This trip to Costa Rica has optional activities that are not included in the price. Local transportation, such as public buses and taxis, are not included.

Afternoon

• Arrive at San Jose's Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in Costa Rica and be ready to begin your adventure at 3:00 pm.
• Your Trip Leader will pick you up from the airport, and we’ll head to the beach!  (~1.5-hour drive)
• Make a quick stop at Rio Tarcoles, where you can see groups of Costa Rican Crocodiles. These crocs can reach lengths of up to 12 feet (4 meters)!
• Arrive at Playa Hermosa, a beautiful black-sand beach with one of the most consistent surf breaks in the world. Soak in your first sunset in Costa Rica. Remember to bring your bathing suit!

Evening

• Enjoy your first dinner and drinks right by one of the most incredible black sand beaches in the country.
• Continue down the Pacific coast to our boutique hotel in Manuel Antonio. (~1-hour drive)
• Get settled into your hotel and relax after your long travel day.

Morning

• Enjoy a delicious Costa Rican breakfast right at your hotel.
• Explore the Manuel Antonio National Park, where you’ll look for two types of sloths and three types of monkeys.
• For those craving an even further off-the-beaten-path activity, you can spend your morning hiking to the epic Cathedral Point trail in the Manuel Antonio National Park. This trail is an excellent opportunity to see white-faced monkeys in their natural habitat, especially in the mornings. The trail also has several incredible viewpoints along the way..

Afternoon

• Enjoy a traditional casado before heading to El Cocal. (15 minute drive)
• Visit the local community of El Cocal, a small island on the other side of the estuary that runs through Quepos. The only way to access this island is by taking a 5 minute ferry ride.
• In El Cocal you will be welcomed into a local’s home, learn how to make tortillas, practice your Spanish, and make friendship bracelets. This is one of Under30Experiences’ flagship sustainability projects, where you’ll participate in a very unique cultural exchange. Read more about El Cocal and learn about the challenges this area faces.
• Return to your hotel in Manuel Antonio and relax. (15 minute drive)

Evening

• Enjoy a Costa Rican dinner at our boutique hotel.
• Optional night out and salsa lessons. (15 USD per person + transportation)

Morning

• Enjoy a delicious Costa Rican breakfast right at your hotel.
• This will be the opportunity to explore the Manuel Antonio coastline or spend the day at Playa Espadilla, one of the top 15 beaches in the world, according to TripAdvisor.

Afternoon

• Have a “Tico” lunch and then head down to Playa Espadilla to enjoy some beach time. The local bus makes it safe and easy to get anywhere you’d like to go between Quepos and Manuel Antonio. 

Evening

• Explore the restaurants in Manuel Antonio. Some of our favorites are Cafe Milagro and Emilio’s Cafe.
  

Morning

• Enjoy one final Costa Rican breakfast with your group.
• Depart for Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) on included transportation. (~2.5-hour drive)
• Arrive at the airport at 11:30 am. and say 'see you later' (never goodbye!) to your new friends.