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. 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: Wyndham San José Herradura Hotel & Convention Center

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Orientation to the program.
Lecture: An Overview of Costa Rica.
Depart for the town of La Fortuna and the Arenal 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: En route, at local restaurant.

Afternoon: Excursion to the Arenal Suspension Bridges.

A series of suspension bridges enable visitors to experience the various layers of the tropical forest, right up into the canopy. A well constructed trail connects all the bridges. Be prepared for a leisurely-paced two hour activity in magnificent surroundings with information about the forest eco-system being provided by the group leader.

Transfer to the hotel and check-in.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Lodging: Arenal Paraiso

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Arenal Volcano -
Arenal Volcano National Park/Board the Star Flyer.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Lecture: The History and Moods of the Arenal Volcano.
Depart to the Arenal Volcano National Park for a walk along the base of the volcano.

Although clouds often obscure the peak of the volcano, if the weather is clear it is possible to see and hear the super-heated boulders cascade down the side of the 5,300 foot mountain. It is interesting to see how the periodic lava flows have contributed to the erratic growth of vegetation in the vicinity of the volcano.

Return to the hotel.

Lunch: At the hotel.

Afternoon: Depart by bus for Puerto Caldera, adjacent to the city of Puntarenas, on the Pacific coast. Late afternoon embarkation on the Star Flyer.

Dinner: On board the ship.

Lodging: Star Flyer

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: On board the ship.

Morning: Lecture: The National Parks and Biodiversity of Costa Rica.

Lunch: On board the ship.

Afternoon: Time at leisure to enjoy on board amenities.

Dinner: On board the ship.

Lodging: Star Flyer

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua -
Mombacho, Masaya and Concepción Volcanoes/Masaya Market.

Breakfast: On board the ship.

Morning: Wet landing at San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua.

Visit three of Nicaragua's impressive dormant and active volcanoes surrounding Granada. Board your air-conditioned transportation for the one-hour-and-45 minute guided drive to the colonial town of Granada.

Granada is one of the oldest cities in Central America. In the nineteenth century, Granada played host to the likes of William Walker and others intent on taking control of the nation. Decades later, Granada seemed a perfect location for the terminus of the canal that would link the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Today, its turbulent history has faded into the past and Granada offers its visitors copious amounts of charm and an excellent view of Central America?s colonial past.

Stop for photo opportunities just outside Granada, at the base of the Mombacho Volcano.
Continue through Granada's historic downtown en route to the Masaya Volcano National Park.

The Masaya Volcano National Park is located inside an extinct crater (Ventarr? just ten minutes outside the town of Masaya, and includes a crater lake, two active volcanoes, and five craters. Hiking trails wind their way through the moonlike landscape, offering visitors views of fumaroles, lava flows, the smoking Masaya Volcano, craters, caves, and Lake Masaya. Despite the inhospitable environment, a number of plant and animal life can be found thriving in the park.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: After lunch, we will continue our exploration of Nicaragua with a visit to the well-known Masaya Handicrafts Market.

Masaya, also known as the “City of Flowers,’ is Nicaragua’s folk culture and artisan center. It is a hot plains city that lies on the Masaya Volcano slope. The Chortegas, who most Masayan inhabitants today trace their ancestry back to, feared the volcano and understood the grumbling eruptions to be signs of anger that required sacrifices, often human. The Masaya handicraft market is the real deal. Locals, as well as visitors, frequent the market that sells everything from hammocks to beef livers.

Journey to the Apoyo Crater, which is now an enormous lagoon. At the crater's edge, marvel at the unbelievable view of Mombacho Volcano, the steeples and rooftops of Granada, and Lake Nicaragua.

On the way back to the ship, a brief stop will be made to photograph the perfect cone-shaped Maderas and Concepción volcanoes located on Ometepe Island in Lake Nicaragua.

Dinner: On board the ship.

Lodging: Star Flyer

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Playa del Coco, Costa Rica -
Orientation to Liberia, the "White City."

Breakfast: On board the ship.

Morning: After a wet landing at Playa del Coco, travel to Liberia for a city orientation.

Explore the historic Calle Real lined with colonial, whitewashed houses; admire the unique, hand painted roof at Casa Zuñiga Clachar; learn about Guanacaste's late colonial architecture and religious artwork at Ermita de La Agonia church and museum; stop at the Rafael Angel Zuñiga Mendez House to view Guanacasteco antiques and hear about local traditions in poetry.



Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Return to the ship.

Time at leisure.



Dinner: On board the ship.

Lodging: Star Flyer

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: On board the ship.

Morning: Wet landing in Costa Rica's Golfo de Papagayo for a field trip to Santa Rosa National Park.

Santa Rosa National Park is located along the country's northwestern coast in the Peninsula Santa Elena. The park owes its name to a famous battle that took place in the area during the mid 1800s. Although the park was initially created in an effort to honor and protect the historical battle grounds, the national park has played an important role in helping to safeguard important habitats and endangered species.

Lunch: On board the ship.

Afternoon: Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Dinner: On board the ship.

Lodging: Star Flyer

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Bahia Potrero -
Tempisque River Nature Boat Ride/La Casona Museum.

Breakfast: On board the ship.

Morning: After breakfast, disembark (wet landing) and travel to the Bolson area. Enjoy a morning nature boat ride on the Tempisque River. After the river safari, continue to the small community of Santa Barbara, well known as the cradle of the Marimba, a typical instrument of Costa Rica.



Lunch: At La Casona.

Afternoon: The ranch house "La Casona" is located within Santa Rosa National park and is a replica of the colonial homestead that once stood at that site. The house overlooks a stone corral where the historic Battle of Santa Rosa took place against the forces of William Walker and his mercenary army (1856). The old ranch has been restored to give a glimpse of rural life in the 19th century and contains a small ecological museum and a restaurant.

After lunch and exploration of the museum, meet artisans from the nearby town of Guatil, known for their beautiful hand-thrown pottery. The ancient pottery techniques which continue to be used in Guatil hail back to the Chorotega tribes that lived in the area long before the Spanish conquest.

Return to the ship.



Dinner: On board the ship.

Lodging: Star Flyer

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: On board the ship.

Morning: Wet landing at the Curu National Wildlife Refuge followed by a nature walk and beach activities.

In 1983 this large property was designated a Private National Wildlife Reserve in order to preserve the natural habitat along the fringes of one of the most beautiful beaches in the Nicoya Peninsula. The refuge is a haven for tropical and migratory birds, and two species of monkeys. The five different species of mangroves found in Costa Rica are represented in the inlets that are washed by the gulf waters.

Return to the ship.

Lunch: On board the ship.

Afternoon: Sail across the Bay of Nicoya to Tortuga Island for an afternoon of beach activities. After a wet landing, participate in water sports, walk on a short island trail, and relax on the beach.

Tortuga Island has a very Caribbean flavor, with a postcard-perfect white sand beach lined with coconut palms. This is a fitting and fun way to end your Pacific cruise.

Dinner: On board the ship.

Lodging: Star Flyer

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

San José -
Disembark Star Flyer/Tárcoles River Crocodile Safari/Farewell Dinner.

Breakfast: On board the ship.

Morning: Say farewell to the Star Flyer and board a bus to Tárcoles. Embark on a Crocodile Safari on the Tárcoles River.

This boat adventure on the Tarcoles River takes visitors past mangrove forests and the Carara National Park--a good place to spot Scarlet Macaws. However, the highlight of this river safari is having the opportunity to observe the large population of crocodiles that call this area home. Some of these prehistoric-looking reptiles have been found to reach lengths in excess of fifteen-feet!

After your river adventure, board a bus to San José.

Lunch: En route to San José.

Afternoon: Arrive in San José and check-in at your hotel.
The rest of your afternoon will be free of activities. Relax and enjoy the hotel amenities, finish packing, or take the opportunity to explore San José on your own.

Dinner: Farewell dinner at the hotel.

Lodging: Wyndham San José Herradura Hotel & Convention Center

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Depart From: Transfer to San José's Juan Santamaria International Airport to catch your return flight to the U.S.

Note: Participants booked on late morning or afternoon flights on this day, can keep their hotel rooms until the standard check-out time. Except for breakfast this morning, all meals on this day are on your own.

Breakfast: Light snack or breakfast at the hotel (dependent on flight times).

Meals Included: Breakfast