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Tour Number: 2711011JM
Group Leader: Ronald Patten
Requested Departure Date: 1/20/2025
Requested Return Date: 1/28/2025
Requested Departure Gateway: Asheville (NC)

ABOUT EF

For over 55 years, we’ve dedicated ourselves to one global mission: Opening the World Through Education. Our programs help students expand their knowledge of the world around them, discover more about themselves, grow more confident and independent, and understand new people, places, and cultures.

9 days
San José, Central Pacific Coast, Arenal region

In order to protect their home, community members of Palo Seco must continue to reforest mangrove trees to keep their coastline stable.

This tour offers students a firsthand learning experience into stabilizing ecosystems through the efforts of community farming. They’ll also discover the biodiversity of this beautiful country from every angle with visits to hot springs, hiking to La Fortuna Waterfall, and more.
  • Day 1: Fly to Costa Rica

    Meet your Tour Director at the airport
  • Day 2: San José • Playa Palo Seco • Central Pacific Coast

    Travel to Playa Palo Seco

    Enjoy a crocodile safari boat cruise

    Conservation project activities

    • Introduction to the project
    • Overview of methodologies and working plan
    • Take a tour of mangroves and protected areas
  • Day 3: Central Pacific Coast

    Conservation Project Activities

    • Collect seeds
    • Clean and condition selected planting areas
    • Measure and demark working terrain
    • Visit a nursery
    • Learn planting technique and watering process
    • Fill encasements with ground material
    • Plant seeds
  • Day 4: Central Pacific Coast

    Visit Manuel Antonio National Park

  • Day 5: Central Pacific Coast • Arenal region

    Travel to the Arenal region

    Visit the Arenal hot springs

  • Day 6: Arenal region

    Experience the thrill of a ziplining adventure through the Costa Rican canopy (Participants must weigh less than 200 lbs) 

    Participate in a cultural exchange with locals

  • Day 7: Arenal region

    Enjoy a kayaking trip on Lake Arenal

    Visit La Fortuna Waterfall 

  • Day 8: Arenal region • San José

    Travel to San José 

    Take a tour of a coffee farm

    Enjoy a Costa Rican folklore evening

  • Day 9: Depart for home

  • Day 1: Fly to Costa Rica

    Meet your Tour Director at the airport
  • Day 2: San José • Playa Palo Seco • Central Pacific Coast

    Travel to Playa Palo Seco

    Enjoy a crocodile safari boat cruise

    Conservation project activities

    • Introduction to the project
    • Overview of methodologies and working plan
    • Take a tour of mangroves and protected areas
  • Day 3: Central Pacific Coast

    Conservation Project Activities

    • Collect seeds
    • Clean and condition selected planting areas
    • Measure and demark working terrain
    • Visit a nursery
    • Learn planting technique and watering process
    • Fill encasements with ground material
    • Plant seeds
  • Day 4: Central Pacific Coast

    Visit Manuel Antonio National Park

  • Day 5: Central Pacific Coast • Arenal region

    Travel to the Arenal region

    Visit the Arenal hot springs

  • Day 6: Arenal region

    Experience the thrill of a ziplining adventure through the Costa Rican canopy (Participants must weigh less than 200 lbs) 

    Participate in a cultural exchange with locals

  • Day 7: Arenal region

    Enjoy a kayaking trip on Lake Arenal

    Visit La Fortuna Waterfall 

  • Day 8: Arenal region • San José

    Travel to San José 

    Take a tour of a coffee farm

    Enjoy a Costa Rican folklore evening

  • Day 9: Depart for home


Feel confident helping your child see the world

Visit our parents’ page for everything from payment plans, scholarship opportunities, safety protocols, and more.

Are you the “print it, scribble notes on it, stick it to the fridge” type? You can download a printable version of our Parent Guide, too.

¿Quiere leer la Guía para Padres en español?

Visit our parents’ page

Pagina de padres en español

Visit our video gallery to hear more from fellow parents


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See your tour come to life



Your experience includes

  • Airfare & transportation

    Round-trip airfare on major carriers; comfortable motorcoach

  • Hotels

    8 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms

  • Regional-style meals

    3 meals daily (Days 2-8); dinner on arrival day; breakfast on departure day

  • Guided sightseeing

    Comprehensive sightseeing of natural attractions

  • Entrances

    Crocodile farm; conservation project at Playa Palo Seco; Manuel Antonio National Park; Arenal hot springs; ziplining; local exchange; kayaking; La Fortuna Waterfall; coffee farm; folklore evening

  • Experiential learning

    Conservation project at Playa Palo Seco in Central Pacific Coast

  • Full-time Tour Director

    Your culturally connected Tour Director is with your group 24/7, providing deep local insight while handling all on-tour logistics.

  • Expert Local Guides

    Your expert local guides are natural historians, adding cultural insight and global perspective on your sightseeing tours.

  • Personalized Learning Support

    Our personalized learning experience engages students before, during and after tour, with the option to create a final, reflective project for academic credit.

  • Continuous Support

    Your dedicated EF team helps you every step of the way—from recruiting and enrolling travelers to planning and managing your tour.

  • Worldwide Presence

    EF has over 500 schools and offices in more than 50 countries worldwide so wherever you go, we're there too.

  • 24-hour Emergency Service

    Travelers and their families can count on EF's dedicated emergency service team.

  • Peace of Mind Program

    Feel secure knowing your group can change their destination or travel dates due to unforeseen circumstances. Learn more about your flexible options at eftours.com/peaceofmind.

Have questions about this tour?  Give us a call at 800-665-5364


All your EF tour questions, answered

On our easy-to-navigate Help Center, you’ll find information on everything from our Automatic Payment Plan to college credit to our insightful, culturally knowledgeable Tour Directors.

Book today and lock in your price