Tours
Through COSI, students receive a discount on tours to some of Costa Rica's main attractions. There are many options for traveling on the weekends or after classes. COSI's staff will be pleased to help students with hotel, tour or car rental reservations and transportation arrangements.
It is easy to go by bus to most national parks. The school has the public bus schedule and buys the tickets in advance at no extra cost. Usually COSI organizes tours in the afternoons and on the weekends.
City Tour
Students will see the main buildings in and around downtown San José
and hear a brief history of the city.
Visit to Cartago city
Founded in 1563, this former capital is the most historical city in the Central Valley. Students leave COSI at noon and visit the Lankaster Gardens, a beautiful orchid garden run by the University of Costa Rica.There is an arboretum that has a variety of Costa Rican ecosystems. You will also enjoy the view of the Orosi Valley, where there are many coffee plantations. In Cartago, students will visit La Basílica, the most important and famous church in Costa Rica and Costa Rica's patron saint La Negrita virgen.
Tortuguero Canals
One of the most beautiful places in Costa Rica is the area of Tortuguero.
You can get there only by boat. The beach is protected because thousands
of turtles come here to nest their eggs from May to October. It includes
an afternoon tour to town of Tortuguero and a morning tour to the Caño
Palma reservation. You can see monkeys, crocodiles (caymans), sloths,
toucans, parrots, morpho butterflies and other animal species.
Heredia City
Heredia is a small but historical city founded in 1706. It is called the "city of flowers" and still retains some of its colonial character. The Parque Central is the best place to see the older buildings, such as the church of La Inmaculada Concepción, a colonial tower called "El Fortín" and La Casa de la Cultura which houses art and historical exhibits. Leaving at noon, students will be able to appreciate the great view from Monte de la Cruz, a famous look-out point.
Isla Tortuga
Isla Tortuga is a romantic place with white sands located close to the Puntarenas seaport. You will pass through small towns, sugarcane fields and green coffee plantations. The adventure continues on the ocean where you will admire the Island of Negritos, San Lucas, Gitana and the National Bird Santuary of Guayabo. The ocean at Tortuga Island is quite calm and safe for swimming and kayaking ($10). You can also go on a canopy tour.
The Butterfly Farm
This is a great place to visit. It is located outside of San José. Students will learn about the relationship between the beautiful winged insects, their host plants and their predators, as well as the amazing transformations that take place within their life cycle.
Coffee Tour
Students will visit the coffee farm (finca) and see a bilingual presentation that describes the historical importance of coffee to Costa Rica. The tour also shows parts of the production process and finishes with coffee-tasting sessions.
Aerial Tram
The Rain Forest Aerial Tram is only one hour away from San José.
It is located on a 450 hectare (1000 acres) private reserve of virgin
forest that borders Braulio Carrillo National Park, one of the biggest
and most biologically diverse parks in Costa Rica. The Students experience
will include transportation in an open air vehicle to the Visitor Center
where they will be shown a video about the project. They will then go
on a guided walk on the trails (which bird lovers will really enjoy) and
then an aerial excursion through the tree-tops.
White water rafting
Rafting on Costa Rican rivers will bring you an unforgettable experience.
The tour company will choose the most appropriate river according to your
level of expertise. The most common ones are the Reventazón or
Pacuare Rivers. This trip includes transportation to and from local hotels,
breakfast, lunch and all rafting equipment required for the rivers such
as rafts, lifejackets, helmets and paddles.
Volcán Irazú
Volcán Irazú is the highest active volcano in Costa Rica measuring 3432 meters high. The last major eruption was a memorable one: March 19, 1963, the day that US President Kennedy arrived on a state visit. The park features several craters and on a clear day, it is possible to see both the Pacific and Caribbean oceans from the summit.
Volcán Arenal
The Volcán Arenal National Park is relatively new because it was
founded in 1995. Visiting the active volcano is an unforgettable experience.
The best time to see it is definitely at night. You can watch it from
the Tabacón Resort area, a natural spa close to the volcano. The
Resort uses hot water that springs from the volcano.
Volcán Poás
The National Park of Volcán Poás lies about 37 km north of Alajuela. It is one of the oldest and best-known national parks in Costa Rica. The centerpiece of the park is Volcán Poás which has been active since 1828. The volcanic activity has resulted in acid rains and occasional closures occur depending on gaseous emissions and wind. The volcano is surrounded by a cloud forest abundant in flora and fauna. It also has a beautiful lagoon that is worth visiting.
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