WEEKEND GETAWAYS

Below a few of our students' favorite destinations:

Tortuguero Canals & National Park

Tortuguero is a fascinating place to visit. The tours our clients participate in leave San Jose on Saturday and return late on Sunday. Much of the tour consists of boating down the canals, which offer the chance to see nature at its finest. Between July and September one can also visit certain beaches to see endangered sea turtles come ashore to lay their egges. Tours begin at $150. A visit to the turtles does cost extra.

White-water rafting

Costa Rica is world famous for white-water rafting. A variety of companies offer rafing experiences. Included in the cost of tours are transportation, guides, equipment, breakfast, and lunch. Prices range from $50- 125. The school can help you set up a tour.

Arenal Volcano & Hot Springs

One of the most active volcanoes in the world is Arenal Volcanoe, located in the northern part of Costa Rica. The tour leaves on Friday afternoon after classes and returns on Sunday afternoon.

While the volcanoe itself is impressive, getting there is half the fun! The countryside of the Central Highlands is considered one of the more beautiful areas within Costa Rica.

The volcanoe at night is impressive. One has the chance to see hot lava shooting out of the top of the volcanoe and stream down the side. There are some great spots to watch the spectacle. One of the more popular spots to observe the volcanoe are the hotsprings at the base of the volcanoe. Sit in the hot springs and enjoy the incredible views. The three day-two night tour costs $120 and includes transportation, guide, entrance the nature reserve and lodging.

Coffee tour - Half-day

Costa Rica is world famous for the rich coffee gown in its fertile soils. As such, a popular tour relates to visiting some of the coffee plantations. One of the most popular tours is offered by Cafe Britt which is the most well known coffee producer in the country. The tour includes a visit to a farm in Barva, a brief history of coffee, and finally a tour of a coffee factory. The tour ends with an stop by the tasting room to sample some of the best coffee products Cafe Britt produces. Cost of the tour: $20.

Irazu Volcano

Irazu is located a short distance from San Jose. Due to the proximiaty to the city, the are a variety of transporation options available. The top of the volcanoe offers stunning vistas of the surrounding areas. On a clear day it is possible to see both the Pacific and Carribean. As you look into the crater on some days you will see what looks to be a green pond. Other days that same pond will be rust colored red. The change in colors relates to the minerals expelled from the volcano.

Take a tour and combine a visit to Irazu volcano, Cartago and a visit to the beautiful Lankaster Gardens for just $53. You can also travel to the volcano by public bus on Saturdays and Sundays.

Poas Volcano and National Park

See the biggest geyser volcano in the world only 90 minutes from San José. The park offers spectacular views and nice trails and is easily reached by public bus. A public bus leaves from in from of Parque de La Merced daily at 8:00 and costs $5 round trip. Alternatively, combine a visit to Poas in the mornings with a trip to the La Paz waterfalls in the afternoons, all for $35.

Monteverde Cloud Forest - 2 days, 1 night

You will travel 4 hours through mountain ranges and coffee plantations and on into the community of Monteverde. In the private Monteverde Reserve, you will see the richest and most abundant displays of epiphytes in the world: ferns, orchids, and bromeliads (where the famous Resplendent Quetzal bird finds protection). There is also a lot of wildlife: monkeys, toucans, bellbirds, etc. and a special "Hummingbird Gallery" where numerous hummingbirds come to feed. In addition to the private reserves in the area, you can visit a cheese and ice cream factory, butterfly farm and snake museum, and go horseback riding. Take the public bus or rent a car. Cost, depending on transportation and accommodations, is between $100-200.

Manuel Antonio National Park and other beaches -- 3 days, 2 nights

Rent a car or take the public bus to enjoy visiting one of the most beautiful beaches and national parks of Costa Rica. There are many hotels in the area in all price ranges.

In addition, Costa Rica offers more beautiful beaches including Tamarindo, Nosara, and Montezuma, all on the Pacific coast. Cahuita, Puerto Viejo, and Playa Chiquita on the Atlantic, can be visited by making similar arrangements. The hotel accommodations on the Atlantic coast tend to be less expensive. Remember that finding accommodation at any beach during December through March, especially around Easter, can be difficult. Costs range from $30 to $200.

Rain Forest Aerial Tram

The Rain Forest Aerial Tram is located in a private reserve and offers visitors a bird's eye view of the rainforest. The tour includes a 1-1/2 hour guided tour on a modified ski-lift through primary and secondary forest, a guided nature hike and a film about the rainforest and the construction of the tram itself.

Much of the information on our site as it relates to Costa Rica is:

Courtesy of Christopher P. Baker and Avalon Travel Publishing.
© 2004 Christopher P. Baker. All Rights Reserved.

Spanish Abroad, Inc. highly recommends Christopher P. Baker's book: Moon Handbooks Costa Rica. Click on the image to visit his website where you can purchase this book or find out more about the author.