Field Trips for Heredia, Costa Rica
We highly recommend students participate in the following organized field trips, which are included in your program fees. Some trips may be mandatory for specific classes and will be led by the Resident Director, instructors, or International Office staff. These excursions generally take place on Fridays/Saturdays or Saturdays/weekends.
Please note that destinations may only be available during certain terms and are subject to change at the discretion of the Resident Director or on-site staff.
The following are possible field trip destinations, with further details provided upon arrival.
Bajos del Toro - Day Trip
You will visit Sarchí as well as Catarata Tesoro Escondido, a blue river with a waterfall and pools. It also has a beautiful viewpoint for photos. Enjoy a day of swimming and relaxation in these beautiful natural surroundings.
Irazú Volcano and Cartago
Irazú volcano is located in the Cordillera Central Mountain Range, close to Cartago province. It is known as "El Coloso" (the colossus) and is the highest active volcano in Costa Rica. On a clear day, you can see the Atlantic and Pacific oceans from its top.
Monteverde Cloud Forest
The Monteverde Cloud Forest is created by winds and particular temperature and moisture conditions which combine during the dry season to hold steady cloud cover along the continental divide. We will visit the incredible sky trek/walk overlooking the forest canopy. You will also have the opportunity to go zip-lining.
La Fortuna Waterfall and Hot Springs
Go for a swim in the pool of the picturesque 70 meter high La Fortuna Waterfall and experience the beauty of your surroundings. Then visit the largest hot springs in Costa Rica.
Poás Volcano and La Paz Waterfalls
Poás Volcano is the most easily accesible active volcano, and the park is home to more than 80 species of birds. La Paz Waterfalls Gardens is a beautiful park located in the rain-cloud forest in Heredia. It has over 3.5 kilometers of walking trails with five spectacular waterfalls, butterfly observatory, humming bird garden, serpentarium, frog exhibit, Tica house, Trout Lake and many bird watching areas.
Central Pacific
We will visit Punta Leona Hotel, where a program began in 1996 to try to increase the number of Scarlet Macaws in the area. Artificial nests were built and placed high in trees in an attempt to attract Macaws to lay their eggs on the Punta Leona property, a protected area from poachers. The program was a success and continues to this day. Visitors can walk along the trails and see the transition forest, where rain forest and dry forest species meet. You will also enjoy the pristine white and gold sand beaches, where you can look out into the deep blue waters of the Pacific.