Though once a spectacularly active volcano, Arenal has lain dormant in recent years, with the surrounding lands providing countless recreational activities. Near this perfectly cone-shaped peak lies La Fortuna Waterfall, a 200-foot cascade whose sparkling pools we’ll get to swim in! We’ll also hike in Mirador el Silencio near the national park, a 54-acre reserve filled with blue morpho butterflies, different species of monkeys, old-growth trees like the Cieba and Trumpet Tree, and endless views of Arenal! A trip to this area wouldn’t be complete without a spot to Baldi Hot Springs, a breathtakingly beautiful collection of 25 mineral pools.

Our next journey will entail dashing down 25 class II rapids of the Río Negre on inner tubes! Keep your eyes peeled for howler and spider monkeys, 300 species of tropical birds, sloths, and iguanas living in this region. The next two days, we’ll circumnavigate the Rincón de la Vieja volcano by foot and mountain bikes, whose trails are perfect for beginners and advanced riders alike. We’ll relax after an active day with a mud bath at an eco-spa!

The Ostional Wildlife Reserve on the Nicoya Peninsula is a biological wonder! Its lands extend along nine miles of black sand beaches, and it’s one of the world’s most important Olive Ridley turtle nesting sites. Leatherback and green sea turtles also call Ostional home. Every year, hundreds of thousands of turtles come ashore to nest, known as an “arribada.” (In 1995, it’s estimated that 500,000 turtles landed to lay their eggs!) We’ll volunteer with the refuge, helping with many sea turtle projects and learning all about the egg-laying process.

While in Costa Rica, you have to learn how to surf! Two days with professional surf instructors will teach us correct technique, water safety and awareness, and surf etiquette. Playa Tamarindo is acclaimed for its reliable, beginner-friendly waves; in fact, this entire area attracts surfers of all abilities from across the globe. When we’ve had our fill of the breaks, we’ll relax on the beach and explore the artsy town of Tamarindo. We’ll also get to snorkel off Tamarindo’s coast, encountering manta rays, butterfly fish, angelfish, and turtles! Several afternoons will be spent helping with beach beautification and helping repair damaged homes and community buildings.  

After spending a morning touring the bustling, culturally-rich city of Heredia, we’ll wrap up our Costa Rica adventure with a two-day jaunt down the warm, jade-green waters of the Río Pacuare! Surrounded by dense, lush rainforest and cascading waterfalls, we’ll switch between calm waters and exciting class II–IV rapids; keep your ears pricked and eyes peeled for toucans, parrots, sloths, monkeys, and more. National Geographic has named this river as one of the top 10 rivers to raft in the world.