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School Trip to Costa Rica

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Take your students on an unforgettable general and cultural school trip to Costa Rica, where rainforest, volcanoes, wildlife and local culture come together in one spectacular educational adventure. 

This 9-day Costa Rica school tour has been designed to immerse your group in one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth. Students will travel from the canals and Caribbean coastline of Tortuguero to the dramatic volcanic landscapes of Arenal, before exploring the misty magic of Monteverde Cloud Forest. Along the way, they'll encounter extraordinary ecosystems, learn about conservation in action and experience the rich cultural heritage that makes Costa Rica so distinctive. 

Picture your group setting off at dawn by boat through Tortuguero's waterways (eyes sharp for monkeys, birds and other rainforest creatures). Imagine them learning about endangered sea turtles at the Sea Turtle Conservancy Centre, then (in nesting season) heading to the beach at night for the chance to witness one of nature's most remarkable events. 

The journey continues with La Fortuna Waterfall, Arenal Volcano National Park and a visit to Maleku Village, where students will discover indigenous traditions, sustainable living and the deep relationship between culture and nature. In Monteverde, they'll walk through the cloud forest canopy on treetop walkways, take part in tree planting and head out after dark on a guided night wildlife walk (a rare chance to see the rainforest come alive in a completely different way). 

For teachers, this Costa Rica educational trip offers a powerful blend of adventure, ecology and culture, with experiences that support geography, science, citizenship and global learning. And, as you already know, trips like this stay with students. They build confidence, spark curiosity and shape perspectives. 

School Trip to Costa Rica

From

£2899PP

9 days, 8 nights

Need something bespoke?

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1

Morning

Flight to Costa Rica. 

Afternoon

Arrive at San José International Airport and meet your tour guide. 

Transfer to your hotel for a brief orientation meeting and review the trip itinerary and exciting activities ahead.

Evening

Evening meal.

Day 2

Morning

Departing early, the journey takes you past Braulio Carrillo National Park and banana plantations to the Caribbean lowlands. 

From there, a boat will take you to Tortuguero, a vast, biodiverse reserve known for its lush rainforests, winding canals and rich wildlife. 

Located on the Caribbean coast, it's a vital nesting site for green sea turtles (July to October) and home to numerous species, including monkeys and exotic birds. 

Afternoon

Visit the car-free village of Tortuguero and learn how it evolved from a lumberjack settlement to a key wildlife conservation area in Costa Rica. 

Enjoy a cacao and chocolate tour before relaxing at your lodge. 

Evening

Evening meal. 

Day 3

Morning

Start your day in Tortuguero with a dawn boat tour through its canals, spotting wildlife in the early morning light. 

After breakfast, take a boat and hike up to Cerro Tortuguero, an extinct volcano offering panoramic views of the rainforest. 

Afternoon

Enjoy a walk through the forest and along the beach in Tortuguero National Park, followed by a visit to the Sea Turtle Conservancy Centre, where you'll learn about conservation efforts and the region's vital sea turtle nesting sites. 

Evening

During July to October, you also have the option to take a night beach turtle walk, where you may witness sea turtles along the shore, a unique and unforgettable experience. 

Day 4

Morning

Travelling from Tortuguero via boat and coach, you'll pass through picturesque landscapes before reaching the charming town of La Fortuna, nestled at the base of Arenal Volcano. 

Afternoon

Visit La Fortuna Waterfall, located within a biological reserve, featuring an impressive 70m drop and a 530-step descent to its base. 

Evening

Evening meal. 

Day 5

Morning

Enjoy a leisurely guided stroll along a sloth trail, where you'll have the opportunity to observe sloths and other rainforest wildlife in their natural habitat. 

Visit the Maleku Village for a cultural experience, where you'll learn about the traditions, history and sustainable lifestyle of the Maleku indigenous people. 

Afternoon

If time allows, enjoy some free time in La Fortuna. 

Finish the day with a relaxing soak in the natural thermal pools at Baldi Hot Springs (which are fed by the nearby Arenal Volcano, providing a range of heated pools rich in minerals that offer therapeutic benefits). 

Evening

Evening meal. 

Day 6

Morning

Start your day with a guided walk through Arenal Volcano National Park, exploring trails that showcase the park's volcanic landscape, including past lava fields and secondary forest. 

Journey to the Monteverde Cloud Forest, a lush, biodiverse reserve nestled in Costa Rica's central highlands. 

Afternoon

Enjoy a walk through the reserve and take part in a tree planting activity to support local conservation efforts.

Evening

As night falls, venture out on a wildlife walk, offering a rare opportunity to observe Costa Rica's nocturnal wildlife and learn about their fascinating behaviours and adaptations after dark. 

Day 7

Morning

Experience the Monteverde Cloud Forest from above on the treetop walkways. 

The network of hanging bridges and platforms offers a unique, immersive journey through one of Costa Rica's most biodiverse ecosystems, providing stunning views of the forest canopy and its abundant wildlife. 

Afternoon

On your return to San José, you'll stop in Sarchí, a charming town renowned for its artisan culture and traditional craftsmanship. 

Sarchí is especially famous for its colourful hand-painted oxcarts, a symbol of Costa Rican heritage. 

Evening

Evening meal. 

Day 8

Morning

Begin the day with an early morning journey to Poás Volcano National Park, arriving when the weather is typically clearest for the best views of the active crater and geothermal landscape. 

Explore the main crater viewpoint and, if time allows, take a short hike to Lake Botos in the nearby cloud forest. 

Afternoon

Transfer to San José Airport for your flight home, taking with you unforgettable memories of your Costa Rican adventure. 

If your return flight is in the morning, you'll transfer directly to the airport on your final day. 

Day 9

Morning

Arrive home. 

  • Return flights from London Heathrow Airport to San José Airport, including hold luggage. 
  • Transportation in Costa Rica, from airport pick-up to airport drop-off. 
  • 7 nights' full-board accommodation (students in multi-bedded en-suite rooms, staff in twins). First meal included is the evening meal on the first day, and the last meal included is lunch on the final day. 
  • All excursions and activities listed in the sample itinerary. All activities are subject to availability at the time of booking. 
  • Professional English-speaking guide service for days 1-8. 
  • Detailed final itinerary pack with relevant maps and visit confirmations. 
  • Free staff place ratio 1:10.
  • Itinerary planning service.
  • Detailed information pack. 
  • Vamoos travel app - giving you access to all your trip documents on your phone or tablet. 
  • VAT at current rates to tour operators.

Accommodation

Hotel Las Colinas

Hotel Las Colinas is a charming hotel located in the heart of La Fortuna. It offers comfortable, eco-friendly accommodation just a short walk from the town centre and a short drive from Arenal Volcano. Featuring modern amenities, sustainable practices, and easy access to local attractions, it's the perfect base for exploring the area. All guestrooms have private bathrooms, air conditioning, and cable TV. Guests can enjoy stunning views of the Arenal Volcano from the hotel's terrace.

Sleep Inn Hotel, San José

The Sleep Inn San Jose Hotel is situated in the heart of the city, just 15 kilometres from Juan Santamaria International Airport. The hotel is conveniently close to museums, theatres, and parks. The rooms have air-conditioning, a minibar, a TV, a safe, a coffee maker, and a private bathroom. The property has a casino, meeting room, gym, internet access, and a restaurant where you can enjoy the included breakfast.

Monteverde Country Lodge

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.

Pachira Lodge

Pachira Lodge is a charming eco-lodge nestled in the heart of Tortuguero, surrounded by lush jungle and scenic canals. Guests can enjoy comfortable accommodation, buffet-style meals, and a unique turtle-shaped swimming pool, all while immersing themselves in the natural beauty of this remote rainforest setting. 

Tour highlights

Tortuguero National Park and Sea Turtle Conservancy

Tortuguero offers a unique combination of rainforest, canals and coastal ecosystems. Students gain firsthand experience of a globally important conservation area, observing wildlife on an early morning boat tour and learning about endangered sea turtles at the Sea Turtle Conservancy Centre. The optional night walk during nesting season (July - October) is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that brings conservation to life.
Did you know?

The temperature of the sand in the sea turtles' nests while the eggs are incubating determines the sex of the hatchlings. Warmer temperatures produce females, and cooler temperatures produce males.

Arenal Volcano National Park

A visit to Arenal Volcano National Park offers students the chance to explore one of Costa Rica's most iconic and geologically active regions. On a guided walk through the park, you'll encounter lava fields from past eruptions, providing a powerful visual of how volcanic activity shapes the landscape. As the trail winds through these areas, students will also witness how nature gradually reclaims the terrain, with secondary forests flourishing in the nutrient-rich volcanic soil. This immersive experience brings classroom topics to life, offering real-world insight into plate tectonics, geothermal energy and ecological succession.
Did you know?

Arenal is considered a young volcano, as it's thought to be only 7,500 years old.

Monteverde Night Wildlife Walk

A night wildlife walk in Monteverde Cloud Forest is a truly unique and unforgettable opportunity to witness the rainforest come alive after dark. Guided by expert naturalists, the walk offers opportunities to observe nocturnal creatures such as frogs, insects, bats and even sleeping birds or more elusive mammals. This immersive experience deepens understanding of the behaviours, adaptations and ecological roles of nocturnal species within one of the world's most biodiverse ecosystems.
Did you know?

The Cloud Forest is home to over 30 bat species, including the Great False Vampire Bat.

Educational Activities

Night Wildlife Walk in Monteverde Cloud Forest

After dark, you'll explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest from a unique perspective with a knowledgeable guide.

Baldi Hot Springs

Baldi Hot Springs is a geothermal spa near Arenal Volcano, including a variety of pools naturally heated by volcanic activity.

Sloth Trail

See sloths in the wild on this sloth trail.

La Fortuna Waterfall

La Fortuna Waterfall is a stunning 70m-high cascade, surrounded by tropical rainforest near the town of La Fortuna.

Arenal Volcano Hiking Trails

Arenal Volcano National Park is a natural reserve surrounding Costa Rica's most famous active volcano.

Tirimbina Biological Reserve

On a walk at Tirimbina Biological Reserve, you'll cross the region's longest hanging bridge and have an introduction to the natural beauty of Costa Rica's tropical ecosystem.

Coffee Plantation Tour

A coffee plantation tour provides an in-depth look at the coffee production process, from plant to cup.

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

Tortuguero Lecture

Enjoy a lecture on local history and culture or ecology, delivered by a local expert.

Maleku Village Tour

The Maleku village tour offers an immersive experience where you'll learn about the indigenous Maleku people near La Fortuna.

Tree Planting, Costa Rica

Actively participate in reforestation efforts in Costa Rica.

Treetop Walkways in Monteverde Cloud Forest

A visit to Selvatura Treetop Walkways offers a unique opportunity to explore Monteverde's Cloud Forest from above.

Poás Volcano National Park

Poás is one of Costa Rica's most active and iconic volcanoes.

Cultural Activities

Sarchí

Make a stop on your journey in Sarchí, a town that offers a glimpse into Costa Rica's rich artisan culture, famous for its brightly coloured handcrafted oxcarts and traditional woodwork.

Tortuguero Village

A visit to Tortuguero village offers a glimpse into local life on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. 

Cacao and Chocolate Tour, Tortuguero

On a chocolate and cacao tour in Tortuguero, you'll visit a cocoa orchard and learn about the history and cultural significance of cacao in Costa Rica.

Supporting you every step of the way

Creating your perfect trip

Your quote will be put together by an experienced Tour Adviser who’ll be an expert in the subject area and will know the destination really well too. They’ll work with you to create a trip to suit your group’s needs and meet your learning objectives.

Launching your trip to parents and students

The next step is to get your trip approved and then get students signed up to it. Our ‘Trip Launch Pack’ will help you with this step. This is full of resources (all free to download) designed to make your life easier at this crucial point in the trip planning process.

After you’ve booked

Once you’ve booked, your dedicated Itinerary Coordinator will start work on the finer details. They’ll make sure your itinerary makes the most of your time and they’ll take on most of the admin tasks for your trip (freeing you up to do what you do best – teach).

Support while you’re away

From lost property to properly lost, we’ll always be on the end of the phone while you’re out on the trip. You’ll get a final info pack before you go, as well as access to all your trip documents via the Vamoos app.

After your trip

We’ll ask you for feedback, so we can improve our service. Let’s start planning your next trip too, so parents have plenty of time to pay (and so it’s less stressful for you). And don’t forget to head to our resources hub to continue the learning back in the classroom.

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Your trip will be fully financially protected
Your group's safety will be prioritised
Your trip will be a quality educational experience
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