Jul 17 - Jul 25, 2024
2,899
2,449
Costa Rica
From Cloud Forests to Volcanoes: Costa Rica With Your Grandchild
Program No. 22538RJ
Explore cool cloud forests and awesome animals on an exciting adventure with your grandchild as you river raft, swim and hike through the wild landscapes of Costa Rica together.
Enroll with Confidence
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more
Protecting the Environment
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
800-454-5768
Age 9 - 11
ROOMING OPTION PRICING
The figures below indicate the rooming options available.
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| DATES | ||||
Jul 17 - Jul 25, 2024
| - | 2,899 / Adult
2,449 / Child
| 2,999 / Adult
2,449 / Child
| |
Aug 1 - Aug 9, 2024
2,899 2,449 | ||||
Aug 1 - Aug 9, 2024
| - | 2,899 / Adult
2,449 / Child
| 2,999 / Adult
2,449 / Child
| |
Full Inventory Jun 14 - Jun 22, 20252,999 2,599 | ||||
Jun 14 - Jun 22, 2025
| - | 2,999 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| 3,149 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| |
Full Inventory Jul 5 - Jul 13, 20252,999 2,599 | ||||
Jul 5 - Jul 13, 2025
| - | 2,999 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| 3,149 / Adult
2,599 / Child
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Jul 23 - Jul 31, 2025
2,999 2,599 | ||||
Jul 23 - Jul 31, 2025
| - | 2,999 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| 3,149 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| |
Full Inventory Aug 2 - Aug 10, 20252,999 2,599 | ||||
Aug 2 - Aug 10, 2025
| - | 2,999 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| 3,149 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| |
Age 12 - 14
ROOMING OPTION PRICING
The figures below indicate the rooming options available.
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| DATES | ||||
Filling Fast! Jul 22 - Jul 30, 20242,899 2,449 | ||||
Jul 22 - Jul 30, 2024
| - | 2,899 / Adult
2,449 / Child
| 2,999 / Adult
2,449 / Child
| |
Aug 7 - Aug 15, 2024
2,899 2,449 | ||||
Aug 7 - Aug 15, 2024
| - | 2,899 / Adult
2,449 / Child
| 2,999 / Adult
2,449 / Child
| |
Full Inventory Jun 17 - Jun 25, 20252,999 2,599 | ||||
Jun 17 - Jun 25, 2025
| - | 2,999 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| 3,149 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| |
Full Inventory Jul 8 - Jul 16, 20252,999 2,599 | ||||
Jul 8 - Jul 16, 2025
| - | 2,999 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| 3,149 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| |
Full Inventory Aug 8 - Aug 16, 20252,999 2,599 | ||||
Aug 8 - Aug 16, 2025
| - | 2,999 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| 3,149 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| |
Age 15 - 17
ROOMING OPTION PRICING
The figures below indicate the rooming options available.
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| DATES | ||||
Jul 27 - Aug 4, 2024
2,899 2,449 | ||||
Jul 27 - Aug 4, 2024
| - | 2,899 / Adult
2,449 / Child
| 2,999 / Adult
2,449 / Child
| |
Full Inventory Jun 20 - Jun 28, 20252,999 2,599 | ||||
Jun 20 - Jun 28, 2025
| - | 2,999 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| 3,149 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| |
Full Inventory Jul 18 - Jul 26, 20252,999 2,599 | ||||
Jul 18 - Jul 26, 2025
| - | 2,999 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| 3,149 / Adult
2,599 / Child
| |
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9 days
8 nights
23 meals
8B 7L 8D
4
Corobici River Wildlife, Transfer to Rincón de la Vieja
Rincon de la Vieja
5
Birding, Rincon de la Vieja National Park, Hot Springs
Rincon de la Vieja
6
Nature Hike, Transfer to Pacific Coast
Playa Hermosa, Guancaste
7
Cipanci Wildlife Refuge, La Casona, Free Time
Playa Hermosa, Guancaste
8
Zip Line Adventure, Wildlife Sanctuary, Farewell Dinner
Playa Hermosa, Guancaste
At a Glance
Calling all adventurers! Are you the happiest hiker? Zippiest zip-liner? One wonderful wildlife whisperer? If you answered “Yes,” then we’ve found the perfect place for you … Costa Rica! Alongside your grandchild, step into the wild to discover misty cloud-forests unlike anything you’ve seen before. Stand in awe of beautiful waterfalls and look for white-faced monkeys as you float down the Rio Corobicí. Explore amazing landscapes from high up on hanging bridges or from a zip line. Jump right into “nature’s playground” as you search for awesome animals, hike to volcanic hot springs and sail past mangrove forests as you both monkey around in Costa Rica.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking about 2 hours a day on varied terrain.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
What You'll Learn
- Trek through the cloud forest and cross hanging bridges above the forest canopy in Monteverde.
- Search for wildlife during a scenic boat ride through the mangroves of Cipanci Wildlife Refuge.
- Have a blast exploring thermal mud pools, fumaroles and other surprising volcanic features at Rincon de La Vieja National Park.
General Notes
Program is for grandchildren ages 9-11, 12-14 or 15-17, depending on the date. Please refer to Program # 23616 for Family departures.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Reimer Palma
Reimer Palma is a self-proclaimed “nature guy.” He fondly recalls, at an early age, accompanying his father on walks through the rainforest to go fishing or for work. Those quiet outdoor explorations further fueled his appreciation for and an awareness of his natural surroundings. When Reimer attended a course in ecotourism at his high school, he became intrigued with the idea of becoming a naturalist guide. In 2009, he began attending natural history courses at La Selva Biological Field Station in preparation for his certification. As a naturalist leader, Reimer enjoys introducing visitors to many of Costa Rica’s beautiful protected areas; although the lush Caribbean lowlands, where he grew up, still hold the number one spot in his heart. When Reimer isn’t leading groups or enjoying time with his family, you will most likely find him hitting his college books in pursuit of his bachelor’s degree in biology.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Reimer Palma
View biography
Reimer Palma is a self-proclaimed “nature guy.” He fondly recalls, at an early age, accompanying his father on walks through the rainforest to go fishing or for work. Those quiet outdoor explorations further fueled his appreciation for and an awareness of his natural surroundings. When Reimer attended a course in ecotourism at his high school, he became intrigued with the idea of becoming a naturalist guide. In 2009, he began attending natural history courses at La Selva Biological Field Station in preparation for his certification. As a naturalist leader, Reimer enjoys introducing visitors to many of Costa Rica’s beautiful protected areas; although the lush Caribbean lowlands, where he grew up, still hold the number one spot in his heart. When Reimer isn’t leading groups or enjoying time with his family, you will most likely find him hitting his college books in pursuit of his bachelor’s degree in biology.
Pamela Rojas
View biography
Pamela Rojas is a certified Costa Rican expedition leader who feels happiest when she is outdoors. Her affinity with nature stems from a childhood spent among the rainforests and farmlands of Sarapiquí. Pamela holds a bachelor’s degree in EFL, with an emphasis on tourism, from the Universidad Técnica Nacional and is working towards a postgraduate teaching degree. Her lifelong goal is to enrich lives through education and exposure to the wonders of nature.
Suggested Reading List
(21 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
From Cloud Forests to Volcanoes: Costa Rica With Your Grandchild
Program Number: 22538
The Birds of Costa Rica
Built for the field, this great guide includes multiple illustrations for 820 species of birds.
The Most Beautiful Roof in the World
A tropical botanist and her sons climb among the ropes and walkways of a rainforest canopy in this photographic odyssey. For ages 9-12.
A Brief History of Central America
A good overview of the region’s economic, political and social history through the 1980s by a professor at the University of Costa Rica. Well-written, informative and concise.
Costa Rican Wildlife
Put it in your pocket! This handy, fold-up card includes color illustrations of dozens of typical birds, mammals and reptiles.
Costa Rica, A Journey Through Nature
Dividing the book by ecosystem and geographic area, BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year Hepworth's color photographs showcase the diversity of Costa Rica's wildlife and habitats.
Spanish Flash Cards
A standard playing card-size deck of 50 nicely illustrated flashcards geared for younger children. Each card features a colorful illustration with the Spanish word on the reverse.
Nature of the Rainforest, Costa Rica and Beyond
Our favorite biologist-writer returns to the Neotropics in this beautifully illustrated, oversized overview of the rainforest. With chapters on Monteverde and Guanacaste, plants, frogs and snakes, birds, monkeys and jaguars, the sloth, peculiar insects and biodiversity; A marvelous, anecdotal introduction to ecology, evolution and conservation.
The Field Guide to Rain Forest Animals
A unique children's guide to eight Amazon animals that includes photographs, illustrations, maps, fascinating facts and a diorama activity. Written for ages eight and up.
The Forest in the Clouds
This slim introduction to Monteverde for readers ages 6 to 8 features Michael Rothman's richly detailed paintings.
Nancy Drew, The Scarlet Macaw Scandal
Nancy and her friends head for Costa Rica's Corcovado National Park to relax and study monkeys when they stumble upon, naturally, a mystery to be solved.
Costa Rica Butterflies & Moths
A handy, laminated fold-up card with color illustrations of Costa Rica’s more visible species of butterflies and moths. Includes the distinguishing markings or behaviors of each species.
Tropical Nature
A lively, lucid portrait of the tropics as seen by two uncommonly observant and thoughtful field biologists. Its 17 marvelous essays introduce the habitats, ecology, plants and animals of the Central and South American rainforest
Costa Rica Adventure Map
A double-sided map at a scale of 1:500,000.
National Geographic Costa Rica
This stylish, informative and up-to-date travel resource features 200 photographs, many maps and good information on the country's history, nature and culture.
Sloth Slept On
In this delightful children’s book, a group of youngsters happen upon a snoozing sloth and try to send him where he belongs. Never noticing the posters that a sloth has fled the zoo (albeit very slowly!) they finally address a package to "the rainforest." When it wakes up, this sloth is in for a BIG surprise! Written for ages 3 to 6.
Costa Rica, A Traveler's Literary Companion
A wonderful introduction to the character of the people, culture and land, this anthology brings together 26 stories by Costa Rican writers.
The Monkey's Bridge, Mysteries of Evolution in Central America
Opening this absorbing account of the history and biogeography of the Central American isthmus with the tale of Columbus, Wallace weaves his own travels in the region with a crisp overview of exploration, nature and evolution. Natural history buffs and ecologically minded travelers will appreciate this valuable resource.
Costa Rica Birds
A handy, laminated fold-up card with full-color illustrations of birds commonly found in Costa Rica. Great for kids, too.
The Wildlife of Costa Rica, A Field Guide
This guide includes 450 of the most common, interesting and charismatic mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and arthropods that you are likely to encounter. Each has exquisite full-color illustrations.
Culture Smart! Costa Rica
A guide to local customs, etiquette and culture.
The Ticos
This insightful, fact-filled portrait of the Costa Rican people accessibly explores their culture, history and society.
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