Nothing brings learning to love life like real-world experience. This week-long trip’s engaging lesson plan gives kids an education in biology and ecology that can never be found in a textbook. Here, spend the days (and nights!) studying the flora and fauna that inhabit the cloud forest and Manuel Antonio National Park. Elsewhere, get in touch with the land by rappelling, rafting, swimming, horseback-riding, and even surfing all over it. Science + gym? You do the math. Kick back on Costa Rica's pristine beaches, visit a local family to learn to make tortillas, spot nature in a dense cloud forest, enjoy the natural beauty of Manuel Antonio National Park, kayak and paddle-board in La Fortuna.
Price starts $1,300pp. Airfare not included
Wellness Costa Rica
Simply say “Costa Rica” and vivid images of paradise instantly flood the imagination. This eight-day tour makes those dreams a reality while letting you connect with the country’s charming people. Your spirits will be lifted with a visit to Mi Cafecito Community Coffee Plantation and a G for Good project supporting 200 local farmers, before carrying on to the outdoor utopia that is La Fortuna. There, you’ll be treated to a world of wellness, with yoga sessions overlooking the Arenal Volcano, hiking, free time for meditation, and a rejuvenating trip to thermal hot springs. Continue on to remote Rincón de la Vieja for more yoga and a therapeutic mud bath before a final stop in Playa Carrillo — home to a beach devoid of buildings, hotels, and restaurants that will give your mind a sense of clarity you may have previously thought impossible. Wake up with stand-up paddleboard yoga on Lake Arenal, Breathe in pure rainforest air hiking near La Fortuna, Escape the city in Rincón de la Vieja National Park, Bask in a rejuvenating volcanic mud exfoliation, Balance yourself during a surf lesson Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park.
Price starts $1,899pp. Airfare not included
The Best of Costa Rica Independent Adventure
Can't decide between the jungle, volcanoes, or the beach? Do all three on this 10-day independent journey that proves why Costa Rica is world-renowned for its natural beauty. Start by cruising the remote rainforests of Tortuguero (no roads here!) before heading to volcano country. Stay at the foot of Arenal Volcano and explore the rivers, trails, and hot springs of the area before chasing sun and sea in Guanacaste, known for its miles of beaches, killer surf, and great weather. Spot monkeys and tropical wildlife along the Tortuguero canals, relax on the Pacific coast, get active in the Arenal Volcano region, soak in relaxing hot springs after a hard day of play.
Price starts $1,299pp. Airfare not included
Explore Costa Rica - National Geographic Journeys
With a quarter of its land covered in national parks and wildlife refuges, Costa Rica is a dream for the nature lover and adventure buff. On this unforgettable journey, discover the country’s diverse and breathtaking landscapes, from the Caribbean coast to the Pacific. Explore the lush waterways of Tortuguero National Park, where thousands of sea turtles come to nest every year; assist in a tree-planting program in the cloud forests of Monteverde; and cap off your journey on Manuel Antonio’s pristine beaches, experiencing the true meaning of “Pura Vida”—the Costa Rican way of life. Hear a lecture from a researcher at the Monteverde Institute, learn how to make tortillas during a visit to a local family home, spot wildlife while cruising the canals of Tortuguero, enjoy spectacular volcano views while soaking in hot springs, learn all about sea turtles with an expert from the Sea Turtle Conservancy. Visit the Mi Cafecito coffee cooperative in San Miguel de Sarapiqui, see shade-grown coffee plants, learn about everything from harvesting, to husking, drying, and roasting the beans before enjoying the best part – a fresh cup! SEA TURTLE CONSERVANCY EXPERIENCE. Meet with researchers on a visit to the Sea Turtle Conservancy, co-founded by Archie Carr, a National Geographic grantee.
Price starts $2,699pp. Airfare not included
Costa Rica Cooking Class "Cook Like a Local"
Get a taste of authentic Costa Rican life and cuisine as you join a local family for a cooking class and home-style meal. Along with a guide, visit the home of your hosts outside of La Fortuna and learn about household customs and cooking techniques. Join in the preparation of a typical meal, and then savor the fruits of your labor alongside new friends. Cook and eat with a Costa Rican family in their home, learn how to make authentic Costa Rican dishes, eat a delicious Costa Rican dinner with your new local friends, visit a garden and pick vegetables for a fresh salad. Includes hotel pickup and drop-off. Price $49pp
Costa Rica Quest
Nature called you to Costa Rica — now here you are, suspended in the jungle canopy, locking eyes with a curious monkey. This action-packed tour of Costa Rica’s highlights is perfect for the adventurer with limited time who wants to explore the region’s diversity. Get your adrenaline pumping, follow a trail to the base of a waterfall, melt away in thermal springs, or relax on a beach. Soak in the thermal hot springs of Arenal Volcano, search for the elusive quetzal bird in the cloud forest, watch the sunset over the Pacific and learn about sugar cane and coffee production at a local plantation.
Price starts $999pp. Airfare not included
Costa Rica Active Adventure
Trekking, biking, horseback riding, kayaking, ziplining. Costa Rica really is the "Adventure Capital of the Americas." Thrill-seekers will find more than enough to keep themselves busy over this trip’s 13 action-packed days. After landing in San José, embark on four days of exploration around Monteverde and Arenal Volcano. Raft down the mighty Pacuare River before crossing over to our remote rainforest lodge, surrounded on all sides by the thick, enveloping jungle. End the journey by heading down to the beach at Puerto Viejo. Phew! Tired yet? No? Time to book! Paddle through world-class rapids on the Pacuare River, mountain bike in the shadow of Arenal Volcano, chill out to the sounds of crashing Caribbean waves, stand up on a surfboard in Puerto Viejo, Rafting expedition along the Pacuare River and Monteverde ziplining.
Price starts $1,390pp. Airfare not included
Meghann Barrios w/ Leo's Bon Voyage Travel Meghann@lbvtravel.com Office hours by appointment