Geography Trip to Costa Rica
A geography school trip to Costa Rica offers your students the opportunity to explore one of the most bio-diverse countries in the world!
Here you’ll find cloud forests, volcanoes, mangroves and tropical beaches. On a school trip to Costa Rica will let your students get up close to the local wildlife, experience geothermal activity in the most enjoyable way, hike over lava flows and end your trip in surfers’ (and turtles’) paradise – the Pacific Ocean!
To make this even more special, Costa Rica is at the forefront of sustainable tourism, so you can also enjoy a guilt-free geography school trip with minimal impact on this beautiful destination.
Suggested Itinerary (9 days, 7 nights)
Hike The Arenal Volcano Trails
There’s no better way to get up close and personal with the Arenal volcano than to walk along its lava trails!
Your group will hike along trails on hills formed by lava during the volcano’s 1968 eruption. Not only will you learn more about the volcano and its eruptions, you’ll also see some of the incredible wildlife that inhabits the area.
Arenal is Costa Rica’s most famous volcano and, until recently, its most active. It now plays an important role in power generation for the country, with geothermal, hydroelectric and wind power all generated here.
Did you know?
Arenal is considered a relatively young volcano, as it’s thought to be less than 7,500 years old, and it was also one of the ten most active volcanoes in the world until 2010, when it became dormant.
Bathe in the Baldi Hot Springs
Relax and unwind here at the largest hot springs resort in the world, where there are 25 pools of thermal water rich in minerals and healing properties!
Take a dip in one of the hot pools which is said to help eliminate germs and viruses. But remember, your core temperature will rise after nearly 20 minutes in the hot pools, so make sure you cool down regularly with dips in the cold pools, which are usually very close by.
Not everyone enjoys quiet relaxation so, for those who like a little more action, there are some extreme water slides to enjoy too!
Did you know?
Although you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the Arenal Volcano, the hot springs are outside the volcano’s risk zone, so you really can relax and enjoy your surroundings!
Visit Monteverde Cloud Forest
There’s a huge variety of flora and fauna to be found in Monteverde Cloud Forest, where moisture from the low-hanging clouds that sit permanently on the treetops trickles down the trees to sustain life.
Monteverde’s Cloud Forest alone makes the trip to Costa Rica worth it – your students will have an unforgettable experience of one of planet Earth’s most precious natural habitats.
Climate change could seriously affect Monteverde’s Cloud Forest – as temperatures rise, the low-level cloud coverage that produces the life-giving moisture could be reduced, changing the forest’s hydrological cycle drastically, perhaps even drying it up altogether.
Did you know?
The Monteverde Cloud Forest is famous for its incredible biodiversity and is home to over 2,500 plant species, 100 mammalian species, 400 species of bird and 120 species of reptilians and amphibians, as well as thousands of species of insects. It’s also home to the largest number of orchid species in any one place.
Day 1
Morning
Board your flight to San José
Afternoon
Meet guide on arrival and transfer to hotel
Evening
Enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel
Day 2
Morning
Transfer to La Fortuna in the foothills of Arenal Volcano
Afternoon
Guided hike on the volcano lava trails and visit to Los Patos Lagoon
Evening
Visit Baldi Hot Springs to see the geothermal activity, folllowed by dinner
Day 3
Morning
Visit to a rural school with an artistic performance from the students
Board a tractor pulled wagon to visit La Casona, country home to former Costa Rican President Rafael Iglesias
Afternoon
Enjoy a tortilla lunch served on a banana leaf and visit the sugar cane bill
Evening
Evening meal
Day 4
Morning
Take a nature boat tour at Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge and the Río Frio - keep your eyes peeled for monkeys, sloths, birds and reptiles
Afternoon
Lunch included during the boat tour before returning to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure
Evening
Evening meal
Day 5
Morning
Travel to Monteverde Cloud Forest
Afternoon
Enjoy exploring the beautiful Cloud Forest with over 2,500 varieties of plants
Evening
Evening meal
Day 6
Morning
Visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest reserve, famous for its biodiversity, conservation, contributions and scientific research
Afternoon
Travel to the Pacific Coast area and Tamarindo Beach, famous for sea turtles and surfing
Evening
Evening meal at the hotel
Day 7
Morning
Morning free to enjoy the hotel facilities or book an activity such as kayaking or surf lessons
Afternoon
Spend the afternoon at the beach
Evening
Evening meal at the hotel
Day 8
Morning
Depart from hotel in San José
Afternoon
N/A
Evening
Overnight return flight
Day 9
Morning
Arrive in the UK
Afternoon
N/A
Evening
N/A
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7 nights' half-board accommodation
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Air-conditioned coach
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Airport taxes and passenger duty at current rates
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ATOL protected return flights from the UK
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Comprehensive travel and medical insurance
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Detailed information pack
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Free staff place ratio 1:10
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Itinerary planning service
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Local English-speaking guide during the tour
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Tours and activities as listed in the itinerary
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Vamoos travel app - giving you access to all your trip documents on your phone or tablet
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VAT at current rates to tour operators
Curriculum Links
A-Level
- Earth structure and plate tectonics
- Tectonic disaster trends since 1960
- Active volcanoes - eruptive activity and land formation
- Human responses to natural hazards
- Managing tectonic hazards - predictions and forecasting
- Characteristics of a distinct ecosystem
- Biodiversity: flora and fauna
- Impacts of climate change on biomes
- Economical and social threats to ecosystems
- Sustainable management of resources
- The water cycle
- Fieldwork
GCSE
- Characteristics of plate boundaries
- Effects of tectonic hazards
- Management of hazards
- Geomorphic processes, erosion and deposition
- Characteristics of ecosystems
- Biodiversity: flora and fauna adaptations
- Balance and interrelationships of biomes
- Impact of climate on ecosystems
- Global threats to ecosystems
- Water and carbon cycles
- Tropical rainforests
- Fieldwork
Key Stage 3
- Geological timescales and plate tectonics
- Rocks, weathering and soils
- Weather and climate
Educational activities and visits
Arenal Volcano Hiking Trails
During this unforgettable experience you will enjoy hiking on the lava trails of the Arenal Volcano. On the privateproperty where… Read More
Baldi Hot Springs
Baldi Hot Springs is located in La Fortuna de San Carlos at the base of the imposing Arenal Volcano. Baldi… Read More
Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge
CañoNegro lies in the north of the country, lying very close to the border of Nicaragua. A nature lover’s paradise… Read More
La Casona del Rio
Casona Río Fortuna is therenowned Costa Rican historical and elegant turn-of-the-century country home of the former Costa Rican president, Rafael… Read More
Monteverde Cloud Forest
Set atop the spine of Costa Rica's continental divide, Monteverde is a high altitude (1,440 m) region in the north… Read More
Accommodation
The Arenal Country Inn invites guests to stay in individual cabins set within lush tropical gardens. All have private terraces with wonderful views of the Arenal volcano. Each cabin is equipped with a private bathroom with hot shower, air conditioning and mini fridge.
In the beautiful gardens is an inviting pool where you can enjoy a refreshing dip whilst listening to the sounds of the birds including toucans and parrots. You may even spot a monkey or a sloth lurking in the grounds!
The Monteverde Country Lodge provides guests with a comfortable and relaxing stay in its traditional rustic style accommodation. Set in beautiful gardens, the lodge is focused on its sustainability and minimising its impact on the natural world around the lodge. The lodge's classic rooms are equipped with modern amenities such as cable TV, a telephone, safe, insulating curtains, hot water shower and a very cosy atmosphere.
This all inclusive resort is located just 1 mile from Tamarindo City and has beautiful views of the beach and sunset. The hotel offers many services, food and entertainment options. Set in tropical gardens you will find giant chess, archery, tennis courts and a pool. You can also relax on the white sand beach and watch the surfers enjoy the perfect conditions.
A modern hotel located close to the city centre offering guests a relaxing stay. The guest rooms feature wooden floors, aTV. iPod docks. a safe, minibar and coffee makers. The rooms have private, well equipped bathrooms with hairdryer and slippers provided for your comfort.
Supporting you every step of the way
1 Creating Your Perfect Trip
We'll tailor make your school trip to meet your specific requirements
2 Launching your trip to parents and students
Head to our resources section for FREE promotional materials
3 After you've booked
Your dedicated Itinerary Coordinator will work with you on the finer details of your trip
4 While you're away
You'll be able to reach us 24/7 during your trip if you need our help
5 After your trip
Head back to our resources section to continue the learning
Need help?
Zoe Campbell — Tour Advisor
Don’t hesitate to contact me for any advice or further information on how your school trip can be tailored to your requirements.
I've been organising trips since 2001 with Halsbury and I know I'm in good hands should something go wrong.— The Skinners' School
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