Language Immersion: Costa Rica

The vaporous clouds of this area were once said to hide a witch, a local princess whose angered father had thrown her husband into the volcano. The devastated princess retreated into the volcano’s shadow, where she spent the rest of her life concocting spells for the town’s residents. The volcano’s name, “The Nook of the Old Woman,” comes from this legend. View this haunting landscape of bubbling craters as you approach this 6,285-foot-high, very active volcano.

Mosey on through Costa Rica’s “Old West.” Cows, horses, and sabaneros (Costa Rican cowboys) ride across the sun-struck landscape of this arid region. Seek out the local Guancaste tree, whose oddly shaped seedpods have given it the name “Monkey Ear Tree.”

Prepare for an afternoon of immersive activities with a three-hour conversation class.

Prepare for an afternoon of immersive activities with a three-hour conversation class.

Led by certified guides, snorkel along the calm and safe shoreline of Samara and Carrillo beaches. The Northern Pacific is famous for spotting different species of sea mammals including Spotted dolphins, Central American Spinner dolphins or common Bottlenose dolphins. Please note dolphin or other wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Prepare for an afternoon of immersive activities with a three-hour conversation class.

Cook Costa Rican style! Create authentic local foods and sit down to savor your delicious creations. Note that this activity may be moved to another day or location due to limited availability.

Prepare for an afternoon of immersive activities with a three-hour conversation class.

 Experience one of the most interesting and complex ecosystems in Costa Rica. This guided nature walk will take you through the Werner Sauter Biological Reserve, one of the only private reserves in Guanacaste, where the natural scarcity of water has caused wildlife to evolve and thrive in an environment with fewer nutrients than other tropical forests.

Prepare for an afternoon of immersive activities with a three-hour conversation class.

Test your paddling skills on this thrilling whitewater rafting trip. An experienced guide will help you navigate the rapids that rush through the delightfully lush scenery of the rainforest. No experience is required — just bring your sense of adventure and prepare to get wet! For safety reasons, weight restrictions apply to this activity.