• Afternoon: Introductory meeting at "La Dehesa" in San Joaquín de Flores.
• Review of the itinerary, group expectations and goals. General introduction to Costa Rica.
• Dinner in Escazú with cultural activity of folklore dances.

DAY 2

• Morning: Discussion of CAFTA (Central America Free Trade Agreement).
• Afternoon: Lunch and meeting with representative from an NGO devoted to recycling projects among others.
• Visit a coffee research institution.
• Dinner and impressions of day's activities.

DAY 3

• Morning: Breakfast at "La Dehesa." Discussion of water resources in Costa Rica and the Poás Volcano.
• Depart for the Poás Volcano. Hiking and exploration of the area.
• Lunch at a typical restaurant.
• Afternoon: Leave for Manuel Antonio. Stop at Jacó Beach, various activities.
• Check-in Hotel Ceciliano.
• Dinner at Quepos.

DAY 4

• Morning: Breakfast and review of day's activities.
• Visit to Manuel Antonio beaches and National Park. Talk by an expert on impacts of tourism on region's biodiversity. Free time to hike, snorkel, visit other beaches etc. until park closes at 4 pm.
• Meet with group at a beach to watch the sunset.
• Return to Hotel Ceciliano. Debrief day's activities.
• Dinner and talk with community leader about impact of tourism on communities in the region.

DAY 5

• Morning: Depart for Monteverde and breakfast on the way.
• Check-in at Ecoverde Lodge. Orientation and lunch at Ecoverde.
• Afternoon: Canopy tour around the cloud forest (OPTIONAL and PAID BY PARTICIPANTS: $35). For those who opt NOT to do the canopy tour, there will be a guided visit to Bosque Eterno (a rainforest).
• Meet up as a group and tour community of Santa Elena and the Monteverde Reserve.
• Dinner at Ecoverde with talk on local history and current social impacts.

DAY 6

• Morning: Breakfast at Ecoverde Lodge and review of day's activities.
• Suspension bridge adventure around the cloud forest. Bring a pack lunch. Participants can stay in the woods longer to take pictures and enjoy the wilderness. Meet up with group at bus at 1 pm.
• Afternoon: Visit to places of interest, butterfly or orchid gardens.
• Tour around Santa Elena. Meet at the bus and return to Ecoverde.
• Dinner at Ecoverde.

DAY 7

• Morning: Breakfast at the Ecoverde Lodge and depart for Arenal Volcano.
• Check-in to Jardines de Arenal Hotel.
• Afternoon: Hike in Arenal National Park.
• Visit to hot springs.
• Dinner and back to hotel.

DAY 8

• Morning: Breakfast at hotel and review day's activities.
• Visit to botanical garden, talk about the project with young people in charge of the garden.
• Sailing around Arenal Lagoon and islands.
• Afternoon: Check-out and back to "La Dehesa" Bed and Breakfast in San Joaquín de Flores.
• Farewell cocktail party in San Joaquín. Share impressions about overall experience. Written evaluation.

DAY 9

• Morning: Transport participants to the airport for departure.

Disclaimer: This is a tentative itinerary. Activities and dates are subject to change, and will be confirmed by the trip leader upon arrival. Global Exchange and Reality Tours is not responsible for any changes to the itinerary.