Day 1 ------- Arrive and travel to Cloud-forest (Villa Blanca)
Nayara Resort
Today your private naturalist guide and driver will meet you at the airport. Here you will make your way to a beautiful hotel known as Villa Blanca. This is located in the center of the cloudforest. It was a former vacation home of an ex-president of Costa Rica and now has upscale cabins on the property using the main home as the social and dining area. It is a great hotel and a perfect first night for your Costa Rica Vacation. This is around a 1 hour and 15 minute drive from the airport. (Meals: None)
Day 2 ------ Drive to Arenal Volcano (Nayara Resort)
View of Arenal Volcano
Today you can spend the morning visiting the walking trails in the cloud-forest and then you will be on your way to the Arenal Volcano. This is one of the 10 most active volcanos on Earth. You will be staying in the Nayara Resort which happens to be one of our favorite hotels and a spot you will not want to leave. The views from the rooms at Nayara are some of the best you will find in all of the Arenal Volcano area. The drive from the Villa Blanca to Nayara is around 2 hours. (Meals: Breakfast)
Day 3 ------ Hanging Bridges & Zipline (Nayara Resort)
Today you will get the chance to see some nature. We plan on making nature as much part of your trip as possible. The hanging bridges is a chance for you to see the top of the rainforest where most of the action is. You will walk on suspended bridges with your naturalist guide and learn about the many different things from plants that eat flies, to bugs that have lights, and the four different types of monkeys in Costa Rica. After the hanging bridges it will be time to get the adrenaline going a little bit on the zipline. This is optional and kids are allowed so they can take a look and decide if they are up for it. There are two cables that are used for practice to let people decide if they want to take on the adventure. (Meals: Breakfast)
We said we wanted to show you some nature and this is a great spot for it. The Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge is a chance to see some of the many different animals in Costa Rica. It is located just 1 hour from the Nayara Resort and you will then get on a boat where you will float through the northern wetlands of Costa Rica. You will have the chance to spend the evening back in the Arenal area and enjoy the amazing hotsprings as you relax in the thermal waters. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 5 ------ Travel to El Silencio Lodge (El Silencio Lodge)
Your next stop is a place that is completely surrounded by nature. This is where elegance meets the jungle. It is a Costa Rican owned lodge located in the heart of the rainforest. You will be staying here only one night. This will break up the drive to the next hotel and is also worth the stop for one night. (Meals: Breakfast)
Day 6 ------ Drive to Turrialba (Hacienda Tayutic)
Hacienda Tayutic
Today you will drive to the Turrialba area where you will have views of another active volcano which has been smoking from it's crater for over a year. This makes for beautiful views from your room at the Hacienda Tayutic. The Hacienda Tayutic is a hotel that is one of a kind here in Costa Rica. It is only a six bedroom hotel which is located in a beautiful rural mountain setting in the mountains of Turrialba. The rooms and food is some of the finest you will find in all of Costa Rica. (Meals: Breakfast)
Day 7 ------ Raft Pejibaye River (Hacienda Tayutic)
Rafting for Kids
Today we are going to take the kids for some adventure. We know you do not want rafting that is toorough so we will be enjoying the day on the Pejibaye river. Everyone will get wet but this is a small river we use for elders and small kids that want a little bit of adventure. It will be a nice day on the river with plenty of little pools for the kids to swim in. You will have a river lunch made for you while maybe having to share it with a few monkeys. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)
Day 8 ------ Travel to Caribbean Beach (Almonds & Corals)
Day 9 ------ Chocolate Tour & Relax at Beach (Almonds & Corals)
Today we plan on taking you to a Chocolate tour. If you are in to watching how the indigenous locals make chocolate then this 30 minute tour just a few kilometers from the hotel is a good way to get out and see the country-side of the Caribbean. After the tour it is back to the Almonds & Corals where you can just relax at the beach or enjoy the wildlife from your room. (Meals: Breakfast & Dinner)
Day 10 ------ Snorkel in Playa Uva (Almonds & Corals)
Howler Monkey
The Caribbean side of Costa Rica is known for it's corals and that it why we plan on going out for some snorkeling. This is very easy snorkeling and we can take sea-kayaks out to the area of Playa Uva. We will spend the morning snorkeling and then enjoy the evening relaxing at the hotel on the beach or we can take you out to explore some more areas around the Caribbean. (Meals: Breakfast)
Day 11 ------ Travel to San Jose (Grano de Oro Hotel)
Say good-bye to the Caribbean blue ocean as today we will make our way back to San Jose where we plan on staying in the Grano de Oro Hotel. This is our favorite hotel in the city and the kids always get a kick out of it being the former home of the family that owns the cookie factory in Costa Rica, Pozuelo family. This will put us just 20 minutes from the airport for your final day departure. (Meals: Breakfast)
Day 1: (Jan. 29th) ----- Arrive and Drive to Pacific Coast (Pacific Beach Hotel)
Today we will meet you at the airport and drive to the Central Pacific. We will arrive in the early afternoon and everyone can dip their feet in the waters of the Pacific. We will then get some rest after a long day of traveling and ready for the big hike to sleep behind the waterfall. (Meals: Dinner)
Today we will make the 20 minute drive into the mountains and then begin the hike. This is a pretty intense hike and the kids always do fine but they should understand it is a 1 hour and 30 minute hike of stairs. It is a great challenge and well worth it when arriving to one of the most scenic areas in all of Costa Rica. When we arrive we will gear up and rappel down a waterfall. Those that do not want to rappel can just relax behind the waterfall enjoying the views and sound of the tropical rainforest. All meals will be included in the cavern. There are bathrooms, showers, beds, and linens are all provided during your stay. This is camping but not roughing it by any means. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 3: (Jan. 31st) ----- Hike to another waterfall and then travel to Sanchiri Hotel (Sanchiri)
Today we will hike a little bit more and visit another waterfall. Here the kids leap off a 15 foot waterfall into a beautiful pool where then can then enjoy swimming at the bottom. The hike to the top is not too strenuous and well worth being at the top of this canyon looking at numerous waterfalls that fall down the canyon. We will also visit the tallest waterfall in all of Costa Rica called the Diamante Falls which is around 600ft. We will be able to look out over the horizon and see the Pacific coastline from sitting at the top of Costa Rica's tallest waterfall. Then we'll hike out of the cavern where the buses will be waiting for us and we will make our way to the town just before Turrialba. The hotel we will be staying in has one of the best views in all of Costa Rica. We will be looking out over the Orosi Valley and staying at the Sanchiri Hotel. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 4: (Feb. 1st) ----- Enter Pacuare River 2-Day Adventure (Pacuare River Lodge)
We will wake up and enjoy breakfast at Sanchiri. We'll leave the hotel around 8:30am and head to the upper part of the Pacuare River. Here we will begin our two day Pacuare Trip. If the rafting was your favorite part of the trip then this year we will make sure you get plenty of it. We will start a little farther up river than last year and you will get two days of rafting. Probably our favorite adventure for all student groups is our night on the river. Here we will be staying at the Pacuare Tent-camp Lodge. This is sleeping in tents but again it is not roughing it. The tents are above ground, there is a social/dining area, bathrooms & showers, and an area just to relax sitting in hammocks with views downstream. You will be surrounded by the rainforest for two days and wake up to the sound of the river. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 5: (Feb. 2nd) ----- Day 2 of Rafting Pacuare River (La Condesa Hotel)
Today we will take on the larger rapids of the Pacuare. We will wake up and have all day to spend on the river. It is great to be right at the river so early which allows us to get an early start and make some hikes to different waterfalls along the way. We will take some educational hikes through the rainforest and make it a day full of education and adventure from start to finish. When we take out of the river we will make our way back to La Condesa Hotel which is a very nice hotel just 20 minutes from the San Jose Airport. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 6: (Feb. 3rd) ----- Fly Home!
Back to Miami!
Do you know how the kingfisher was used by Biomimics?
April 1st - 9th Science based Adventure Trip w/Community Service Costa Rica
Do you see NYC?
Day 1 ---- Arrive and stay in the Central Valley (Central Valley Hotel)
Today we will meet you at the airport and take you to your first hotel. We will have an orientation going over some key things for the week and everyone will get an outline and a booklet of what to expect, times of departure, and rules for the week to keep everything going smoothly. The first night we plan on staying in the central valley which will not be far from the airport and a chance to rest up after a long day of traveling from the New York area. (Meals: Dinner)
Day 2 ---- Visit Girls Orphanage and Travel to Central Pacific (Beach Hotel)
This is one of our favorite stops. We visit a girls orphanage where the girls range in ages from 13 - 18 and if you don't speak Spanish it does not matter. It is one of the best community service projects we offer and it gives a chance to spend time and socialize with the girls which is the best gift they can receive. We plan a few games for the morning and then we are on our way to the Central Pacific. Here you will have a chance to give those east coast feet a dip in the Pacific ocean. We will learn today the difference between the tropical moist forest and the tropical dry forest as we travel south along the coast. When we arrive to the beach the kids will get their first lesson on plate tectonics and the formation of Costa Rica 3 million years ago along with the volcanic activity and the reason for the darker sand. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)
Day 3 ---- Hike to Cavern, Rappel Waterfall, & Sleep Behind Waterfall (Cavern)
Let the fun begin and we hope you take the kids to the Empire State building a few weeks before to train for this. We take a number of student groups here a year so it is nothing too hard but it is quite the hike. We will have our first nature hike here where you will have the chance to learn about the many different species of plants and animals of the rainforest. We will also touch on the topic of biomimicry as we visit a permaculture garden. When we arrive to the cavern you will experience one of the most beautiful places in all of Costa Rica and also one of the least tourist places. We will rappel a 150ft waterfall and then be sleeping behind three large waterfalls. This is a true rainforest experience and one all of our guest never forget. It is one of the best night sleeps you will have with no bugs and just the ultimate dream machine. This is sleeping in the jungle but it is not rough at all. There are beautiful bathrooms and showers and the beds are very comfortable. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 4 ---- Hike to Pools & Diamante Waterfall (Turrialba Hotel)
Today we will hike to some pools in the area where the kids can have the chance to jump off a 15 ft waterfall into a pool. This is a great day in the jungle and a chance for kids to be kids with safety first of course. We will then visit the tallest waterfall in Costa Rica completely hidden in the jungle called Diamante Falls. We will make our way to the top of the falls where we will have a chance to look out over the edge and see the horizon of the Pacific ocean from over 600ft high waterfall and 1200ft above sea-level. After the morning of adventure we will have our last meal in the cavern and make our way to the next hotel. We will drive through the Paramo which will give the kids another lesson on a different part of the tropics they might not have been familiar with. The next hotel has great views of the nearby volcanos of Irazu and Turrialba where you can see the Turrialba volcano smoking from its main crater. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)
Day 5 ---- Travel to Rural Village and do Community Service Project (Homestay)
Today we will make our way into one of the most beautiful places in Costa Rica. This is a mountain village called Sitio de Mata and it is where we have developed our rural tourism project. Here you will see the most beautiful species in all of Costa Rica and that is the people. We will have two days of events and a some community service planned. You get treated here better than any 5-star hotel could ever treat you. The stay is always the top pick of our student groups. Everyone home in the village has breathtaking views of the smoking Turrialba volcano and we are just on the other side of the famous Pacuare River which is one of National Geographics top 3 rivers on the planet for whitewater rafting. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 6 ---- Community Activities and Community Service (Homestay)
Today we will take part in some community service activities. We will first be planting some trees as we do with most of our groups. Here we plan to educate the kids on the importance of reforestation. In the afternoon we will have more community activities planned and then in the evening a full blown party where the village will perform local dance, local food, and amazing fun for all as we celebrate our last night with our new friends. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 7 ---- Enter Pacuare River for 2-Day Rafting Adventure (Pacuare River Tent Camp)
It just keeps getting better and better. This is a bit different than the Hudson River and I can promise you that everyone will love this adventure. The Pacuare River is one of those special places that you can visit every single day and it will never get old. That is why we always try and spend two days on the river when groups are up for it. This is an overnight camping trip on one of the most beautiful rivers in the world. It is not roughing it by any means. Everything is set up for you. There is a dinning area, a lounging area, and even the tents are above ground with bathrooms and showers luxuriously made from bambu. We will have a nature hike going into more detail about the rianforest and trying to give examples to the kids about the what nature can do for us. Not just learning about nature but what we can learn from nature. We often touch the subject of biomimicry during many of our tours because we find the kids seem to get interested learning about this. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 8 ---- Raft Pacuare Canyon and drive to Central Valley (La Condesa Hotel)
Pacuare River Camp Lodge
Today we will raft the famous class IV rapids of the Pacuare Canyon. This is a great day of getting soaked from start to finish. The adventure is non-stop and the scenery is like non other with waterfalls, canyons, and virgin rainforest from start to finish. We will take out of the Pacuare River and make our way back to the Central Valley where you will stay in La Condesa hotel to celebrate your final night. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 9 ---- Fly Home!
Here we will be just minutes from the airport and we will catch your flight back to NY and start planning next years adventure!
Day 1 --------- Arrive and drive to House Rentals (House Rentals)
Here we will meet you at the airport and everyone will have their private scooter rental which we will take on the new highway. It is around a 3 1/2 hour drive and we will get situated in the homes. The two homes are next door to each other but they are seperated by a vertical incline that is steep. We will put the kids in the house above and they might have to walk 10 yards uphill to get to the house from the parents home down below.
Day 2 --------- Surf Classes (House Rental)
Depending on the time of the tide we will do the surf classes. This is a good day one because we will not spend much time in traveling after your long day of traveling. The surf classes are great and everyone can make a go.
Day 3 --------- Rafting Savegre River (House Rental)
Baru (Nayaca Rappel)
Today we will get an early start and head to the Savegre River. We will be putting in at the upper section which will give us around four hours on the river and we will plan on having lunch on the river. This is a great run and hoping the river has a good level everyone will get the chance to fall out as Tico-Liz is our head guide.
Day 4 ---------- Canopy Tour and Tarzan Swing (House Rental)
This is a great canopy tour. It has amazing views of the Pacific. We will also head South today which will give you a great look at the Southern coast. The canopy tour has a tarzan swing that is absolutely nuts and have yet to see or do anything in this country that has got the adrenaline pumping as much.
Day 5 ----------- Rappel Baru (Nauyaca) Falls (House Rental)
Today we will get an early start and head back into the ridge behind the beach. We will visit one of the most beautiful waterfalls in all of Costa Rica called Baru Falls. This is around a 150ft rappel and a chance to enjoy the swimming pools at the bottom.
Day 6 ------------ Tubing Tubing Tubing (House Rental)
Now it is your chance to take control and all you get is a tube. This will one up the duckies you did three years ago and you will love it. They are small rapids and it is just a great day of tubing in the jungle.
Day 7 ------------ Beach Day (House Rental)
Today is your day to relax at the beach or just chill at the homes. There are options for renting surf or boogie boards.
Day 8 ------------ Canyoneering Adventure (House Rental)
Today is the day we will see if we can do the most amazing canyoneering adventure you can imagine.
Day 9 ------------- Day at the Beach (House Rental)
Today is your day to just chill at the beach and rest after a full week of adventure. Keep in mind that most of these adventures are half day or end around 2pm which give you a few hours of time at the beach everyday.
June 18th --------- Arrive and Drive to Turrialba (Hacienda Tayutic)
Today we will meet you at the airport and drive to the Hacienda Tayutic. You will be staying in this very unique hotels which is close to the river Pacuare. (Meals: None)
Drive Time: 2 - 2 1/2 hours
June 19th --------- Raft Pacuare River (Hacienda Tayutic)
Today we will be rafting the Pacuare River. Rated as one of the top 5 rivers on the planet we will take our time and enjoy the day on the water. We can visit some of the nearby waterfalls on our way down. When we finish the river we will make our way back to the Hacienda Tayutic. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch) Drive Time: 30 minutes
June 20th --------- Drive to Arenal Volcano (Tabacon Resort)
Today we will make the drive to the Arenal Volcano. We will arrive early afternoon and you will have plenty of time to enjoy the hotsprings in the area. (Meals: Breakfast)
Pacuare River
Drive Time: 3 1/2 hours
June 21st --------- Visit La Fortuna Falls (Tabacon Resort)
Today we will drive to the La Fortuna Falls. We will make the hike down to one of the most beautiful swim holes in the country. After visiting the falls we will make our way back to the Tabacon Resort where you can enjoy the hotsprings for the evening. (Meals: Breakfast) Drive Time: 20 minutes
June 22nd -------- Zipline and drive to Cloudforest and night nike (Villa Blanca)
We will make the drive to the cloudforest and do the zipline. Here you will get the chance to do the superman zip and the tarzan swing. In the evening if the kids are up for it we will enjoy the night hike. This is a chance to see some of the different critters that come out at night in the cloudforest. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch) Drive Time: 1 1/2
June 23rd --------- Travel to Manuel Antonio Beach (Arenas del Mar)
Arenal Volcano
Today we will drive to one of the most beautiful beaches around. I know you guys are from the beautiful beaches of Florida but this will be worth it for all the monkeys you will see. (Meals: Breakfast) Drive Time: 2 1/2 hours
June 24th --------- National Park Manuel Antonio (Arenas del Mar)
Today we will visit the National Park of Manuel Antonio where you can see some sloths and monkeys. The afternoon you can relax at the beach or resort. (Meals: Breakfast) Drive Time: 5 minutes
Day 1 ---------- Arrive and Drive to Manuel Antonio (Arenas del Mar)
Today you will fly into the San Jose Airport (SJO). We will make the two hour drive to the area of Manuel Antonio. Here you will stay in connecting rooms with amazing views of the Pacific Ocean. This is one of the most luxurious places on the Pacific and surrounded by rainforest and your private beach. The place is called Arenas del Mar. Here you will hear the waves crashing all night as the rooms are located on a ridge just above the ocean. You have your own private beach from the resort. (Meals: None)
Day 2 ---------- Surf Classes and Beach Day at Manuel Antonio (Arenas del Mar)
Today we'll test the kids' surfing skills. We do a class that gives them the basic instruction of what to do and what not to do when surfing. Costa Rica is known for surfing and the kids will have some serious bragging rights after taking on some of the waves here. If they are not up for surfing no worries we can just make it a day at the beach and hotel or some other activities in the area. (Meals: Breakfast)
Day 3 ---------- National Park Visit and Time at Beach or Hotel (Arenas del Mar)
Today we will visit the National Park of Manuel Antonio. Here we plan on getting upclose with the monkeys and sloths of the area. This is an easy hike that takes just over an hour. After the hike through the park we can stay in the park and relax on some of Costa Rica's most beautiful beaches. In the evening it is back to the resort where you can visit the spa, or just hang out at the pool. In the evening we can take you to one of excellent restaurants in the area. (Meals: Breakfast)
Day 4 ---------- Travel to Villa Blanca Cloud Forest and Night Hike (Villa Blanca Hotel)
We will be leaving the beach today and heading to the middle of the country. We will be on our way to the Arenal Volcano but we will spend the night first in the Villa Blanca Cloudforest. This is an amazing hotel that was actually the home farm of an ex-president. They have designed it into being one of the nicest places around for the cool mountains of the cloud-forest. We will arrive just after lunch and have time to relax. In the evening we will be taking off on a night hike. This is quite the adventure walking through the cloud-forest at night with a chance to see the different animals that come out at night. The restaurant here is one of the best in the country in our opinion. (Meals: Breakfast)
Day 5 ---------- Zipline in the morning & Travel to The Springs Arenal (The Springs Resort)
Today we will get an early start after breakfast and head to the zipline adventure. This is a great morning spent flying through the trees. This zipline is one of our favorites because it has a tarzan swing and a superman zip. The superman allows you to lay down on you belly and fly across the rainforest like superman on a cable that is 600mts. In the evening we'll arrive at The Springs Resort, a new luxurious hotel with every amenity. (Meals: None)
Day 6 ---------- Raft Sarapiqui River (The Springs Resort)
Today we will head out whitewater rafting. This is a great day of adventure for the kids. We will be on a small river but with some good rapids and everyone will get soaked. There is a good chance we will see some animals along the way also. In the evening it is back to The Springs Resort to relax in their many different hotsprings. (Meals: Lunch)
Day 7 ---------- Relax at the Springs Resort (The Springs Resort)
Today is your day just to relax. We can take you guys out to visit a waterfall or a nature reserve but we will leave the day open. There is lots to do at the Resort and the slide they have in the pool can keep most kids busy for days. (Meals: None)
Day 8 ---------- Travel to San Jose Airport and Fly Home!
Today we will make the 2 hour trip to the San Jose Airport. (Meals: None)
