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Costa Rica

From Monkeys to Macaws: Colorful Costa Rica With Your Grandchild

Program No. 3636RJ
Fly a little south of the U.S. to discover a world of chatty macaws, playful monkeys, industrious leaf cutter ants and butterflies as you explore Costa Rica with your grandchild.

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At a Glance

A scarlet macaw swooping overhead. A trek through the green rainforest. A large crocodile gliding unnoticed in the river. Postcards simply won’t do Costa Rica justice – you have to experience it for yourself! Alongside your grandchild, search for truly amazing animals, like sloths and howler monkeys, as you march through the rainforest, sail along the rivers, kayak the warm waters and zipline over the jungle on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure together. On this week-long journey, you’ll learn about all the colorful landscapes on walks through nature and across hanging bridges as you both go wild in Costa Rica.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to 1.5 hours a day over uneven trails in hot and humid conditions, zip lining, swimming activities, and getting in and out of boats and buses. Elevations up to 5,000 feet.
Small Group
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

  • Keep your eyes peeled for sloths, iguanas, monkeys, crocs and more as you float along the Sarapiqui and Tarcoles Rivers with an expert naturalist.
  • Hold onto your helmets as you zipline over the jungle and walk over hanging bridges to view a large volcano.
  • Explore a local farm where silly macaws fly about and learn how the locals are trying to protect them.

General Notes

Program is for grandchildren ages 9-11 or 12-14 or 15-17, depending on the date. This program allows participants to explore a number of Costa Rica’s eco-systems in a relatively short amount of time. Bus travel is a necessity for an up-close experience, but program activities help to break up travel time. Local road conditions, weather, traffic and elevation are factors in determining time of travel.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
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Luis Vargas
Having been immersed in Costa Rica’s rainforest since he grew up in a rural town in the Sarapiqui region, Luis Vargas knows its flora and fauna very well. He has been involved in research at the La Selva field station, worked with a program that teaches children about the environment, and served as a local expert at jungle lodges. Luis has been leading Road Scholar programs since 2010 and enjoys learning as much from his participants as they learn from him.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Luis Vargas
Luis Vargas View biography
Having been immersed in Costa Rica’s rainforest since he grew up in a rural town in the Sarapiqui region, Luis Vargas knows its flora and fauna very well. He has been involved in research at the La Selva field station, worked with a program that teaches children about the environment, and served as a local expert at jungle lodges. Luis has been leading Road Scholar programs since 2010 and enjoys learning as much from his participants as they learn from him.
Profile Image of Erick Miranda
Erick Miranda View biography
Erick Miranda hails from Costa Rica’s historic Heredia, a region dotted with coffee plantations and forests. As a young boy, he dreamed of becoming a naturalist guide. He attended a prestigious research center where he studied natural history and honed his interpretive skills. Erick has been a licensed naturalist guide and group leader for more than a decade, as well as a personal cross-training fitness coach. He has traveled extensively within Costa Rica and wishes to start adding some international destinations to his travel list.
Profile Image of José Amador
José Amador View biography
José Amador is a certified naturalist and expedition leader who grew up in Turrialba in Costa Rica's Central Valley. José was studying architecture in college when he got a job as a rafting guide. He quickly discovered he loved interacting with people and working outdoors. This “aha” moment led him to switch his academic efforts into becoming a naturalist leader. When not at work, José enjoys hiking, birding, and mountain biking. He has traveled throughout the Americas, Europe, and southern Africa.
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David Mora View biography
David Mora was immersed in the culture of birding from an early age. David’s nickname is "Bird Whistler," earned by his unique ability to mimic bird calls with uncanny accuracy. As a child, he participated in Cornell University’s Bird Detectives program at the Sarapiquís Conservation Learning Center; his formal education was at the National Learning Institution, where he earned his naturalist certification. David’s informal education continues through the reciprocal exchange shared with program participants, and, of course, through birding.
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Sergio Calvo View biography
Sergio Calvo is a certified Costa Rican naturalist and adventure expedition leader. He grew up in Turrialba, an area famed for its world-class white water rafting, national parks, and the Guayabo pre-Columbian ruins. Sergio is one of seven siblings; they all live in and around Turrialba along with their growing families. Like most Ticos, he is a soccer fan, and he enjoys playing whenever the chance arises. His other favorite pastimes include listening to music, dancing, and hanging out with his family.
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.





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