Costa Rica: Pura Vida
“¡Pura Vida!” cannot be passively observed from a distance—it must be experienced.
Expect to get your hands (and feet, and clothes) dirty as you board canal boats, kayaks, rafts and zip-lines to get an up-close and personal look at the ever-changing landscapes and unparalleled animal and plant life. Before long, you’ll learn the Pura Vida way: by enjoying each day to the fullest.
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Day 1: Fly to Costa Rica
Meet your Field Director at the airportEnjoy dinner in the San José region
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Day 2: San José • Tortuguero
Snap a photo at Braulio Carrillo National Park, built to preserve the wildlife of the area, from jaguars and ocelots to quetzals and eagles
Travel by boat to Tortuguero, accessible only by boat and home to just 700 residents
Enjoy lunch at your hotel in Tortuguero
Spend a half day exploring Tortuguero Village on your own
Enjoy dinner in Tortuguero
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Day 3: Tortuguero
Enjoy a boat ride through the Tortuguero canals and see how the rainfall, fresh water, and Caribbean sea supports the area's exceptional biodiversity
Enjoy lunch at your hotel in Tortuguero
Visit Tortuguero National Park, and see if you can spot a howler monkey, toucan, or even caiman
Enjoy dinner in Tortuguero
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Day 4: Tortuguero • Sarapiquí region
Travel to Sarapiquí, a county in the Heredia province known for its lush rainforests and outdoor activities
Travel by boat to Siquirres, where you will then board your private coach bus to make your way to the Sarapiquí region
Enjoy lunch in Sarapiquí
Add this in-depth excursion:
Sarapiquí canopy tour
Soar like the birds and the monkeys that call the cloud forest home on this exciting half-day canopy tour! Zip lines unveil one of the planet’s most fascinating ecological systems from a unique perspective—from the tops of the trees. With local expert guides at your side to instruct you on safety protocol, you can decide which view you prefer—from below the trees or from 90 feet above! (Note: To ensure safety, there is a 220lb weight restriction imposed on canopy tours)
Enjoy dinner in Sarapiquí
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Day 5: Sarapiquí region • Arenal region
Add this in-depth excursion:
Whitewater rafting
Experience the thrill and excitement of a whitewater rafting expedition! Use teamwork to navigate a path through the free-flowing waters of the Sarapiquí River (rapids level 2-3). Admire the lush Costa Rican scenery as you pass by stretches of tropical forest.Travel to the Arenal region and keep an eye out for the mile-high Arenal Volcano
Enjoy lunch on your way to Arenal
Visit the Arenal hot springs and dip your toes into the naturally heated pools
Enjoy dinner at your hotel in the Arenal region
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Day 6: Arenal region
Enjoy a kayaking trip on Lake Arenal
Visit La Fortuna Waterfall, a spectacular 200-foot cascade surrounded by green cliffs
Enjoy lunch at your hotel in the Arenal region
Enjoy dinner at your hotel in the Arenal region
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Day 7: Arenal region • Guanacaste
Travel to Guanacaste and take in the craggy bluffs cloaked in forests that stretch above you
Enjoy lunch on your way to Guanacaste
Take an excursion to Rincón de la Vieja National Park, a rain and cloud forest that boasts geothermal hot springs
Enjoy dinner in Guanacaste
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Day 8: Guanacaste
Enjoy snorkeling off the coast of Guanacaste in clear Pacific waters, home to interesting and unusual marine life
Take a boat tour of Palo Verde National Park, one of the last tropical dry rainforests in Central America
Enjoy lunch in Palo Verde National Park
Enjoy dinner in Guanacaste
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Day 9: Depart for home
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Day 1: Fly to Costa Rica
Meet your Field Director at the airportEnjoy dinner in the San José region
-
Day 2: San José • Tortuguero
Snap a photo at Braulio Carrillo National Park, built to preserve the wildlife of the area, from jaguars and ocelots to quetzals and eagles
Travel by boat to Tortuguero, accessible only by boat and home to just 700 residents
Enjoy lunch at your hotel in Tortuguero
Spend a half day exploring Tortuguero Village on your own
Enjoy dinner in Tortuguero
-
Day 3: Tortuguero
Enjoy a boat ride through the Tortuguero canals and see how the rainfall, fresh water, and Caribbean sea supports the area's exceptional biodiversity
Enjoy lunch at your hotel in Tortuguero
Visit Tortuguero National Park, and see if you can spot a howler monkey, toucan, or even caiman
Enjoy dinner in Tortuguero
-
Day 4: Tortuguero • Sarapiquí region
Travel to Sarapiquí, a county in the Heredia province known for its lush rainforests and outdoor activities
Travel by boat to Siquirres, where you will then board your private coach bus to make your way to the Sarapiquí region
Enjoy lunch in Sarapiquí
Add this in-depth excursion:
Sarapiquí canopy tour
Soar like the birds and the monkeys that call the cloud forest home on this exciting half-day canopy tour! Zip lines unveil one of the planet’s most fascinating ecological systems from a unique perspective—from the tops of the trees. With local expert guides at your side to instruct you on safety protocol, you can decide which view you prefer—from below the trees or from 90 feet above! (Note: To ensure safety, there is a 220lb weight restriction imposed on canopy tours)
Enjoy dinner in Sarapiquí
-
Day 5: Sarapiquí region • Arenal region
Add this in-depth excursion:
Whitewater rafting
Experience the thrill and excitement of a whitewater rafting expedition! Use teamwork to navigate a path through the free-flowing waters of the Sarapiquí River (rapids level 2-3). Admire the lush Costa Rican scenery as you pass by stretches of tropical forest.Travel to the Arenal region and keep an eye out for the mile-high Arenal Volcano
Enjoy lunch on your way to Arenal
Visit the Arenal hot springs and dip your toes into the naturally heated pools
Enjoy dinner at your hotel in the Arenal region
-
Day 6: Arenal region
Enjoy a kayaking trip on Lake Arenal
Visit La Fortuna Waterfall, a spectacular 200-foot cascade surrounded by green cliffs
Enjoy lunch at your hotel in the Arenal region
Enjoy dinner at your hotel in the Arenal region
-
Day 7: Arenal region • Guanacaste
Travel to Guanacaste and take in the craggy bluffs cloaked in forests that stretch above you
Enjoy lunch on your way to Guanacaste
Take an excursion to Rincón de la Vieja National Park, a rain and cloud forest that boasts geothermal hot springs
Enjoy dinner in Guanacaste
-
Day 8: Guanacaste
Enjoy snorkeling off the coast of Guanacaste in clear Pacific waters, home to interesting and unusual marine life
Take a boat tour of Palo Verde National Park, one of the last tropical dry rainforests in Central America
Enjoy lunch in Palo Verde National Park
Enjoy dinner in Guanacaste
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Day 9: Depart for home
Confidence • Curiosity • Global perspective • Empathy • Adaptability • Relatability • Self-Awareness
What's Included
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Transportation
Various modes of transport are tailored to your program. While some transfers are included, others may come at additional cost.
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Accommodations
Safe, comfortable lodging will be waiting for you at your destination.
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Select meals
Enjoy a combination of included meals and the freedom to explore local cuisine on your own.
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End-to-end support
Your dedicated EF team helps secure administrative approval and academic credit, provides enrollment tools, and helps establish your program’s ongoing presence on campus.
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EF Global Learning Toolkit
We offer various tools to help educators facilitate student growth abroad and on campus, including academically enriched travel programs, industry engagement opportunities, global learning resources, and a Global Competencies Assessment tool.
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Guided exploration
Gain insider knowledge and cultural perspective from licensed local guides: natural historians who provide cultural insights to enhance learning moments throughout the program.
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Field Visits
Experience academics in action during engaging visits with relevant organizations, thought leaders, and partners.
