The following itinerary is from the 2017 trip to Nicoya, Costa Rica. While the events may vary, it is a good guideline for plans to come!
- 12:45 p.m. | Depart Chicago O'Hare
- 9:45 p.m. | Depart Liberia
- 10:45 p.m. | Arrive Hotel Jenny in Nicoya, Costa Rica
- 7:15 a.m. | Meet in hotel lobby
- 7:30 a.m. | Transfer to school for light breakfast, pastry, coffee, and fresh fruit; depart Nicoya
- 9:00 a.m. | Box lunch enroute
- 10-10:30 a.m. | Rest stop at "Mi Finca"
- 2:00 p.m. | Arrive Monteverde
- 3-5:00 p.m. | El Trapiche Coffee Tour (optional)
- 6-7:00 p.m. | Dinner at hotel
- 7:40-9:30 p.m. | Nocturnal fauna walking tour
Select one of the following:
- 8-11 a.m. | Zip Line Forest Canopy Tour and Hummingbird Garden
- 8-11 a.m. | Hanging Bridges and Butterfly Garden Tour and Hummingbird Garden
- 2:00 p.m. | Depart Monteverde (the trip will be by boat across Arenal Lake. Spectacular views of the volcano from the lake)
- 5:30 p.m. | Arrive Arenal
- 7-9:30 p.m. | Evening visit to Hot Springs Resort at the base of the volcano. Dinner served at the resort.
- 8-11:00 a.m. | Excursion to Fortuna waterfalls, swimming in the lagoon
- 1:00 p.m. | Depart Arenal
- 5:00 a.m. | Arrive at the homestay in Nicoya
- 7-8:00 p.m. | Walk to the town park with the homestay family
- 8:00 a.m.-12 noon | Classes
- 12 noon-1:00 p.m. | Buffet lunch at the school
- 1-2:00 p.m. | National Parks presentation
- 2-3:00 p.m. | Walking tour of Nicoya
- 7-9:00 p.m. | Latin dance class with treats
- 8-11:45 a.m. | Classes
- 12 noon-6:30 p.m. | Excursion to Samara Beach for the afternoon and sunset; sack lunch enroute
- 1-3:00 p.m. | Kayak tour to Isla Chora
- 8-11:45 a.m. | Classes
- 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Buffet lunch at the school
- 12:30-5:30 p.m. | Excursion to Samara Beach and kayak trip
- 1:30-3:00 p.m. | Surf lessons (optional)
- 8-10:00 p.m. | Latin dance class with treats
- 8:00 a.m. | Depart Nicoya
- 8:30 a.m. | Arrive Nosarita
- 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. | Volunteer program in Nosarita and Belen
- Community involvement project
- Lunch in Nosarita in the village community center
- 4-7:00 p.m. | Soccer match and outdoor dinner
- Overnight in Nosarita
- 8:00 a.m.-12 noon | Volunteer program in Nosarita and Belen
- Community involvement project
- Lunch in Nosarita
- 1:30 p.m. | Depart Nosarita
- 2:00 p.m. | Arrive Nicoya
- 3-5:00 p.m. | Cooking class, Farmer's Market, Cerro de la Cruz, or free time (times will vary)
- Free evening
- 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Palo Verde National Park; a river boat trip through the jungle. Wildlife includes howler and white faced monkeys, coatimundi, giant iguanas, bats, and the largest crocodiles in the Americas. Lunch served at a nearby town to the national park
- 1:30-3:30 p.m. | Drive to the pottery village of Guaitil where you will have the chance to make pottery
- 4:30 p.m. | Arrive in Nicoya
- 7-9:00 p.m. | Buffet dinner, music, dancing, and presentation of diplomas
- 9:00 a.m. | Board microbus at the school
- 9:30 a.m. | Depart Nicoya
- 10:45 a.m. | Arrive Liberia
- 1:10 p.m. | Depart Liberia
- 7:35 p.m. | Arrive Chicago