Study Abroad in San José Cultural Travel

3-day visit to Tamarindo Beach, Guanacaste (Included in fee)

Friday, October 1 or January 14 Afternoon departure by bus to Tamarindo Beach.

Saturday, October 2 or January 15 Day at leisure to enjoy the park and beaches: white sands and warm water surrounded by lush vegetation.

Sunday, October 3 or January 16 A last look at the flora and fauna of the coast. Early evening return to San José.

Includes accommodations, transportation, and breakfast. Lunch and dinner not included. Dates and itinerary are tentative and subject to change.

3-day visit to Arenal Volcano, Hot Springs and Monteverde Cloud Forest (Included in fee)

Friday, October 8 or January 7 Afternoon departure by bus to La Fortuna Waterfall on the Arenal route. Visit the Hot Springs where you can bathe in the warm waters of the spa.

Saturday, October 9 or January 8 Enjoy the vista of the Arenal Volcano and the wide variety of birds and mammals that take refuge in Arenal Lake. Later travel to Monteverde to see the famous Cloud Forest which is the main destination for most tourists to Costa Rica.

Sunday, October 10 or January 9 Departure from Monteverde Private Reserve, dedicated to the conservation of the area's flora and fauna. Evening return to San José.

Includes accommodations, transportation, entrance fees and breakfast. Lunch and dinner are not included except buffet dinner at Hot Springs. Dates and itinerary are tentative and subject to change.

Day trip to Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall (Included in fee)

Saturday, October 16 or January 22 Early departure by bus to Poas Volcano with a stop at "Café 3 Generaciones" plantation to drink coffee. On arrival at the Poas Volcano, students will walk to the old crater lake and possibly see the crater. Students visit the butterfly and bird house before a delicious buffet lunch. In the afternoon, students walk through the waterfall trails to see hummingbirds and frogs before returning to San José.

Includes transportation, entrance fees to Volcano and Waterfalls, and buffet lunch at La Paz.

Optional 3-day visit to Nicaragua ($335)

Friday, October 22 or January 28 Early morning departure by bus to Nicaragua border. Continue on to Granada, a beautiful colonial town south of Managua. Students will stop at Lake Apoyo, one of the oldest lakes in Nicaragua. This lake was formed after the eruption of a volcano and then gradually filled with water. Check into hotel before an island tour of an archipelago formed by 365 small volcanic islands, located 3 kilometers from Granada in the Cocibolca Lake. City tour on "Volantas": a fun ride on horse carriages.

Saturday, October 23 or January 29 Students visit Masaya City Market after breakfast at the hotel. In the afternoon, students have the opportunity to explore the Ruben Dario theater, Lake Managua and the cathedral before returning to the hotel.

Sunday, October 24 or January 30 Breakfast in the hotel and return to San José.

Fee includes accommodation, breakfast, transportation, sightseeing and entrances as indicated, but not lunch and dinner. Dates and itineraries are subject to change. Border tax at Nicaragua is not included and is approximately $15. A minimum enrolment of 10 students is required.

Optional 3-day excursion to Panama ($315)

Friday, November 19 or February 25 Early morning departure by bus to Panama border. Arrival in Almirante Bay. Departure by boat to Colono Island in Bocas and check in to the hotel. Students go on a boat tour to the Starfish Beach; a beautiful beach full of starfish. A barbecue lunch will be served on the beach. Free afternoon at the beach before returning to the hotel.

Saturday, November 20 or February 26 Breakfast at the hotel before students head out on the Dolphin tour in a bay where groups of dolphins swim. There is the opportunity for snorkeling before lunch at Coral Key. In the afternoon, visit Ranas Rojas Beach on Bastimento Island, home of the red venomous frogs. Free afternoon at the beach before returning to the hotel.

Sunday, November 21 or February 27 Breakfast at the hotel and leisurely return to San José.

Fee includes accommodation, breakfast, transportation (ground and boat), sightseeing and entrances as indicated, but not lunch (except the barbecue lunch at Starfish Beach) and dinner. Dates and itineraries are subject to change. A minimum enrolment of 10 students is required.