Arrive To: Arrive in San José's Juan Santamaria International Airport in Costa Rica.
Proceed through Immigrations, Baggage Claim and Customs before exiting the secured area of the airport. Participants on the Road Scholar group flights should use the exit door on the right. The Road Scholar representative will be waiting outside the exit door with a Road Scholar sign.

Transfer to the hotel and check-in.

**If possible, participants should try to arrange flights that arrive in San José in the afternoon. Doing this will allow participants to get a full night's sleep in preparation for the next day's activities.

Lodging: Hotel Rincon del Valle

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Transfer to Poás Volcano National Park. The program orientation will take place en route.

Walk on trails in the Poás Volcano National Park, the oldest designated National Park in Costa Rica. View the world's largest active crater and a crater lake while encountering four different habitats, including a tropical forest.

The Poás Volcano, is an active stratovolcano in central Costa Rica which has erupted 39 times since 1828. Poás volcano is a powerful symbol of the geothermal forces that formed Costa Rica. When the mist and clouds part you'll see the sulfuric, bubbling, green rain fed lake at the bottom, surrounded by smoke and steam rising from fumaroles. Water from the lake is constantly seeping through cracks in the hot rock, evaporating and building pockets of steam. When the pressure in these pockets exceeds the weight of the water above, the steam breaks through in geysers that rocket up to 820 feet (250 meters) high. Don't worry about getting a shower though, the crater is 1,050 feet (320 meters) deep. At almost a mile (1.6 km) across it's also the largest active crater in the world. The most recent period of eruptive activity ended in 1954. The last major activity was in 1910 when nearly a million tons of ash was ejected along with an immense column of smoke and steam.

Lunch: Lunch at a typical rural restaurant where the food is fresh and wholesome.

Afternoon: Enjoy the clean, crisp air at a coffee plantation perched on the slopes of the Central Valley. Walk between the rows of coffee bushes in a symbolic coffee picking exercise and sample the freshly ground coffee - after exploring the plantation.

During your visit experience first-hand the production, harvesting, processes of the plant and roasting of the bean. The program begins in the seedbed. There you will observe the development processing of the plant. Also learn about the history of the estate, its owners, the production and varieties of plants, the geography of the area and the traditional ways of cultivating the grain.

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.

Evening: Lecture on the "Blue Zones" (book authored by Dan Buettner).

Lodging: Hotel Rincon del Valle

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Leave San José and travel in a northeasterly direction towards the Caribbean lowlands. Board a covered motorboat at the Caño Blanco docks and begin your river transfer to Tortuguero. This approximately 2-hour river journey offers a great opportunity to view riverine wildlife and local communities.

Arrive at the lodge and check-in.

Lunch: Lunch at the hotel.

Afternoon: Afternoon visit to Tortuguero Village.

The sleepy little coastal village of Tortuguero is situated on the southern end of a 6-km-long sandspit that is sandwiched between the Caribbean Sea to the East and the Laguna del Tortuguero to the West. The region is known for its network of canals and waterways and luxuriant forests that are home to a variety of exotic wildlife. Tortuguero, as its name implies, is also famous for turtles--especially Green Sea Turtles. Tortuguero is one of the most important Green Sea Turtle hatcheries in the Western Caribbean region (July - October season). Hawksbill and Giant Leatherback turtles also frequent the region, though in lesser numbers.

Lecture: The History of Tortuguero.

Dinner: Dinner at hotel.

Lodging: Pachira Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Silently kayak on the Rio Frio optimizing the opportunity to view the wildlife in their natural habitat, with minimum disturbance to the environment.

The mellow Rio Frio is surrounded by wetlands that are flooded in the rainy season, forming a vast lake. This area is also home to an abundance of underwater wildlife including fresh water sharks, caimans and hundreds of amphibians and reptiles.

Lunch: Lunch at the hotel.

Afternoon: Walk along the coastal trails of the Gavilan forest, a great bird watching and outdoor experience. Decide whether to return via the soft sands of the beach for a more energetic outing.

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.

Lodging: Pachira Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Return by motorized boat and bus from Tortuguero to Sarapiqui in the Chilamate Valley.

Sarapiquí is one of the richest sites for birds in Middle America with well over 400 recorded species. The nearby La Selva Protection Zone and the Braulio Carrillo National Park form the only significant corridor of forest on the Caribbean slope linking the highlands with the lowlands - a corridor crucial to birds and animals that undertake seasonal altitudinal migrations.

Arrive to Selva Verde Lodge and check-in.

Lunch: Lunch at the lodge.

Afternoon: This afternoon, walk on forest trails to a small cacao plantation to participate in a traditional chocolate making demonstration and sample the "nectar of the gods." Chocolate was cherished in this region long before the arrival of Columbus (although its health benefits had not yet been discovered).

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.

Evening: Latin dancing is recognized as an exemplary form of cardio exercise. Laugh, dance and socialize at a rural bar situated between the lodge and the town of Puerto Viejo.

Lodging: Selva Verde Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: The main purpose of our morning hike into the heart of the rainforest is to pay homage to El Ganador, a giant almond tree that towers above the canopy. What life secrets would you ask a 600 year old tree that is still standing strong?

El Ganador was already a mature tree when the Spanish came to the Americas in the late 1400s. This enormous tree stands 54 meters (177 feet) high and 14 meters (46 feet) in circumference and in 2007 was recognized as a natural and national treasure of Costa Rica. It won the 2007 Exceptional Tree award from INBio Park, the National Institute for biodiversity in Costa Rica. Almendro trees, or Dipteryx panamensis, are considered guardians of the tropical rainforest and a symbol for the region. They are also a critical part of the endangered Great Green Macaw’s habitat. This award-winning tree should live for another 100 to 200 years.

Lunch: Lunch at the lodge.

Afternoon: Afternoon white water rafting on Class I and Class II rapids.

Winding through the region of the "Eternal Spring," the Sarapiquí River offers some of Costa Rica's most enjoyable white water river rafting amidst lush and vibrant scenery. The free-flowing river has its origins in clear mountain streams that tumble down through thick rain forest to merge with the crystal waters of the beautiful Sarapiquí. Verdant forest reaches right up to the river's sun-basked banks. This narrow waterway is ideal for white water novices, whom will enjoy its moderately flowing rapids, interspersed with tranquil stretches. The journey is also excellent for bird-watchers and other nature lovers. The river stretches its way through lush vegetation that is home to hummingbirds, toucans, woodpeckers and scores of other native bird species.

Lecture: The Sarapiqui Biological Corridor

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.

Lodging: Selva Verde Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Pacific Coastal Region -
Tarcoles River Crocodile Safari/Free Time - Punta Leona Beach

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Transfer from the Caribbean lowland, across the Continental Divide and the Central Valley, to the Tárcoles River and the Pacific Coastal Region. This river is home to some of the largest crocodiles in Central America. These reptiles are the main focus of a jungle river safari.

The Tarcoles river basin is one of the most important in the Pacific coastal region virtually draining the entire western side of the Central Valley. Tarcoles hosts an amazing diversity of wildlife along its banks and on the extensive mangrove areas near its estuary. Perhaps the most famous of all its inhabitants are the enormous crocodiles that live on its banks. These crocodiles (Crocodilus acutus) have been studied by numerous local and foreign specialists and featured in TV specials, including National Geographic Brady Barr's Reptile Wild.



Lunch: Lunch at local restaurant.

Afternoon: Arrival at Punta Leona, a resort incorporating coastal jungle and two beaches - jewels along this Pacific coastline.

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.

Evening: This evening you will be free to enjoy the beaches, swimming pools and many other activities to be found at this little piece of paradise.

Lodging: Hotel Punta Leona

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Punta Leona -
Villa Lapas Sky Way/Free Time - Swimming and/or Walking on Beach

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel,

Morning: Field trip to Villa Lapas Sky Way for hiking on trails and walking on hanging bridges.

Five hanging bridges and a network of trails allow nature lovers to explore the flora and fauna of Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast from varying angles. Walks throughout the private reserve bring to life the differences between tropical moist forest, dry forest and transition zone.

Lunch: Lunch at Villa Lapas.

Afternoon: Transfer back to the hotel.
Time at leisure to enjoy the beach, private reserve, pools, and to take advantage of services provided by the resort.

The Hotel Punta Leona is a 750 acres beach resort and wildlife reserve inhabited by hundreds of indigenous flora and fauna species. What really makes Punta Leona a special place is its waterfront location with two beach options to choose from, one with white sand and the other with gray sand both with crystal clear Pacific water. They are also the only beaches in Costa Rica with 3 Blue Flags & Triple A Rating for their outstanding water quality, cleanliness and level of safety for swimmers.

Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant where your choice of evening meal comes directly from the sea via the kitchen to your plate.

Lodging: Hotel Punta Leona

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Transfer to the small coastal village of Agujas for a sea kayak and outrigger canoe paddling adventure to a secluded beach for a picnic lunch.

Kayaks and canoes have been plying the oceans of the world for centuries. They were created as tools for survival and travel. Their design remains basically unchanged after generations of refinement. Their beauty lies in their simplicity and functionality. The canoes are now built of fiberglass and they have been working well for us for years, we use an outrigger on each side to ensure safety and give peace of mind to our clients. When you put that paddle in the water, think of the ancient traditions, and knowledge and skill that went into the canoe and it will make your experience with us even more enjoyable.

Lunch: Picnic lunch on the beach.

Afternoon: Continue with water activities, especially mastering your kayaking skills.
Return to the hotel.

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.

Lodging: Hotel Punta Leona

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Transfer to San José.
Arrive at hotel and check-in.

Lunch: Lunch at the hotel.

Afternoon: Arrive in San José.

Afternoon transfer to a spa facility. As part of this program's final energizing activity, participants will receive neck, back, and shoulder massages in addition to enjoying a relaxing steam treatment in the spa's Arabic Hammam.

Arrive at the hotel and check-in.



Dinner: Farewell dinner at hotel.

Lodging: Ramada Plaza Herradura

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Depart From: Transfer to the Juan Santamaria International Airport in San José.

Participants with afternoon flights will be able to stay in their hotel rooms until check-out time. Since this is an international travel day, all meals other than breakfast will be on your own.

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel (dependent on flight times).

Meals Included: Breakfast