Costa Rica

Costa Rica

Tentative Dates: May 27 – June 2, 2025

Class: BIO 280
Eligibility: Prerequisite or corequisite of BIO 145 or BIO 151

With the Costa Rican Monteverde Research Institute as our guide, we will hike in the rainforest and cloud forest, explore the beaches, observe dolphins and sea turtles, eat a fresh local seafood lunch, catch bats, and kayak in a mangrove. We’ll examine the different biomes and ecosystems of Costa Rica, including mangrove forests, the cloud forest, lowland tropical rainforests, and coral reefs. Focus will be placed on learning the huge terrestrial and marine biodiversity of a tropical country.

The Price Includes

  • Accommodations 
  • Scheduled group activities on this itinerary
  • Round-trip airfare
  • All airport taxes, security fees and fuel surcharges
  • Breakfast

The Price Does Not Include

  • Transportation to/from Newark
  • Meals that are not listed on the itinerary
  • Additional increases in taxes and fuel surcharges at the time of ticketing
  • Additional activities or optional trips
  • Personal expenses such as Wi-fi, phone, and souvenirs
  • Exceeding the airline's baggage allowance

Click to View Itinerary

  • May 27, Day 1: Travel from Newark and arrive at SJO Airport, travel to Cahuita
  • May 28, Day 2: Hike in Cahuita National Park
  • May 29, Day 3: Dolphin & Sea Turtle watching tour on the way to snorkeling in Manzanillo
  • May 30, Day 4: Natural history hike in the lowland tropical rainforest. Travel around Lake Arenal and past wind turbines – discuss renewable sources of energy in Costa Rica
  • May 31, Day 5: Natural history hike in the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Preserve. MVI campus tour and Presentation: The Monteverde Institute and Sustainability Issues
  • June 1, Day 6: Humpback whales and dolphins sightseeing and snorkeling. Mangrove kayaking tour. Discussion/reflection time (on the issues of tourism in Manuel Antonio and feeding monkeys)
  • June 2, Day 7: Travel to the airport in Alajuela to return to Newark

How to Apply

Directions for applying online:  

  1.  Log in to the portal
  2.  View our Study Abroad Application Process
  3.  Follow the St. Joseph's Faculty-led Programs Checklist.

Passport Requirements

Due to new government regulations, passport information must be provided with your final payment. If you need a new passport, apply immediately.

Without passport information tickets cannot be issued and delays with ticketing may create penalties and/or cancellations without a refund.

A copy of your passport is due no later than January 22, 2025.