Compare Costa Rica's Coastal Secrets by Exodus Travels vs A Taste of Costa Rica by Road Scholar

Day 1 Start San Jose

Welcome to San José, the culture-rich capital of Costa Rica. Aim to arrive at the hotel by 5pm so that you can meet your fellow travellers and tour leader, who will give you a warm welcome to Costa Rica. If you miss today’s welcome briefing, the tour leader will give you all relevant information on the morning of Day 2. A free transfer is available to take you to our hotel in San José. Read the Joining Instructions in the Trip Notes for more information on booking your seat. Accommodation: Presidente Hotel or Park Inn or Aurola Holiday Inn San Jose (or similar)

Day 2 To Tortuguero National Park

Our adventure begins early this morning, leaving San Jose behind as we travel to Tortuguero National Park in northeast Costa Rica. Accessible only by boat or light aircraft, Tortuguero has a vast network of waterways, canals and swamps that are remarkably tranquil, unspoilt and devoid of noise pollution. On reaching the pier, we board a small motorboat for the journey to our lodge (up to 1hr 30min) , which is a short distance from the main lagoon. Please note the transfer from San José to Tortuguero is not private for Exodus clients. Our afternoon is spent in Tortuguero village, where we can visit the Sea Turtle Museum (a donation will be requested at the entrance). Tortuguero is probably most famous as a nesting site for endangered green turtle, which can be seen arriving onto the beach to lay eggs from late July to October (as part of an optional excursion). Hawksbill, loggerhead and giant leatherback turtles also nest in this region, and during November to January, baby turtles hatch and make their way towards the ocean. Today's travel time will be in the region of six hours including a stop for breakfast. Accommodation: Evergreen Lodge (or similar)

Day 3 Boat tour around Tortuguero waterways

This morning we board a small boat, enabling us to discover the extraordinary flora and fauna of Tortuguero as we pass serenely along the waterways. In the morning wildlife is usually at its most active and with the help of our expert guide we are likely to encounter monkeys, caiman, iguanas, butterflies and many of the 300-plus bird species recorded here. We’ll take a second boat trip this afternoon or you can relax at the lodge and enjoy the facilities. Accommodation: Evergreen Lodge (or similar)

Day 4 To Cahuita; relax on the Caribbean coast

We leave Tortuguero the same way we arrived, by taking a small boat to Siquirres pier. Our bus will be at the pier waiting to drive us to the Cahuita region on the Caribbean coast, where we check into our hotel. Caribbean culture pervades this part of Costa Rica and is reflected in the music, food and laid-back lifestyle. The white-sand beach here is fringed by tall palms, behind which is the dense, wet tropical forest of Cahuita National Park. Accommodation: Ciudad Perdida or Villas del Caribe (or similar)

Day 5 Wildlife walk in Cahuita National Park

Cahuita National Park has 2,711 acres (1,097ha) of land and 600 acres (243ha) of coral reef, the largest reef system in Costa Rica. Today we visit the national park, taking a 7mi (11km) walk from the southern entrance, which follows the coastline, through rainforest and past impressive Caribbean beaches. Although a fairly small in size, there is plenty of diversity in the park. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore the beach, join an optional snorkelling excursion (subject to local conditions) or simply relax. Accommodation: Ciudad Perdida or Villas del Caribe (or similar)

Day 6 Free day in Cahuita

Today is yours to relax into the Caribbean pace of life and enjoy free time around Cahuita. It is possible to join an optional excursion to the indigenous communities of Kekoldi & Bri Bri Reserve, where you'll learn about the properties and uses of native plants, plus the process of making artisanal chocolate. Chocolate is very important in Bri Bri culture and used for purification rituals, food and medicine. During the excursion, there is also the opportunity for a refreshing swim at a waterfall. Accommodation: Ciudad Perdida or Villas del Caribe (or similar)

Day 7 Walk in La Marta Wildlife Refuge; to Turrialba Valley

Our next destination is Turrialba Valley, a rich agricultural region in the Central Highlands. On the way to Turrialba, we visit La Marta Wildlife Refuge, an area of both primary and secondary forest within La Amistad Biosphere (recognised as a Unesco World Patrimony of Humanity). The topography of this region is mountainous, with waterfalls, rivers and caves – the varied elevation supports a wide range of plants (including orchids, bromeliads, lichens and mosses) and animals (including anteaters, ocelots and tapirs). Accommodation: Villa Florencia or Guayabo (or similar)

Day 8 To Savegre Cloud Forest

After breakfast, we depart towards San Gerado de Dota and Savegre Cloud Forest. This is said to be one of the best places in Costa Rica to see the beautiful, colourful and notoriously shy resplendent quetzal and we have two nights here to discover the region. These endangered birds rely on the cloud forest for their habitat; the males are particularly striking with a green crest, red breast and tail feathers that can reach a metre in length. A good pair of binoculars will be helpful for quetzal spotting as these birds camouflage themselves well among the wet leaves. After lunch, we take a short walk into the cloud forest. Accommodation: Savegre Hotel, Nature Reserve & Spa or Trogon Lodge (or similar)

Day 9 Free day to discover walking trails in Savegre

Today is free to relax and explore Savegre Valley. Bring your binoculars to spot some of the 170 bird species, trek through the tropical cloud forest or simply enjoy the incredible view from the lodge. Your leader will suggest walks for today so you can discover the tropical cloud forest and sub-Alpine vegetation of the area. Birds here include hummingbirds, tanagers and trogons, while you may also spot tapirs and squirrel monkeys. Accommodation: Savegre Hotel, Nature Reserve & Spa or Trogon Lodge (or similar)

Day 10 To Sierpe; boat to Drake Bay on the Osa Peninsula

Early in the morning, our journey continues towards the small town of Sierpe, where we board a small motorboat to Drake Bay on the Osa Peninsula. Passing the huge mangrove swamps that line the Sierpe River, our boat crosses the ocean before arriving at Drake Bay. This region is very remote and with extremely limited road access, which means most supplies, visitors and locals, must arrive by boat. Getting here is part of the adventure. The bay is spectacular, with just a handful of lodges on the horizon and the rest thick verdant forest and rocky coves as far as the eye can see. Our next three nights will be spent at the Drake Bay Wilderness Resort, a family-run property close to the 'town' of Drake Bay and with ocean views from every corner. Accommodation: Drake Bay Wilderness Resort (or similar)

Day 11 Boat trip to Caño Island

Board a small boat to Caño Island, 12 nautical miles from Drake Bay. During this 45-minute boat ride, there may be opportunities to spot migrating whales or playful dolphins (orca are also here around December to April and humpbacks might be seen around July to November). The interior of the island is thought to have been a burial ground for the indigenous Daquis tribe during pre-Columbian times, and many perfectly spherical human-made stones have been found here. But it's the marine life that is the biggest highlight of Caño Island, with hawksbill and olive ridley turtles, manta rays and white-tipped reef sharks just some of the likely encounters on today's snorkelling excursion. This area has been rated as having the best snorkelling in the whole of Costa Rica, with excellent water visibility and a huge marine diversity living in the protected reef. Enjoy a picnic lunch on nearby San Josecito beach, where capuchin monkeys, coatimundi and lively scarlet macaws may appear. Accommodation: Drake Bay Wilderness Resort (or similar)

Day 12 Boat trip to Corcovado National Park; discover the park on foot

When National Geographic describes an area as “the most biologically intense place on Earth,” it must be worthy of investigation. This morning we board a small boat for a 30-minute journey to San Pedrillo Ranger Station, our entrance point to Corcovado National Park. This is undoubtedly the most secluded and tranquil region in Costa Rica. Protecting around one-third of the Osa Peninsula (some 164sqmi/425sqkm), Corcovado is the largest national park in Costa Rica and encompasses 13 major ecosystems across various elevations, with montane forest, cloud forest, fresh water and mangrove swamps among them. Scientists have recorded half of all the species in Costa Rica on this peninsula alone. On today's hike along the parks trails, we may see all four monkey species in Costa Rica (squirrel, howler, white-faced capuchin and spider), tamandua (anteaters), two- and three-toed sloths, peccary, tapirs (including the endangered Baird’s tapir) and many reptiles, insects and amphibians. Puma and jaguar also prowl this area, but are very difficult to see. With more than 500 tree species, the bird count stands at an impressive 365 and the park protects the largest population of scarlet macaws in the country, which can frequently be seen and heard flying overhead. Accommodation: Drake Bay Wilderness Resort (or similar)

Day 13 Mangrove boat trip; to Sierpe; to San Jose

After an early breakfast, we board another boat and return to Sierpe town. On the way, our boat will take a short tour of the huge mangrove forest that lines the Sierpe River. Delving into the network of tributary rivers and streams offers a chance to learn more about the role of mangroves in the ecosystem and the numerous creatures that depend on them, including fish, crabs, birds, molluscs and shellfish. In Sierpe town, we transfer to our private minibus and commence our journey to San Jose. Accommodation: Presidente Hotel or Park Inn or Aurola Holiday Inn San Jose (or similar)

Day 14 Visit the Irazu Volcano National Park and the Orosi Valley for a coffee tour

Today begins with a trip to the Irazu Volcano National Park in the Cartago province of Costa Rica, located within the Central Mountain Range around a 90-minute journey from San Jose. Passing different vegetation, we'll drive towards the summit and then follow a path that leads to a wonderful view across the huge crater. Irazu is one of the most active volcanoes in Costa Rica, though it has recently entered a dormant phase – a relief to the farmers and property owners who make their living on the fertile slopes. On a clear day, both the Caribbean and Pacific coastlines can be seen from the summit. Remember to bring a jacket as it can be windy and cold at the viewpoint of this elevation (Irazu summit is 11,260ft/3,432m high). Following this we continue to the city of Cartago, home to a spectacular domed basilica, and the Orosi Valley, an area of natural beauty. After lunch in one of the many traditional restaurants, we join the Orosi Coffee tour to learn about the ancient techniques used to produce some of the best coffee in the world. This involves understanding the cultivation, harvesting and roasting of coffee beans, before you have a chance to savour the end product yourself. Afterwards, we return to San Jose for our last night of the holiday. Accommodation: Presidente Hotel or Park Inn or Aurola Holiday Inn San Jose (or similar)

Day 15 End San Jose

Our adventure comes to an end today after breakfast and it's time to bid Costa Rica and the rest of the group goodbye. Hop in your free transfer back to San Jose airport to begin your return journey home.

Day 1 Arrive San José, Orientation, Welcome Dinner San José

Participants must book flights that arrive into San José no later than 4:30 p.m. if they plan to attend the program orientation. Some Road Scholar gateways require the use of overnight flights in order to arrive in San José by the suggested time. Please contact your Road Scholar Program Provider at 1-800-866-7111 or roadscholarprograms@holbrooktravel.com if you made plans to arrive a day early and would like assistance in booking your hotel. See your program’s travel details regarding transfers.

Orientation: 6:00 p.m. at the hotel. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Meals will feature local cuisine. Beverage choices will typically include coffee, tea, water; other beverages are usually available for purchase. Travel and transfers will be via air-conditioned bus unless specified otherwise. The bus does not have a restroom on board; however, there will be stops at least every two hours for program activities, meals, and/or basic rest stops to break up longer travel times. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

At the hotel.

Day 2 Gold Museum, Sarapiqui, Rainforest Introduction Sarapiqui

Getting on/off a bus with several steps up/down; driving about 56 miles, approximately 2 hours riding time. Walking and standing, approximately 1.5 hours; mostly flat terrain.

We will be joined at the hotel by a local expert who will give us an overview of Costa Rica. We’ll then check out of the hotel and set out on foot for a field trip to the Museo del Oro Precolombino — Pre-Columbian Gold Museum. Led by an expert, we’ll explore and see some of the splendid display of artifacts from multiple indigenous Latin American civilizations. The total weight of the 2,000-piece collection is than 20,000 troy ounces, making it one of the richest spots in the nation. We’ll then board the bus and begin our transfer to Sarapiquí in Costa Rica’s Caribbean lowlands.

We’ll continue our journey to Sarapiquí. This is one of the richest sites for birds in Middle America with more than 400 species recorded. The nearby La Selva Protection Zone and the Braulio Carrillo National Park form the only significant corridor of forest on the Caribbean slope linking the highlands with the lowlands — a corridor crucial to birds and animals that undertake seasonal altitudinal migrations. Arriving at the lodge, we’ll check-in with some time to freshen up. We’ll then regroup for a presentation by a local expert that will give us an introduction to the rainforest.

At leisure. You might like to spend time with new Road Scholar friends on the porch, enjoy a nightcap while relaxing to the sounds of the rainforest, or turn in for a good night’s rest before tomorrow’s activities.

At the hotel.

At a local restaurant en route.

At the lodge.

Day 3 Birding, River Rafting, Cultural Interaction, Latin Dance Sarapiqui

Early morning (pre-breakfast) birding walk with Group Leader around lodge grounds. Getting on/off a bus, on/off a river raft. Rafting involves an upper body workout and the likelihood of getting wet; wear bathing suit and water shoes/sport sandals; apply sunscreen well before water activity. Class I & II rapids: easy/moderate conditions including waves, rocks, sand banks, and light riffles. River conditions monitored daily; activity can be cancelled/rescheduled if conditions aren’t optimal.

We’ll join our Group Leader for some early morning birding on and around lodge grounds, then walk back to the lodge for breakfast. Next, we’ll board the bus and drive to a nearby drop-off site along the shores of the Sarapiquí River in preparation for our rafting field trip. A rafting expert will conduct a safety orientation and go over rafting procedures and equipment before giving us the go-ahead to don our gear and board the rafts. A rafting expert will sit at the back of each boat and navigate, and we’ll help by paddling at various stretches along the river. At the end of the field trip, we’ll take the bus back to the lodge and change into dry clothes.

We’ll have some “down” time before our next activity. This is a good opportunity to enjoy a walk around the lodge grounds, cool off in the pool or perhaps practice your photography skills. Our next field trip will commence with a short ride into the Sarapiquí community, where a local resident will invite us into her home, talk about their daily life and show us on how to prepare some typical Tico dishes. We’ll be accompanied by a member of the Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center (SCLC), who will give us an overview of their mission and talk to us about their work together with the community. Founded by Giovanna Holbrook in the mid-1990s, the SCLC is a registered non-profit organization whose mission is to link communities and conservation through education and ecotourism in the Sarapiqui region. Programs include environmental education, ecotourism activities, English classes, an ecology club, community outreach, a women's group and many others.

Latin dance! We’ll have some lessons with local people to learn three styles of Latin dance: Merengue, Salsa, and Cumbia. The dancers will demonstrate the different styles, then lead us through the dances step by step. We’ll end the evening dancing with partners. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

At the lodge.

At the lodge.

At the lodge.

Day 4 River Boat Nature Safari, Local Plantation, Arrive Arenal Arenal Volcano

Getting on/off a bus; driving about 61 miles, 2.5 to 3 hours riding time including stops. Getting on/off a motorized riverboat with covered top and open sides; no restroom on board, riding about 1 hour. Descend/ascend 3 flights of stairs with handrail to/from boat dock.

After checking out of the hotel, we’ll ride to the Puerto Viejo dock and board a river boat that will take us on a study cruise along the Sarapiquí River. The boat captain and our Group Leader will put their expert spotting skills to use by pointing out riverine wildlife along the way. Some of the animals we might see include caimans, turtles, iguanas, bats, monkeys, sloths, kingfishers, and Anhinga water birds. After disembarkation, we’ll get on our bus and ride to a local plantation to learn about some of the environmental and economic impacts of agriculture in Costa Rica. A farm representative will lead us through various sections of the plantation and explain how the crops are grown and processed for shipping. We’ll reboard the bus and be on our way to Arenal, once Costa Rica’s most active volcano. It has been a main draw to the town of La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano National Park.

Once at the hotel, we’ll check in with some time to freshen up and relax. We’ll reconvene before dinner for an expert-led presentation on the forces of nature and how they help shape life here.

Time at leisure.

At the lodge.

At a local restaurant en route.

At the hotel.

Day 5 Hanging Bridges, Local School, Local Farm,Traditional Dinner Arenal Volcano

Walking on forest trails and hanging bridges. Comfortable clothing, closed walking shoes, and binoculars suggested for this activity.

For our next field trip, we’ll drive to Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges and explore some of its many trails and scenic bridges. The private nature reserve has more than 600 acres of tropical rainforest that can be explored through a network of trails, hanging bridges and standing bridges. We’ll then return to the hotel.

We’ll board a bus and ride to a local school where we'll enjoy a charming presentation by local children. Moving on, we'll ride to a local farm to learn about its history and some of the agricultural traditions in this fertile region. Although tourism surpassed agriculture as the main source of revenue in the area, many local plantations still produce important amounts of papaya, sugar cane, tapioca, and ornamental plants. At the farm, we’ll work-up an appetite while learning to make tortillas and cooking them on a traditional wood stove. Note: Many participants in previous Road Scholar programs have brought a few basic school supplies such as pencils, erasers, pens, colored markers, children’s books in Spanish, etc., to donate during the school visit. This is completely voluntary and is not required.

Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the evening is at leisure. Prepare for check out and transfer in the morning.

At the hotel.

At the hotel.

At the farm, we’ll have a traditional dinner hosted by the family.

Day 6 Crossing Arenal Lake, Coffee Plantation Monteverde

Getting on/off a bus; driving about 21 miles, approximately 1.5 to 2 hours riding time with stops. Boat ride across Arenal Lake approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. Bus will travel separately with luggage. Pack any needed items in daypack.

The bus will carry our luggage to the next hotel. Take what you need in a day pack as we won’t have access to our luggage until late afternoon at Monteverde. After checking out, we’ll drive to a local boat dock on the shores of Arenal Lake. A small covered boat will ferry us across the scenic lake. Upon reaching the other shore, we’ll board a bus and ride uphill along scenic back roads to Monteverde. We’ll then ride to a local coffee plantation.

During our field trip, we’ll learn about the harvesting and processing of coffee as well as the history of this crop from its beginning in the Arabic countries and Ethiopia. We’ll also gain insights into the importance of the golden bean — grano de oro — and its impact on Costa Rica’s social, cultural, and economic development. Moving on to the hotel, we’ll check in with some time to freshen up and relax. There will be an opportunity to watch the sunset! We’ll regroup for a presentation by a local expert on conservation and development of the Monteverde Area.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

At the coffee plantation.

At the hotel.

Day 7 Cloud Forest Reserve, Bat Jungle, The Quaker Story Monteverde

Walking up to 3 miles; forest trails and irregular terrain; potentially muddy conditions. Wear closed toe/heel walking shoes with lug soles and consider bringing a lightweight rain poncho.

Our first field trip of the day is to a cloud forest reserve at Monteverde for an expert led exploration. While walking on forest trails, we’ll learn about the characteristics of a cloud forest and stop along the way to study its flora and fauna. The edges of this rich forest system, often cloaked in clouds and blowing mist, are home to more than 350 avian species and a myriad of other creatures and critters. The Monteverde area is perhaps most famous for breeding Resplendent Quetzals, Three-wattled Bellbirds, and Bare-necked Umbrellabirds. While these charismatic species can be elusive, a host of other cloud forest birds and amphibians are found in the area.

Next, we’ll head to the Bat Jungle, an educational space designed and managed by noted U.S. bat biologist Dr. Richard LaVal. Informative displays help to explain about bat biology, bat diversity, and their crucial role in nature as pollinators. The Bat Jungle also has more than 90 bats, representing 8 different species, housed in a recreated nighttime cloud forest environment. Glass windows give visitors the rare opportunity to look inside the forest enclosure and observe bats feeding, flying, and socializing. Special microphones capture the high pitched bat vocalizations and broadcast them through loudspeakers in the bat viewing area. Next, we'll learn about the history of Monteverde's Quaker community during a home visit with a longtime resident. In 1951 a group of American Quakers, fearful of their nation’s growing militarism, fled the United States. The Quakers found Costa Rica, a country without a military, to be the most inviting option for their pacifist beliefs. This group settled Monteverde and intended to transform the area into profitable farmland. The Quakers developed a fairly successful cheese industry but they also recognized the delicate nature of the land and helped establish the area's first wildlife sanctuary.

Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the evening at leisure. Prepare for check out and transfer tomorrow.

At the hotel.

At a local restaurant.

At a local home.

Day 8 Butterfly Garden, Farewell to Costa Rica San José

Getting on/off a bus; driving about 90 miles to San José, approximately 3.5 hours riding time.

We’ll take a field trip to the Monteverde Butterfly Garden and Arthropod Education Center. Jim Wolfe and his wife, Marta Iris, opened the Monteverde Butterfly Garden in 1989. The couple devoted themselves to hand-raising butterflies and gaining more knowledge of their preferences and habits. These fragile creatures require extreme care as they develop and grow. Every species feeds on a different variety of plants. Unlike most butterfly gardens, which buy their butterflies as chrysalids, all the butterflies we will see here were bred and raised on the premises. Though no longer managing the project, Jim and Marta’s dream lives on in the hands of a new generation of dedicated naturalists. We’ll begin our transfer to San José after the field trip.

Arriving in San José, we’ll check in to our hotel with time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

At leisure. Enjoy our last evening together in Costa Rica, then prepare for check out and departure in the morning.

At the hotel.

En route.

At the hotel. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Day 9 Program Concludes, In Transit From Program In Flight

Hotel check out by 11:00 a.m. See your program’s travel details regarding transfers.

If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!

At the hotel (dependent on flight schedules). This concludes our program.