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Costa Rica

Costa Rica: Three Jewels in Paradise

Program No. 20774RJ
Learn the story of Costa Rica’s natural wonders as you explore cloud forest reserves, the Savegre River and world-class Manuel Antonio National Park with plenty of time on your own.

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Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone? 800-454-5768
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itinerary
Please Note:
The itinerary for this program is different on certain dates.
Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
May 3 - May 11, 2023
Starting at
2,299
Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Apr. 25 date of program #8577- A Taste of Costa Rica.

Jun 2 - Jun 10, 2023
Starting at
2,499
Itinerary Note

This exclusive date will be hosted by life transitions coach Wendy Green and will include two group coaching sessions.

Aug 25 - Sep 2, 2023
Starting at
2,299
Nov 11 - Nov 19, 2023
Starting at
2,599
Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Nov. 3 date of program #8577- A Taste of Costa Rica.

Nov 28 - Dec 6, 2023
Starting at
2,599
Dec 9 - Dec 17, 2023
Starting at
2,599
Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Dec. 1 date of program #8577- A Taste of Costa Rica.

Dec 13 - Dec 21, 2023
Starting at
2,599
Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Dec. 2 date of program 11586- The Best of Costa Rica: Exploring Natural Wonders.

Jan 8 - Jan 16, 2024
Starting at
2,649
Jan 14 - Jan 22, 2024
Starting at
2,649
Jan 23 - Jan 31, 2024
Starting at
2,649
Jan 28 - Feb 5, 2024
Starting at
2,649
Feb 1 - Feb 9, 2024
Starting at
2,649
Feb 10 - Feb 18, 2024
Starting at
2,649
Feb 20 - Feb 28, 2024
Starting at
2,649
Mar 1 - Mar 9, 2024
Starting at
2,649
Mar 7 - Mar 15, 2024
Starting at
2,649
Mar 12 - Mar 20, 2024
Starting at
2,649
Apr 11 - Apr 19, 2024
Starting at
2,649
May 11 - May 19, 2024
Starting at
2,349
Jun 2 - Jun 10, 2024
Starting at
2,349
Aug 8 - Aug 16, 2024
Starting at
2,349
Oct 29 - Nov 6, 2024
Starting at
2,649
Nov 5 - Nov 13, 2024
Starting at
2,649
Dec 12 - Dec 20, 2024
Starting at
2,649
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
May 3 - May 11, 2023
Starting at
2,719
Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Apr. 25 date of program #8577- A Taste of Costa Rica.

Jun 2 - Jun 10, 2023
Starting at
2,909
Itinerary Note

This exclusive date will be hosted by life transitions coach Wendy Green and will include two group coaching sessions.

Aug 25 - Sep 2, 2023
Starting at
2,719
Nov 11 - Nov 19, 2023
Starting at
3,229
Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Nov. 3 date of program #8577- A Taste of Costa Rica.

Nov 28 - Dec 6, 2023
Starting at
3,229
Dec 9 - Dec 17, 2023
Starting at
3,229
Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Dec. 1 date of program #8577- A Taste of Costa Rica.

Dec 13 - Dec 21, 2023
Starting at
3,229
Itinerary Note

This departure can be combined with the Dec. 2 date of program 11586- The Best of Costa Rica: Exploring Natural Wonders.

Jan 8 - Jan 16, 2024
Starting at
3,249
Jan 14 - Jan 22, 2024
Starting at
3,249
Jan 23 - Jan 31, 2024
Starting at
3,249
Jan 28 - Feb 5, 2024
Starting at
3,249
Feb 1 - Feb 9, 2024
Starting at
3,249
Feb 10 - Feb 18, 2024
Starting at
3,249
Feb 20 - Feb 28, 2024
Starting at
3,249
Mar 1 - Mar 9, 2024
Starting at
3,249
Mar 7 - Mar 15, 2024
Starting at
3,249
Mar 12 - Mar 20, 2024
Starting at
3,249
Apr 11 - Apr 19, 2024
Starting at
3,249
May 11 - May 19, 2024
Starting at
2,749
Jun 2 - Jun 10, 2024
Starting at
2,749
Aug 8 - Aug 16, 2024
Starting at
2,749
Oct 29 - Nov 6, 2024
Starting at
3,249
Nov 5 - Nov 13, 2024
Starting at
3,249
Dec 12 - Dec 20, 2024
Starting at
3,249

At a Glance

Absorb the brilliant natural beauty of Costa Rica on this journey that combines special access with plenty of time for independent exploration. Discover Manuel Antonio National Park, the crown jewel of Costa Rica’s renowned environmental protection efforts. Then experience two lesser-known jewels: a private cloud forest reserve protected by a Costa Rican family for decades and a lush rainforest where a South African family welcomes you to their safari lodge.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to two miles daily on city streets and forest paths. River rafting and swimming. Elevations up to 7,200 feet.
Small Group
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.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Experience Costa Rica’s incredible biodiversity at Manuel Antonio National Park, in a private cloud forest reserve and in the Pacific rainforest.
  • Learn about gourmet coffee production in one of the world’s best places to grow coffee beans.
  • Raft down the lower reaches of the Savegre River and look for giant crocodiles during a boat ride on the Tarcoles River.

General Notes

Program includes independent time to explore the city and several meals on your own. Group Leaders will provide directions for self-directed excursions. Suggestions for free-time activities provided in preparatory materials.
Featured Expert
All Experts
Profile Image
José Miguel Calvo
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.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of José Calvo
José Miguel Calvo View biography
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.
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.
Wild Costa Rica
by Adrian Hepworth
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.
Costa Rican Spanish
by Lonely Planet
A pocket guide to understanding idioms, slang and Spanish as it is spoken by the Ticos.
Costa Rica Reader: History, Culture, Politics
by Steven Palmer (Editor), Ivan Molina (Editor)
A lively, literate sourcebook on the politics, economy and society of Costa Rica
The Birds of Costa Rica
by Richard Garrigues, Robert Dean (Illustrator)
This new edition covers 903 species of birds with hundreds of new, supplemental or revised color illustrations by Robert Dean and revised color-coded range maps.
Aroma of the World: A Journey into the Mysteries and Delights of Coffee
by Santo Versace (Foreword), Elisabetta Illy
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 Traveler's Literary Companion
by Barbara Ras
These 26 well-chosen stories by Costa Rican writers introduce the people, culture and land.
A Brief History of Central America
by Hector Perez-Brignoll
A good overview of the region’s economic, political and social history through the 1980s by a professor at the University of Costa Rica. Well-written, informative and concise.
Costa Rica, A Journey Through Nature
by Adrian Hepworth
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 Rican Wildlife
by Pocket Naturalist
Put it in your pocket! This handy, fold-up card includes color illustrations of dozens of typical birds, mammals and reptiles. We also carry plastic cards for Costa Rica Birds (Item CRC56) and Costa Rica Butterflies & Moths (Item CRC57), $5.95 each.
Nature of the Rainforest, Costa Rica and Beyond
by Adrian Forsyth, E.O. Wilson (Introduction), Michael Fogden (Photographer)
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.
The Wildlife of Costa Rica, A Field Guide
by Twan Leenders, Robert Dean, Jim Zook, Fiona Reid
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.
The Ticos
by Richard Biesanz
This insightful, fact-filled portrait of the Costa Rican people details their culture, history and society.
Costa Rica, The Complete Guide
by James Kaiser
From pristine beaches and jungle waterfalls to high-altitude coffee plantations, award-winning author and photographer Kaiser shows readers the best of Costa Rica, including the country's stunning collection of national parks.
National Geographic Costa Rica
by Christopher P. Baker
This stylish and informative travel resource features 200 photographs, many maps and good information on the country's history, nature and culture.
Tropical Nature
by Adrian Forsyth, Ken Miyata
Two uncommonly observant and thoughtful field biologists offer a lucid portrait of the tropics through 17 marvelous essays that introduce the habitats, ecology, plants and animals of the Central and South American rainforests.
Costa Rica Adventure Map
by National Geographic
A double-sided map at a scale of 1:500,000.
Costa Rica Birds
by James Kavanagh
A handy, laminated fold-up card with full-color illustrations of birds commonly found in Costa Rica. Great for kids, too.
The World Atlas of Coffee, From Beans to Brewing
by James Hoffmann
A global history of the addictive brown bean organized by country, with a look at regional techniques and traits, fair trade efforts and the role of colonialism. Includes colorful maps and photos.
Culture Smart! Costa Rica
by Jane Koutnik
History, religion, daily life, food, health and safety are all covered in this accessible pocket guide to Costa Rican customs, etiquette and culture.
The Monkey's Bridge, Mysteries of Evolution in Central America
by David Rains Wallace
Opening this absorbing account of the history and biogeography of the Central American isthmus with the tale of Columbus, Wallace often 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.





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