Free CPI Activities

Dance class: A great opportunity to learn about local styles of dancing including Salsa, Merengue and Cumbia.

The library at CPI Heredia organizes free cultural activities, tutoring, souvenir class, etc.

Other CPI Activities

Visiting Sarchí: A great way to see the countryside! A key artisan town in Costa Rica, Sarchí is well known for the vibrant and attractive oxcarts. All handcrafted, these are available at reasonable prices. Also, widely found throughout the town are dozens of wooden furniture and souvenir stores that reflect Costa Rica's diverse culture and traditions.

Half day

ZooAve: If you are an animal and particularly a bird lover, this is the tour for you! One of the most moderns zoos in Latin America is located in the Alajuela province. With a lush climate and friendly people, the area is surrounded by beautiful garden centers where you will find exotic tropical plants and flowers.

Half day

Fútbol sala (Indoor futball): Enjoy the real experience of Costa Rican football with the CPI football team (men and women), and have fun along with other students and CPI staff members.

At night

Movie night: Enjoy a great movie while you are in Costa Rica! Visit our movie theater in the mall of the beautiful city of Heredia. You will be joined by other students as well as a CPI staff member.

At night

Optional Tours (bilingual guide included)

Walking tour: Discover Heredia! Our bilingual guide will show you all of the beautiful historical places including monuments, churches and also the parks. Educational as well as interesting especially as you will learn how to use public transportation within Heredia.

Half day

Café Britt: Laugh and learn for the duration of this award-winning experience. You can walk through the paths, laced with the humor of the bilingual guide. Also, enjoy a hilarious show at their small theater which will explain the history of this rich, dark fabulous brew.

Half day

Butterfly farm: This tour will take you beyond enjoying the visual allure of butterflies to appreciating and understanding their fascinating lives. Through the course of the guided tour, visitors are led through the remarkable metamorphosis of these insects and their importance in nature.

Half day

INBioparque: Inbioparque is an amazing theme park that offers an interactive experience with nature. You will learn all about Costa Rica 's biological diversity and at the same time, experience the sounds of nature. Come and have fun discovering this!

Half day

City tour to San José: After you have visited San Jose, the capital of the country, you will be impressed. We will take you to see the capital's main attractions and then our Pre-Columbine Gold Museum for a guided visit of the gems, followed by the beautiful National Theater (entrances included). After continuing through the west side of San Jose passing various points of interest we will finish your tour by visiting a couple of interesting souvenir stores.

Half day

Waterfall rappelling: For the adventurous! The experience starts at the top of an incredible waterfall. You will then, rappel down, through the gushing water into a deep natural swimming pool in the river. This is an amazing tour you shouldn't miss!

Half day

Sarapiquí boat trip (jungle): Head through the jungle in a boat down the river! Learning about Costa Rica's fascinating wildlife along the way. It is relaxing and also exciting as wonder what kind of wildlife you may encounter that may be around the corner; maybe a toucan or a sloth, or perhaps monkeys, iguanas, crocs, or some of the various topical birds that you will find in the area. This tour is highly recommended it if you are short on time and want to see as much as you can!

Half day

Poás canopy tour: This is the closest, secure and the most exciting canopy experience in the Central Valley. A spectacular and enriching adventure in the Cloud Forest, where you travel between platforms in the forest. Glide through the canopies in the trees using the force of gravity to slide on cables, a secure harnesses and a pulley. You really will be Tarzan!

Half day

Noches típicas costarricenses (Typical night show): A spectacle of the traditions of the nineteenth century! A fun and humorous show with professional actors that combines Costa Rican beliefs, the way they dressed, architecture, music and folkloric dances. Enjoy a delicious homemade typical meal in this unique reconstructed Costa Rican town.

At night

Irazú Volcano: Take advantage of this tour to experience another Costa Rican Volcano! If it is a clear day and you are at the top of this volcano, as well as admiring the main craters, you will be able to see both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Then, as you descend to the city of Cartago we will show you our most famous catholic church “La Basilica ”, followed by a fascinating tour of the Lancaster Gardens which protects more than 800 species of plants. Towards the end of the tour, the group will stop for lunch in one of the delicious local restaurants.

Full day

Rafting at the Pacuare River: Here is the whitewater trip of your dreams. The rivers of Costa Rica give you the ultimate blend of wilderness exposure and excitement. They are world famous for their sheer beauty and challenging rapids.

Full day

Combo tour (Poás Volcano, La Paz Waterfall, Coffee Plantation Dokka): Volcano, waterfall, and a coffee plantation, all together in one tour! As you ascend towards the volcano, you will stop for a explanation of our golden coffee bean, and then you will continue the journey through the beautiful flowers and strawberry farms. Once there, you will be impressed with the sulfur and the fumaroles of the huge crater. Hike through the forest to the beautiful lagoon before heading to the museum. After finishing at the volcano we will take you to La Paz Waterfall Gardens which has the largest butterfly observatory in the country and several waterfalls that you can admire.

Full day

Turtle Island (Calypso Cruiser): Experience crystal clear blue water, white sand, green mountains, superb cuisine and attentive personal service! Calypso's superb catamaran glides past more than seven islands in the Gulf of Nicoya. Its Port of Call is the enchantingly Turtle Island where you can walk along the impeccable beach, swim in the turquoise waters and discover the marine life while the crew prepares a feast.

Full day

Tortuguero tour (Caribbean): To start off this wonderful tour you will pass through the Braulio Carrillo National Park where you will admire the beautiful views and the abundant vegetation. We will stop for a delicious typical restaurant for breakfast, before continuing our trip to the colorful town of Tortuguero. You will have the opportunity to visit the Turtle Conservation Museum and then, back at the lodge, you can also enjoy the pool, the gardens and the bar service. In the morning you will take a boat tour to explore some of the many canals in the Tortuguero National Park. If you have any free time you can explore the private trails, or visit the open butterfly garden. The egg-laying and hatching season of the turtles is between mid July and October.

Saturday 5:30 am - Sunday or Monday 3:30 pm

Arenal Volcano Tour & transfer: Two day excursion to the Arenal Volcano. The trip includes a full time guide, some meals, transportation, accommodations, two guided hikes, and entrance to the hot springs.

Saturday 7:00 am - Sunday 5:00 pm

Manuel Antonio Beach (Central Pacific): Two day excursion to Manuel Antonio Beach. The trip includes a full time guide, breakfast, transportation, accommodations, and entrance to the National Park, where you can walk along some of the beautiful trails and observe some of the amazing wildlife.

Friday 3:00 pm - Sunday 5:00 pm