POPULAR TOURS & DESTINATIONS
Combo Tour
Possibly the most popular tour, the Combo Tour gives you a taste of what Costa Rica has to offer. It starts off with a tour at Doka Coffee Plantation, where you’ll enjoy a Costa Rican breakfast and learn about coffee processing. You then visit Poás Volcano, where you will see the crater up close and you can hike through the forest to the lagoon, which is a water-filled ancient crater. The last stop is La Paz Waterfall Gardens, where you can enjoy hiking through the rainforest, seeing a large variety of native animals which have been rescued, and lastly, the majestic waterfalls. You will also have a delicious buffet lunch at the Gardens.
Canopy San Luis
Have you ever dreamt of flying? With Canopy San Luis that dream will come true; you will soar through the Costa Rican rainforest. You will travel to the San Ramón, Alajuela area and experience the thrill of 12 zip line cables, 18 platforms, the “Tarzan swing”, and the all-mighty “Superman” cable. The park is certified by the Costa Rican Tourism Board and counts with the latest safety requirements. Also, you will enjoy a typical Costa Rican lunch at the park.
Tortuga Island
This tour is everything you could ever wish for if you like the beach and the ocean. You will take a scenic drive to the Pacific Coast, stopping for breakfast along the way, until Port Puntarenas where you will board a catamaran cruise. You’ll set sail, where you’ll get a view of the Nicoya Gulf like no other, and finally arrive at Tortuga Island. You will spend the day enjoying the beautiful white beaches, crystalline waters, luscious green jungle, and snorkeling. All day, you can eat fresh fruits, drink juices and lunch is a barbeque on the island.
White Water Rafting
An action-filled, sight-seeing adventure only a couple of hours away from San José, what could be better? This tour is a great option for all and a must if you come to Costa Rica. You’ll take a scenic drive through the Braulio Carrillo National park to the rafting basecamp, where you’ll have breakfast and get ready to start your adventure. You’ll raft down the Pacuare River or the Reventazón, depending on your skill level, where you will enjoy the thrill of the rafting and the beautiful views of the jungle and various animals around you. After all this, you’ll have a hardy appetite so you’ll have lunch back at the basecamp before returning to San José.
Arenal Volcano and Hot Springs
Imagine seeing the majestic Arenal Volcano looming over you while enjoying the exquisite hot springs. You start your trip with a stop at the town of Sarchi, the cradle of Costa Rican artisans. The next stop is La Fortuna where you will eat a typical lunch, continuing to a viewpoint to admire the Arenal Volcano and Arenal Lake if the weather allows it. Afterwards, you will finally be able to enjoy the hot springs and have dinner with the view of the volcano.
Tortuguero
An area like none other in the country, Tortuguero offers you a true rain forest adventure. There are no roads; you travel through the canals on a boat, surrounded by trees, and animals. The beach is one of the most important nesting sites of the Green Sea Turtle and during turtle season, you might be lucky enough to see them. This tour starts off driving through Braulio Carrillo National Park and a delicious traditional breakfast, followed by a tour of a Banana Plantation to learn about one of the main Costa Rican exports. The next stop is at the docks, where you’ll board the boat and set on your journey through the Tortuguero Canals, surrounded by the rainforest, monkeys, caimans, turtles, all the birds you can imagine, sloths, and butterflies, amongst many more. You will enjoy a hardy lunch and end your trip walking around the tiny Tortuguero village, where you will experience some of their culture and learn about their history.
San José City Tour
San José is the capital city of Costa Rica and just 10 minutes away from CRLA, which means you can visit whenever you want. It’s a hidden gem and this tour will uncover it for you, you’ll see important landmarks, such as the National Theater built in 1897, and learn the history of these important buildings, while soaking in the marvelous architecture and art. You will also visit one of the many wonderful museums the city has to offer, enriching your experience even more. The tour only takes a few hours and everything is within walking distance, which makes it a great option to fill your afternoon after class.
Best of Pacific
As the name entails, you will see the best the Pacific has to offer just an hour outside of San José. This trip begins with a delicious typical breakfast, followed by a walking tour in Carara National Park where you’ll experience the rainforest first hand. Afterwards, you’ll continue to Punta Leona Hotel, where you will be able to enjoy their facilities, such as restrooms, changing rooms, lockers, pools, and be able to lounge on the beautiful white sand beach, Playa Blanca. You will also have a scrumptious buffet lunch at the hotel.
LEARN SPANISH & LEAVE A POSITIVE FOOTPRINT
CRLA students have the opportunity of contributing to make a tangible difference in our world and to leave something positive for future generations.