Costa Rica Orientation and Excursions Print E-mail

Heredia Intermediate

Arrival and orientation

  • Airport pick up for group flight travelers
  • Hotel stay and welcome meal on first night of orientation
  • Program orientation (two weeks)
    • Includes: Transportation, informational sessions, accommodations, activities and most meals
    • One week of orientation is held in Heredia. Activities may include informational meetings at UNA, course preregistration, tour of Heredia, San José and UNA, intensive Spanish classes and trip to Pueblo Antiguo amusement park.
    • One week of orientation is held in Monteverde Cloud Forest (spring semester) or Liberia (fall semester). Activities may include: Informational meetings, intensive Spanish classes, host family stay and farewell party for host families.
  • Monteverde orientation activities may include: Sky walk adventure, horseback riding, visit to organic dairy farm or visit to working sugar mill. Day trip may include visit to Volcán Arenal and Fortuna community, or Parcela Agricola (visit to rural community).
  • Liberia orientation activities may include: Visit to waterfall in San Luis valley, trip to volcano and horseback riding. Day excursion may include trip to Albergue Agroecológico Rincón de Vieja.

Cultural events

  • Tour of Teatro Nacional
  • Visit to jade or gold museum
  • Day trip to Pueblo Antiguo in Heredia

Excursion
The following excursions may be available during the semester:

  • Tour of organic coffee cooperative in Santa María de Dota
  • Chocolate tour (cacao plantation) in the Tirimbina Sarapiquí community
  • "Save the Turtles" in the Caribbean coastal community of Parismina
  • Experience the local culture and cuisine of Isla Chira, a small fishing community in the province of Puntarenas on the Nicoya Gulf

Other activities

  • Birthday celebrations
  • T-shirt design contest
  • Thanksgiving celebration (fall semester)
  • Monthly follow-up meetings (snacks included)

Universidad de Costa Rica

Arrival and orientation

  • Airport pick up for group flight travelers
  • Hotel stay and welcome meal on first night of orientation
  • Universidad de Costa Rica orientation (4 weeks)
    • Includes: Transportation, informational sessions, accommodations, activities and most meals
    • Three weeks of orientation is held in San Pedro, San José. Activities may include meetings at UCR, course pre-registration, tour of San José and UCR campus, intensive Spanish classes and trip to Pueblo Antiguo amusement park
    • One week of orientation is held in Monteverde Cloud Forest (spring semester) or Liberia (fall semester). Activities may include: Informational meetings, intensive Spanish classes, host family stay and farewell party for host families.
  • Monteverde orientation activities may include: Sky walk adventure, horseback riding, visit to organic dairy farm or visit to working sugar mill
  • Liberia orientation activities may include: Visit to waterfall in San Luis valley, trip to volcano and horseback riding

Cultural events

  • Tour of Teatro Nacional
  • Visit to jade or gold museum
  • Visit to Coffee Experience Farm in Tarrazu region

Excursion

  • Three-day excursion to Pacuare Nature Reserve, Rain Forest Reserve

Other activities

  • Birthday celebrations
  • T-shirt design contest
  • Thanksgiving celebration (fall semester)
  • Monthly follow-up meetings (snacks included)

Universidad Nacional

Arrival and orientation

  • Airport pick up for group flight travelers
  • Hotel stay and welcome meal on first night of orientation
  • Universidad Nacional orientation (2 weeks)
    • Includes: Transportation, accommodations, informational sessions, activities and most meals
    • One week of orientation is held in Monteverde Cloud Forest (spring semester) or Liberia (fall semester). Activities include: informational meetings, intensive Spanish classes, host family stay and farewell party with host families.
    • One week of orientation is held in Heredia. Activities may include informational meetings at UNA, course pre-registration, tour of Heredia, San José and UNA, intensive Spanish classes and trip to Pueblo Antiguo amusement park.
  • Monteverde orientation activities may include: Sky walk adventure, horseback riding, visit to organic dairy farm or visit to working sugar mill
  • Liberia orientation activities may include: Visit to waterfall in San Luis valley, trip to volcano and horseback riding

Cultural events

  • Tour of Teatro Nacional
  • Visit to jade or gold museum
  • Visit to coffee experience farm in Tarrazu region

Excursion

  • Three day excursion may be held at Pacuare Nature Reserve, Durike Commune or rain forest reserve

Other activities

  • Birthday celebrations
  • T-shirt design contest
  • Thanksgiving celebration (fall semester)
  • Monthly follow-up meetings (snacks included!)