Pacific Beach Trip (Manuel Antonio National Park)

Manuel Antonio National Park is an escape to paradise. It is characterized by lush forests, tropical beaches, and abundant wildlife. Relax on the beach and hike with your director along the park’s many trails. Observable wildlife species range from white-faced monkeys to tree sloths and iguanas. Other species found here, though a little more shy, include macaws, ocelots, squirrel monkeys, and coatimundis. While at Manuel Antonio, you will have the opportunity to visit the four tropical beaches located in the park boundaries. All of the whitesand beaches are linked by hiking trails that pass through the tropical forest. Besides visiting the park and enjoying its natural beauty and wildlife, Manuel Antonio also offers other activities, including surfing, sea kayaking, snorkeling, fishing, and horseback riding.

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Arenal Volcano, Hot Springs, Rain Forest Zipline, & La Fortuna Waterfall

Experience the natural beauty that is Arenal Volcano. Arenal is a perfect cone and has been active since 1968. On clear evenings you can see glowing lava flow down the volcano’s steep slopes. The area is blessed with many exotic hot springs thanks to the volcano’s geothermal activity. Your tropical experience will be complete as you relax in the soothing waters of the hot springs surrounded by lush tropical forest. The forests are filled with wildlife and in the mornings you are likely to awaken to the eerie sound of howler monkeys. On this excursion, you will visit one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful waterfalls, La Fortuna, which drops from a forested cliff hundreds of feet above you into a beautiful natural pool perfect for swimming. Not to be missed on this excursion is the famous zip-line tour, where you will “zip” from tree to tree over the thick forest canopy below!

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White-Water Rafting

One of the many allures of Costa Rica is the opportunity to experience the thrill of white-water rafting. Spend the day on one of Costa Rica’s pristine rivers. You will experience the rush of the rapids while surrounded by breathtaking, tropical scenery. You will pass through canyons and float by miles of virgin rain forest. Witness the native wildlife such as howler monkeys and toucans, and enjoy surprises such as waterfalls along the river banks. And, of course, you’ll have the chance to take a dip in the cool, mountain waters. You need not have previous rafting experience to enjoy this excursion. The expedition is led by certified, professional guides. It’s one of the trips you won’t want to miss! MORE PHOTOS!

Poás Volcano Hike

Costa Rica has everything you could want; verdant rainforests, misty mountains, and smoldering volcanoes. During this excursion, you will visit Poás Volcano, one of the country’s most impressive National Parks. The Costa Rican National Park system is world-renowned, and Poás Volcano is one of its gems. The park is located in a cloud forest, and temperatures are cool, making it ideal for hiking. You will often find it to be a misty and mysterious landscape. On this excursion you will hike to the very edge of the world’s largest volcano crater! Then hike along the wooded trails to the emerald green Botos Lake, which fills an extinct crater. Outside the park, we will stop at local fruit stands full of fresh fruit such as mangos, strawberries, and passion fruit. After exploring Poás Volcano, we will stop by La Paz Waterfall, one of the most inspiring waterfalls in the country.

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San José City Tour

San José is the cultural, economic, and political center of Costa Rica. The energetic capital city is located in the Central Valley and encircled by boundless mountain peaks. During this excursion, you will visit an amusement park, museums and significant points of interest in the capital. At the top of the list is the ornate National Theater, built in the late 1800s by Costa Rica’s wealthiest coffee families. This is one of the finest theaters in the world! Other stops include the National Museum, an open-air market, and the famous Zoo, unique in that it showcases species native to Costa Rica. Enjoy lunch at a restaurant that specializes in traditional Costa Rican cuisine. You are sure to enjoy this walking tour of the best San José has to offer.

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Nicaragua or Panama (semester only)

Get off the beaten path, and travel to one of Costa Rica’s beautiful neighbors and experience the life and culture of another Central American country.

Monteverde Cloud Forest & Rain Forest Zipline *

Monteverde literally translates as “Green Mountain”, which aptly describes this lush mountain region of Costa Rica. It is best known as the home of the famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, founded in 1972. The reserve is home to eight different ecological zones and possesses an amazing array of biodiversity; 90 percent of the reserve is virgin forest. On this excursion, you will experience firsthand the natural beauty of the Monteverde Reserve while hiking its scenic trails. You will see stunning waterfalls, views of the Pacific, and discover the incredible variety of animals that live in these forests. There are two towns in the area, Monteverde and Santa Elena, neither of which have paved roads, allowing for pleasurable walking to the small shops and museums. Not to be missed on this excursion is the famous zip-line tour, where you will spend part of the day “zipping” from tree to tree over the thick forest canopy below.

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National Park Visits

Costa Rica is renowned world-wide for its national park system. Over 25% of the country is protected either under the national park system or under wildlife refuges, biological zones, or forest reserves. The 26 national parks comprise roughly 11% of the country. These parks are found throughout the country. While in Costa Rica you will have the opportunity to visit many of these parks either during your free time or with the program. Parks range from the lowland rainforests, to those found on the Pacific and Caribbean coastlines, to the high tundra peaks of the central volcanic range.

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