Insider's Costa Rica (6/17/13 - 6/25/13)
What's Included
- Round-Trip Flights
- Centrally Located Hotels
- 24-Hour Tour Manager
- Sarchí Craft Workshop
- Local School Visit
- Río Frío Wildlife Boat Cruise
- Horseback Riding
- Monteverde Cloud Forest and Canopy Tour
- Manuel Antonio National Park
- Costa Rican Cooking Lesson
- Costa Rican Dance Lesson
TRIP AT A GLANCE
Tour Details:
Departure City: PittsburghDuration: 9 Days
Overnights: San Jose 1, San Carlos 2, Monteverde 2, Puntarenas 2, San Jose 1
Cultural Connections:
Craft Workshop in SarchíFace to Face with Students in San Carlos
Costa Rican Cooking Lesson
Horseback Ride to Monteverde
Monteverde Cloud Forest Canopy Tour
Learning Objectives:
- Students will experience part of a traditional school day for a Costa Rican student and will be able to compare and contrast it with the school system in the United States.
- Students will explore and discover the rich and diverse topography of Costa Rica's lush rainforests, volcanic mountains and sparkling Pacific waters.
- In experiencing the rich biodiversity of Costa Rica, students will come to understand the value and importance of preserving endangered species.
Itinerary:
Depart from the USA. Arrive in the Costa Rican capital of San José, meet your tour manager, and enjoy your first taste of Tico hospitality.
Journey to Sarchí, the hub of Costa Rica’s arts and crafts trade, known for its ox-carts and leather rocking chairs. You’ll participate in a craft workshop, learning about the history and the methods of creating this brightly colored furniture before painting your own small souvenir to take home. Then continue to the San Carlos region in the shadow of the Arenal Volcano. In the afternoon visit a local school to practice your Spanish with the students, discovering the similarities and differences between their typical school day and yours at home. This evening view the Arenal Volcano, among the most active volcanoes in the world. On a clear night it may be possible to see the orange glow of lava flowing. (B,D)
Today travel north to Caño Negro and the Río Frío. Comprised of swamp and marshlands, the area covers about 1,977 acres in the wet season. Enjoy a boat trip on the river while you share company with exotic creatures such as osprey, storks, caimans and monkeys, as well as the unique garfish, which have lungs, gills and a nose. Lunch will be included today in the park. Return to San Carlos for the evening. (B,L,D)
Depart on your once-in-a-lifetime adventure of riding horseback from the Arenal area toward the lush cloud forest of Monteverde. Your bags will travel by bus and will meet you in Monteverde. Anyone unable to ride on horseback may travel on the touring bus. Arrive at your destination with a new understanding of how the local native populations traveled. (B,D)
Today explore this beautiful cloud forest. Founded in the 1950s by a group of Quakers from Alabama, Monteverde Cloud Forest is home to more than 400 species of birds, 100 species of mammals and 2,500 species of plants. This afternoon you will swing far above the forest floor on the world famous Monteverde Canopy Tour. (B,D)
Observe the shift in landscape as you travel from the mountainous inland cloud forest to the beaches and Pacific breezes of Puntarenas on the Golfo de Nicoya. Enjoy time to relax on the beach and settle in to your new neighborhood. (B,D)
Depart early this morning for an excursion to Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the most stunning parks in Costa Rica with lush forests and picturesque white sand beaches. Explore the park and its wildlife before traveling to the Quepos area, once a major banana port. Here you’ll discover the best of Costa Rican coastal cuisine with an afternoon cooking lesson. Learn about the ingredients and techniques used in traditional meals before joining together to prepare a sample dish. Return to Puntarenas for the evening. (B,D)
Say adiós to the coast and drive through lush vegetation back to San José. Celebrate the Tico culture of music and movement during a Costa Rican dance lesson with a local experta festive and fun way to spend your last night in this beautiful country. (B,D)
Depart for the USA. Optional Extensions and Extra Nights: Further immerse yourself in the culture and wonders of Costa Rica with an extra night in San José, including the services of your ACIS Tour Manager, at the beginning of your tour. (B)
Tour Cost:
Cost Per Traveler: $2,867
| Registration Fee: | $95 |
| Program Fee: | $2,339 |
| Estimated Departure Fees: | $433 |
| Total Group Fees 1: |
$2,867 |
|
1 Valid through 2/15/13 with deposit of $195 |
|
Additional Fees (as applicable) |
|
| Single Room Supplement: | $640 |
| Double Room Supplement: | $360 |
| Ultimate Protection Plan: | $270 |
| Comprehensive Protection Plan: | $225 |
Full Payment Deadline: 2/15/13
What to See
Plaza Esmeralda, Pavas
Both a working jewelry factory and a shopping center, you can purchase replicas of pre-Columbian jewelry here, along with many other souvenirs. There is also a short guided tour to see some of the jewelry being made.
La Casona, Calle Central
This large complex has many stalls with a wide selection of local goods and items. Many vendors also sell crafts imported from other Central American country.
Atmósfera, Calle 5
This gallery has a great selection of Indian wall hangings and paintings. It is also is one of the few stores in the city that carries the woodwork of Barry Biesanz.
Suraksa, Calle 5
If you're looking for gold work, Suraksa has a good selection of pieces done in Pre-Columbian style, as well as fine ceramic ware.
Annemarie's Boutique, Hotel Don Carlos, Calle 9
This boutique is more than the typical hotel lobby gift shop. It is open to the public and has fair prices on its wide selection of Costan Rican souvenirs.
Museu Nacional de Costa Rica, Calle 17
Costa Rica’s most important historical museum is housed in a former army barracks from the early 1900’s. Located in San José between Avenues Central and 2, on the Plaza de la Democracia.
Museo de Jade, Avenida 7, Calles 9 & 11
Perhaps Costa Rica's most famous museum, you'll be able to see the world's largest collection of jade. Many of the pieces are mounted with a backlight in order to enhance the translucent quality of these precious gems. In addition, there are also archaeological exhibits of gold, stonework and other ceramics. Open Mon-Fri.
Serpentario, Avenida 1, Calles 9 & 11
Right in the center of San José is this small, but unusual collection of live snakes and other reptiles! A bilingual biologist is available to explain the exotic Costa Rican species on display.
Zip Lining Excursion
There are many options for zip lining treks through the Costa Rican canopies in the jungle/rainforest. Usually half-day or full-day options are available. Costa Rica is a great place to take advantage of one of these exciting adventure trips!
La Paz Waterfall Gardens
The Waterfall Gardens are impressive and the site also contains a coffee plantation, butterfly observatory, hummingbird garden, and more. This is a great place to experience the lush Costa Rican rainforest.
Parque La Sabana
This park is home to both the musuem of Costa Rican art and the national stadium. It's a beautiful and spacious area, with a lagoon, fountain and sport facilities. If you have time for a relaxing picnic in San José, this is the park to go to.
Whapin’, Barrio Escalanta, East of the Farolito in San Pedro
This fun spot is decorated like the Caribbean coast and has a menu typical of that of the area. Try the classic rice and beans cooked in coconut milk! Reservations are recommended during busy seasons and prices are reasonable.
La Luz
This eclectic restaurant is in the Hotel Alta, on the old rold to Santa Ana. They serve all kinds of international and ethnic cuisines for breakfast, lunch and dinner - as well as a nice Sunday brunch.
Café Mundo, Calle 15 and Av. 9
Locals frequent this place because of the unique and lively atmosphere. The café takes up several rooms in a former colonial mansion, with additional seating on the open veranda.
La Vasconia, Avenida 1, Calle 5
Open daily and with plenty of local atmosphere, La Vasconia is a nice place to go for a quick meal. On some nights, musicians stroll in and play for a while.
Café Mariscar, Avenida Central, Calle 7 & 9
This is a popular grilled-chicken place with an open-air bar and local music. It is popular amongst young ticos and travelers on the go.
Soda Tapia, Calle 42, Av. 2 and 4
On the east side of La Sabana Park, across from the Museo de Arte Coastarricense, you'll find Soda Tapia, one of the most popular "sodas" in the country. Locals meet here for a simple and quick lunch, and you'll enjoy it as well because it's inexpensive and dependable.
Donde Carlos, San Pedro
This fairly new restaurant is an Argnetinian Steakhouse that serves large portions and has a nice second floor balcony with outdoor seating.
Vishnu, Avenida 1, between Calles 1 and 3
When you're in downtown San Jose and are looking for a place to get a quick vegetarian meal, head on over to Vishnu to try the plato del dia - it's a great bargain!
Group Leader
Stephanie Gutshall,
Group ID: 76168
Every Moment Matters
At ACIS, we believe that educational travel should give students much more than just a glimpse into other places and cultures. It should give them an up-close-and-personal look. Watch our video to see what we mean!
Tour Manager
Herson Guevara
Herson Guevara has been a guide since 1993. He studied at Lankester Gardens and is knowledgeable on volcanoes, birds of Cano Negro, Guanacaste and of the rain and dry forests, medicinal plants, butterflies, reptiles and amphibians. He also knows first aid.
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