Travel for Credit: Life Sciences/Biology in Costa Rica
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Day 1: Fly to San José
Meet your Tour Director at your destination -
Day 2: San José | Veragua
Travel to Veragua Rainforest in the Puerto Limón region
Welcome to beautiful Veragua Rainforest, a scientific research station and private reserve located in the Central Caribbean region of Costa Rica, and your home for the next few days.You will experience the rainforest and participate in research to learn about biodiversity and conservation.
Guided visit of live exhibits of snakes, amphibians, and butterflies
Students will be led through a collection of world-class live exhibits of reptiles, amphibians, and butterflies. With the help of our expert naturalist guides and the exhibit stations, students will learn relevant and interesting information (e.g., regions found, maximum size, eating habits, etc.) about many of the species they will soon discover in the rain forest.
Veragua Aerial Tram Ride and the Giants and Puma Waterfall Trails
Enjoy an exciting aerial tram ride through the rainforest canopy down to the river valley bottom. Gliding silently by mammoth 300-year-old trees, and uninterrupted rainforest views are some of the highlights of the tram ride. Upon reaching the bottom, students will disembark and enjoy a guided walk on the well-maintained Trail of the Giants alongside the Victoria River. This trail was named after the gigantic trees that have watched over the river for centuries. Students will learn about the fascinating plants and animals that reside here. Our expedition into the depths of the virgin rainforest is capped off with a visit to the magnificent two-tiered, 20-meter-high Puma Waterfall.
Evening Workshop: Species monitoring and natural history studies
A nocturnal transect through different habitats in Veraguas’s reserve to record amphibians, reptiles, mammals, night birds,
and insects in the company of a specialist who will help interpret the data collected in terms of species richness and behaviors.
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Day 3: Veragua Rainforest
Morning Workshop: Diurnal Monitoring for Mammals, Insects Amphibians, and Reptiles
An opportunity to evaluate different wildlife with an expert biologist in the forest. An introductory lecture on research techniques for collecting data, preserving, and studying biodiversity.
- Group 1 to work with a biologist on mammals and camera trap tool (max 20 per group).
- Group 2 to work with a biologist on amphibians and reptiles monitoring project (max 20 per group).
Afternoon Workshop:
- Group 2 to work with a biologist on mammals and camera trap tool (max 20 per group).
- Group 1 to work with a biologist on amphibians and reptiles monitoring project (max 20 per group).
Evening free time for Group Leader directed coursework
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Day 4: Veragua Rainforest
Morning Workshop: Study and monitoring of fruit eating butterflies
An introduction to insect diversity in the area with a visit to Veraguas’s insectarium and butterfly garden. Includes a lecture on research techniques for collecting, preserving, and studying the biodiversity of butterflies and beetles, and a field activity to install butterfly traps (that keep them alive).
Learning Module
Our flexible on-tour learning modules are included in every tour and are selected by partner school boards or districts from a collection curated by EF.
Evening Activity: Species monitoring and natural history studies
- Group 2 nocturnal reptile & amphibians search including acoustic id (max 20 per group).
- Group 1 Bat nets and other mammals, night birds, and insects’ identification exercise (max 20 per group).
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Day 5: Veragua Rainforest | Caribbean Coastal Region
Travel to the Caribbean Coastal region
Visit Cahuita National Park to spot amazing wildlife
Go snorkeling amongst colorful fish while observing 600 acres of living coral reefs
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Day 6: Caribbean Coastal Region
Cooking Class in Puerto Viejo
River Kayaking on the Caribbean Coast
Participate in an educational learning module activity
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Day 7: Caribbean Coastal Region | San José
Whitewater rafting excursion
Travel to San JoséAdd this in-depth excursion:Folklore Evening
Opt to spend the evening learning about the rich cultural traditions of the region over a traditional Costa Rican dinner. Marimba music, entertainment by a local dance troupe, and spectacular city views from the restaurant will make this a night to remember.
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Day 8: Depart for Home
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Day 1: Fly to San José
Meet your Tour Director at your destination -
Day 2: San José | Veragua
Travel to Veragua Rainforest in the Puerto Limón region
Welcome to beautiful Veragua Rainforest, a scientific research station and private reserve located in the Central Caribbean region of Costa Rica, and your home for the next few days.You will experience the rainforest and participate in research to learn about biodiversity and conservation.
Guided visit of live exhibits of snakes, amphibians, and butterflies
Students will be led through a collection of world-class live exhibits of reptiles, amphibians, and butterflies. With the help of our expert naturalist guides and the exhibit stations, students will learn relevant and interesting information (e.g., regions found, maximum size, eating habits, etc.) about many of the species they will soon discover in the rain forest.
Veragua Aerial Tram Ride and the Giants and Puma Waterfall Trails
Enjoy an exciting aerial tram ride through the rainforest canopy down to the river valley bottom. Gliding silently by mammoth 300-year-old trees, and uninterrupted rainforest views are some of the highlights of the tram ride. Upon reaching the bottom, students will disembark and enjoy a guided walk on the well-maintained Trail of the Giants alongside the Victoria River. This trail was named after the gigantic trees that have watched over the river for centuries. Students will learn about the fascinating plants and animals that reside here. Our expedition into the depths of the virgin rainforest is capped off with a visit to the magnificent two-tiered, 20-meter-high Puma Waterfall.
Evening Workshop: Species monitoring and natural history studies
A nocturnal transect through different habitats in Veraguas’s reserve to record amphibians, reptiles, mammals, night birds,
and insects in the company of a specialist who will help interpret the data collected in terms of species richness and behaviors.
-
Day 3: Veragua Rainforest
Morning Workshop: Diurnal Monitoring for Mammals, Insects Amphibians, and Reptiles
An opportunity to evaluate different wildlife with an expert biologist in the forest. An introductory lecture on research techniques for collecting data, preserving, and studying biodiversity.
- Group 1 to work with a biologist on mammals and camera trap tool (max 20 per group).
- Group 2 to work with a biologist on amphibians and reptiles monitoring project (max 20 per group).
Afternoon Workshop:
- Group 2 to work with a biologist on mammals and camera trap tool (max 20 per group).
- Group 1 to work with a biologist on amphibians and reptiles monitoring project (max 20 per group).
Evening free time for Group Leader directed coursework
-
Day 4: Veragua Rainforest
Morning Workshop: Study and monitoring of fruit eating butterflies
An introduction to insect diversity in the area with a visit to Veraguas’s insectarium and butterfly garden. Includes a lecture on research techniques for collecting, preserving, and studying the biodiversity of butterflies and beetles, and a field activity to install butterfly traps (that keep them alive).
Learning Module
Our flexible on-tour learning modules are included in every tour and are selected by partner school boards or districts from a collection curated by EF.
Evening Activity: Species monitoring and natural history studies
- Group 2 nocturnal reptile & amphibians search including acoustic id (max 20 per group).
- Group 1 Bat nets and other mammals, night birds, and insects’ identification exercise (max 20 per group).
-
Day 5: Veragua Rainforest | Caribbean Coastal Region
Travel to the Caribbean Coastal region
Visit Cahuita National Park to spot amazing wildlife
Go snorkeling amongst colorful fish while observing 600 acres of living coral reefs
-
Day 6: Caribbean Coastal Region
Cooking Class in Puerto Viejo
River Kayaking on the Caribbean Coast
Participate in an educational learning module activity
-
Day 7: Caribbean Coastal Region | San José
Whitewater rafting excursion
Travel to San JoséAdd this in-depth excursion:Folklore Evening
Opt to spend the evening learning about the rich cultural traditions of the region over a traditional Costa Rican dinner. Marimba music, entertainment by a local dance troupe, and spectacular city views from the restaurant will make this a night to remember.
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Day 8: Depart for Home
Reviews
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Everything you get
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Transportation
Round-trip transportation on major carriers; comfortable motorcoach through the tour.
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Hotels
Safe, comfortable hotels with private bathrooms will be waiting for you at your destination.
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Meals
Traditional breakfasts and dinners bring local flavours to life as part of your tour experience. Lunches are left for you to discover new favourite dishes of your own.
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Full-time Tour Director
Your dedicated Tour Director is with your group 24/7, providing deep local insight while handling all on-tour logistics.
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Guided Tours and Activities
Sightseeing tours led by expert and licensed local guides; tickets to all activities.
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Customary gratuities
To make things even easier we’ve included all tips to show appreciation to your Tour Director, local guides, and bus driver at the end of your tour.
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Continuous Support
Your dedicated EF team helps you every step of the way—from recruiting and enrolling travellers to planning and managing your tour.
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24-hour Emergency Service
Travellers and their families can count on EF’s dedicated emergency service team.
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Worldwide Presence
EF has over 500 schools and offices in more than 50 countries worldwide so wherever you go, we’re there too.
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Peace of Mind Program
Feel secure knowing your group can change their destination or travel dates due to unforeseen circumstances.
Pricing that makes travel possible
Payment options
We believe every student should have the opportunity to travel, which is why we let our travellers choose how they want to manage their payments. Enrol in our Automatic Payment Plan with just $199 to start, make fixed and low monthly payments through Uplift, receive invoices and make your payments in less frequent instalments, or pay up front in full.
Program price valid for today. Program price is based on EF’s free place ratio of 8:1 and includes all airline/travel provider surcharges, departure taxes and airport fees. Please call 1-800-387-1460 for more information.