Costa Rica’s Natural History

Your invited to travel with alumni and friends from February 1 through 11, 2025, on an eleven-day journey through Costa Rica. Set out on a relaxed, yet comprehensive exploration of the diverse natural history of this Central American country, and discover staggering biodiversity in four distinct regions, from the cloud forest to the rainforest, and the Central Valley to the Pacific Coast.

Beginning in the capital city of San José, take a guided excursion to Irazú National Park to see Costa Rica’s tallest and largest volcano, followed by a visit to the Doka Coffee Estate. Then travel northward to the Arenal region for spectacular views of Arenal Volcano. Explore a biological reserve and experience the rainforest from the canopy level as you traverse a series of suspension bridges high above the forest floor. Then visit the cloud forest region of Monteverde. Your adventure concludes with a three-night stay in Guanacaste and a float safari on the Tempisque River. A 4-day/3-night pre-tour option in Tortuguero National Park is also available.

Shared with a cosponsoring alumni association, and limited to just 24 participants, space is sure to fill quickly. Please contact Georgetown Travel Society at 866-525-8664 or GeorgetownTravel Society@Georgetown.edu for more details and to reserve your place today.

 

Dates & Rates

 

Itinerary

DAY 1: Depart for San Jose, Costa Rica

We arrive in the Costa Rican capital and transfer to our hotel located in the Escazu area outside the city. This afternoon and evening are at leisure.
Accommodations: InterContinental Costa Rica

DAY 2: San Jose

After meeting our Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director and fellow travelers at this morning’s breakfast briefing, we embark on an excursion to Irazú National Park, whose active volcano last erupted in 1994. At 11,260 feet, Irazú stands as Costa Rica’s tallest volcano, as well as its largest; and presents a spectacle of nature, as it rises from a flat, bare landscape coated in ash. We return to our hotel late this afternoon; tonight we enjoy a welcome dinner there.
Accommodations: InterContinental Costa Rica
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3: San Jose/Arenal Region

We leave this morning bound for the Arenal region, passing picturesque villages along the way. We stop at the Doka Coffee Estate, located on the fertile slopes of Poás Volcano, where we learn about coffee making and Costa Rica’s coffee crop, one of the country’s largest exports. Continuing on, we stop in Carrizal at the family-owned Botanical Orchid Garden, with tropical trails, exhibits, nurseries, and gardens all dedicated to the wondrous orchid plant. After time to explore here, we travel on to Arenal and our hotel, which offers magnificent views of Arenal Volcano and where we dine tonight.
Accommodations: Lomas del Volcán Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4: Arenal Region

This morning we visit a local elementary school to enjoy a cultural exchange with the children and learn about Costa Rica’s vaunted educational system – the country boasts a literacy rate of more than 95%. We continue on to Ecocentro Danaus, a biological reserve focused on conservation, environmental education, and sustainability. A series of trails winds through the secondary forest, where we see diverse flora, including orchids, bromelia, and heliconia, along with some of the preserve’s 150 species of birds, sloths, and bats, among other fauna. Highlights include a butterfly farm with 30 different species and a natural water spring that attracts waterfowl, alligators, and iguana. Later today there’s time for more volcano viewing before and after dinner from a comfortable perch at our hotel.
Accommodations: Lomas del Volcán Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5: Arenal Region

On this morning’s visit to Arenal’s Mistico hanging bridges, we have the special opportunity to experience the rainforest from the canopy level as we traverse a series of five suspension bridges high
above the forest floor. While we observe the rainforest from a unique perspective, our naturalist guide will point out some of the flora and fauna that thrive here. Then we return to our hotel, where the remainder of the day is at leisure to relax amidst the beautiful grounds and thermal waters. Lunch and dinner today are on our own.
Accommodations: Lomas del Volcán Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6: Arenal Region/Monteverde Cloud Forest

We travel today to the “green cathedral” of Monteverde. En route, we stop to visit a nonprofit handicrafts cooperative dedicated to enhancing the economic and social well-being of local women artists. After lunch on our own in Santa Elena, we continue on to our hotel, arriving late afternoon. We dine tonight at a local restaurant in Monteverde.
Accommodations: Fondavela Mountain Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 7: Monteverde
This morning we embark on a guided walk through Monteverde’s biological reserve, learning about the amazing biodiversity in this relatively small area. After lunch together, we visit the Monteverde Bat Jungle to learn about Costa Rica’s diverse – and important – bat population. Late this afternoon we return to our hotel for time at leisure before visiting with a local resident who will share stories of how Quakers have influenced the region, including their founding of Monteverde’s biological reserve. We dine together this evening.
Accommodations: Fondavela Mountain Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8: Monteverde/Guanacaste
We depart by coach this morning for Guanacaste, Costa Rica’s stunning northwest Pacific coastal region. After a stop for lunch, we reach our resort hotel overlooking the Pacific mid-afternoon.
Accommodations: JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9: Guanacaste
A float safari on the Tempisque River highlights this morning’s excursion to the Palo Verde region, which is both an extraordinary wetland and also one of the world’s last tropical dry forests. In this unique ecosystem, we can expect to see abundant bird- and wildlife, including monkeys, iguanas, and caimans. After lunch together, we return to our hotel mid-afternoon, with the remainder of the day at leisure along one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful Pacific Coast settings.
Accommodations: JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 10: Guanacaste
Today is at leisure to enjoy the beautiful beach and other amenities of our hotel, including an outdoor infinity pool. Optional activities include kayaking, hiking, or visiting the lively town of Tamarindo. This evening we gather at a farewell dinner to celebrate our Costa Rican adventure.
Accommodations: JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 11: Depart for U.S.
We transfer to the airport this morning for our return flights to the U.S.
Meals: Breakfast

Included Features:

• Round-trip air transportation from listed cities for Air-inclusive participants
• 10 nights’ accommodations in Superior First Class and First Class hotels
• 23 meals: 10 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
• Extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees
• Services of professional Tour Directors and local guides throughout
• Private motor-coach transportation throughout your trip
• Luggage handling for one bag per person
• Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, Round-trip air transportation from listed cities; all flights within itinerary

What’s not included:
Taxes; passport, visas and associated fees; personal expenses such as laundry and telephone calls; accident/sickness, trip cancellation, and baggage insurance; excess baggage charges on aircraft; transfers and baggage handling to/from hotel on day of arrival and/or departure if you have booked as a “land only” participant or if you are arriving earlier or later than and/or departing earlier or later than the scheduled group transfer(s); any overnight on land due to flight schedule(s); meals, alcoholic or other beverages and all other services not specifically mentioned in the “Included Features” section of the program brochure.