LETTER CODES: (B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1. ARRIVAL AND TRANSFER TO SARAPIQUI. (D) Arrival to the International Airport Juan Santamaria. Upon arrival at the San Jose airport, you will be met by one of our representatives how will explain your itinerary, answer any questions and provide you with a packet of vouchers and information about your trip. Transfer to Hotel Selva Verde  and free time at leisure. Dinner al Selva Verde.
 
Day 2. CHOCOLATE TOUR. (B, L, D) In this three-hour activity the students will discover the marvels of one of the favorite foods of humankind - chocolate. A plant originating in Mesoamerica with an extraordinarily rich history, cacao, or chocolate, was one of the most important products of the Maya and Aztec, as well as other Central American cultures. The tour includes a guided hike across the Tirimbina suspension bridge to a cacao plantation, as well as to a forested section where you will observe forest species of cacao and how the product originally developed there.

During the hike, the natural and cultural history of the cacao tree is explained. Onsite, you will learn about the process by which cacao is processed into chocolate (harvesting, fermentation, drying, milling). There also you may taste different types of chocolate, made from organic chocolate grown by the Association of Amazilla Women of the Caribbean , a group of rural women from Pueblo Nuevo de Guacimo dedicated to the production of organic chocolate.

Lunch at Selva Verde

Afternoon, Boat tour down the SARAPIQUI  RIVER. This river was an important transportation route for settlers who first moved into this region. This tour will provide the opportunity to view river wildlife, as well as observe the vitality of the river as a means of transport for local Costa Ricans. On this tour you might see 2 & 3-toed sloths, Howler monkeys, river otters, iguanas, river turtles, crocodiles, bats and a large variety of birds. Dinner at Selva Verde.

Day 3. WHITEWATER RAFTING TOUR (B, L, D). After breakfast at the lodge, Sarapiqui River Tour. Sarapiqui River is a great choice for a first rafting trip in Costa Rica. Classified as Class III, section La Virgen to Chilamate, this river has a lush vegetation where is easy to find many wildlife species as toucans, egrets, anhingas, trogons, parrots and monkeys. Rafting down the Sarapiqui, you can expect clear, warm water flowing down from Poas Volcano.

The river has interesting and exiting short rapids combined with tranquil pools. Scenery is just spectacular for all those who love nature. The Sarapiquí river is known as the scenic river of Costa Rica's tropical rain forest, has its origin on the Deception Depression between the Poás and Barba volcanoes and runs for 85 Kms (53 Miles) to the San Juan River ,border between Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

Lunch and dinner at Selva Verde. Afternoon wildlife exploration activity in the lodge trails.
 
Day 4. SERVICE LEARNING PROJECTS (B, L, D) Breakfast at Selva Verde. Morning Service Learning Project

– HOME – FARM VISITS. Take this rare opportunity to visit local people in their homes. Listen to them speak about their life, their family, their history, their community, and their work. You will also take a tour of the home and small farm, and receive coffee and a special homemade treat!

 Lunch at Selva Verde. Afternoon, Second Service Learning Project: HAND MADE POTTERY ACTIVITY. Learn with a local expert how our ancient indigenous made their pots and other artifacts using clay and other materials. Learn more about our Chorotega culture and it importance during the Pre Columbian period. Have a chance to make your own pottery implementing all the process.

Day 5. ARENAL VOLCANO & HOT SPRINGS (B, L, D) Morning, Sport and Fitness activity at Rio Sarapiqui. Lunch and transfer to the next destination. Arenal Volcano. Two hours bus ride will take us into the mountains of this fascinating region where the main attractions are the active volcano and the largest lake in Costa Rica. Upon arrival, check in at Hotel La Pradera or San Bosco in La Fortuna town.

Evenning Visit to The Springs where we can take a dip in the warm waters heated from within the volcano and have a great time in this unforgettable paradise. After dark and from this enchanted spot, with a little god luck, you will have the opportunity to see the volcano activity and the red incandescent lava flowing down from the top of the crater to the adjacent areas. Buffet dinner included.

Day 6. ARENAL HANGING BRIDGES & SAN JOSE (B, L, D) Arenal Hanging Bridges is a new tourism attraction in La Fortuna within a 250 hectare (618 acre) reserve of primary forest. Visitor who love nature can enjoy 15 bridges from 5 to 100 meters long, friendly design along 3 km rain forest circuit of interpretive trails built with paving blocks to prevent slipping.

The bridges are build of aluminum, galvanized steel and concrete, to ensure maximum security for their visitors. They were designed by structural engineers with the most demanding safety margins in the world.  Guided by a naturalist, who through the natural history will open for you the doors of a fascinating and colorful Tropical Rain Forest world. The imposing vistas of the Volcano from the hanging bridges over the forest, make a perfect combination for an unforgettable experience.

Lunch at La Choza del Laurel Restaurant in La Fortuna Town before continue our journey to San Jose Via Zarcero.  This quaint little town is perched amid breathtaking highlands and famous for its quaint white colonial-style church fronted by topiary garden with cypress bushes sculpted into fantasy arches and animal shapes. After this visit,  Transfer to SARCHI for shopping and possible visit to an ox cart factory.  This artisan town is the arts and crafts capital of the country.  An important part of Costa Rican history, the oxcart was used in the mid-nineteenth century to transport coffee and other goods from the Central Valley to the coastal ports.  Today, Sarchi is still heralded for its beautiful oxcarts.

Upon arrival to San Jose, Check-in at Hotel Villas Tournon. Farewell Dinner at a Local Restaurant in San Jose

Day 7. TRANSFER OUT (B). Transfer to the International Airport according with your scheduled flight and good bye.

NOTE: Rates based on Triple & Quad occupancy for the students and double rooms for the teachers. No single rooms available unless a single supplement is paid.

CHAPERONES:  One free ticket for every 15 students.                  MINIMUM: 15 students.

INCLUDE: 7 nights lodging in high quality Hotels, all land transportation within Costa Rica, all airport/ hotel transfers on scheduled arrival/ departures dates only, specified meals, specified tours, private transportation and naturalist tour guide.

NOT INCLUDED: International air fare, airport departure taxes, meals not specified in the itinerary, alcoholic beverages, personal equipment, extras in hotels (laundry, phone calls, room service), gratuities, or costs associated with changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond our control.
WHATS TO BRING: Hiking Shoes, Bathing Suit, Binoculars, Camera, Beach Sandals, Suntan Lotion, Hat, Mosquito Repellent.

DEPARTURE DATES: All our options are available all year around and we just need your travel dates in order to check the hotel's availability and arrange it.

HOW BIG ARE THE GROUPS: Our vacations are operated in an independent basis and you will not travel as part of a group unless you are part of a group. However, during the transfers and Daily Tours you will travel with other tourist we might have for that particular activity or service.

HOW TO RESERVE THIS PACKAGE: Please send an email to info@greenwaytours.com with as much as information you can about your desired vacation, number of participants, arrival dates, name of the package you are interested on and any other special requirements. Once you receive our confirmation form, a 20% deposit is due. Full payment due 60 days prior to departure.

CAN I CUSTOMIZE A PACKAGE: Yes, you can use our packages as a base and make any change on it. We are very flexible. If these packages do not fit on your desired vacation, just send an email to us and we can prepare a new option for you.

AIRFARE IS NOT INCLUDED: All our options includes the Land Portion only. Airfare must be on your own and indicate your arrival and departure dates to us in order to arrange the hotel's bookings.

HOTEL CATEGORIES: All the hotels used by Greenway Tours had been selected considering the best standards of quality and service. Our Hotels are between 3 and 5 stars. All inspected by our company's owners and managers in order to guarantee an excellent service. At least 50% of our lodging contractors had been certified as Green Companies by the Costa Rican Tourist Board ( Certification in Sustainable Tourism CST ).

AIRPORT TRANSFERS: All our packages includes Airport - Hotel - Airport Transfers with a professional bilingual tour guide upon your flight arrival.

VOUCHERS & WECOME KIT: During the transfer service to your hotel, our tour guide will provide general information about your tour and give you a welcome kit with all the vouchers and documents you will need for your trip.

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