Tico Trek

  • 9 Days
  • Classic Trip
  • Most Popular V2 Created with Sketch. Most Popular

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a tour to your unique needs

Tico Trek Get Started

Map & Route

Depart

San Jose

1 1 Night

San Carlos

2 2 Nights

Monteverde

2 2 Nights

Puntarenas Region

2 2 Nights

San Jose

1 1 Night
Return
map Tico Trek

What's Included

Our itineraries reflect 40 years of experience in crafting exceptional educational tours. That means we know exactly how to make the best of your time abroad—incredible destinations, immersive activities, centrally located hotels, and smart, well-traveled tour managers who ensure your educational goals are met. Here are some of the exceptional features of this tour.

ACIS Guarantees

We have high standards, which is why we take care to include these features in every tour.

Round-Trip Flights

Leave the airlines to us.

3- or 4-Star Hotels

After a busy day, comfort is key.

Centrally Located Hotels

Save the commuting time, beat the morning crowds and keep right on exploring after dark when your hotel is in the heart of the city.

Daily Breakfast and Dinner (unless otherwise noted)

Delicious, authentic, multi-course dinners at local restaurants with meal times tailored to maximize your experience.

24-Hour Tour Manager

Part guide, part educator, part engineer, part mind-reader, part magician—ACIS Tour Managers are your travel partner.

Start Exploring

Never wait hours at the airport to share a transfer with other later groups.

Service Guarantee

We're so sure you're going to love your tour, we guarantee it!

Global Network

24/7 on the ground support whenever and wherever you need it.

All Local Transportation

Urban transportation is on us, allowing you to explore each destination with ease.

Exceptional Experiences

Our tours are designed to help you and your students be in the moment and experience everything the world has to offer.

Horseback Ride in Monteverde

Horseback Ride in Monteverde

Explore part of Monteverde Cloud Forest as generations of the native populations have done: on horseback. Experience the variety in Costa Rica's landscape as you ride along a trail that promises breathtaking views, traditional farms and lush jungle as well as observations of the local birds and animals.

Learn More

Explore part of Monteverde Cloud Forest as generations of the native populations have done: on horseback. Experience the variety in Costa Rica's landscape as you ride along a trail that promises breathtaking views, traditional farms and lush jungle as well as observations of the local birds and animals.

Monteverde Canopy Tour and Hanging Bridges

Monteverde Canopy Tour and Hanging Bridges

Founded in the 1970s to protect the region's biodiversity, the high-altitude Monteverde Cloud Forest is home to more than 400 species of birds, 100 species of mammals and 2,500 species of plants within a reserve comprising 6 distinct ecological zones. Gain a bird's-eye perspective on this important wildlife refuge as you cross tree-top suspended hanging bridges and zip-line through the canopy.

Learn More

Founded in the 1970s to protect the region's biodiversity, the high-altitude Monteverde Cloud Forest is home to more than 400 species of birds, 100 species of mammals and 2,500 species of plants within a reserve comprising 6 distinct ecological zones. Gain a bird's-eye perspective on this important wildlife refuge as you cross tree-top suspended hanging bridges and zip-line through the canopy.

Hot Springs

Hot Springs

Río Frío Wildlife Boat Cruise

Río Frío Wildlife Boat Cruise

Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio National Park

Video

Costa Rica

Featured in this video

Itinerary

This itinerary is the starting point for your tour, but it’s not set in stone. If there are days you would like to change, or specific places you’d like to go, we can work with you to create a personalized program that fits the needs of you and your students.

Day 1: San Jose

Depart from the USA. Arrive in the Costa Rican capital of San José, where you'll meet your ACIS Tour Manager and begin to explore, discovering how history has shaped this vibrant city both architecturally and socially.

Day 2: San Carlos

This morning travel to the beautiful province of Alajuela. The rest of the day is free for you to relax. In the evening view the Arenal Volcano as you swim in the therapeutic waters of the hot springs at the base of the volcano. Spend the night in San Carlos, also known as Ciudad Quesada, the agriculture capital of the north.

Day 3: San Carlos

Today travel north to Caño Negro and the Río Frío. Comprised of swamp and marshlands, the area covers about 1,977 acres in the wet season. Enjoy a boat trip on the river while you share company with exotic creatures such as osprey, storks, caimans and monkeys, as well as the unique gars, which have lungs, gills and a nose. Lunch will be included today instead of dinner. Return to San Carlos for the evening.

Day 4: Monteverde

This morning is something truly special: travel by bus from the Arenal area along the shores of Lake Arenal toward the lush cloud forest of Monteverde. When you arrive in Monteverde saddle up for a horseback ride, giving you a new understanding of how the local native populations traveled and a deep appreciation of just how spectacularly beautiful Costa Rica can be.

Day 5: Monteverde

Today explore this important and fascinating cloud forest. Originally settled in the 1950s by a group of Quakers from Alabama, Monteverde Cloud Forest is home to more than 400 species of birds, 100 species of mammals and 2,500 species of plants including the jaguar, ocelot, Baird’s tapir, three-wattled bellbird, bare-necked umbrellabird, and the famously elusive resplendent quetzal. Get ready for a different perspective on the forest, as this afternoon you will swing far above the forest floor on the world famous Monteverde Canopy Tour and Hanging Bridges. You will have views from a series of platforms, suspension bridges and thrilling zip-lines.

Day 6: Puntarenas Region

Observe the shift in landscape as you travel from the mountainous inland cloud forest to the beaches and Pacific breezes of the Puntarenas region on the Golfo de Nicoya. This area draws visitors from around the world, and, once you see the curving coastline dotted with bays and islands, you will understand why. Enjoy time to relax on the beach and settle in to your new neighborhood.

Day 7: Puntarenas Region

Enjoy a full day in Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the most stunning parks in Costa Rica. A series of small beaches with lush forests and well-maintained trails are yours to explore for the day. Explore the park and its wildlife (Capuchin monkeys play in trees just behind the beach) before returning to Puntarenas for the evening.

Day 8: San Jose

Enjoy a free morning on the beach. Then say adiós to the coast and drive through lush vegetation back to San José for your last night in this beautiful country.

Day 9: Departure

Depart for the USA.



Optional Extensions and Extra Nights:

Further immerse yourself in the culture and wonders of Costa Rica with an extra night in San José, including the services of your ACIS Tour Manager.

Price This Tour

Price This Tour

Optional Extras

Ultimate-Plus Protection Plan

Most Enhanced health coverage, program interruption, baggage delay/loss and travel delay protection while on tour. Plus, enhanced medical/job loss cancellation refund policy

Rate $450

Add to Tour

Ultimate Protection Plan

Enhanced health coverage, program interruption, baggage delay/loss and travel delay protection while on tour. Plus, enhanced medical/job loss cancellation refund policy

Rate $315

Add to Tour

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