Minnesota High School Spanish Class Trip Costa Rica!
June 8 – 14, 2020
DAY 1: SAN JOSÉ / SARAPIQUI
Welcome to Latin America’s “Switzerland.” Meet your tour director as you depart for Sarapiquí. Visit a butterfly and ecological family garden. Learn about many insect and reptile species and maybe catch a glimpse of a caiman. Enjoy a late homemade lunch. For dessert help make and sample homemade chocolate with our local host. Ask for some cacao fruit!
DAY 2: SARAPIQUI/ FORTUNA
Enjoy an adventurous morning of whitewater rafting in the Sarapiquí river. Then drive to the northern plains and visit an organic farm where you will have lunch then try your hand at grinding coffee, making sugar cane juice, and even cooking your own tortilla. Have dinner and spend the night with a local homestay family in Fortuna.
DAY 3: FORTUNA/ MONTEVERDE
Visit a local community and/or a school as you interact with students during a service-learning project. Practice your español! Afterward, enjoy a homemade lunch made by the parents. Transfer to mountainous region of Monteverde. Guided evening hike in the mysterious cloud forest.
DAY 4: MONTEVERDE/JACO BEACH
Go on an interactive hike at the Santa Elena reserve and learn more about the cloud forest. Experience the world’s first canopy zipline – Soar over the jungle on an amazing zipline adventure. After lunch, drive west to experience warm Pacific coast weather at Jaco Beach. Short beach town tour.
DAY 5: MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK
Experience a guided tour of Manuel Antonio National Park. Hike the trails and discover close-up encounters with wildlife. Enjoy some beach time at the park but beware of curious monkeys eager to snack on your lunch! Depart to San José for a brief walking and driving tour of historic capital city.
DAY 6: EL YUNQUE
Short walking tour of Jaco town with optional shopping time. Head to the highlands of the country. Visit a unique coffee plantation where you’ll learn about the process from plantation to coffee cup. Sample their various brews and find out how their coffee is grown and processed. Interact with local family farmers. Head to San José for a short driving/walking tour. Enjoy a fond farewell dinner.
DAY 7: SAN JOSÉ – HOME
Converse with locals as you learn about the nation’s environmental efforts and the country’s importance in Latin America. After a farewell breakfast, enjoy some last-minute cultural/souvenir shopping. Reminisce about all your people to people and nature experiences as you head home.
Inclusions:
- 1 Free Chaperone/teacher per 10 paying passengers (based on double occupancy)
- RT Airfare (Unless purchasing “land-only”)
- Deluxe Motor coach Transportation to all activities as outlined in the itinerary
- 6 nights lodging in 3-4 star hotels
- 2 meals daily
- Services of a 24/7 bilingual Tour Director/guide
- Cold filtered water (traveler brings reusable water bottle)
Other Optional Add-ons
- Airfare
- Group transfers to/from MSP airport
- Group check in at airport
- Travel insurance
- Additional free packages
- Prepaid gratuities
- Additional activities or meals
- T-shirts/backpacks/water bottles with group logo
