Costa Rica
The Best of Costa Rica: Exploring Natural Wonders
Program No. 11586RJ
With more than 5% of the world’s biodiversity, 121 volcanic formations, 801 miles of coastline and hundreds of endemic birds, Costa Rica is a true Mecca for nature lovers to explore.
Enroll with Confidence
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more
Protecting the Environment
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
800-454-5768
Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Apr 23 - May 4, 2024
Starting at
3,149Apr 29 - May 10, 2024
Starting at
2,899May 5 - May 16, 2024
Starting at
2,899May 12 - May 23, 2024
Starting at
3,249May 26 - Jun 6, 2024
Starting at
2,899Jun 8 - Jun 19, 2024
Starting at
2,899Jul 7 - Jul 18, 2024
Starting at
2,899Jul 22 - Aug 2, 2024
Starting at
2,899Jul 28 - Aug 8, 2024
Starting at
2,899Aug 14 - Aug 25, 2024
Starting at
3,249Sep 2 - Sep 13, 2024
Starting at
2,899Sep 11 - Sep 22, 2024
Starting at
3,249Sep 21 - Oct 2, 2024
Starting at
2,899Sep 25 - Oct 6, 2024
Starting at
2,899Nov 25 - Dec 6, 2024
Starting at
3,499Dec 4 - Dec 15, 2024
Starting at
3,149Dec 10 - Dec 21, 2024
Starting at
3,499Jan 4 - Jan 15, 2025
Starting at
3,699Feb 4 - Feb 15, 2025
Starting at
3,699Mar 4 - Mar 15, 2025
Starting at
3,699DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Apr 23 - May 4, 2024
Starting at
3,149Apr 29 - May 10, 2024
Starting at
2,899May 5 - May 16, 2024
Starting at
2,899May 12 - May 23, 2024
Starting at
3,249May 26 - Jun 6, 2024
Starting at
2,899Jun 8 - Jun 19, 2024
Starting at
2,899Jun 24 - Jul 5, 2024
Starting at
3,249Jul 7 - Jul 18, 2024
Starting at
2,899Jul 22 - Aug 2, 2024
Starting at
2,899Jul 28 - Aug 8, 2024
Starting at
2,899Aug 5 - Aug 16, 2024
Starting at
2,899Aug 12 - Aug 23, 2024
Starting at
2,899Aug 14 - Aug 25, 2024
Starting at
3,249Aug 17 - Aug 28, 2024
Starting at
2,899Sep 2 - Sep 13, 2024
Starting at
2,899Sep 11 - Sep 22, 2024
Starting at
3,249Sep 21 - Oct 2, 2024
Starting at
2,899Sep 25 - Oct 6, 2024
Starting at
2,899Oct 7 - Oct 18, 2024
Starting at
2,899Oct 16 - Oct 27, 2024
Starting at
2,899Nov 3 - Nov 14, 2024
Starting at
3,689Nov 9 - Nov 20, 2024
Starting at
3,689Nov 13 - Nov 24, 2024
Starting at
3,689Nov 25 - Dec 6, 2024
Starting at
4,039Dec 2 - Dec 13, 2024
Starting at
3,689Dec 4 - Dec 15, 2024
Starting at
3,689Dec 10 - Dec 21, 2024
Starting at
4,039Dec 20 - Dec 31, 2024
Starting at
3,839Jan 4 - Jan 15, 2025
Starting at
4,239Jan 6 - Jan 17, 2025
Starting at
3,839Jan 12 - Jan 23, 2025
Starting at
3,839Jan 17 - Jan 28, 2025
Starting at
3,839Jan 21 - Feb 1, 2025
Starting at
3,839Feb 9 - Feb 20, 2025
Starting at
3,839Feb 26 - Mar 9, 2025
Starting at
3,839Mar 4 - Mar 15, 2025
Starting at
4,23912 days
11 nights
31 meals
11B 10L 10D
2
Gold Museum, Coffee Experience
San José
7
Transfer to Arenal, Local Home, La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano
Arenal Volcano
8
Hanging Bridges, Farm Visit, Traditional Dinner
Arenal Volcano
9
Transfer to Central Pacific Coast, Cloud Forest Conservation
Central Pacific Coast
10
Birding Walk, Carara National Park, Free Time
Central Pacific Coast
At a Glance
Unhurried. Active. Environmentally aware. Lush. Protected. Biodiverse. Pura Vida — the Pure Life. Costa Rica’s pervading cultural ideology unites with its natural delights to create a unique national character, in which 25 percent of the land is preserved by law and there is no standing military. This invigorating program explores the essential nature of this Central American nation, from its pristine beaches and verdant forests to its rural villages and historic capital.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to 1.5 hours a day over uneven trails in hot and humid conditions. Includes a number of bus transfers; no bathroom on bus but bus stops every 1.5-2 hours. Elevations up to 4,000 feet.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
What You'll Learn
- Learn from naturalists about the unique features of the rain forest, wetlands and transition zones.
- Participate in cultural activities in rural communities.
- Admire the misty beauty and unique characteristics of a cloud forest during a trail hike and expert presentation.
General Notes
This Road Scholar program offers participants the chance to explore a number of Costa Rica’s iconic ecosystems within a relatively short period of time. Although bus travel is a necessity, it is also an opportunity to see and experience the country up close. En-route program activities help to break up lengthier bus transfers and provide rewarding educational experiences. Local road conditions, weather, two-lane highways, winding roads, traffic and elevation are bigger factors in determining the length of travel than actual distance. This program offers Micro Group options--with 12 or fewer participants--on some departures. Please refer to program date notes.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Pedro Bosques
Pedro Bosques is a veteran Road Scholar instructor and group leader, with approximately 20 years of experience in hosting lifelong learners in Costa Rica. Although born in Puntarenas, on Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast, Pedro grew up in San José. His interest in conservation blossomed when he began working at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve as a field assistant. During this time he colaborated with researchers and biologists in projects including the study of the behavior and migration of the Three-wattled Bellbird and reforestation of the biological corridor in the Monteverde region. Pedro is a certified naturalist leader who enjoys sharing his knowledge with travelers from around the world. He looks forward to hosting you in this program and enhancing your journey in his beautiful country.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Pedro Bosques
View biography
Pedro Bosques is a veteran Road Scholar instructor and group leader, with approximately 20 years of experience in hosting lifelong learners in Costa Rica. Although born in Puntarenas, on Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast, Pedro grew up in San José. His interest in conservation blossomed when he began working at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve as a field assistant. During this time he colaborated with researchers and biologists in projects including the study of the behavior and migration of the Three-wattled Bellbird and reforestation of the biological corridor in the Monteverde region. Pedro is a certified naturalist leader who enjoys sharing his knowledge with travelers from around the world. He looks forward to hosting you in this program and enhancing your journey in his beautiful country.
Erick Guzman
View biography
Costa Rica’s tropical rainforest with its glorious biodiversity was the childhood playground of Erick Guzman, who grew up in the country’s Caribbean lowlands. He enjoyed accompanying travelers on boat excursions during his post-high school years, assisting his father, and went on to work in the field of adventure travel, leading rafting, kayaking, horseback riding and hiking trips. Erick then worked at the La Selva field station of the Organization for Tropical Studies, interacting with scientists and deepening his knowledge of Costa Rica’s natural habitats.
William Suarez
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While working for the logging industry in Honduras and seeing its negative impact on the environment, William Suarez became interested in conservation. He returned to his native Costa Rica and received training to serve as a leader for groups interested in learning about the country’s flora and fauna. Today, he specializes in the natural history and birds of Costa Rica. William is also a writer who has had three books published, as well as an outdoorsman who enjoys mountain biking, hiking and fishing.
Lizeth Alfaro
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Lizeth Alfaro is a Costa Rican naturalist expedition leader, flower therapist, and bee keeper. She earned her qualifications in sustainable tourism and became a national guide by the time she turned 18. Growing up among the rich biodiversity of the northern Caribbean lowlands gave her an early appreciation for nature and awareness of local conservation efforts. In her free time, Lizeth enjoys bee keeping, painting, and herbology.
José Miguel Calvo
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José Miguel Calvo is a licensed Costa Rican naturalist expedition leader, fluent in English and his native Spanish. He grew up just outside Turrialba, in an area known for its scenic hills, rivers, and farmlands. After giving farm work a try, he realized his passion for nature and conservation would be better suited to a career in ecological exploration. In addition to being certified as a naturalist and general expedition leader, José Miguel is also trained in canyoning, zip lining, and river rafting.
Deynor Alfaro
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Deynor Alfaro is a licensed Costa Rican naturalist group leader. His love of nature and the outdoors took root while growing up on a cattle farm in Puntarenas province. When time came to consider college and career choices, he set his sights on becoming a naturalist. Deynor went on to earn a degree in ecotourism from the Universidad Técnica Nacional in Puntarenas city. Some of his favorite pastimes include hiking, birding, horseback riding, and playing soccer with friends.
Andrew Newcomb
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Andrew “Yito” Newcomb grew up just outside San José, Costa Rica. The child of a U.S. Merchant Marine and a Costa Rican housewife, he looked forward to the months when his father came home on leave. Andrew joined the U.S. Air Force after high school, served during Operation Desert Storm, and earned his associate degree from Jamestown Community College in Jamestown, New York. Once back in Costa Rica, he returned to college and became a licensed expedition leader as well as a qualified chef.
Esteban Rojas
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Esteban Rojas became a certified naturalist expedition leader in 2001, after completing his bachelor’s degree in ecological tourism. In addition to his role as a naturalist leader, he has spent a decade working on sea turtle conservation projects along the Pacific coast. Esteban’s growing interest in nature conservation led him to eventually pursue a master’s in natural resource management. Some of his favorite pastimes are bird watching, mountain biking, and traveling. Esteban and his wife welcomed a daughter, Eva, in 2020.
Edwin Duarte
View biography
Edwin Duarte’s childhood in dry forests of Guanacaste honed his observational skills. Birds and native plants were an early obsession. Edwin completed university degrees in agro/eco-tourism and education, and is a certified naturalist. His first foray into group leading was active adventure, including zip-lining, rappelling, kayaking, and white water rafting. Edwin now lives at the base of a volcano. He is a gifted, multifaceted individual who lives to grow and share, learning more about the world as he teaches others.
Suggested Reading List
(20 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Costa Rican Wildlife
Put it in your pocket! This handy, fold-up card includes color illustrations of dozens of typical birds, mammals and reptiles.
Costa Rica, A Traveler's Literary Companion
A wonderful introduction to the character of the people, culture and land, this anthology brings together 26 stories by Costa Rican writers.
Wild Costa Rica
This beautiful, informative survey of the habitats, wildlife and protected areas of Costa Rica features 200 color photographs and chapters on natural history and conservation.
Tropical Plants of Costa Rica
Organized by habitat, this photo guide to 400 species has chapters on popular destinations, including Monteverde and Tortuguero.
The Wildlife of Costa Rica, A Field Guide
This guide includes 450 of the most common, interesting and charismatic mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and arthropods that you are likely to encounter. Each has exquisite full-color illustrations.
Costa Rican Spanish
A pocket guide to understanding idioms, slang and Spanish as it is spoken by the Ticos.
National Geographic Costa Rica
This stylish, informative and up-to-date travel resource features 200 photographs, many maps and good information on the country's history, nature and culture.
The Green Republic: A Conservation History of Costa Rica
For the serious reader, this book offers a vivid synopsis of the founding and expansion of Costa Rica’s National Park system, including portraits of the local heroes and institutions that fought for conservation.
Nature of the Rainforest, Costa Rica and Beyond
Our favorite biologist-writer returns to the Neotropics in this beautifully illustrated, oversized overview of the rainforest. With chapters on Monteverde and Guanacaste, plants, frogs and snakes, birds, monkeys and jaguars, the sloth, peculiar insects and biodioversity; A marvelous, anecdotal introduction to ecology, evolution and conservation.
Volcanoes, Crucibles of Change
A complete primer for the volcano lover, this heavily illustrated book covers types of volcanoes and eruptions, worldwide distribution and the physics of their formation.
Javatrekker, Dispatches from the World of Fair Trade Coffee
Cycon, an organic coffee roaster, journeys around the world to discover the hardships of growing and selling coffee beans, in an offbeat adventure which casts light on the global trade and culture of coffee.
The Monkey's Bridge, Mysteries of Evolution in Central America
Opening this absorbing account of the history and biogeography of the Central American isthmus with the tale of Columbus, Wallace weaves his own travels in the region with a crisp overview of exploration, nature and evolution. Natural history buffs and ecologically minded travelers will appreciate this valuable resource.
The Sea Turtle, So Excellent a Fishe
An appreciative and informative account of the sea turtle, its ecology and field work in Costa Rica by the man who did so much to promote sea turtle research and conservation, first published in 1967. Karen Bjorndal, director of the Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle Research, brings the story up to date in a new foreword.
Costa Rica Adventure Map
A double-sided map at a scale of 1:500,000.
The Birds of Costa Rica
Built for the field, this great guide includes multiple illustrations for 820 species of birds.
Aroma of the World: A Journey into the Mysteries and Delights of Coffee
A beautiful book for the coffee lover, this heavily illustrated compendium is equal parts history and travel journal, detailing the passage of the coffee bean from origination to current status as an icon of modern living.
Costa Rica, A Journey Through Nature
Dividing the book by ecosystem and geographic area, BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year Hepworth's color photographs showcase the diversity of Costa Rica's wildlife and habitats.
Costa Rica Reader: History, Culture, Politics
A lively, literate sourcebook on the politics, economy and society of Costa Rica
Culture Smart! Costa Rica
A guide to local customs, etiquette and culture.
Tropical Nature
A lively, lucid portrait of the tropics as seen by two uncommonly observant and thoughtful field biologists. Its 17 marvelous essays introduce the habitats, ecology, plants and animals of the Central and South American rainforest