Compare 9 Days in Costa Rica by Perillo Tours vs Costa Rica: Family Volunteer Adventure by Discover Corps

DAY 1: Fly from USA to San Jose, Costa Rica · Orientation · Dinner

Meals: Dinner

This morning you're off to your tropical paradise! For your reference, the flight is about 5 hours from New York. Upon arrival at Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), you will be met by a Perillo Tours representative and transferred to your hotel near San Jose City where you will stay on the first and last nights of your tour. In most cases, you will stay at the Doubletree Cariari Hotel by Hilton.

This evening there will be an orientation briefing by your tour manager. Be sure to ask for the definition of PURA VIDA! Welcome dinner and overnight in San Jose.

DAY 2: Spanish Class · Scenic Drive to San Ramon, Visiting en route the Artisan's Town of Sarchi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

This morning you'll enjoy a leisurely breakfast and a lesson on useful Spanish expressions. (But luckily, most local residents are far better at English than we are with Spanish!)

Next, you'll visit the city of San Jose - the capital of Costa Rica. Enjoy a drive through the beautiful Sabana Park, passing by the upscale Rohrmoser residential area and Paseo Colon.

You will visit the heart of the city to admire the National Theatre, designed as the opera house in 1897. Afterwards, you'll visit the National Museum, a faithful witness to Costa Rican history, passing by the Supreme Court of Justice, Central Park, the Cathedral and the Congress Building.

En route, we'll stop at the town of Sarchi, "cradle of Costa Rican handicrafts." Here you'll enjoy a delicious typical lunch before continuing to Los Angeles Cloud Forest in the mountain community of San Ramon. Known for generations as the "City of the Poets," San Ramon features a temperate climate and rich soil that has yielded generations of family-run coffee, sugar cane, and dairy farms.

When we say "cloud mountain" or "cloud forest" - the clouds literally meet the mountain as they breeze through the terrain, offering a visually dramatic experience. Your hotel, Villa Blanca, nestles atop such a mountain. With the feeling of an Adirondack lodge, the property used to be owned by the President of Costa Rica until Jim Damalas from San Francisco took it over.

Try to meet Jim. He's a character! Who else in Costa Rica would install a professional movie theater with daily showings of classics and recent hits. He also has a beautiful wedding chapel, a jungle laboratory, green houses to grow your dinner produce, and plenty of mountain trails to explore. Dinner and overnight at Villa Blanca.

Note: The National Museum is closed on Mondays. In case you're traveling on a departure which results in a Monday city tour, you will be visiting the Gold Museum which is also a fascinating experience.

DAY 3: Scenic Drive to the Arenal Volcano · Skywalk the Arenal Rainforest

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: San Ramon

After breakfast, a scenic drive northwest through beautiful rolling farmlands. You're bound for La Fortuna, home of the iconic Arenal Volcano, rising one mile above sea level overlooking Lake Arenal. You'll ascend to the top of the Arenal Rainforest Reserve by cable car. Take in the beautiful vistas of the forest, lake and volcano. Then do the "Sky Walk," featuring a two mile trail system through primary rainforest, including five suspension bridges, two observation points and two waterfalls.

Note: The tour is for all ages and the trail is in fine condition. But it's a "hiking tour" and visitors need to be capable of walking about three hours and through slight elevation changes. If you feel this may be too challenging for you, you could stay at the main building area where there is a little restaurant and quaint souvenir shop. ARE YOU REALLY ADVENTUROUS? Instead of doing the Skywalk, try Sky Trek - a Zip Line in 8 sections for a total length of 1.7 miles, and up to 660 feet above the treetops!

Have your swimsuit handy! This afternoon, slip into the Termales hot-water thermal pools with temperatures ranging between 98º - 107º degrees. Nature's own hot-tub! After your time at the hot springs, you will return to your hotel tucked in the cloud forest. Tonight dinner is at our hotel Villa Blanca

DAY 4: Lecture on the Exotic Life Forms of Costa Rica · Cloud Forest Nature Walk

Meals: Breakfast  and Dinner

Accommodation: Villa Blanca

This morning you'll enjoy a lecture by the resident ecosystem biologist followed by a guided nature walk of the Los Angeles Private Cloud Forest at 3,000 feet above sea level. You'll witness insects that perfectly resemble twigs and leaves, along with other fascinating specimens.

This afternoon, you'll learn how Costa Rica leads the world in "sustainable tourism" - preserving the amazing bounty of exotic life forms. In a word, it's PARADISE!

DAY 5: Head to Manuel Antonio and the El Parador Hotel · Traditional Tamale Cooking Class

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

 Bidding farewell to our home in the mountains, we descend toward the warm, drier air of the Pacific coastline and head southeast toward the Manuel Antonio National Park area. You'll stop at a private ranch to learn how to make the authentic Latin American treat - the Tamale.

Traditionally, making tamales is an all-day affair. That's why Costa Rican families reserve them for special occasions such as Christmas.

After your hard work, enjoy a tamale feast before continuing to your hotel where you will stay the next three nights - El Parador Resort & Spa. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy the pools and magnificent Pacific Coast sunset.

El Parador Resort & Spa, whose name stands for "Look-Out Point," is perched high above the sweeping Pacific coastline on Punta Quepos boasting panoramic ocean views on 12 acres of wildlife-rich tropical rainforest. Dinner at El Parador Resort & Spa.

Note: EL Parador Resort offers a free regular shuttle service to and from Manuel Antonio National Park.

DAY 6: Guided Visit to Manuel Antonio National Park

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: El Parador Resort & Spa

After an early breakfast, we'll visit Manuel Antonio National Park which was established in 1972 when the people of Costa Rica decided to preserve, for future generations, one of the most beautiful and bio-diverse areas of the country.

Although it's the country's smallest national park, the stunning beauty and diversity of wildlife in its 1700 acres is unequaled, featuring a charming combination of rain forest, beaches and coral reefs. The coastal forest is home for sloths, iguanas, the rare and adorable squirrel monkeys and colorful little crabs. Afternoon at leisure. This evening we'll go out for a great local dinner.

Note: The Manuel Antonio tour is optional and for all ages and the trail is in fine condition. But it's a "hiking tour" and visitors need to be capable of walking for about three hours and through slight elevation changes.

DAY 7: Boat Excursion Through the Tropical Mangrove Canal

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: El Parador Resort & Spa

This morning it's a boat trip through the Damas Island Estuary which allows you to navigate through the wonders of the tropical mangrove ecosystem. The first part of the journey is through brackish waters, glimpsing islands from afar and later exploring the calm currents under a verdant forest canopy as you pass beneath tunnels made naturally from trees.

Keep your eyes open so you can spot some of the local wildlife including kingfishers, engrids, frigot birds and other migratory birds, as well as reptiles and white faced monkeys. The covered boats used in the Manuel Antonio tour are eco-friendly, comfortable and safe. Due to the structure of the boat, it is likely you will be able to interact with the monkeys as they occasionally like to climb aboard. Later return to our hotel for a leisurely afternoon!

DAY 8: Journey Back to San Jose · Farewell Dinner and Local Dancing Show

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: San Jose

After a leisurely breakfast, head back to the Central Valley.

This evening, dine in a rustic casona (country house), offering a panoramic view of the Central Valley. Tonight's menu includes meat specialties, along with traditional Costa Rican dishes of enyucados, picadillos, refried beans and tortillas. Now here's a chance to show off your dancing skills and enjoy a typical dancing show!

Costa Rica is a peaceful nation, living in harmony with lavish natural beauty. And now you should know why the national slogan is PURA VIDA!

DAY 9: Morning at Leisure · Flight Back to U.S.

Meals: Breakfast

Morning at leisure. Take a private transfer back to Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO) to catch your flight home.

Day 1:

Meals: Dinner

You’ll be met at the airport by your Discover Corps host who will accompany you to our hotel in the town of Ciudad Quesada, a cattle-raising town in the central highlands. (D)

Day 2:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Immerse yourself in a rural community and experience their typical way of life. Enjoy a dance presentation and demonstration of traditional agricultural methods. Spend some time assisting on a reforestation project, and then return to town to learn how to cook one of Costa Rica’s most famous dishes.

Day 3:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Enjoy a hands-on program learning about the cacao bean - the source of chocolate and cocoa. This bean has played an important role in Costa Rican history. Learn the story of this crop - from harvesting, production, to savoring a delicious treat! After a delicious lunch, then soak in the natural thermal hot springs at the base of Arenal volcano. Overnight in Monteverde.

Day 4:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, head out to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve where we will hike along hanging bridges that skirt the rainforest canopy. This is one of the most biodiverse regions of Costa Rica with over 90% virgin rainforest. For adventurous travelers, you can continue on to an optional 15 cable zip line. Tonight, enjoy a relaxing night hike through the forest with a naturalist guide being on the lookout for nocturnal creatures.

Designed for Families

Children of all ages have a deep connection with nature, and Costa Rica is the perfect place to nurture this passion. This trip was designed especially for families and intergenerational groups. Our small groups of approximately 16 people ensure personalized service and intimate wildlife encounters. All activities have been designed to be interactive and engaging. To accommodate the whims of children, most hotels are located walking distance from shops and restaurants. To give families time alone, we schedule one free evening for them to dine independently.

Best Time to Visit

As in most tropical countries, Costa Rica has dry and green seasons. The green season lasts from May to November and the dry season runs between December to April. During the green season, a storm might roll through for an hour or two in the afternoon, a welcome relief from the warm weather! Temperature-wise, expect the weather to range from 75°-85°. As this is a tropical country not far from the equator, it can get quite hot, especially in the afternoons.

Day 5:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Hit the road to Quepos, a fun coastal surf town. On the way, we’ll stop for lunch as we transition between the misty cloud forest to the warm Pacific beaches. After settling into our accommodation, we’ll make a visit to a nearby wildlife rescue center to see up close and personal Costa Rica’s array of wildlife including sloths, monkeys and toucans. Tonight, take some time to explore this quaint coastal town.

Day 6:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today, we’ll dedicate our time to a project at the wildlife rescue center. This is designed to not only help the wildlife of the center, but to also learn about the issues facing Costa Rica’s animal inhabitants. Later in the afternoon, we’ll continue on to Manuel Antonio National Park which encompasses stunning a stunning coastline, rugged rainforest and colorful reefs. Spend the late afternoon exploring the beaches before dinner together in town.

Day 7:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, those that opted for the adrenaline package will head over to the nearby Rio Savegre for a morning of whitewater rafting on Class II rapids. The rest of the group will continue on with a hike through Manuel Antonio spotting wildlife and birds along the way. Enjoy a picnic lunch and a relaxing afternoon alongside the pristine beaches located inside the park. Tonight, enjoy a final farewell dinner together.

Day 8:

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Wake up early and travel back to San Jose to catch our flights back home. Depending on the time of your flight, we’ll share a final lunch before saying adios.

Our Lodging

During your time in Costa Rica, you will stay in several bed and breakfast style lodges walking distance to town and near many of the major sites we’ll be visiting. All accommodations offer single and double occupancy lodging with private bathrooms.