Darlington families are invited to join environmental science and zoology teacher Owen Kinney and Lower School Spanish teacher Ashley Evans on a nine-day spring break trip to Costa Rica March 5-13.
“Our tropical adventure will give participants an opportunity to experience the unique natural areas and culture of this beautiful Central American country,” Kinney said. “Beginning in the capital city of San Jose, our journey will carry us to rich tropical rain forests, an all-inclusive resort on the Pacific Ocean, a quiet lodge in the shadow of a slumbering volcano, and the rushing waters of a lush tropical river.”
The trip will depart from Darlington School early in the morning on Friday, March 5. The group will be shuttled to the Atlanta airport for their flight. Travelers will arrive in San Jose in the late morning, meet their guide, and journey through the countryside of the Pacific Slope on their way to Punta Leona Resort.
Over the next four days, the group will be able to explore the beaches at Punta Leona; hike the private trails through the Pacific Dry Forest, one of the richest and most imperiled ecosystems on the planet; and visit Carara National Park for wildlife viewing. In the afternoons, they will have opportunities to zip line through Punta Leona’s forest canopy; take a boat cruise around the Rio Tarcoles delta at sunset and search for exotic wildlife; and visit nearby towns to take in the culture and purchase souvenirs.
On March 10, they will depart for Arenal Springs Resort, stopping along the way at several small towns for sightseeing and to shop. They will have dinner at La Fortuna de San Carlos and enjoy a restful evening in the shadow of Arenal volcano.
The next morning, the group will go on a whitewater rafting trip through the rainforest on the Rio Sarapiqui, one of the most scenic and diverse rivers in Costa Rica. The guide will host an optional twilight walk through the forest near the base of Arenal Volcano that evening. This night hike will include a stop at an observation deck to listen to volcanic rumblings and marvel at orange lava as it tumbles down the distant slope. Travelers will head back to the Fortuna area for a tour of the Arenal hanging bridges the following afternoon.
The nine-day adventure will end March 13 with an early afternoon flight out of San Jose.
Cost is $2,850 per person, which includes roundtrip airfare, transportation in Costa Rica and to and from Darlington, all group activities, National Park entrance fees, all meals in Costa Rica, tips for a full-time driver and a full-time naturalist guide, rafting guides and equipment, and exit taxes. This price excludes individual equipment rental (i.e. snorkeling gear, boogie boards, etc.) souvenirs, alternate day trips other than those listed on itinerary, travel insurance, and meals or snacks at the airport. Note that there will be a discount for travelers under age 10.
Click here for complete details. Space is limited, so if you are interested in this trip, please e-mail Kinney as soon as possible at
okinney@darlingtonschool.org. A non-refundable $300 deposit is due by Sept. 18.
