Costa Rica Adventure with Marshfield High School

Upon arrival at the Juan Santamaría International Airport meet your driver and transfer to your hotel. This evening at a welcome dinner and orientation to your program, get to know your guide as well as learn about the amazing country that will be your home for the next week.

This morning after breakfast transfer from San José to Sarapiquí. En route, stop at Braulio Carrillo National Park, home to over 500 species of birds and 135 species of mammals. Board the aerial tram and explore the forest canopy at 170 feet. Continue to Selva Verde Lodge. This evening enjoy a dance lesson hosted by the Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center (SCLC), a not for profit organization founded to preserve the cultural integrity of the rural community of Chilamate and aid in sustainable community development projects.

Early this morning receive an introduction to the amazing tropical birds of Selva Verde during a short hike around the grounds of the lodge. The avifauna of Selva Verde is abundant, and feeding stations have been set up around the lodge to facilitate observation and identification of the many species that frequent the area. Return to the lodge for breakfast, then set out on a second nature hike through the reserve in search of new species. Your guide will discuss the complex details of the ecosystem and how life in the rainforest thrives. In the afternoon, visit an organic pineapple plantation.

After breakfast participate in a reforestation project. Planting native trees helps preserve the rainforest and a multitude of endangered animals by creating biological corridors. Enjoy lunch and time with a local family on their farm. This afternoon take an exhilarating whitewater rafting trip on the Río Sarapiquí. A professional river guide escorts all trips and all necessary safety equipment (helmet, life jackets, etc.) will be provided. Following a thorough safety orientation and basic rafting lesson, enjoy both Class II and Class III rapids of the Rio Sarapiquí. Next, visit Best Chocolate to learn about the history of cacao and how it is processed from fruit to the final product. This is an authentic experience that also helps support a family owned sustainable tourism initiative in the community.

Depart the lodge early this morning and head to the Arenal area. Stop for a thrilling SkyTrek zip line tour in the forest canopies at Sky Adventures Arenal Park. The SkyTram gondolas offer a spectacular chance to view flora and fauna from an "up-in-the-branches" perspective. Start by riding an open-air gondola from the ground up to an observation area where there are fantastic views. From this area, start riding down on a zip line track stretching across canyons and in between treetops, ultimately returning to the starting point at the main building. After lunch at Sky Adventures Arenal Park, arrive at hotel for check-in then explore the grounds with views of the volcano. Learn about the geology of the volcano as well as local flora and fauna. This evening, visit Ecotermales Hot Springs to relax in the thermal pools and enjoy dinner on site.

This morning, depart for Costa Rica's Pacific Coast. En route stop for a horseback riding excursion on the beach. Experice the cultural and natural beauty of Costa Rica on horseback riding trails long the beach and within the local community. Then continue on to Quepos to check in at the hotel and have some time to relax by the pool.

This morning after breakfast at the hotel, hike in the renowned Manuel Antonio National Park. The park is situated along the Pacific coast and is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna. Spend the morning exploring the park's trails and beach. After lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy time at the public beach at Espadilla with beach chair and unbrella rentals included. This evening dinner at the hotel.

After breakfast depart for San José, en route stop at a local school. Enjoy some games and learn about their day to day life and provide donations. Have a pizza lunch at a local restaurant then explore the town of Tarcoles. Continue on to the hotel in San Jose for evening flight home. Flight needs to depart after 6:30 pm.