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Costa Rica: Pura Vida

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9 days

San José, Tortuguero, Sarapiquí region, Arenal region, Guanacaste


“¡Pura Vida!” cannot be passively observed from a distance—it must be experienced. Expect to get your hands (and feet, and clothes) dirty as you board canal boats, kayaks, rafts and zip-lines to get an up-close and personal look at the ever-changing landscapes and unparalleled animal and plant life. Before long, you’ll learn the Pura Vida way: by enjoying each day to the fullest.Image displaying map describing the itinerary of the Costa Rica: Pura Vida tour

Day 1: Fly to Costa Rica

Meet your Field Director at the destination airport

Enjoy dinner in the San José region

Day 2: San José • Tortuguero

Snap a photo at Braulio Carrillo National Park, built to preserve the wildlife of the area, from jaguars and ocelots to quetzals and eagles

Travel by boat to Tortuguero, accessible only by boat and home to just 700 residents 

Enjoy lunch at your hotel in Tortuguero 

Spend a half day exploring Tortuguero Village on your own 

Enjoy dinner in Tortuguero 

Day 3: Tortuguero

Enjoy a boat ride through the Tortuguero canals and see how the rainfall, fresh water, and Caribbean sea supports the area's exceptional biodiversity 

Enjoy lunch at your hotel in Tortuguero 

Visit Tortuguero National Park, and see if you can spot a howler monkey, toucan, or even caiman 

Enjoy dinner in Tortuguero 

Day 4: Tortuguero • Sarapiquí region

Travel to Sarapiquí, a county in the Heredia province known for its lush rainforests and outdoor activities 

Enjoy lunch in Sarapiquí 

Add this in-depth excursion:


Sarapiquí canopy tour

Sarapiquí canopy tour

Soar like the birds and the monkeys that call the cloud forest home on this exciting half-day canopy tour! Zip lines unveil one of the planet’s most fascinating ecological systems from a unique perspective—from the tops of the trees. With local expert guides at your side to instruct you on safety protocol, you can decide which view you prefer—from below the trees or from 90 feet above! (Note: To ensure safety, there is a 220lb weight restriction imposed on canopy tours)

Enjoy dinner in Sarapiquí 

Day 5: Sarapiquí region • Arenal region

Add this in-depth excursion:


Whitewater rafting

Whitewater rafting

Experience the thrill and excitement of a whitewater rafting expedition! Use teamwork to navigate a path through the free-flowing waters of the Sarapiquí River (rapids level 2-3). Admire the lush Costa Rican scenery as you pass by stretches of tropical forest.

Travel to the Arenal region and keep an eye out for the mile-high Arenal Volcano 

Enjoy lunch on your way to Arenal

Visit the Arenal hot springs and dip your toes into the naturally heated pools

Enjoy dinner at your hotel in the Arenal region 

Day 6: Arenal region

Enjoy a kayaking trip on Lake Arenal 

Visit La Fortuna Waterfall, a spectacular 200-foot cascade surrounded by green cliffs

Enjoy lunch at your hotel in the Arenal region 

Enjoy dinner at your hotel in the Arenal region 

Day 7: Arenal region • Guanacaste

Travel to Guanacaste and take in the craggy bluffs cloaked in forests that stretch above you  

Enjoy lunch on your way to Guanacaste 

Take an excursion to Rincón de la Vieja National Park, a rain and cloud forest that boasts geothermal hot springs 

Enjoy dinner in Guanacaste

Day 8: Guanacaste

Enjoy snorkeling off the coast of Guanacaste in clear Pacific waters, home to interesting and unusual marine life

Take a boat tour of Palo Verde National Park, one of the last tropical dry rainforests in Central America

Enjoy lunch in Palo Verde National Park

Enjoy dinner in Guanacaste

Day 9: Depart for home


Learning outcomes on this program

Confidence • Curiosity • Global perspective • Empathy • Adaptability • Relatability • Self-Awareness

Academic resources

With this program, you get access to our Global Learning Resources, which include:

  • Discussion questions

  • Sample assignments

  • Journal prompts

  • Webinars

  • EF's Global Competency Assessment, a pre- and post-program assessment to measure competency development

See the resources you get

Your experience includes

Transportation
Accommodations
Select meals
End-to-end support
EF Global Learning Toolkit
Field Director
Guided exploration
Field Visits

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