Jun 20 - Jun 29, 2024
2,899
2,399
Costa Rica
From Monkeys to Macaws: Colorful Costa Rica With Your Family
Program No. 20797RJ
Fly a little south of the U.S. to discover a world of chatty macaws, playful monkeys, industrious leaf cutter ants and butterflies as you explore Costa Rica with your family.
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
Age 8 - 17
ROOMING OPTION PRICING
The figures below indicate the rooming options available.
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| DATES | ||||
Jun 20 - Jun 29, 2024
| - | 2,899 / Adult
2,399 / Child
| 3,199 / Adult
2,399 / Child
| |
Filling Fast! Jun 23 - Jul 2, 20242,899 2,399 | ||||
Jun 23 - Jul 2, 2024
| - | 2,899 / Adult
2,399 / Child
| 3,199 / Adult
2,399 / Child
| |
Jun 27 - Jul 6, 2024
2,899 2,399 | ||||
Jun 27 - Jul 6, 2024
| - | 2,899 / Adult
2,399 / Child
| 3,199 / Adult
2,399 / Child
| |
Filling Fast! Jun 29 - Jul 8, 20242,899 2,399 | ||||
Jun 29 - Jul 8, 2024
| - | 2,899 / Adult
2,399 / Child
| 3,199 / Adult
2,399 / Child
| |
Jul 7 - Jul 16, 2024
2,899 2,399 | ||||
Jul 7 - Jul 16, 2024
| - | 2,899 / Adult
2,399 / Child
| 3,199 / Adult
2,399 / Child
| |
Filling Fast! Jul 15 - Jul 24, 20242,899 2,399 | ||||
Jul 15 - Jul 24, 2024
| - | 2,899 / Adult
2,399 / Child
| 3,199 / Adult
2,399 / Child
| |
Jul 21 - Jul 30, 2024
2,899 2,399 | ||||
Jul 21 - Jul 30, 2024
| - | 2,899 / Adult
2,399 / Child
| 3,199 / Adult
2,399 / Child
| |
Jul 26 - Aug 4, 2024
2,899 2,399 | ||||
Jul 26 - Aug 4, 2024
| - | 2,899 / Adult
2,399 / Child
| 3,199 / Adult
2,399 / Child
| |
Aug 7 - Aug 16, 2024
2,899 2,399 | ||||
Aug 7 - Aug 16, 2024
| - | 2,899 / Adult
2,399 / Child
| 3,199 / Adult
2,399 / Child
| |
Aug 13 - Aug 22, 2024
3,099 2,599 Private Group | ||||
Aug 13 - Aug 22, 2024
| - | 3,099 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| 3,099 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| |
Private Group | ||||
Full Inventory Nov 23 - Dec 2, 20242,899 2,399 | ||||
Nov 23 - Dec 2, 2024
| - | 2,899 / Adult
2,399 / Child
| 3,199 / Adult
2,399 / Child
| |
Filling Fast! Dec 23 - Jan 1, 20253,099 2,599 This holiday departure spends an extra night at Punta Leona and one less night at Arenal. Please refer to the detailed itinerary for more information. Arrival San José, 1 night; coach to Sarapiqui, 3 nights; coach to Arenal, 2 nights; coach to Punta Leona, 3 nights; coach to San José and departure. | ||||
Dec 23 - Jan 1, 2025
| - | 3,099 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| 3,399 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| |
This holiday departure spends an extra night at Punta Leona and one less night at Arenal. Please refer to the detailed itinerary for more information. Arrival San José, 1 night; coach to Sarapiqui, 3 nights; coach to Arenal, 2 nights; coach to Punta Leona, 3 nights; coach to San José and departure. | ||||
Dec 27 - Jan 5, 2025
3,099 2,599 | ||||
Dec 27 - Jan 5, 2025
| - | 3,099 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| 3,399 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| |
Full Inventory Mar 14 - Mar 23, 20252,999 2,599 | ||||
Mar 14 - Mar 23, 2025
| - | 2,999 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| 3,399 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| |
Full Inventory Mar 22 - Mar 31, 20252,999 2,599 | ||||
Mar 22 - Mar 31, 2025
| - | 2,999 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| 3,399 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| |
Full Inventory Jun 20 - Jun 29, 20252,999 2,599 | ||||
Jun 20 - Jun 29, 2025
| - | 2,999 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| 3,399 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| |
Full Inventory Jun 26 - Jul 5, 20252,999 2,599 | ||||
Jun 26 - Jul 5, 2025
| - | 2,999 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| 3,399 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| |
Full Inventory Jul 2 - Jul 11, 20252,999 2,599 | ||||
Jul 2 - Jul 11, 2025
| - | 2,999 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| 3,399 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| |
Full Inventory Jul 15 - Jul 24, 20252,999 2,599 | ||||
Jul 15 - Jul 24, 2025
| - | 2,999 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| 3,399 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| |
Full Inventory Jul 24 - Aug 2, 20252,999 2,599 | ||||
Jul 24 - Aug 2, 2025
| - | 2,999 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| 3,399 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| |
Full Inventory Aug 4 - Aug 13, 20252,999 2,599 | ||||
Aug 4 - Aug 13, 2025
| - | 2,999 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| 3,399 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| |
Full Inventory Aug 11 - Aug 20, 20252,999 2,599 | ||||
Aug 11 - Aug 20, 2025
| - | 2,999 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| 3,399 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| |
Full Inventory Nov 21 - Nov 30, 20252,999 2,599 | ||||
Nov 21 - Nov 30, 2025
| - | 2,999 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| 3,399 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| |
Full Inventory Dec 23 - Jan 1, 20263,299 2,799 | ||||
Dec 23 - Jan 1, 2026
| - | 3,299 / Adult
2,799 / Child
| 3,599 / Adult
2,799 / Child
| |
Dec 27 - Jan 5, 2026
3,299 2,799 This holiday departure spends an extra night at Punta Leona and one less night at Arenal. Please refer to the detailed itinerary for more information. Arrival San José, 1 night; coach to Sarapiqui, 3 nights; coach to Arenal, 2 nights; coach to Punta Leona, 3 nights; coach to San José and departure. | ||||
Dec 27 - Jan 5, 2026
| - | 3,299 / Adult
2,799 / Child
| 3,599 / Adult
2,799 / Child
| |
This holiday departure spends an extra night at Punta Leona and one less night at Arenal. Please refer to the detailed itinerary for more information. Arrival San José, 1 night; coach to Sarapiqui, 3 nights; coach to Arenal, 2 nights; coach to Punta Leona, 3 nights; coach to San José and departure. | ||||
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10 days
9 nights
26 meals
9B 8L 9D
3
River Rafting, Chocolate Farm Visit
Sarapiqui
9
Swimming & Kayaking Activities, Free Time
Punta Leona
At a Glance
A scarlet macaw swooping overhead. A trek through the green rainforest. A large crocodile gliding unnoticed in the river. Postcards simply won’t do Costa Rica justice – you have to experience it for yourself! Alongside your family, search for awesome animals, like sloths and howler monkeys, as you march through the rainforest, sail along the rivers, kayak the warm waters and zipline over the jungle on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure together. On this week-long journey, you’ll learn about all the colorful landscapes on walks through nature and across hanging bridges as you all go wild in Costa Rica.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to two miles daily over varied terrain. Swimming, zip lining and getting in/out of boats and buses. Elevations up to 6,000 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
- Keep your eyes peeled for sloths, iguanas, monkeys, crocs and more as you float along the Sarapiqui and Tarcoles Rivers.
- Hold onto your helmets as you zipline over the jungle and walk over hanging bridges to view a large volcano.
- Explore a local farm to observe silly macaws fly about and learn how the locals are trying to protect them.
General Notes
This is a Family program for participants, their adult children and grandchildren ages 8 and up. This program allows participants to explore a number of Costa Rica’s eco-systems in a relatively short amount of time. Bus travel is a necessity for an up-close experience, but program activities help to break up travel time. Local road conditions, weather, traffic and elevation are factors in determining time of travel. Because of the special nature of this program, we request that you call us to enroll. Please call toll free at (800) 454-5768, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. ET.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Roger Melendez
In the late 1980s, Costa Rican native Roger Melendez received both practical and theoretical training on the flora and fauna of his country at the La Selva field station of the Organization for Tropical Studies. He is a talented and experienced birder with an all-encompassing knowledge of tropical wildlife. Road Scholar participants have found Roger to be a charismatic leader who gives everyone personalized attention. He is a father of three and loves spending time outdoors with his family.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Roger Melendez
View biography
In the late 1980s, Costa Rican native Roger Melendez received both practical and theoretical training on the flora and fauna of his country at the La Selva field station of the Organization for Tropical Studies. He is a talented and experienced birder with an all-encompassing knowledge of tropical wildlife. Road Scholar participants have found Roger to be a charismatic leader who gives everyone personalized attention. He is a father of three and loves spending time outdoors with his family.
Andres Zuñiga
View biography
Andres Zuñiga is a certified Costa Rican naturalist and birding expedition leader. He holds a degree in ecotourism from the University of Costa Rica and is a member of the Unión de Ornitólogos de Costa Rica and Asociacion Preservacionista de Flora y Fauna Silvestre (APREFLOFAS). Since his certification in 2004, Andres has worked for a number of well-known international organizations focused on educational travel. In his words, "I love to share my knowledge, passion, and respect for nature and culture with Road Scholars."
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.
From Monkeys to Macaws: Colorful Costa Rica With Your Family
Program Number: 20797
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.
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
Costa Rican Wildlife
Put it in your pocket! This handy, fold-up card includes color illustrations of dozens of typical birds, mammals and reptiles.
Into The Volcano
O'Meara's lively, illustrated eyewitness accounts of adventures in volcanology include Arenal in Costa Rica, Kilauea in Hawaii and Stromboli off the coast of Italy. Geared for grades 5 to 8, this is a great introduction to volcanoes for the whole family.
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.
The Field Guide to Rain Forest Animals
A unique children's guide to eight Amazon animals that includes photographs, illustrations, maps, fascinating facts and a diorama activity. Written for ages eight and up.
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 Rican Spanish
A pocket guide to understanding idioms, slang and Spanish as it is spoken by the Ticos.
A Brief History of Central America
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.
The Birds of Costa Rica
Built for the field, this great guide includes multiple illustrations for 820 species of birds.
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.
Culture Smart! Costa Rica
A guide to local customs, etiquette and culture.
Eyewitness Jungle
Geared for ages 9 to 12, the hundreds of eye-popping photographs of birds, monkeys, towering trees, orchids and all manner of rainforest life will also appeal to the whole family.
Monkeys are Made of Chocolate, Exotic and Unseen Costa Rica
Ewing, founder of Hacienda Baru in southern Costa Rica, weaves tales of the rainforest, wildlife, ecology and conservation in these 32 marvelous essays for the whole family.
Nancy Drew, The Scarlet Macaw Scandal
Nancy and her friends head for Costa Rica's Corcovado National Park to relax and study monkeys when they stumble upon, naturally, a mystery to be solved.
The Most Beautiful Roof in the World
A tropical botanist and her sons climb among the ropes and walkways of a rainforest canopy in this photographic odyssey. For ages 9-12.
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 Rica Adventure Map
A double-sided map at a scale of 1:500,000.
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.
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.
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