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The Costa Rica trip provides an exceptional opportunity for students to gain practical knowledge through a distinctive approach. Despite its relatively small size compared to West Virginia, Costa Rica boasts twelve distinct ecosystems and a higher level of biodiversity than North America or Europe.
Over a few days, students and their families can explore diverse environments such as rainforests, dry forests, mangroves, cloud forests, volcanoes, and coastal beaches, and gain insights into how living organisms adapt to their respective habitats. The program also offers thrilling adventures and exposure to a different culture, blending entertainment and social studies with science to deliver a memorable and enriching educational experience.
"Regular" price: $3,099
"Early Sign Up Discount" Price: $2,899
($200 discount)
"Regular" price: $3,499
"Early Sign Up Discount" price: $3,299
($200 discount)
"Regular" price: $3,899
"Early Sign Up Discount" price: $3,699
($200 discount
The Toku Travel staff will warmly welcome you when you arrive at the busy exit area of the Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica.
We will escort you to your vehicle as bags are put in the luggage area of the bus. Our guide will then welcome you aboard and take you for a short 10-minute drive to the Hotel Parque del Lago, very close to the capital city but still found in a peaceful suburban area.
Upon checking in and setting into your accommodations, enjoy your first Costa Rican dinner served at the hotel’s restaurant.
After the long journey, retire to your rooms and get ready for the next morning, as we are leaving very early for our trip.
It’s a good idea to pack a small bag the night before with essentials like a change of clothes, toiletries, medications, phone, camera, light jacket, rain gear, and sun protection.
Large luggage will be stored on the bus.
Rise early for a hearty Costa Rican breakfast to fuel up for the day’s adventures.
Toku Travel staff will meet you to depart from the hotel and journey north towards the stunning Sarapiqui region, known for its lush rainforests, exotic wildlife like monkeys and sloths, and thrilling adventure activities like zip-lining and whitewater rafting.
Your first stop is the renowned Doka Estate for a coffee tour and plantation visit. Learn about coffee cultivation and processing methods before sampling freshly brewed coffee and buying beans to take home.
Next, enjoy a delicious lunch on-site featuring traditional Costa Rican cuisine.
In the afternoon, visit one of the prized Costa Rican strawberry farms situated in the fertile highlands.
Learn how the juicy red berries are grown in this ideal climate and how the population of the area has created a relationship with these delicious fruits.
After we get to the El Tucano Hotel, we can relax on the picturesque grounds, take advantage of the on-site hot springs, and explore the lush forest.
Before setting out on your adventures the following day, you can relax with a delicious dinner at El Tucano.
Rise and shine for this action-packed day on our Toku Travel Tour! After a hearty breakfast, we’ll head out for a day of thrilling whitewater rafting and a refreshing hike through the rainforest.
As we approach the pristine river gorge, our excitement will grow as our experienced guides provide a safety briefing and paddling instructions. We’ll put on our life jackets, grab our paddles, and take off for Class III and IV rapids called “The Abyss” and “Jaws.”
The crystal blue waters will splash around us as we paddle together, focused on guiding the raft through the churning rapids. As we drop over steep falls, enjoy the fun of teamwork as the guides give their instructions: “Paddle forward!” and “Get down!”
We’ll take a break in calm waters to catch our breath and admire the lush forest that grows on either side of the river. With sore arms and racing hearts, we’ll arrive at the dock, ready to share our thrilling rafting adventures over a delicious riverside lunch.
After changing into dry clothes, we’ll head to the Tirimbina Rainforest Reserve. As we go across the long, hanging bridge with the river underneath and completely surrounded by the rainforest, we will start glimpsing the wonders of this majestic ecosystem.
Our tour guide will translate what we see, not only by pointing out plants and wildlife, but beyond. You will come to understand the incredible perfection of nature and how everything is interdependent. As you are immersed in the jungle, you will also understand where the pure life saying has its true roots. The amazing biodiversity of Costa Rica is truly striking when you witness it firsthand.
The experience at Tirimbina Rainforest Reserve will leave you with a deep appreciation for the delicate balance of nature and the importance of conservation efforts. It is a truly unforgettable journey into the heart of one of the world’s most diverse ecosystems.
After hiking through this enchanting landscape, we’ll return to Hotel El Tucano for a satisfying dinner and a good night’s rest. What an amazing day of adventure!
After an early morning breakfast, we’ll load our luggage onto the bus and depart for the La Fortuna area, eager to experience more of Costa Rica’s natural and cultural wonders.
Our first stop is the rural village of Muelle to visit a local school. We’ll have the special opportunity to connect with students and teachers in their classroom setting. It’s inspiring to see the enthusiasm for learning, even with limited resources. The warmth and joy is contagious as we try our hand at some of their lessons and play games together in the schoolyard.
Around lunchtime, we’ll stop in the town of La Fortuna to refuel and discuss our impressions from the morning over a delicious local meal.
In the afternoon, we have a sweet treat in store – a tour of a rainforest chocolate factory! We’ll learn how cacao is sustainably grown, harvested and processed into decadent chocolate, and of course, we’ll sample the final products.
After checking into our La Fortuna hotel and freshening up, we’ll head out on an exciting night tour. Equipped with flashlights, we’ll go in search of nocturnal wildlife. Our expert guide will spot snakes, sleeping birds, and even wide-eyed kinkajous in the trees. The rainforest takes on a whole different character at night.
We’ll return satisfied from the tour ready to unwind over dinner together and reminisce about our adventures so far. It’s only day four and this trip has already exceeded expectations! We can’t wait to see what the rest of the week has in store.
Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.
After fueling up at breakfast, we’ll take a scenic boat ride around Lake Arenal for a chance to swim in the refreshing waters against the breathtaking backdrop of Arenal Volcano. We’ll arrive at a picturesque shoreline and take in the scenery and weather and condtions permitting, take a dip in the warm waters of the lake.
Next we’ll visit the impressive La Fortuna Waterfall, its waters cascading down nearly 500 feet into a deep pool surrounded by lush jungle. We’ll carefully descend the steep staircase to reach the falls, where we can snap photos and feel the mist on our skin. It’s a postcard-perfect paradise nestled in the rainforest.
For lunch we’ll head to a charming family-run organic farm at the base of Arenal Volcano to learn about their sustainable practices. Our knowledgeable guide will explain how they implement ingenious methods like utilizing methane gas and compost to enrich the crops. We’ll harvest veggies from the garden and taste the super-fresh produce. The highlight is watching the traditional sugar cane pressing to make candy and liquor. We’ll sample the sweet guaro and learn how this homemade nectar has been made for generations.
After an educational morning, we’ll spend the rest of the afternoon and evening, indulging at the famous Baldi Hot Springs. We’ll soak in the relaxing mineral waters and enjoy the lush tropical gardens surrounding the pools. There’s time to try the water slides and massage jets too before we sit down for a delicious dinner overlooking the grounds. It’s a rejuvenating end to an active day immersed in Costa Rica’s natural splendor.
After an early breakfast, we’ll load up the bus and depart for the Central Pacific coast. Today we’ll get a taste of Costa Rican culture and adventure.
Our first stop is the artisan cooperative of Orotina. We’ll browse the workshops where talented craftspeople create beautiful souvenirs like painted oxcarts and hand-carved masks using traditional techniques passed down through generations. It’s fascinating to witness the artisans transforming raw materials into stunning works of art. We can purchase unique keepsakes directly from the source to bring home.
The cooperative will host us for a delicious local lunch where we can sample typical dishes. Afterward, it’s time to get our adrenaline pumping! We’ll head to the rainforest for an exhilarating zipline canopy tour.
After gearing up in our harnesses, we’ll soar superman-style through the treetops from platform to platform. The breathtaking perspectives of the lush jungle greenery all around make it an unforgettable way to experience the Costa Rican rainforest.
At last we’ll arrive at our beachside hotel. We can unwind with a sunset stroll on the sand before sitting down for a fresh seafood dinner. It’s been an amazing day immersed in culture, nature, and adventure – the perfect encapsulation of everything that makes Costa Rica so special.
Start your day with a good Costa Rican breakfast to fuel up for the exciting adventures of this day.
We will enjoy a scenic hike to Playa Mantas, where we can spend the morning at the beautiful beach. Take this time to relax, swim, and soak in the natural beauty of Costa Rica.
After a refreshing morning at the beach, we will head to a local restaurant for a delicious lunch. Savor the flavors of Costa Rican cuisine while preparing for the thrilling adventure that awaits in the afternoon.
We will be going on a Crocodile Safari on the Tarcoles River today, where we will have the opportunity to observe the largest population of American Crocodiles in Costa Rica in their natural habitat. These impressive reptiles can grow up to 17 feet in length, making it an awe-inspiring sight to witness.
During the Crocodile Safari Tour, our naturalist tour guide will point out these prehistoric creatures and providing interesting insights into their behavior and biology. This exciting and informative experience will help us develop a deeper appreciation for these ancient predators.
After the tour, we can savor a delicious lunch by the river while admiring the beautiful surroundings and reflecting on the incredible wildlife we just encountered.
Conclude the day with a delightful dinner at Hotel Punta Leona. Share stories of the day’s adventures and enjoy a relaxing evening in the comfort of the hotel.
On our final day, we’ll soak up every last moment of tropical paradise at our Pacific coast resort, enjoying a leisurely breakfast before packing up our bags.
After working up an appetite, we’ll stop for a delicious lunch as we make our way to the charming town of Sarchi. This area is famed for its colorful hand-painted oxcarts, a Costa Rican artisanal tradition. At an authentically rustic oxcart factory, we’ll get a hands-on painting lesson from a master craftsman, learning traditional motifs as we create our own mini oxcart souvenir.
For our farewell dinner, we’ll reminisce over local cuisine and share photos and memories to cherish from our week immersed in pura vida. Though sad to leave, we’ll depart with minds broadened, hearts full, and souls nourished by the nature, culture, and the Costa Ricans Pura Vida Spirit.
Our guide will ensure a smooth journey to the airport after dinner. As we soar homeward bound, we’ll dream of the day we can return to this special country that now holds a cherished place in our hearts.
Departure from Juan Santamaría International Airport by direct flight to LAX on Alaska Airlines Flight AS1351
If you have any questions, or comments or you just simply want to book a tour with us, please send us a note! Let’s talk!
