Arrive To: Arrive in San José's Juan Santamaria International Airport.

Proceed through Immigrations, Baggage Claim and Customs before exiting the secured area of the airport. Please use the exit door on the right. The Road Scholar representative will be waiting outside the exit door with a Road Scholar sign (only applies to Road Scholar group flights).

Transfer to the hotel and check-in, followed by time at leisure.

Please note that this is an international travel day; no meals or program activities are scheduled on this day. Hotel check-in usually begins at 3PM.

Lodging: Casa Conde Apartotel & Suites

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.


Morning: Orientation meeting.
Field trip to INBIO Park to view animals and wildlife

The National Institute for Biodiversity (INBio Parkque) provides a sensory experience combining interpreted nature trails with multimedia technology in its bio-exhibits. Visitors learn about Costa Rica's biodiversity and the efforts in conservation through establishment of protected areas. As example of sustainable use of biodiversity, visitors will learn about medicinal, aromatic and ornamental plants, fruit trees and agricultural products.


Lunch: Lunch at INBIO.


Afternoon: Excursion to the Children's Museum.

The museum allows children to touch and experience exhibits dedicated to the universe, space technology, the Earth and its ecosystems, living animals, and the land and people of Costa Rica.


Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.


Evening: Movie and popcorn at the hotel.

Lodging: Casa Conde Apartotel & Suites

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Early morning transfer to Tortuguero.
Breakfast en route.


Morning: Continue with transfer. Board a boat to Tortuguero and enjoy a wildlife safari on your way to the lodge.

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 three hour motorized boat ride through the waterways is just an appetizer for the avid naturalist.


Lunch: Lunch at the lodge.


Afternoon: Afternoon visit to Tortuguero village to explore village life and learn about coconut processing.
Time at leisure for pool games.


Dinner: Dinner at hotel.


Evening: Evening turtle walk. Please note that dark clothes and sturdy closed-toed shoes are required for this walk.

While the maize of canals and waterways fringed by luxuriant jungle boast a variety of exotic wildlife, the Green Sea Turtle is the star of the show at Tortuguero (late June-late October). Other turtles like the hawksbill and the giant leatherback frequent the region in lesser numbers, but Tortuguero is the most important Green Sea Turtle hatchery in the western Caribbean. Here an estimated 30,000 turtles come ashore annually. While scientist have gathered significant information about the land habits of the green turtle, very little is known about their migratory routes in the oceans, where they spend over 90% of their time. During our visit to Tortuguero we will try to unravel some of these mysteries.

Lodging: Pachira Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the lodge.


Morning: Early morning canal safari.


Lunch: Lunch at the lodge.


Afternoon: Guided walk in Tortuguero National Park.
Time at leisure for pool games.


Dinner: Dinner at lodge.


Evening: Nocturnal walk in search of frogs and insects.

Lodging: Pachira Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Optional early morning birding.

Breakfast at lodge.


Morning: Boat transfer to Caño Blanco Dock and continue by bus to Arenal.


Lunch: Lunch at local restaurant, en route.


Afternoon: Arrive at hotel and check-in.
Free time for pool games.


Dinner: Dinner at hotel.


Evening: Lecture: Arenal Volcano.
Nighttime observation of the volcano (weather dependent).

Lodging: Arenal Paraiso

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.


Morning: Field trip to Arenal Volcano National Park with a walk around the base of the volcano.

Arenal was once Costa Rica's most active volcano and a main draw to the town of La Fortuna and the Arenal Volcano National Park. The volcano lords over the countryside with its perfectly conical shape and occasional smoke and gas emissions. While minor activity excites visitors, they are rarely acknowledged by the locals who have learnt to accept the antics of the volcano as part of their daily lives. The thermal waters emanating from the volcano, the clean air and the energy associated with Arenal, makes this a favorite destination for health spa enthusiasts and nature lovers.


Lunch: Lunch at hotel.


Afternoon: Field trip to Arenal Hanging Bridges, a combination of natural trails and hanging bridges, through the rainforest canopy.

The Hanging Bridges project consists of a system of trails covering a distance of about 2 miles, eight fixed bridges, and six hanging bridges all built with the latest techniques and designed with an eye for both beauty and safety. The entire project was designed to blend with the natural environment, leaving the forest virtually intact. The idea of the operation is to facilitate access, with the minimum possible impact, to one of the least explored parts of the rainforest: the canopy.

Return to the hotel for free time. Relax on your private porch, take a refreshing dip in the pool, or choose from the many amenities available the hotel.


Dinner: Dinner at local restaurant in La Fortuna.

The small and charming town of Fortuna has changed quite a bit from the village that witnessed the eruptions of Arenal Volcano in 1968. Once a small agricultural community, Fortuna has grown in the shadow of the colossus that once burned and devastated large areas. Tourism is now the most important income for the region. Although now on a second level of economic importance, many plantations in the surrounding areas still produce important amounts of papaya, sugar cane, tapioca and ornamental plants.

Lodging: Arenal Paraiso

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.


Morning: Transfer to the Pacific Coast.


Lunch: Lunch at local restaurant.


Afternoon: Crocodile Safari boat ride on the Tarcoles River.

The Tarcoles River hosts an amazing diversity of wildlife along its banks and on the extensive mangrove areas near its estuary. Some of its most famous 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 natural history TV specials.

Lecture: Crocodiles.


Dinner: Dinner at hotel.

Lodging: Hotel Punta Leona

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.


Morning: Sea kayaking from the mouth of the Agujas River to Limones Beach. Opportunity for swimming.


Lunch: Lunch at the hotel.


Afternoon: Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the beaches and pools.


Dinner: Dinner at hotel.

Lodging: Hotel Punta Leona

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Arrive To: Breakfast at hotel.


Morning: Departure for the Canopy Vista Los Suenos for a zip lining adventure.

Canopy Vista Los Suenos is situated in Herradura, on Costa Rica's Central Pacific Coast. Adventurers come here to enjoy the thrill of whizzing through the forest canopy on zip lines while nature lovers rejoice in the sights and sounds of the forest. The experience begins with a leisurely tractor ride up the mountain followed by a heart-pumping descent via a network of zip lines and platforms. Enjoy beautiful views of the Gulf of Nicoya and Herradura Bay and learn about the unique flora and fauna of the park's transitional forest.

Return to the hotel and freshen-up before checking out.


Lunch: Lunch at the hotel.


Afternoon: Transfer to San José.
Arrive at the hotel and check-in.
Final briefing with local coordinator.


Dinner: Farewell dinner at the hotel.

Lodging: Wyndham San José Herradura Hotel & Convention Center (previously a Ramada property)

Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

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


Morning: Transfer to the Juan Santamaria International Airport for flight to U.S.

Note: Participants with independent travel arrangements and/or scheduled on later flights can keep their hotel rooms until check-out time on this day. Except for breakfast, all other meals are on your own on this day.

Meals Included: Breakfast