About the Journey 

Experience the Costa Rican “pura vida” on an eight-day adventure built specifically for recent alumni. Travel from the cloud forest of Monteverde to the tropical rainforest of Sarapiquí, stopping en route for an overnight overlooking the spectacular Arenal Volcano. 

Explore Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity from a multitude of perspectives: on guided walks and hikes – by both sunlight and moonlight; from hanging bridges and ziplines taking you high into forest canopies; and through educational programming featuring lectures from your recent grad alum study leader Timothy Treuer *18, insights from knowledgeable local guides, and a visit to La Selva Research Station, one of the world’s leading tropical research institutions. 

Along the way you’ll have the opportunity to meet local residents, indulge in coffee and chocolate, and take an exhilarating white water rafting excursion on the Río Sarapiquí. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with fellow Tigers and experience Old Nassau in one of the world’s most breathtaking destinations. 

Accommodation 

Radisson San Jose-Costa Rica San José 
Situated about three kilometers from San José‘s city center, Radisson San Jose-Costa Rica is a great starting point for your Costa Rica adventure. Amenities include WiFi, outdoor pool, garden, and restaurant. 

Monteverde Country Lodge Monteverde 
Set outside the village of Santa Elena, this rustic mountain lodge offers easy access to Monteverde’s cloud forest, with natural wood, garden views, and friendly staff. Please note Monteverde Country Lodge does not have air conditioning. Daytime high temperatures in Monteverde are typically 68-75 degrees Fahrenheit, with overnight temperatures cooling to the 60s. 

Linda Vista del Norte Arenal 
Strategically built on a hilltop with spectacular views of the Arenal Volcano and surrounding lake, the Hotel Linda Vista del Norte offers a comfortable stay amid the nature of Arenal. Hotel amenities include WiFi, outdoor pool and jacuzzi with volcano views, bar, and restaurant. 

Selva Verde Lodge Sarapiquí 
With 500 acres of vibrant tropical nature, the Selva Verde ecolodge offers an immersive experience within Costa Rica’s rainforest. Enjoy guided walks onsite and spot for wildlife from the lodge grounds. Amenities include outdoor pool, restaurant, and bar. 

Itinerary 

• December 3 | San José 
  Upon arrival at the Juan Santamaría International Airport, meet your driver and transfer to your hotel. This afternoon, get to know fellow travelers and tour staff at an orientation and toast to the adventure ahead at a welcome dinner. 
  Radisson San Jose-Costa Rica (D)
• December 4 | Monteverde 
  This morning set out for the cloud forests of Monteverde, home to an astounding variety of flora and fauna. After checking in to your hotel, visit the Bat Jungle. Designed and operated by a renowned bat biologist, this exhibit features 90 live bats representing eight different species in a simulated jungle environment. After dinner, take a night hike in search of nocturnal wildlife in the Curi Cancha Reserve.
  Monteverde Country Lodge (B, L, D)
• December 5 | Monteverde 
  This morning visit the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve. Then spend the remainder of the day exploring the breathtaking landscape at your own pace at an adventure park featuring ziplining, hanging bridges, a cableway, and a challenge course. 
  Monteverde Country Lodge (B, D)
• December 6 | Arenal 
  Take a scenic boat ride across Lake Arenal and continue to your hotel with panoramic views of the Arenal Volcano. After lunch, explore the town of La Fortuna and its many shops. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon soaking in the thermo-mineral waters of Ecotermales with dinner onsite. 
  Hotel Linda Vista Del Norte (B, D)
• December 7 | Sarapiquí 
  This morning, see the rainforest canopy from above and below at Arenal Hanging Bridges. With 15 bridges ranging in length from 16 to 330 feet, the site straddles a variety of ecosystems and offers the opportunity to enter the upper canopy at an elevation of 1,900 feet. Next, stop at a family-run business to learn about the coffee and chocolate-making processes – and indulge in some of the country’s most famous products. Arrive at the Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve in northeastern Costa Rica’s lush lowlands and enjoy a walk through the botanical garden and forest. 
  Selva Verde Lodge (B, L, D)
• December 8 | Sarapiquí 
  After breakfast, depart for the Organization for Tropical Studies La Selva Research Station, one of the world’s leading institutions in tropical education and research. More than 240 scientific papers are published yearly from research conducted at the site. Be on the lookout for coati, collared peccary, mantled howler monkey, agouti, three-toed sloth, ornate hawk-eagle, crested guan, great tinamou, pied puffbird, and spectacled owl. After dinner, a nocturnal hike will provide a comparison between wildlife during the day and night.
  Selva Verde Lodge (B, L, D)
• December 9 | Sarapiquí 
  Early this morning, take a short hike around the grounds of Selva Verde to discover its abundant tropical birds, with feeding stations facilitating the observation and identification of the many species that frequent the area. After breakfast, interact with local community members through a dance activity with the nonprofit Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center (SCLC). A group of locals will teach you three styles of Latin dance: merengue, salsa, and cumbia. Later this afternoon, take an exhilarating whitewater rafting trip on the Río Sarapiquí, featuring Class II and Class III rapids. End the day with a celebratory farewell dinner at the lodge. 
  Selva Verde Lodge (B, L, D)
• December 10 | San José 
  Transfer back to the airport in San José for your flight home after 1pm. (B) 

Please note: Itinerary is subject to change. 

Pricing 

• Recent Alumni Rate (Classes of 2012-2026): $2,625 per person, double occupancy. Please use the discount code RAR1226 when submitting your registration to apply this rate.
• Regular Rate (all other classes): $3,000 per person, double occupancy
• Single Supplement: $275 

Inclusions 

Included in the program cost are: All accommodations, meals, and excursions as specified in the itinerary • Private vehicle transportation unless otherwise noted in itinerary • Non-alcoholic beverages with all meals, plus alcoholic beverages with welcome and farewell dinners • Services of a professional guide and tour director • Comprehensive program of briefings, lectures, and presentations • Baggage handling • Gratuities to porters, waitstaff, guides and drivers • Baggage handling • Bottled water on motorcoaches 

Not included: U.S. domestic and international airfare • Passport/visa expenses • Medical expenses and immunizations • Private airport transfers or airport transfers outside of group arrival and departure dates • Travel and trip cancellation insurance • Excursions that deviate from the scheduled tour options • Airline baggage charges • Meals not specified in the itinerary; dishes and beverages not part of the included meals • Laundry or dry cleaning • Telephone, Internet, and email charges • Other items of a personal nature 

Cancellation Policy 

• Cancel 120 or more days before departure: $100 cancellation fee; remaining balance is refunded.
• Cancel 119 - 96 before departure: full deposit of $350 is forfeited.
• Cancel 95 - 0 days before departure: 100% of program price is forfeited.

Reservations 

Please register online via our tour operator’s trip page, or contact the Princeton Journeys team at journeys@princeton.edu / 609.258.8686 with questions. When submitting your registration, please register as a “new client.” Classes of 2012-2026: enter the discount code RAR1226 for the discounted recent alumni rate.