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Costa Rica: STEM – Geology & Ecology Tour

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The striking turquoise crater lake of Poas Volcano in Costa Rica reveals dramatic layers of volcanic geology up close
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Overview
  • Duration:7 days 6 nights
  • Tour Type:Educational Tours
📍 Cities: La Guacima, Arenal, Liberia

Itinerary

Fly to Costa RicaDay 1

DAY 1: HOME - COSTA RICA

Board your flight and fly to Costa Rica. Bienvenidos a Costa Rica! Meet your Prometour Tour Director upon arrival. Transfer to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy leisure time at the Rancho. Dinner and overnight accommodation at El Rancho Lodge.

Irazu Volcano and Orosi ValleyDay 2

DAY 2: LA GUACIMA

  • Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Irazu Volcano: Board your bus and embark on a discovery of Irazu Volcano - an active volcano constantly monitored by OVSICORI-UNA, the seismological and volcanic research institute of Costa Rica.
  • Orosi Valley: Enjoy a tour of the Orosi Valley - see some of the country's oldest architectural sights.
  • Dinner: Dinner and overnight accommodation at El Rancho Lodge.

Poas Volcano, Doka Coffee Plantation and ArenalDay 3

DAY 3: LA GUACIMA - ARENAL

  • Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Poas Volcano: Make your way to Poas Volcano National Park - considered the largest active crater in the world with frequent geyser-like eruptions. See Lake Botos with its cloud forest birds.
  • Coffee Plantation: Breathe in the aroma of freshly-roasted Arabica coffee beans at the Doka Coffee Plantation.
  • Arenal: Board your bus and travel to Arenal.
  • Dinner: Dinner and overnight accommodation in Arenal.

Arenal National Park and Cloud Forest ZipliningDay 4

DAY 4: ARENAL

  • Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Arenal Volcano: Head out to Arenal National Park to admire Mount Arenal - Costa Rica's most famous volcano. Let your Tour Director tell you about its history and formation.
  • Ziplining: Embark on a Ziplining adventure! About 70% of all life in a tropical forest takes place at the tree canopy level. Discover the forest in an exhilarating way!
  • Dinner: Dinner and overnight accommodation in Arenal.

Venado Caves and Travel to LiberiaDay 5

DAY 5: ARENAL - LIBERIA

  • Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Venado Caves: Visit the Venado Caves - containing rock formations dating over 6 million years. The caves have waterfalls, numerous stalactites and stalagmites, and an exotic fauna including fish, insects, spiders, and four different species of bats!
  • Liberia: Board your bus and travel to Liberia, located in the northwest of Costa Rica.
  • Dinner: Dinner and overnight accommodation in Liberia.

Rincon de la Vieja National Park and Hot SpringsDay 6

DAY 6: LIBERIA

  • Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Rincon de la Vieja: Enter the Rincon de la Vieja National Park and see its volcano. Partake in a hike with your tour director and learn about the flora and fauna of this National Park.
  • Hot Springs: Experience the Rio Negro Hot Springs! These natural springs and geysers are the result of volcanic activity.
  • Dinner: Dinner and overnight accommodation in Liberia.

Fly Back HomeDay 7

DAY 7: LIBERIA - HOME

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer by bus to the airport. Say Hasta Luego to your Prometour Tour Director. Board your flight from Liberia and fly back home.

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Why Choose Prométour?
100% Risk Free Registration (no costs)
30+ years of Experience
Customizable Itineraries
Guaranteed travel dates
No Hidden Fees, No Surprises
24 x 7 Dedicated support
Learn More

Overview
  • Duration:7 days 6 nights
  • Tour Type:Educational Tours
📍 Cities: La Guacima, Arenal, Liberia

Itinerary

Fly to Costa RicaDay 1

DAY 1: HOME - COSTA RICA

Board your flight and fly to Costa Rica. Bienvenidos a Costa Rica! Meet your Prometour Tour Director upon arrival. Transfer to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy leisure time at the Rancho. Dinner and overnight accommodation at El Rancho Lodge.

Irazu Volcano and Orosi ValleyDay 2

DAY 2: LA GUACIMA

  • Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Irazu Volcano: Board your bus and embark on a discovery of Irazu Volcano - an active volcano constantly monitored by OVSICORI-UNA, the seismological and volcanic research institute of Costa Rica.
  • Orosi Valley: Enjoy a tour of the Orosi Valley - see some of the country's oldest architectural sights.
  • Dinner: Dinner and overnight accommodation at El Rancho Lodge.

Poas Volcano, Doka Coffee Plantation and ArenalDay 3

DAY 3: LA GUACIMA - ARENAL

  • Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Poas Volcano: Make your way to Poas Volcano National Park - considered the largest active crater in the world with frequent geyser-like eruptions. See Lake Botos with its cloud forest birds.
  • Coffee Plantation: Breathe in the aroma of freshly-roasted Arabica coffee beans at the Doka Coffee Plantation.
  • Arenal: Board your bus and travel to Arenal.
  • Dinner: Dinner and overnight accommodation in Arenal.

Arenal National Park and Cloud Forest ZipliningDay 4

DAY 4: ARENAL

  • Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Arenal Volcano: Head out to Arenal National Park to admire Mount Arenal - Costa Rica's most famous volcano. Let your Tour Director tell you about its history and formation.
  • Ziplining: Embark on a Ziplining adventure! About 70% of all life in a tropical forest takes place at the tree canopy level. Discover the forest in an exhilarating way!
  • Dinner: Dinner and overnight accommodation in Arenal.

Venado Caves and Travel to LiberiaDay 5

DAY 5: ARENAL - LIBERIA

  • Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Venado Caves: Visit the Venado Caves - containing rock formations dating over 6 million years. The caves have waterfalls, numerous stalactites and stalagmites, and an exotic fauna including fish, insects, spiders, and four different species of bats!
  • Liberia: Board your bus and travel to Liberia, located in the northwest of Costa Rica.
  • Dinner: Dinner and overnight accommodation in Liberia.

Rincon de la Vieja National Park and Hot SpringsDay 6

DAY 6: LIBERIA

  • Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Rincon de la Vieja: Enter the Rincon de la Vieja National Park and see its volcano. Partake in a hike with your tour director and learn about the flora and fauna of this National Park.
  • Hot Springs: Experience the Rio Negro Hot Springs! These natural springs and geysers are the result of volcanic activity.
  • Dinner: Dinner and overnight accommodation in Liberia.

Fly Back HomeDay 7

DAY 7: LIBERIA - HOME

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer by bus to the airport. Say Hasta Luego to your Prometour Tour Director. Board your flight from Liberia and fly back home.

Learning Objectives

Analyze the geological formation and ongoing volcanic activity of Costa Rica by visiting three active volcanoes – Irazu, Poas, and Rincon de la Vieja – and examining how each displays different stages of volcanic behavior.

Investigate the ecological significance of the Venado Caves, which contain rock formations dating over 6 million years, stalactites, stalagmites, waterfalls, and four distinct bat species in a unique subterranean ecosystem.

Evaluate the relationship between volcanic geology and biological habitats, examining how volcanic soils and geothermal activity support unique ecosystems from cloud forests to geothermal springs.

Compare the distinct volcanic landscapes of the Central Valley (Irazu, Poas) and the Guanacaste region (Rincon de la Vieja, Arenal), examining how different volcanic systems shape regional ecology and land use.

Examine the monitoring of active volcanism at Irazu by OVSICORI-UNA, Costa Rica’s seismological and volcanic research institute, connecting scientific methods to real-world natural hazard management.

Tour maps

Landmark Highlights

  • Irazu Volcano: Active volcano constantly monitored by OVSICORI-UNA seismological institute. Orosi Valley architectural heritage.
  • Poas Volcano National Park: Largest active crater in the world. Lake Botos extinct crater. Doka Coffee Plantation.
  • Arenal National Park: Costa Rica's most famous volcano - history and formation with Tour Director. Ziplining adventure through the forest canopy.
  • Venado Caves: Rock formations dating over 6 million years, waterfalls, stalactites, stalagmites, fish, insects, spiders, and four bat species.
  • Rincon de la Vieja National Park: Volcano hike and Rio Negro Hot Springs geothermal springs and geysers.
Why Choose Prométour?
100% Risk Free Registration (no costs)
30+ years of Experience
Customizable Itineraries
Guaranteed travel dates
No Hidden Fees, No Surprises
24 x 7 Dedicated support
Learn More

Frequently asked questions

Will my group be combined with another school group?

No. Every Prométour educational tour is personalized to ensure a meaningful experience. We guarantee private tours for all groups.

Your group will have its own dedicated Tour Director and itinerary, and will not be combined with any other school or student group.

How does Prométour support teachers with planning?

We take care of everything to make trip planning easy. From organizing travel logistics and accommodations to managing registrations, payments, and documentation, our team handles all the details so you can focus on the experience.

Support starts from day one. To help launch your trip, we host a parent meeting where your dedicated Tour Consultant introduces themselves, represents Prométour, and answers any parent questions directly.

Throughout the planning process, our expert Customer Service Team is available to assist families with registration, payments, and general inquiries, ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience for everyone involved.

When will our travel dates be confirmed?

Prométour trips are fully customizable, including your travel dates. You can choose the dates that best align with your school calendar, giving your group flexibility to coordinate extracurricular activities around the trip.

How does Prométour support our group during the trip?

With our own teams in locations such as Montréal, Paris, and Málaga, you get real people who are with your students and know the destination inside and out, not a call center just reading from a script.
If any issues arise while on tour, our 24/7 Emergency Line ensures that help is always just a phone call away. Your group will have access to real-time support whenever it's needed.

What are Prométour's cancellation fees?

When you register for a Prométour trip, you can do so with confidence. If you cancel before the tour is officially confirmed, you'll receive a full refund with no questions asked.

Once the tour is confirmed, standard cancellation fees apply based on your departure date. Travelers may still be eligible for insurance coverage depending on their policy.

In some regions, and for travelers with an upgraded plan, Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance may be available. We recommend contacting the insurance provider directly for full details on coverage options.
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