Educational Tours EXPLORE COSTA RICA 13 days Summer 2017
EXPLORE COSTA RICA INCLUDED ON TOUR Round-trip flights on major carriers; Full-time Tour Director; Comfortable motorcoaches and local transportation for included activities; Hotels with private bathrooms; Select meals with a mix of local cuisine; Connect to your travel experiences with weshare, our project-based online educational tool. Entrances: Boat Excursion, Tortuguero Canals; Tortuguero National Park; Canopy Tour, Sarapiqui; Cooking Demonstration, Sarapiqui; Chocolate Tour, Sarapiqui; Whitewater Rafting, Sarapiqui; Hot Springs, Arenal; Kayaking on Lake Arenal; La Fortuna Waterfall; Rincón de la Vieja National Park; Palo Verde Boat Tour; Snorkeling, Guanacaste; Crocodile Safari Tour, Central Pacific Coast; Manuel Antonio National Park; Folklore Evening Guided Sightseeings: Tortuguero Overnight Stays: San José (1) Tortuguero (2) Sarapiqui (2) Arenal Region (2) Guanacaste (2) Central Pacific Coast (2) San José (1) Optional excursions; Global travel protection; Beverages at meals; Transportation to free-time activities; Customary gratuities (for your Tour Director, bus driver and local guide); Porterage; Adult supplement (if applicable); Weekend supplement; Shore excursions on cruises; Any applicable baggage-handing fee imposed by the airlines (see eftours.com/baggage for details); Expenses caused by airline rescheduling, cancellations or delays caused by the airlines, bad weather or events beyond EF s control; Passports, visa and reciprocity fees SIGN UP TODAY eftours.com/enroll
YOUR ITINERARY Day 1: Fly to San José Arrive in San José Touch down in San José. Founded in 1737 as Villa Nueva de la Boca Del Monte del Valle de Abra, the city's name was later abbreviated in honor of its patron saint: San José. As you tour Costa Rica, keep in mind that the country, by establishing national parks and reserves, is one of the world's most progressive in its efforts to save the earth's endangered rain forests. Costa Rica is home to one tenth of the world's bird species and of the world's butterflies. Day 2: San José Tortuguero Travel to Tortuguero Take a boat ride from Siquirres through the Tortuguero canals until you reach your hotel. Founded in the 1930s by Colombians exporting sea turtles and coconuts, Tortuguero Village today is accessible only by boat and home to just 700 residents. Begin your visit with free time in Tortuguero Village, gateway to the Tortuguero National Park. Day 3: Tortuguero Boat Ride through the Tortuguero Canals Howler monkeys, toucans and caimans are waiting to meet you around every twist of the Tortuguero canals. Keep your eyes open and your ears tuned. Guided Visit to Tortuguero National Park Join your guide for a hike into Tortuguero National Park - the place to be for turtle watching. Tortuguero is the most important Caribbean breeding ground for the green see turtles, who have lived here for over 100 million years! In 1970, the Costa Rican government declared this stretch of land and sea a national park in order to protect the turtles from extinction. Day 4: Tortuguero Sarapiqui Transfer to Sarapiqui Head north through the lush forest to Sarapiqui, located where the Rio Sarapiqui and Rio Puerto Viejo converge. It is nestled in the Caribbean lowlands, making it a popular destination for ecotourists and birdwatchers. Take a Canopy Tour Get an entirely different view of the park from above. The more adventurous can even sail from platform to platform along horizontal traverse cables. Zipping over the canopy of the rainforest will be an experience you'll never forget. (Note: To ensure safety, there is a 200lb weight restriction imposed on canopy tours.) Day 5: Sarapiqui Cooking Demonstration and Tour Stop by Hacienda Pozo Azul today where you will take a tour of their organic garden and learn to cook some Costa Rican specialties. Afterward, enjoy your masterpieces with an included lunch. Chocolate Tour at Tirimbina Biological Reserve Travel to the Tirimbina Biological Reserve to get a better look at Costa Rica's incredible biodiversity. This reserve, designed specifically as an educational, eco-tourism facility, contains dozens of acres of rainforest that allow for many outdoor activities. Today, you will enjoy the chocolate tour, which takes you through how cacao becomes edible chocolate! Day 6: Sarapiqui Arenal Whitewater Rafting Excursion Costa Rica offers some of the best whitewater rafting in the world. Travel to one of the many rivers today for a thrilling paddling adventure. Be prepared to get wet! Transfer to Arenal Journey across the Central Valley to the magnificent Arenal Region. Dormant for centuries, Arenal Volcano exploded in a massive eruption of molten lava and ash in 1968. After continuously spewing great clouds of ash and occasional lava, this volcano has been seemingly dormant since 2010. Volcanologists from all over the world come here to study this tropical volcano. Visit the Hot Springs Experience the relaxation properties of one of the area's many natural hot springs, filled with water heated by nearby Arenal volcano and channeled into pools. It's an ideal way to soothe muscles after the day's activities! Day 7: Arenal Kayaking on Lake Arenal Enjoy a breathtaking view of the Arenal Volcano during a kayaking excursion across the lake. The volcano, whose perfect conical shape emerges from the green hills of Alajuela, overlooks the San Carlos plain and the Pacific lowlands. Visit La Fortuna Waterfall Visit the Rio Fortuna waterfall, a picturesque cascade falling from rocky heights of 230-feet. One of Costa Rica's most spectacular waterfalls, La Fortuna is located within the thick rain forest near the town of La Fortuna. If you have time, you can make the breathtaking downhill climb to the waterfall's base. Day 8: Arenal Guanacaste Visit to Rincón de la Vieja National Park Enjoy a special excursion today to Rincón de la Vieja National Park, a rain/cloud forest located high in the mountains. Visit geothermal hot springs reminiscent of those at Yellowstone National Park, and view a wide variety of plant, bird and animal species. The highlight is the Blue Lagoon; its color and name come from the minerals in the stones beneath the lagoon, which is fed by a giant waterfall. Transfer to Guanacaste As you arrive in Guanacaste, take in the craggy bluffs cloaked in forests that stretch tall above you. Along these roads you're bound to encounter local cattle ranchers driving oxen carts farther inland. Day 9: Guanacaste Visit Palo Verde National Park Visit Palo Verde National Park by boat. This boat tour allows you to see the wildlife and natural beauty of the wetlands surrounding the Tempisque River from a completely different perspective. Be sure to have your eyes peeled and your cameras ready! Included in the boat tour is a deliciously authentic lunch consisting of local cuisine. Participate in a Snorkeling Activity Watch for sea turtles, colorful corals and all sorts of interesting and unusual marine life as you snorkel through Guanacaste's clear Pacific waters.
Day 10: Guanacaste Central Pacific Coast Transfer to the Central Pacific Coast Transfer to the breathtaking Central Pacific Coast, where sandy beaches, a rocky coastline and lush rainforests act as a magnet for travelers. Crocodile Safari Tour Enjoy a crocodile boat cruise for an up-close look at life in the river habitat. Day 11: Central Pacific Coast Visit Manuel Antonio National Park Experience the spectacular beauty of Costa Rica's coastline during a full-day excursion to exotic Manuel Antonio National Park. Venture deep into the heart of this renowned natural wonder, a coastal paradise famous for its lush jungle and dazzling beaches. Spend the day relaxing on the brilliant white sand of Espadilla Sur and cooling off in the crystal-clear Pacific waters. Notice that the jungle reaches the high-tide line! Wander along the park's many trails for a closer look at its diverse inhabitants-to date, 350 types of plants, 100 species of animals, and 150 varieties of birds are known to be in residence! Look for howler monkeys and two-toed sloths as you make your way through mangrove swamps and coastal woodland. Day 12: Central Pacific Coast San José Return to San José via Sarchí Visit the picturesque town of Sarchí, known for the brightly painted designs and colorful wheels that adorn local oxcarts. The complex patterns are passed down from one generation to the next. Costa Rican Folklore Evening Participate in a Costa Rican Folklore Evening. You'll learn about the rich cultural traditions of the region as you enjoy an included dinner with Costa Rican specialties, marimba music, entertainment by a local dance troupe, and spectacular city views from the restaurant. Day 13: Depart for Home Transfer to the Airport for Your Return Flight Your Tour Director assists with your transfer to the airport, where you'll check in for your return flight home. Itinerary is subject to change For complete financial and registration details, please refer to the Booking Conditions at www.eftours.com/bc.
The easiest ways to ENROLL TODAY As a parent I am very grateful that I was able to give this opportunity to my child. It was worth every penny to see her smiling face in the pictures on the trip. Encourage your child to embrace the moment; be open to new cultures, foods, and just a new way of life and looking at things. KATHLEEN, DAUGHTER TRAVELED APRIL 2013 Enroll on our website eftours.com/enroll THE WORLD LEADER IN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION Enroll by phone 800-665-5364 Your teacher has partnered with EF because of our unmatched experience and worldwide presence, as well as our commitment to providing students with life-changing travel opportunities that are immersive and affordable. For nearly 50 years, we ve worked with educators across the globe to help millions of people become citizens of the world by breaking down barriers of language, culture and geography. We always offer the lowest prices guaranteed so more people can travel. We re fully accredited, just like your school, so you can earn credit while on tour. Mail your Enrollment Form to: EF Educational Tours Cambridge, MA 02141 All of our educational itineraries feature experiential learning activities and visits to the best sites. We re completely committed to your safety. We have 450 schools and offices in over 50 countries around the world, so local EF staff members can react quickly and in person wherever you travel. Your full-time Tour Director is with your group every step of the way on tour, providing insight about your destinations as well as great local tips.