Afternoon

• Arrive at San Jose's Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) and be ready to start your adventure at 3:00 pm.
• Your Trip Leader will pick you up from the airport as a group, and we’ll head to downtown San Jose! (~45-minute drive). 
• Take some time to recover from your travels or explore the neighborhood around the hotel. Depending on your arrival time, your Trip Leader can recommend nearby cafés, local markets, or places to grab your first Costa Rican coffee.

Evening

• Tonight we'll officially kick off the trip with a Cultural Night. Enjoy an included welcome dinner featuring traditional Costa Rican cuisine, local flavors, and a warm introduction to the country's famous "Pura Vida" lifestyle. It's the perfect opportunity to meet the group, learn about the exciting week ahead, and start making new friends.

Morning

• Enjoy your first breakfast in Costa Rica with a fresh cup of Costa Rican coffee. 
• After breakfast, we'll explore Costa Rica's vibrant capital during a guided city tour. Wander through historic streets, visit iconic landmarks, and experience the daily life of San José before heading into the countryside.

Afternoon

• Enjoy lunch on your own at San José's central market, where you can pick your favorite local restaurant, right before we depart for the rainforest! (~4-hour drive). 
• If you are prone to motion sickness, we suggest taking any medication before the drive. It’s a beautiful winding road through the mountains of Costa Rica.
• Stop for souvenirs and snacks in Los Angeles Cloud Forest as you marvel at all the lush mountains around you.

Evening

• Arrive at a world-renowned eco-lodge located at the base of the Arenal Volcano. 
• You’ll be staying on a remote organic farm nestled between cloud and rainforests outside of La Fortuna. “Fortuna,” as the locals call it, is considered Costa Rica’s adventure capital.
• Settle into your bungalows surrounded by nature and enjoy your first included dinner at the eco-lodge.

Morning

• Enjoy an amazing breakfast at the eco-lodge. Fresh coffee, free-range eggs, and homemade bread await you.
• After breakfast, explore the grounds on a tour of the eco-lodge. Learn about the organic farm and the use of sustainable energy sources and clean ecological practices while taking in the views of the rainforest.

Afternoon

• After a nice morning, wander the property and enjoy an included tasty farm-to-table lunch.
• Explore and hike 2.1 miles (3.4 kilometers) on the famous Arenal 1968 Trail, where ancient lava fields, tropical forest, and spectacular views of Arenal Volcano create one of the country's most iconic hiking experiences.

Evening

• Enjoy another included farm-fresh dinner at the eco-lodge while listening to the sounds of nature at night.
• Take the evening to get to know your new friends while enjoying a nice tropical drink under the stars.

Morning

• Enjoy your last farm-to-fork breakfast at the eco-lodge.
• Begin your drive to Manuel Antonio, where you'll find some of the best beaches that Costa Rica has to offer. (~5-hour drive)

Afternoon

• Make a quick stop at Rio Tarcoles, where you can see enormous Costa Rican crocodiles. These crocs can reach up to 12 feet (4 meters)!
• Stop for lunch at Playa Hermosa, where you can select from various beachfront restaurants. Take the time to enjoy this striking black sand beach, which boasts one of the most consistent surf breaks in the world.

Evening

• After checking into our hotel, enjoy a relaxing evening near the beach. Watch the sunset, explore the town. 
• Enjoy a two-hour guided night walk at Sukia Park, a private reserve in Manuel Antonio. Follow your guide along trails with flashlights to spot nocturnal frogs, snakes, lizards, mammals, insects, and spiders while learning about their nighttime habits.
• Have dinner on your own in town, or simply recharge for another exciting day ahead.

Morning

• Wake up early to enjoy the views of Manuel Antonio and another typical Costa Rican breakfast. Be sure to try “gallo pinto,” a seasoned rice-and-beans dish, served with eggs and a tortilla.
• Visit Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the top places to see wildlife in the world. Look out for two types of sloths and three types of monkeys.
• For those craving an even further off-the-beaten-path activity, you can spend your morning hiking to the epic Cathedral Point trail in the Manuel Antonio National Park. This trail is a great opportunity to see white-faced monkeys in their natural habitat, especially in the mornings. The trail also has several incredible viewpoints along the way.

Afternoon

• Enjoy lunch on your own and spend a relaxing afternoon at Playa Espadilla or visit one of our Trip Leader’s favorite restaurants. 
• Feel free to sip on a refreshing cocktail on the beach, unwind, or even try an optional surf lesson. Keep an eye out for playful bottlenose dolphins!

Evening

• Enjoy dinner on your own in Manuel Antonio and have an optional night out on the town with your new friends.

Morning

• Enjoy an authentic Costa Rican breakfast right at your hotel.
• Kick off the adventure this morning with activities such as waterfall rappelling, natural pools, and breathtaking canyon views, including crossing hanging bridges and climbing trees. Lunch is included! 

Afternoon

• Relax at the beach with your group and soak in the tropical views of Costa Rica. Playa Espadilla has been ranked as Tripadvisor’s Top 15 Beaches in the World. 
• Sip a coconut cut straight from the tree as you enjoy these special moments in paradise.

Evening

• Explore more restaurants in Manuel Antonio. Dinner is on you. 
• Optional night out or stargazing.

Morning

• Rise early to make the most of your final full day in Manuel Antonio with a hearty breakfast.
• Visit the local farmers market and make your way to the local community of El Cocal, where you will learn how to make empanadas, practice your Spanish, and make friendship bracelets.

• The only way to get to El Cocal is by taking a 5-minute local ferry ride across a beautiful estuary.
• El Cocal is one of Under30Experiences’ flagship sustainability projects. Participating in this cultural exchange supports this under-resourced local community.

Afternoon

• Decide whether to spend your afternoon relaxing at the beach or take an optional catamaran ride. Enjoy sunbathing and the beautiful coastal scenery of Manuel Antonio & Quepos. Keep an eye out for marine life like dolphins, sea turtles, and whales, especially from late August to early November. During the cruise, you can also take a break to use the slides, swim, or simply float in the warm Pacific Ocean waters.

*During the rainy season (roughly mid-April through mid-November), Day 8 morning and afternoon activities may be swapped to accommodate weather and activity availability.

Evening

• Enjoy your last included dinner as a group in Manuel Antonio and then enjoy the nightlife of Manuel Antonio.

Morning

• Enjoy one final breakfast in Manuel Antonio with your group of friends before departing to the airport to catch your flight back home.
• Transportation is provided back to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) (~2.5-hour drive), and you will arrive at 11:30 am. We suggest booking a departure flight for a few hours after this time.
• We look forward to welcoming you into our close-knit travel community.