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First-time travelers

Discover Costa Rica

8 days in Alajuela, the Arenal region, Sarapiquí, and Guanacaste

OverviewWhat you'll doReviewsWhat's includedPriceFAQs

OVERVIEW

Feel immersed in nature as you travel from jungle to ocean

Embark on the ultimate learning-meets-adventure experience in Costa Rica, where thundering waterfalls, active volcanoes, and lush rainforests are your classroom. Through activities led by local experts, students will develop environmental awareness, explore ecotourism practices, and gain an appreciation for some of Earth’s most diverse ecosystems—all while finding fun around every corner.

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What makes this tour special?

Download a tour overview
Fly through the rainforest canopy during a zipline adventure

Fly through the rainforest canopy and take in the sounds of the jungle on a thrilling zipline adventure

Sarapiquí, Costa Rica

Go on a whitewater rafting excursion down the Sarapiquí River

Go on a whitewater rafting excursion down the scenic and fast-moving Sarapiquí River

Sarapiquí, Costa Rica

Visit Tirimbina Biological Reserve to learn about the cocoa tree and enjoy a chocolate tasting

Visit Tirimbina Biological Reserve to learn about the cocoa tree and enjoy a chocolate tasting

Sarapiquí, Costa Rica

Embark on a hike through Arenal Volcano National Park and visit the hot springs

Embark on a hike through Arenal Volcano National Park and visit the hot springs

Arenal region, Costa Rica

Kayak along Lake Arenal and learn how the volcano serves as a watershed for the lake

Kayak along Lake Arenal and learn how the volcano serves as a watershed for the lake

Arenal region, Costa Rica

Take in La Fortuna Waterfall, cascading 230 feet from volcanic cliffs down into the jungle

Take in La Fortuna Waterfall, cascading 230 feet from volcanic cliffs into the jungle

Arenal region, Costa Rica

Go on a boat tour through the wetlands of Palo Verde National Park

Go on a guided boat tour through the mangroves and marshes of Palo Verde National Park

Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Boat to a secluded beach and go snorkeling in crystal-blue waters off the shore

Spend the afternoon boating to a secluded beach and snorkeling offshore in crystal-blue water

Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Download a tour overview

What you’ll do

Explore a sample itinerary

Day 1
Fly to Costa Rica
Meet your Tour Director at the airport

Day 2
Travel to Sarapiquí
Take a tour of a coffee farm
Enjoy the rainforest from a unique perspective as you take a zipline through the canopy (For safety reasons, weight and size restrictions may apply)  

Day 3
Enjoy a whitewater rafting excursion
Take a tour at Tirimbina Biological Reserve where you will:

  • Hike across a suspension bridge to a former cocoa-growing plot

  • Learn about the cocoa tree and the history of chocolate

  • Enjoy a chocolate tasting

Day 4
Travel to the Arenal region
Visit Arenal Volcano National Park
Visit the Arenal hot springs

Day 5
Enjoy a kayaking trip on Lake Arenal
Visit La Fortuna Waterfall 

Day 6
Travel to Guanacaste
Visit Rincón de la Vieja National Park

Day 7
Take a boat tour in Palo Verde National Park
Enjoy a snorkeling activity

Day 8
Depart for home

Costa Rica map

Real talk from real travelers

what’s included

More than a trip abroad

With EF, you and your students embark on a learning journey that begins the moment you sign up, and it continues long after you return home. We’re also experts at tour planning and handling travel logistics, so you don’t have to sweat the small (or significant) stuff.

Before you go

Students learn about how to become world travelers and prepare to be immersed in new cultures.

During your tour

Every tour is designed with the EF Method, our curriculum of hands-on learning that builds essential skills students need for their futures.

After you return

You and your students continue to reflect on your growth—and can even earn high school or graduate-level credit.

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Hear from a local expert

José shares why he loves leading groups on this tour.

Practice your Spanish: Connect with locals through real-world applications.
Practice your Spanish

Gain confidence and make new connections.

Costa Rica offices
We’re local

An EF office is always close by.

Dive deep into ecology: See sustainability practices in real-world applications.
Dive deep into ecology

See sustainability practices in action.

Unlock your lowest price

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We're sorry, this departure date is not available. Please choose another date.


Are you interested in traveling on or after Oct. 1, 2027?

Learn more
Payment plan options

Pay over time interest-free or pay all at once

Fundraising

Every traveler receives a no-fee donation page

Global Citizen Scholarship

Every year EF awards $100,000 to student travelers

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Frequently asked questions

Let’s unpack that

We’ll connect you with your personal Tour Consultant—someone who works with other teachers in your area and specializes in planning EF tours. They’ll walk you through this itinerary (along with other EF Starter Tours or any tour in our portfolio that you’re curious about), explain student pricing, and show you just how easy it is to partner with EF.

Once you decide to lead our Discover Costa Rica tour, your Tour Consultant will help you get school administrators on board, students excited, and families ready to enroll. You’ll host an informational meeting to kick off the enrollment period, and we’ll provide everything you need—from a digital presentation to printed handouts, parent resources, and more.

You’ll have a dedicated Tour Director who will guide your group from the moment you land until your final goodbyes. They:

  • Take all the same transportation and stay in the same hotels as your group

  • Speak the local language (but lead the tour in English!)

  • Support you 24/7 as your right hand

  • Offer deep cultural context to help students feel connected to Costa Rica

  • Handle all the logistics, so you don’t have to

  • Are the secret ingredient that makes your tour truly shine

Yes! You earn a free spot on tour as soon as six paying travelers enroll. For every additional six paying travelers, you earn another free spot for an adult chaperone. For example, if 30 students sign up, that’s five free chaperone spots.

All travelers on international EF tours must have a valid passport. When it comes to documentation, every traveler and destination is different—so once your group starts enrolling, we’ll help direct you and your families to relevant resources.
 
Passports should have at least three blank pages and be valid for at least six months after your return date.

EF has set the standard for travel-based learning for 60 years. Not only do our educational tours amplify the lessons that you’re already exploring in your classroom, but they also help build more empathy, open-mindedness, confidence, and cross-cultural understanding.
 
Our educational philosophy, the EF Method, is built into every itinerary—including Discover Costa Rica—so your students are immersed in a continuous journey of engaging, hands-on learning in real-world situations from the moment they step off the plane.

Yes! Like on many of our Latin America tours, you and your students will be whitewater rafting, ziplining, boating, snorkeling, hiking, and kayaking—so plan to be active each day. We'll share packing resources, but sunscreen, comfy sneakers, and waterproof sandals are a must.

You’ll stay in four hotels—one night in Alajuela, two nights in Sarapiquí, two nights in the Arenal region, and two nights in Guanacaste. Each hotel is inspected by EF’s dedicated quality team to meet our high standards for comfort, safety, and cleanliness. Every room includes a private bathroom.

You’ll receive more detailed meal information closer to your tour, but here’s an overview of what to expect on Discover Costa Rica:

  • Daily breakfast is served at your hotel and typically includes cereal, bread, jam, juice, eggs, protein, coffee, and tea.

  • Daily group lunch and dinners take place at local restaurants (or your hotel) and feature a mix of familiar favorites and local dishes from a set menu.

Travelers will share allergy or dietary information with EF after signing up, and we’ll help make the necessary accommodations.

We’re here to help! Click here to get in touch or have a live one-on-one chat with a team member.

Where learning meets life