9 or 10 days
San José, Arenal region, Los Chiles, Monteverde, Central Pacific Coast, Sarchí

There’s nothing quite like the rainforests of the “Rich Coast” to get the adrenaline pumping.

At its heart, the Central American country boasts an epic landscape that is home to nearly 5 percent of the world’s biodiversity. Discover how fragile these endangered ecosystems are as you travel through different rainforest preserves and unearth dazzling displays of color and sound.
  • Day 1: Fly to Costa Rica

    Meet your Field Director at the airport

    Enjoy dinner in the San José region

  • Day 2: San José • Arenal region

    Take a walking tour of San José, the capital of Costa Rica, and learn about it with your Field Director

    Enjoy lunch on your way to Arenal

    Visit Arenal Volcano, one of the largest active volcanoes in Costa Rica 

    Visit the Arenal hot springs and take a dip in the naturally heated pools

    Enjoy dinner at your hotel in the Arenal region 

  • Day 3: Arenal region • Los Chiles

    Take a day trip to Los Chiles, a bustling community only a few miles from the Nicaraguan border and overflowing with Costa Rica’s trademark biological splendor

    Take a boat tour of Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge and see the rare and endangered animals that have made the refuge their home 

    Enjoy lunch at Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge 

    Enjoy dinner at your hotel in the Arenal region 

  • Day 4: Arenal region • Monteverde

    Visit La Fortuna Waterfall, a spectacular 200-foot cascade surrounded by green cliffs

    Travel to Monteverde, a region consisting of flora and fauna across six ecological zones

    Enjoy lunch in Monteverde 

    Enjoy dinner in Monteverde 

  • Day 5: Monteverde

    Visit the community-run Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, where you will: 

    • Learn about their mission to promote environmentally conscious development practices 
    • Enjoy lunch
    • Zipline through the clouds on a canopy adventure (Note: To ensure safety, there is a 220lb weight restriction imposed on canopy tours)
    • Enjoy dinner
  • Day 6: Monteverde • Central Pacific Coast

    Travel to the Central Pacific Coast, an area popular with outdoor enthusiasts for its beautiful scenery and exotic wildlife 

    Visit Rainforest Adventures and experience:

    • Aerial tram ride
    • Nature hike
    • Butterfly garden
    • Local plant & animal life

    Enjoy lunch at Rainforest Adventures

    Enjoy dinner on the Central Pacific Coast 

  • Day 7: Central Pacific Coast

    Visit Manuel Antonio National Park, which boasts a diverse array of marine life and white sand beaches where you can sometimes spot dolphins and whales 

    Enjoy lunch on the Central Pacific Coast 

    Enjoy a crocodile river tour to get an up-close view of crocodiles and exotic birds from the safety of your boat 

    Enjoy dinner on the Central Pacific Coast 

  • Day 8: Central Pacific Coast • Sarchí • San José

    Travel via Sarchi, a crafts center known for its brightly painted ox carts, on your way to San José

    Visit a coffee plantation to learn how these beverages are produced and sip on samples 

    Enjoy lunch in Sarchí 

    Enjoy a traditional Costa Rican dinner 

  • Day 9: Depart for home

Add more days

  • Day 9: San José

    Enjoy a whitewater rafting excursion and use teamwork to navigate your course through the free-flowing waters of the Sarapiquí River rapids

    Enjoy lunch in San José 

    Enjoy dinner in the San José region

  • Day 10: Depart for home

  • Day 1: Fly to Costa Rica

    Meet your Field Director at the airport

    Enjoy dinner in the San José region

  • Day 2: San José • Arenal region

    Take a walking tour of San José, the capital of Costa Rica, and learn about it with your Field Director

    Enjoy lunch on your way to Arenal

    Visit Arenal Volcano, one of the largest active volcanoes in Costa Rica 

    Visit the Arenal hot springs and take a dip in the naturally heated pools

    Enjoy dinner at your hotel in the Arenal region 

  • Day 3: Arenal region • Los Chiles

    Take a day trip to Los Chiles, a bustling community only a few miles from the Nicaraguan border and overflowing with Costa Rica’s trademark biological splendor

    Take a boat tour of Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge and see the rare and endangered animals that have made the refuge their home 

    Enjoy lunch at Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge 

    Enjoy dinner at your hotel in the Arenal region 

  • Day 4: Arenal region • Monteverde

    Visit La Fortuna Waterfall, a spectacular 200-foot cascade surrounded by green cliffs

    Travel to Monteverde, a region consisting of flora and fauna across six ecological zones

    Enjoy lunch in Monteverde 

    Enjoy dinner in Monteverde 

  • Day 5: Monteverde

    Visit the community-run Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, where you will: 

    • Learn about their mission to promote environmentally conscious development practices 
    • Enjoy lunch
    • Zipline through the clouds on a canopy adventure (Note: To ensure safety, there is a 220lb weight restriction imposed on canopy tours)
    • Enjoy dinner
  • Day 6: Monteverde • Central Pacific Coast

    Travel to the Central Pacific Coast, an area popular with outdoor enthusiasts for its beautiful scenery and exotic wildlife 

    Visit Rainforest Adventures and experience:

    • Aerial tram ride
    • Nature hike
    • Butterfly garden
    • Local plant & animal life

    Enjoy lunch at Rainforest Adventures

    Enjoy dinner on the Central Pacific Coast 

  • Day 7: Central Pacific Coast

    Visit Manuel Antonio National Park, which boasts a diverse array of marine life and white sand beaches where you can sometimes spot dolphins and whales 

    Enjoy lunch on the Central Pacific Coast 

    Enjoy a crocodile river tour to get an up-close view of crocodiles and exotic birds from the safety of your boat 

    Enjoy dinner on the Central Pacific Coast 

  • Day 8: Central Pacific Coast • Sarchí • San José

    Travel via Sarchi, a crafts center known for its brightly painted ox carts, on your way to San José

    Visit a coffee plantation to learn how these beverages are produced and sip on samples 

    Enjoy lunch in Sarchí 

    Enjoy a traditional Costa Rican dinner 

  • Day 9: Depart for home

Add more days

  • Day 9: San José

    Enjoy a whitewater rafting excursion and use teamwork to navigate your course through the free-flowing waters of the Sarapiquí River rapids

    Enjoy lunch in San José 

    Enjoy dinner in the San José region

  • Day 10: Depart for home


Learning outcomes on this program

Confidence • Curiosity • Global perspective • Empathy • Adaptability • Relatability • Self-Awareness


EF Global Learning Model Post-Study Abroad Learning Resources
Academic resources

With this program, you get access to our Global Learning Resources, which include:

  • Discussion questions
  • Sample assignments
  • Journal prompts
  • Webinars
  • EF's Global Competency Assessment, a pre- and post-program assessment to measure competency development
See the resources you get
EF Global Learning Model Post-Study Abroad Learning Resources
Academic resources


With this program, you get access to our Global Learning Resources, which include:

  • Discussion questions
  • Sample assignments
  • Journal prompts
  • Webinars
  • EF's Global Competency Assessment, a pre- and post-program assessment to measure competency development

See the resources you get


What's Included

  • Transportation

    Various modes of transport are tailored to your program. While some transfers are included, others may come at additional cost.

  • Accommodations

    Safe, comfortable lodging will be waiting for you at your destination.

  • Select meals

    Enjoy a combination of included meals and the freedom to explore local cuisine on your own.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Field Director

    Your Field Director is on the ground with your group, providing deep local insights while handling program logistics.

  • 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.

  • Field Visits

    Experience academics in action during engaging visits with relevant organizations, thought leaders, and partners.


Programs in real life

EF College Study Tours Instagram page     Instagram →

EF College Study Tours Facebook page     Facebook →

EF College Study Tours blog page     Blog →

Programs in real life

EF College Study Tours Instagram page     Instagram →

EF College Study Tours Facebook page     Facebook →

EF College Study Tours blog page     Blog →

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