SPC – Saint Petersburg College – Costa Rica 2024

DAY 1 – DEPARTURE – Monday, May 27

Depart Home for San Jose, Costa Rica

Arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica

Check-in, Relax & Refresh
Orientation Walking Tour – The group will become oriented with their neighborhood, the public transportation systems, nearby pharmacies, markets, ATMs, etc. Additionally, an in-depth safety briefing will be provided for what to do incase of an emergency.  

San Jose Walking Tour (Depending of the arrival time) 

Welcome Dinner – The group will enjoy an authentic group dinner with a wide variety of menu options to cater all diets

DAY 2 – PACUARE OUTDOOR CENTER – Tuesday, May 28

Breakfast & Day Briefing –  Costa Rica Introduction in the bus and briefing orientation of the itinerary  

Early Morning Travel to Turrialba to Rafting Starting Point  (approx. 3.5 hrs) – Turrialba is the starter point of the best possible rafting experience in Costa Rica. You will be rafting on Pacuare river, which has been included amongst the top 10 rivers with the best sceneries in the world.
This is a unique experience for the group. The river offers quite easy rapid for beginners’ of class 2 & 3. These activities would be lead by a professional guide. Students will only follow the guide’s instructions and paddle. 

The group will spend the night in a Lodge with a view of the river surrounded by nature and animals. Next day at breakfast the group may spot monkeys and toucans, while at night the famous it’s the turn of red-eyes tree frogs who may be spotted in the dark. However, so much more can be seen, so keep your eyes peeled! 

DAY 3 – PACUARE OUTDOOR CENTER/CAHUITA – Wednesday, May 29

Breakfast & Day Briefing 

Second Rafting Day on Pacuare River – The group will be going down river for about 4 hrs. Enjoy the view along the river, and travel from the highlands to ocean level. This is a great to witness the different ecosystems in Costa Rica

Travel to Cahuita from the Rafting Point End  (approx. 2 hrs). 

DAY 4 – CAHUITA – Thursday, May 30

Breakfast & Day Briefing 

Cahuita National Park – Today is going to be a very active day.  We will visit this National Park where we can see monkeys, sloths, raccoons and more. At that same time we will have some beach time off which we will Collect data around the beach. 

Bribri Indigenous Community – Continue the day by visiting this indigenous community living inland. We will learn about their day-to-day, their culture and also about medicinal plants.  

Waterfall Swimming – Our day will end at a waterfall of approximately 45 meters high where we can bathe in refreshing water from the Talamanca Mountain range. 

Night Leatherback Turtle Project – Here they will give us a brief explanation of the work they do for the conservation of this species and we can patrol and try to see the largest species of sea turtle in the world!   

DAY 5 – CAHUITA/TIRIMBINA – Friday, May 31

Breakfast & Day Briefing
Morning Snorkeling & Data Collection – The most popular feature of Cahuita National Park is its spectacular 600-acre coral reef. Although the reef has shrunk in recent years, it remains one of Costa Rica’s most popular marine attractions. This activity will be led by a guide as snorkeling with a guide within the boundaries of the park is strictly prohibited. 

We will have discussions about the Data collection along the drive to Sarapiqui – led by the faculty

Afternoon Travel to Tirimbina (approx. 4 hrs) – 

DAY 6 – TIRIMBINA – Saturday, June 1

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Forest Observation – Early start of the day to start observing the high biodiversity surrounding us. At sunrise, with fairly high humidity, you will be able to observe nature at its most active. You will see different types of toucans, parrots, and many more birds. You will observe some common “nature” competitions typical of the tropics, while witnessing some of its species most recurrent challenges…

Lunch at Biological station 

Walk around the Property – Enjoy the Hanging Bridges and the tropical Rainforest with your Tour Leader 

Night Bat Mist-Netting – When night falls we will have the opportunity to study some species of bats that exist in the tropics. Despite Costa Rica country’s small size here you will find 113 species of bats, of which some are now in danger.  

DAY 7 – TIRIMBINA/TENORIO VOLCANO – Sunday, June 2 

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Travel to Tenorio Volcano (approx. 2 hrs)  – After enjoying the Tropical Rainforest, we will drive in to the base of Tenorio Volcano, which is still active. We will sleep in a hotel located only a few minutes away from the National Park. 

Rio Celeste – Here we will visit a waterfall of turquoise color, which is formed by the union of two rivers having different PH. This  is what makes the river particles larger, which in turn forms the aluminosilicates reflecting the turquoise color.

DAY 8 – TENORIO VOLCANO/CULEBRA BAY – Monday, June 3

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Travel to the Beach (approx. 2hrs)  

Check in and Free Morning Time 

Afternoon Snorkeling – Explore two different areas for snorkeling along Culebra Bay

Collecting Data on Coastal Ecosystems 

DAY 9 – DEPARTURE – Tuesday, June 4

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Airport Transfer 

Depart Liberia, Costa Rica for Home