and local treasures. Be sure to bring your camera with plenty of film so you don’t miss a second of the glorious lake backdrop, with unimpeded views of tropical birds such as toucans, aracaris, hummingbirds, and woodpeckers!
Sofia Mediterraneo- Welcome to Sofia Mediterraneo, the premier Greek Bistro on Calle 33 in San Jose. Here your group will find dishes from over 22 countries on or near the Mediterranean coast! This eatery is particularly known for their lamb specialties, in fact this is the spot to find the absolute largest selection of lamb in the entire country. Inside you will see decor true to the home style, with Turkish rugs and tiles and Moroccan lamps. Try any of their amazingly delicious lamb dishes while here, or perhaps a diverse vegetarian dish such as the Indian spiced veggies and potatoes or spinach and ricotta tortellini, both representing the restaurant well with such a wide range of full flavor. The owner and chef believe that gastronomy is an art of science that allows easy relation between countries, and fully make that clear within this eatery. Be sure to save room for the Baklava con Pistacho before you go, you won’t regret it!
Day 4
Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve - Located on the Cordillera de Tilaran within the Puntarenas and Alajuela provinces your group will find your next stop, the absolutely stunning Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. This biological reserve serves as a living lab for hundreds of scientific researches as well as a popular destination for thousands of foreign visitors to come admire and learn all about local flora and fauna. This entire area is a vibrant sanctuary of live with over 5,000 hectares. Monteverde is the most famous cloud reserve in the world, but is also the important protected space in all of Costa Rica. To put into perspective the amount of biodiversity here just think that 4% of all the known species on the planet are found here, on 0.03% of all earth’s surface. Bring your camera and discover the over 3,021 species of plants and 450 species of animal, including 161 reptiles and amphibians.
Monteverde Orchid Garden - Welcome to the beautiful and horticulturally impressive Monteverde Orchid Garden, a popular natural attraction just 50 meters south of the Banco Nacional Costa Rica. Located deep within downtown Santa Elena your group will find this open air, direct contact garden with many different ecosystems and easily accessible trails featured, not to mention all those beautiful orchids! There are over 425 different orchid species here, all gathered and grown since it’s opening in 2006. Discover orchids endemic to the Monteverde region, a collection of miniature orchids including the absolute smallest species in the world, and common and/or hybrid worldwide orchid species. Explore the 1000 square meter garden, full of orchids identified with their scientific names and information provided next to them. You will also see many species of birds, butterflies, and insects all within their natural habitats, as well as learn about different orchid types, pollination methods (color, shape, smells), species endangerment reasons, home planting tips, and natural pesticide uses.
Bat Jungle - Welcome to Bat Jungle, located in the heart of old Monteverde, one of Costa Rica’s top attractions! This destination was designed to introduce visitors to the incredible world of bats, providing world-class exhibits in which bats fly through a highly immersive simulated jungle environment. The brains and brawn behind operating this institution is Dr. Richard K Laval, a celebrated bat biologist from Cape Girardeau Missouri who adds to the experience the culmination of over 40 years of bat research. Your group will be astounded by the tropical cloud forest at night replication and delight in the opportunity to watch the bats eat fruit or nectar from the enclosed glass bat habitat. Take a guided tour that typically lasts about 45 minutes and see these fascinating mammals fly, eat, socialize, nurse young, and perhaps even give birth and also be sure to save plenty of time for the exhibit which features an ultrasonic microphone, allowing guests to hear bats echolocating through biosonar!
Day 5
Zip-line Canopy Tour Selvatura Park - Start your morning off with some of the best local eco-tourism, such as the ziplining and jungle exploration options at Selvatura Adventure Park. This conservation area holds over 850 acres of protected land with a large variety of favorite regional outdoor adventures, making it one of the top spots in Monteverde for tourists and locals alike to let loose, get close to nature, and have some serious fun. For the ziplining tour your group will meet the highly qualified tour guides who will harness you with the appropriate equipment, give you a safety lesson and lecture, and take you through all the proper ziplining procedures! Once properly prepared your group will spend 2.5-3 hours flying through 12 different cables and 18 different platforms, with an optional tarzan swing at the end of the tour. This adventurous experience like no other is available and safe for all ages 4 + and serves also as a unique educational experience toward the local flora, fauna, and regional history!
Manuel Antonio National Park - Next stop, Manuel Antonio National Park, the premier national park located in Quepos, Costa Rica. Here along the central Pacific coast your group will find rugged rainforest, white sandy beaches, and colorful coral reefs, the entire area renowned for its vast diversity of tropical flora and fauna. Be sure to bring your camera so you can capture such creatures as the three-toed sloth, end-white faced capuchin monkeys, and hundreds of various bird species! There are actually 110 mammal species and 184 different bird species, ensuring your group’s attention will be captured the entire visit! While here your group will have the opportunity to take full advantage of the various hiking trails, leading from the beautiful coast to the surrounding majestic mountains. You will also be able to explore the 12 surrounding small isles! See the many different habitats including primary and secondary forests, mangrove swamps, lagoons, and beach vegetation. Off the coast you will have the opportunity to see dolphins and migrating whales as well!
Cafe Agua Azul - End your night at Cafe Agua Azul, the premier place to find fresh and delicious foods in Manuel Antonio. This open air restaurant provides the best unimpeded views of the Pacific, located on top of Villas el Parque, across from Latitude 9. Here your group will find relaxing latino vibes, chilled drinks, and fast and friendly service. You can sample a wide range of typical Americana-style foods, your choices including such things as quesadillas, bacon and cheese fries, calamari, fajitas, burgers, spring rolls, smoked trout salad, Costa Rican snapper, or panko crusted or seared yellowfin tuna. The wide selection of food will satisfy even the pickiest eaters in your group, as will the brownie sundae for dessert and chilled margaritas (virgin of course) for after desert. Long-time guests recommend the fish tacos and burger and shake combo, and also recommend getting here early for lunch to see the amazing views of parasailing tours, jet ski races, and banana boat fun on the ocean!
Day 6
Damas Island Estuary - The place in which ocean water meets fresh water is called a mangrove, a place with unique underwater root systems that typically leads into an estuary. That is exactly what your group will find here at Damas Island Estuary, otherwise known as Isla Damas. This small island is located near Quepos, a land of estuaries lined with mangroves. While here you can take part in eco-friendly and safe boat rides and tours with any one of the several bilingual and certified naturalist guides, just be sure to bring your camera (you won’t want to miss any of this natural beauty) and wear something you don’t mind getting wet in! While on any of these boat rides you will learn all about the vegetation and habitat surrounding you, the diverse population of fauna an outstanding addition to the unbelievable views. See white-face monkeys, sloths, boas, baby crocodiles, and many different species of birds!
Beach Time in Manuel Antonio National Park - Back at Manuel Antonio National Park your group will find some of the best, most beautiful, and most unspoiled beaches in Costa Rica. These spectacular beaches lead into well-maintained trails, winding through the lowland rainforest along the Pacific Coast. Enjoy the overhanging palms along the coast, a truly refreshing break from the hotels, discos, and eateries surrounding the rest of the national park. Spend some time exploring the small tide pools full of rocks that hold sponges, corals, crabs, and hundreds of different tropical fish. After exploring your surroundings and taking in all the diverse and spectacular wildlife your group can spend the afternoon soaking in the sun, splashing around the crystal clean waters, or sifting through the white sand. You may also choose other aquatic adventures such as deep sea fishing, day trips to Cano Island, snorkeling and scuba diving, white water rafting and kayaking, or surfing/surf kayaking.
Cathedral Point - Cathedral Point, or Sendero Punta Catedral, is the 1.4 kilometer long popular trail located deep within the heart of Manuel Antonio National Park. This naturally beautiful trail is comprised of well-defined and easily accessible steps along the hills and boardwalk platforms at the view points. There are several shorter side trails along the way, most of which lead to hidden gems such as bursting waterfalls or marvelous monkey hideaways. Frequent guests suggest taking an early hike here, avoiding the larger crowds and gaining access to the abundant wildlife throughout. The monkeys tend to stay in the jungle in the morning and migrate over to the beach and coastal areas during the afternoon. Be sure to bring hiking shoes, wildlife binoculars, rain gear, a swimsuit if you’d like to take a dip, and of course, a camera with plenty of space to fill with all the gorgeous surrounding scenery.
El Patio Bistro Latino - Welcome to El Patio de Cafe Milagro Bistro Latino, Cafe Milagro for short! This delicious local bistro is the perfect place to stop while in Manuel Antonio to grab a quick and fresh breakfast, lunch, or dinner, serving all the best in international cuisine. Here your group will discover and explore new cultures and cuisines, each plate on the menu being a unique creation and bounty of fresh, local ingredients. Considered by some as a New World kitchen, Cafe Milagro provides absolutely excellent and positively vibrant Costa Rican flavors, the perfect way to immerse yourself into the local culture. While Cafe Milagro is well known for their great outside terrace seating options, it is most famously known for it’s excellent coffee choices! Be sure to grab a cup of freshly ground joe before you go! Choose from crisp salads, fish tacos, grilled sandwiches, and classic Costa Rican favorites within the walls of this popular eatery, and soak up the vivacious views outside the walls!
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