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Duration: 9 Days

Costa Rica Explorer

This nine day school trip to Costa Rica explores some of the most fascinating regions of the country. You will arrive in San Jose and travel to Sarapiqui and then the Arenal Area for a Volcano hike. The tour ends on the beautiful Pacific coast where you can visit the Coral Reefs and explore the magnificent biodiversity of the area. All our tours are customisable, get in touch to discuss your specific requirements
All about the Costa Rica Explorer.
The Edventure Travel Package All Edventure Travel trips and tours can be customised to your personal requirements, this sample tour is designed to give you inspiration for your own trip. When you are ready to start planning, get in touch and we can design a bespoke package tour for your group. We will always make clear what is included and excluded in your quotation. Fully Protected Your trip will be fully protected through our membership of the ABTOT and ABTA. Furthermore, Edventure Travel has its own ATOL licence ensuring that you have complete protection when taking a flight. Edventure Travel offers travel insurance that can be included in your trip to give you protection in the event of unforeseen circumstances. Customised for you All tours are 100% customised to suit your group. We believe that every group should be treated individually, it’s your tour after all. If you want to add something that is not featured on our website just let us know and we will work with you to develop an itinerary to meet your needs. Out of Hours Contact In the unlikely event that you encounter problems whilst on tour, there will always be someone at the end of the phone to assist with any situation. Travel Advice For the latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, click here. Foreign Travel Advice www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice You should seek advise on recommended vaccinations and precautions from a health professional – either a GP, a practice nurse, a pharmacist or a travel health clinic – ideally at least eight weeks before departure. Further travel health advice can be found on the following link. Travel Health Pro Website https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries
The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance
What is included in this tour?Items that are included in the cost of tour price.
  • Return Flights
  • All travel when at your destination
  • Accommodation based on bed and breakfast with students in multi-bedded rooms
  • Teachers free of charge sharing twin rooms
  • All meals mentioned in the itinerary
  • All activities mentioned in the itinerary unless otherwise stated
  • Travel Insurance
What is not included in this tour?Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.
  • Single Room Supplements
  • Personal Expenditure
  • Overseas departure taxes if applicable
  • Tips for guides and drivers
  • UK Coach Transfers
  • Full Time Tour Director
  • Activities not mentioned
  • Meals not mentioned
  • Luggage in the hold of the aircraft
  1. Day 1 Depart the UK
    Travel to Costa Rica arriving at Juan Santamaría International Airport where you will be transferred to your hotel.
  2. Day 2 San Jose
    Take a city tour of San Jose. Poás Volcano – a powerful symbol of the geothermal forces that formed Costa Rica. When the mist and clouds part you will see the sulfuric, bubbling, green, rain fed lake at the bottom. At almost a mile (1.6 km) across, it’s the largest active crater in the world. There is also a visitor’s centre. The Doka Estate Coffee Tour – this coffee plantation belongs to the Costa Rican Vargas Ruiz family. Take a tour and educate students on the agriculture and production process of coffee.
  3. Day 3 Sarapiquí
    Travel to the Sarapiquí area for a day full of adrenaline and outdoor exploration at Hacienda Pozo Azul. Hacienda Pozo Azul – a 2,000 acre ranch where you can explore the many trails which have plenty of natural fauna, beautiful rivers and waterfalls. Students can explore on horseback, mountain bikes, on a guided nature walk, or enjoy bird watching as they drift down the Sarapiquí River. Opt to take a Treetop Canopy Ride ending with a spectacular 900- foot zip line across the Sarapiquí River or, sample the exhilaration of white water rafting. Night Bat Workshop – students can learn and dispel myths they may have heard about these wonderful mammals during a Bat Workshop.
  4. Day 4 Sarapiquí to Arenal
    The Sweetest Rainforest Experience – discover the marvels of one of the favourite foods of humankind – chocolate.  The tour includes a guided hike across the Tirimbina suspension bridge to a cacao plantation, as well as to a forested section where you can observe species of cacao and how the product originally developed there. Continue to the Arenal Volcano area and spend some free time in the evening.
  5. Day 5 Arenal Area
    Eco-Centre Danaus – learn about the natural history of the flora and fauna of Costa Rica. Students will see and study a great variety of tropical plants and traditional crops, organically farmed in the gardens. La Casona Rio Fortuna, The CulTour – students can take part in various experiences from hand making corn tortillas, learning about sugar cane, visiting an elementary school where the local children will present a typical folk dance, visit a local tree farm and taste the tropical fruits of Costa Rica. Arenal Volcano Hike – Take your group through Secondary Forrest trails up to the active lava flows, arriving to the viewpoint in time for sunset. Students will see and hear the amazing lava and gas eruptions. Baldi Hot Springs – with 25 of  the most thermal mineral water pools in the world  flowing naturally from the volcano, take a swim in the Roman bath pools with waterfalls and slides.
  6. Day 6 Pacific Central Coast Area
    Santa Lucia Town – a typical Costa Rican town during the times of the Colony and Spanish conquest, Santa Lucía includes a church, a local cantina, a lake, a souvenir shop and other points of interest. Balcón del Mar – Stay near Jaco beach and discover the magnificent views and beach community.
  7. Day 7 Manuel Antonio National Park
    Manuel Antonio National Park – established in 1972, the people of Costa Rica decided to preserve one of the most beautiful and bio-diverse areas in the world containing rainforest, beaches and coral reefs. Jungle Crocodile Safari & Tropical Mangrove Adventure – a tour specially designed for adventurers and bird watchers that takes place on the Tárcoles River, home to one of the world’s largest crocodile populations in the wild.
  8. Day 8 Travel back to the UK
    Spend the morning at leisure (depending on departure time) before taking your flight back to the UK, arriving the next day.
  9. Day 9 Arrive home
    Arrive back in the UK.
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  1. Poás Volcano Costa Rica
    Poás is one of Costa Rica´s most active volcanoes and the second largest volcanic crater in the world. It is located in the Poas Volcano National Park which is a fun area to explore. The beautiful green-blue lagoon in the middle of the crater is created from rainwater mixed with volcanic minerals which is ejected like a geyser when it erupts. There are many well defined hiking trails going around the craters through some of the flora and fauna that is native to this area. Unlike many other Costa Rica parks, Poas Volcano National Park does not have a large variety of plants and wildlife but there are definitely some present. Many birds reside in this area such as hummingbirds and toucans.
  2. Tabacón Hot Springs Costa Rica
    This was one of the first hot springs resorts in the Arenal area which consists of five different springs. The thermal river that flows through the resort is heated by the still active Arenal Volcano. The resort has a cold river as well where you can go to change temperatures. You could relax in the thermal pools or find a touch more adventure by sliding down the waterslide. The lower secluded pools give an amazing view of the Arenal Volcano and all the pools are surrounded by gardens.  
  3. Arenal Volcano Costa Rica
    This most active volcano in the world is a must-see symbol of the geothermal forces that formed Costa Rica. It looms ominously over the pastured green hillsides that surround its base with its sulfuric, bubbling, green, rain fed lake at the bottom. The volcano is currently in a sleeping phase but has had both major and minor eruptions over the past 43 years which have affected the region and the people who live here. You could take your group through Forrest trails up to the active lava flows, where your students will see and hear the amazing lava and gas eruptions. Other adventures your group could try include rainforest hikes, white-water rafting and horseback riding.
  4. Hacienda Pozo Azul Costa Rica
    If you want an adventure, then this is the place to stay! Hacienda Pozo Azul is a 2,000-acre ranch where your group can explore the many trails which have plenty of natural fauna, beautiful rivers and waterfalls. Students can explore on horseback, mountain bikes, on a guided nature walk, or enjoy bird watching as they drift down the Sarapiquí River. You can also choose to experience the spectacular Treetop Canopy Ride which ends with an amazing 900- foot zip line across the Sarapiquí River or, feel the exhilaration of white-water rafting.
  5. Santa Lucia Town Costa Rica
    This is a typical Costa Rican town which was built during the times of the Colony and Spanish conquest. Santa Lucía includes a church, a local cantina, a lake, a souvenir shop and other points of interest for you to enjoy.
  6. Manuel Antonio National Park Costa Rica
    This is one of the smallest and most beautiful and bio-diverse areas in the world containing rugged rainforest, white-sand beaches, coral reefs and amazing flora & fauna. It’s notorious for its vast diversity of tropical plants and wildlife, from three-toed sloths, iguanas and endangered white-faced capuchin monkeys to hundreds of bird species including the toucan. The park’s roughly 680 hectares are crossed with hiking trails, which meander from the coast up into the mountains. There are many activities so everybody can find what they were looking for. Your group will be sure to enjoy this incredible nature adventure.
  7. Sarapiquí Area Costa Rica
    This area is well known for its many attractions and outdoor activities. Choose from the many tours available including: a chocolate experience; some bird watching; a river cruise and rainforest hanging bridge tour; a day in the rain forest; a biological reserve; frogs heaven; ecological garden or a nature park. Your group could also experience the exhilarating canopy ziplining or white-water rafting when you can enjoy the thrill of the white water, crashing through the currents to give you an exhilarating adrenaline rush. Just hold tight!
  1. Cultural experience
    Students will experience a different culture and gain an understanding of other nationalities, principles and values.
  2. Self-development
    This trip offers students the opportunity to develop their independence and self-confidence by putting themselves into a new environment.
  3. Social Interactions
    School trips can offer the opportunity for students to develop their relationships and interactions with others.
  4. Enthusiasm
    This trip can help develop a student’s motivation for the subject and inspire them when back in the classroom due to personal experience.
  5. Knowledge and Perspective
    Personal experience and close interactions with these locations can help students understand the subject and put it into perspective.
  6. Pupil Engagement
    A trip can make a students engage with a subject and become more positive about a subject.
  7. Team Building
    Students will work together in an unfamiliar environment and rely on each other for help.
  8. Hands-on Learning
    Educating through a school trip can create a better understanding of a subject with hands-on learning. Students are engaged, enthusiastic and observant.
  9. Reward
    This trip can be a reward trip for students that have studied hard over the course of the year and can give them a well-deserved break with their friends.
  10. Geography
    Discover the Geological features of this amazing country where students will see the power of earths natural forces.
  11. Languages
    Students can practise their language skills when exploring this fascinating country.
  12. Science
    Inspire students with interactive science attractions on this tour.
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All our accommodation is provided through tried and tested suppliers that work well with different types of groups, including schools, colleges and social groups. We work with our agents in each country to provide the best accommodation suited to your group. This can depend on the time of year that you travel, your group size and type, the cities that you will travel to, accessibility and price. We will always discuss with you what your preferences are and give examples of the accommodation that we can offer.