Costa Rica
An Adventurous Exploration of Costa Rica for Women
Program No. 23940RJ
Experience the spirit of “pura vida” on this women-only learning adventure in Costa Rica, where you’ll hike cloud forests, explore volcanic trails and savor the art of coffee-making.
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
9 days
8 nights
22 meals
8B 6L 8D
4
River Boat Nature Safari, Local Plantation, Arrive Arenal
Arenal Volcano
5
Hanging Bridges, Local Farm,Traditional Dinner
Arenal Volcano
8
Bat Jungle, Farewell to Costa Rica
San José
At a Glance
Cloud forests, volcanic terrain and tropical gardens — Costa Rica is a country full of natural treasures and unforgettable beauty. Experience it firsthand exclusively with other women travelers on this learning adventure that will bring you into the heart of Costa Rica’s ecosystems. Explore via trails and hanging bridges while learning from female leaders about the country’s culture and history. Make new friends with other Road Scholar women while immersing yourself in the magic of Costa Rica!
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to 1.5 hours a day over uneven trails in hot and humid conditions. 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.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Hike through the mystical cloud forest at Monteverde and go whitewater rafting at Sarapiquí on this learning adventure that’s exclusively for women.
- Discover scenic views of Arenal Volcano from up in the rainforest canopy during a walk on a combination of nature trails and hanging bridges.
- Enjoy an interactive presentation that introduces you to an important gourmet coffee roaster in Costa Rica.
General Notes
Note: This is a special women only learning adventure.
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.
An Adventurous Exploration of Costa Rica for Women
Program Number: 23940
The Ticos
This insightful, fact-filled portrait of the Costa Rican people accessibly explores their culture, history and society.
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.
The World Atlas of Coffee, From Beans to Brewing
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.
Costa Rican Spanish
A pocket guide to understanding idioms, slang and Spanish as it is spoken by the Ticos.
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 Reader: History, Culture, Politics
A lively, literate sourcebook on the politics, economy and society of Costa Rica
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.
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.
Costa Rica, The Complete Guide
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.
Culture Smart! Costa Rica
A guide to local customs, etiquette and culture.
The Birds of Costa Rica
Built for the field, this great guide includes multiple illustrations for 820 species of birds.
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.
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 Birds
A handy, laminated fold-up card with full-color illustrations of birds commonly found in Costa Rica. Great for kids, too.
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.
Costa Rica Adventure Map
A double-sided map at a scale of 1:500,000.
Costa Rica Butterflies & Moths
A handy, laminated fold-up card with color illustrations of Costa Rica’s more visible species of butterflies and moths. Includes the distinguishing markings or behaviors of each species.
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.
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.