Costa Rica Adult Programs
spanish in costa rica
AMERICAN RIVER COLLEGE
ITINERARY
21 day program with travel time at the end
PROGRAM INCLUDES………….
• Programs are based on a minimum of 20 students
• ARC Spanish Professor Ceydy Ludovina escorting the group
• Pre-planning informational meetings & information
• Roundtrip airfare from Sacramento to Costa Rica on Continental Airlines
• Overnight in San Jose hotel for 1st night
• 38 hours Spanish classes in small groups (maximum 6 students per class) with native, university-trained instructors with their Master’s degrees.
• Classes include grammar and conversation in which topics discussed may include: famous Latin Americans, Costa Rica culture, music, history, etc.
• 10 hours of Salsa Dancing classes
• 2 hours of Costa Rica cooking classes
• All books & materials
• Homestay in a private room with local families who live within 15 minutes walking distance from the school (laundry service included at home)
• Breakfast and dinners daily
• Welcome dinner with typical Costa Rican buffet and folkloric dance show at a restaurant with a view of the lights of San Jose
• 3-day excursion to Arenal Volcano and Tabacon Hot Springs including private transportation, meals, hotel and activities
• Half-day tours to Café Britt Coffee Factory, Scarlet Macaw Breeding Program, Butterfly Farm, National Theater, Cartago Church, Children’s Home
• Optional Daily cultural excursions & activities, including movies, dancing, craft market, concerts, soccer games, weekend at the beach, etc.
• Medical Insurance as required by Los Rios
• Transferable units offered through ARC
• Option to extend your stay to travel around (either Nicaragua with the group or on your own) or to go home after the 17th day
ITINERARY:
DAY 1: Leave Sacramento in the morning and arrive into San Jose in the evening.
DAY 2: TRIP TO ARENAL VOLCANO, FORTUNA WATERFALL AND TABACON HOT SPRINGS: After breakfast at 9am, we will leave for our trip to Arenal. Be ready in the lobby by 9:45am with one smaller bag. Leave the rest of your luggage at the hotel. We will arrive at La Fortuna town around 1:30pm. After checking into the Hotel Tacotal, we will have free time. At 5pm, we will head to the hot springs. Be sure to wear your bathing suit and have a change of clothes. We will have dinner at the springs. Overnight here.
DAY 3: ARENAL. Breakfast between 8 and 9am at our hotel restaurant. Then, we will visit the beautiful rainforest Fortuna Waterfall at 9:30. We will take a short hike to the falls and then have time for swimming & photos. Lunch around 12:30pm. The rest of the day is free to swim at the hotel or return to the hot springs. Pizza for dinner so meet in the hotel lobby at 7pm for dinner.
DAY 4: ARENAL: Free time in the morning after breakfast to swim at the hotel or relax and sleep in. Be ready in the lobby at 12pm with all your bags to go have lunch and return to San Jose. Arrive at 6pm for dinner with families.
DAY 5: FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! The families will take students to school today at 10am. We will have an orientation and placement test. We will have time to change money and have lunch at the mall before class. CLASSES FROM 1PM TO 5PM. SALSA DANCE CLASS FROM 5PM TO 6PM. Return to the families by 6pm.
DAY 6: CAFÉ BRITT COFFEE FACTORY TOUR: Pick-ups begin at 7am. This award-winning musical tour explains the importance of coffee in the region in a musical show. So bring money for gifts. Return to San Jose for lunch. SCHOOL IN THE AFTERNOON FROM 1PM TO 5PM. SALSA CLASSES FROM 5PM TO 6PM.
DAY 7: BUTTERFLY FARM: We leave around 7:30am for this interesting tour of a butterfly garden with a tour of the site and an explanation of the life of a butterfly. Return to San Jose for lunch. CLASS FROM 1 TO 4PM. SALSA & COOKING FROM 4PM TO 6PM. Bring your dress clothes to school!
WELCOME DINNER AT 6PM. We will leave from the school for the elegant restaurant that overlooks the city lights. Dinner is an all-you-can-eat buffet of typical foods. The show will last 1 ½ hours and there is an opportunity to dance with folkloric dancers. We will drop students off at homes at 10:30pm.
DAY 8: SCARLET MACAW PROGRAM: We will visit a Scarlet Macaw Breeding Program and Refuge to learn about these rare birds. Return to San Jose for lunch. CLASS FROM 1 TO 5PM. SALSA DANCING AT 5PM.
DAY 9: SHOPPING IN THE MORNING: Time to visit a crafts market for souvenir shopping before lunch. CLASS FROM 1 TO 5PM, FOLLOWED BY DANCING.
DAY 10-11: FREE WEEKEND. You can either go to the beach or go whitewater rafting, on an island cruise, a tour of the active volcanoes, etc.
DAY 12: FREE MORNING. CLASS FROM 1-5PM, FOLLOWED BY SALSA DANCING AT 5PM.
DAY 13: Visit to the NATIONAL THEATER DOWNTOWN. Be there by 10am for the guided tour. CLASS FROM 1-5PM, FOLLOWED BY SALSA DANCING. Then, go see a movie with Spanish subtitles at the mall if you are interested!
DAY 14: Morning activity at the children’s home. Meet at the school at 10am. Spend time with needy children doing an art project and practicing Spanish. CLASSES FROM 1-4PM. DANCE & COOKING FROM 4PM TO 6PM.
DAY 15: CARTAGO CHURCH & LANKASTER BOTANICAL GARDENS. Please be at the school at 7:45am. We will be back in time for lunch/class. CLASS FROM 1-5PM, FOLLOWED BY SALSA DANCING. Tonight is Karaoke!
DAY 16: FINAL EXAMS & GRADUATION CEREMONY at 11:30am. CLASS FROM 1-5PM, FOLLOWED BY SALSA.
DAY 17-20: FLIGHT HOME OR TRAVEL. EXTENSION TO GRANADA, NICARAGUA. Leave this morning by bus to Granada. (other travel options include Tortuguero, the beach, etc.) Spend the final night in a hotel.
DAY 21: FLIGHT HOME.
INCLUDED TOURS:
- Arenal Volcano
- National Museum
- National Theater
- Central Market
- City Tour
- Cartago Church
- Rainforest Aerial Tram
- Café Britt Coffee Factory
Click here to view more information about tours.
OPTIONAL TOURS:
-
Poas Volcano National Park
- Whitewater rafting
- Beaches & National Parks
- Tortuguero National Park
More information please click here!
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:
- Airport departure tax ($26)
- Lunches daily
- Optional tours & activities
- Meals not mentioned
- ARC units fees
- Trip cancellation & medical insurance
- Recommended spending money of $150 per week
FREE WEEKEND SUGGESTIONS:
TORTUGUERO:
Tortuguero is a MUST for nature lovers. In addition to the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch the endangered turtles lay their eggs, Tortuguero is home to many other interesting endangered species, including sloths, monkeys, jaguars, manatees, and river otters. In all, 13 of the 16 endangered species found in Costa Rica are found here. The region has 57 species of amphibians, 300 species of birds, 54 species of fish and 11 species of reptiles. This area, including Tortuguero National Park is unmatched in wildlife and adventure! The 2 day package we recommend, through Mawamba Lodge, includes transportation from San Jose (by bus and then boat), charming accomodations in their jungle lodge, delightful meals with lots of fresh fruit and fish, boat rides to the national park and canals with an expert guide, the night visit to the national park to see the turtles and more! Students on our program are offered discounts for this package. COST IS $250 PER PERSON WITH ALL MEALS, TOURS AND LODGING.
MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK
This is the ideal location for some rest and relaxation at the end of the trip! This beach area is easily accessible by plane ($75 for a round trip flight) or bus and is very easy to get around. Manuel Antonio is the smallest but one of the most popular national parks in the country, as it offers a glimpse of numerous species of animals and lush vegetation. The 3 beaches inside the park are almost never crowded. Resident companies offer water activities, such as sportfishing, rafting, hiking, kayaking and more. Groups usually get together and rent a few rooms in one of the hotels located on the beach. The rooms are all equipped with kitchenettes and air conditioning. Check out one of the two hotels we typically use at: www.hotelcostaverde.com COST ESTIMATE FOR 2 NIGHTS IS ABOUT $100.
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