Environment and Geography Costa Rica

Explore ecological gardens, rainforests, volcanoes, and hot springs on this environmental school tour

Take your students on an environmental journey exploring Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a destination renowned for its sustainability and commitment to its environment.

Your students will visit Sarapiquí, which is home to over half of the country’s total species of birds. The species diversity is astounding, with more than 1,850 plants, 448 birds, 70 species of bat and five of Costa Rica’s six felines.

This school tour also spends time at Tirimbina Rainforest and their fascinating bat program and hike near Arenal Volcano.

Your students also have the opportunity to volunteer and help out the local community on the current project they are working on.

Trip highlights

  • City tour of San Jose
  • Visit Costa Rica's last remaining areas of primary rainforest, Sarapiqui
  • Spend time at Pierrella Ecological Garden and their impressive butterfly garden
  • There are 113 species of bats in Costa Rica and you'll learn about them at Tirimbina Rainforest
  • Take a guided hiking tour to see close up views of Arenal Volcano
  • Enjoy hydrotherapy and geotherapy at Los Lagos Hot Springs
  • Spanish Lessons
  • A day of volunteering
  • Hike to the summit at Rincon de la Vija National Park
  • Relax and enjoy Tamarindo Beach

Trip inclusions

  • An all-inclusive package including flights, accommodation, transport, meals and activities.
  • Our full suite of tools, resources, checklists and support that will make your trip planning and advertising a breeze.
  • Free travel for teachers.
  • An EA tour representative to take care of all logistics on hand 24/7.

Trip inclusions

  • An all-inclusive package including flights, accommodation, transport, meals and activities.
  • Our full suite of tools, resources, checklists and support that will make your trip planning and advertising a breeze.
  • Free travel for teachers.
  • An EA tour representative to take care of all logistics on hand 24/7.

Trip highlights

  • City tour of San Jose
  • Visit Costa Rica's last remaining areas of primary rainforest, Sarapiqui
  • Spend time at Pierrella Ecological Garden and their impressive butterfly garden
  • There are 113 species of bats in Costa Rica and you'll learn about them at Tirimbina Rainforest
  • Take a guided hiking tour to see close up views of Arenal Volcano
  • Enjoy hydrotherapy and geotherapy at Los Lagos Hot Springs
  • Spanish Lessons
  • A day of volunteering
  • Hike to the summit at Rincon de la Vija National Park
  • Relax and enjoy Tamarindo Beach

Environment and Geography Costa Rica trip itinerary

DAY 1: SAN JOSE

Costa Rica’s capital and the largest city in the country, San Jose is considered to be among the most cosmopolitan cities in Latin America. Downtown San Jose is the busiest part of town. A maze of streets and avenues, here you can find most of the city’s museums as well as several hotels and plazas.

DAY 2: SAN JOSE CITY TOUR

This morning you will visit the National Theater, also known as “The jewel of San José”, a masterpiece in art and architecture built by Costa Ricans and completed in 1897. You will then visit the Museum of Gold followed by the Central Market. This afternoon you will visit the Metropolitan Cathedral. As you travel around the city, your guide will point you out several historically important or main buildings in our city.

DAY 3: DEPART SAN JOSE TO SARAPIQUI

Sarapiqui is located in the Heredia province and it has gained popularity because of the rich biodiversity as well for the adventure activities that can be done here.

Click learn more to get in touch with our team and access the full itinerary.

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What to expect on an environment and geography trip to Costa Rica

Your students can expect to see a wide range of animal species as well as phenomenal environmental features. Students will be expected to participate in volunteer work which could be helping to paint, mend or build. There is also leisure time built into this itinerary to enjoy the beaches as well as some enjoyable hiking to be done throughout the tour.

Trip activities

Arental Volcano in Costa Rica on an international school group tour
A green frog sitting on a tree on School tour to Costa Rica visiting Sarapiqui
Tamarindo Beach in Costa Rica as part of an environmental and geography school group tour with Educating Adventures

Arenal Volcano

Arenal Volcano is one of Costa Rica’s most notable natural features. Standing at 5,437 feet (1,657 meters), this volcano has been resting (i.e. not active) since 2010. However, it is no less majestic to behold, as it’s practically a behemoth against the region’s perfect skies. Rising above the rainforest that surrounds its base, Arenal Volcano frames the skyline with near-perfect symmetry.

Witness some of the closest views of Arenal Volcano on a guided hiking tour of the Arenal 1968 Trail, a route that winds through the lava flows from the volcano’s notorious 1968 eruption. Two different hiking trails walking on hills formed by lava during the Arenal Volcano 1968 eruption. Here you will see Los Patos Lagoon, in a medium difficulty trails through a very original landscape and great panoramic views of Arenal Volcano and Arenal Lake. Learn about native plant and animal species from your guide and soak up the incredible views from an observatory.


Tamarindo Beach

Tamarindo is located at Guanacaste on the Pacific coast. The Tamarindo estuary tour offers a unique opportunity to observe the abundant wildlife of the tropical dry forest while learning about the unique ecosystem of the mangrove forest. While sailing up the estuary you’ll be able to see iguanas, crocodiles and lots of different species of wading birds right in front of you. Halfway through the Tamarindo mangrove tour, you will have the chance to get off the boat and into the national park. Here you can see the howler monkeys, raccoons, abundant diversity of crabs and other exotic animals in the treetops above.

Sarapiqui

Sarapiqui is located in the Heredia province and it has gain popularity because of the rich biodiversity as well for the adventure activities that can be done here. Surrounded by lush green forests and banana and cacao plantations, Sarapiqui was once just a small port town. Located at the junction of the Puerto Viejo River and Sarapiqui River.

In Sarapiqui, several private reserves can be found such as La Tirimbina, La Selva and many others making a great place to admire nature and wildlife. As one of Costa Rica’s last remaining areas of primary rainforest, Sarapiquí is home to over half of the country’s total species of birds. The species diversity is astounding, with more than 1,850 plants, 448 birds, 70 species of bat and five of Costa Rica’s six felines.

Teachers at Universal on their school trip

"As a result of this trip, we have three students considering picking up mechanical engineering at university, and a host of students considering STEM-related A-Levels. An action-packed, awe-inspiring week away. I can't wait to go back next year!"

Teacher
Harris City Academy Crystal Palace, NASA STEM Trip, October 2018

"I believe the memories created on an international school trip can drastically enhance a student's entire learning experience. Being immersed in real-life learning is the most powerful educational experiences one can gain."

Teacher
Grace Lutheran College, China Business Trip, September 2018

"The experience for us was personalised, accessible and our consultant was interested in us. This makes the world of difference when you're travelling with students"

Teacher
Brigidine College Randwick, NASA STEM Trip, September 2018

“This trip has taken the top spot for my career highlights to date!  The experiences and the way in which the students conducted themselves and embraced opportunities, even when they were out of their comfort zone, will stay with me forever.  I don’t know if it gets better than this.”

Teacher
Barr Beacon School, NASA STEM Trip, February 2019

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