2025 Costa Rica

Costa Rica has more than 5 percent of the world’s biodiversity, 800 miles of coastline, and the world’s highest percentage of protected areas. At the same time, it consistently ranks high in prestigious international quality of life studies.

How does Costa Rica maintain its fragile balance, and what can we learn from it? Find out as we  explore natural areas and hear from the naturalists and conservationists who are stewards of this remarkable realm.

With rainforest hikes, horseback riding, birdwatching, river cruising, possible canopy walks, and the opportunity for a relaxing spa stay, our 10-day experience will be as exhilarating as it is enlightening. 

Highlights

• Led by faculty leader Donna McMillan, discuss with your fellow travelers the ways that both culture and our relationship to the natural world affect us psychologically.
• Examine topics of conservation, land use, and sustainability at some of Costa Rica’s renowned national parks and reserves.
• Learn about important land use issues while looking for caimans, a variety of water birds, and other wildlife on a river boat ride.
• Witness the intersection of indigenous traditions and modern livelihoods during a hands-on experience at a chocolate farm.
• Discuss forest conservation and the history of settlement in the San Gerardo de Dota region with a member of a local family.
• Walk the beaches and trails of the popular Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific coast.

This tour is full. Send us an email to join the waitlist at no obligation.

We’ll start and end in San Jose. You can view and print the most up-to-date itinerary here.

Donna McMillan is a Professor of Psychology at St. Olaf, and her teaching and research focus on understanding people, psychological well-being, and ways that both culture and our relationship to the natural world affect us psychologically.

Steven Bayne recently retired after teaching political science for more than 20 years in the Minnesota State College University System, particularly at Century College. Steve’s interests include international relations, political theory, and history.

Donna and Steve love traveling, exploring, and learning, and they have been fortunate to sojourn to 26+ countries on five continents. They have hiked around Uluru in Australia, slid down a mountain in Switzerland (not on purpose), sailed on the Nile, and trained from Shanghai to Beijing. Together, Donna and Steve led St Olaf’s 5-month-long Global Semester, taking 28 students around the world, and just before the pandemic hit, they led an Alumni & Family Travel program on a Tanzanian safari, and most recently a walking trip in Italy & Slovenia.

Donna has seven times taught an off-campus January course on Environmental Psychology at Rocky Mountain National Park; she spent a semester as a visiting faculty member in Denmark; and she co-taught a course for the St. Olaf Band during their tour of New Zealand and Australia. All of this is to say that Donna and Steve are frequent and enthusiastic travelers — with a particular passion for national parks — who look forward to exploring Costa Rica with you!

Expect to spend time in nature, learning how to preserve important ecosystems and how our environment impacts our well-being.

Movement between cities will be by air-conditioned private motor coach. Movement within each city and at cultural/historic sites will be on foot, requiring a lot of walking and standing, often over uneven ground. You should be capable of walking a mile or more at a time and up to five to seven miles per day, often over uneven terrain, of climbing stairs that may not have handrails, of climbing in and out of various types of transportation, of keeping pace with an active group of travelers on long days of traveling, of dealing with the emotional highs and lows that can occur when experiencing different cultures, and of being a considerate member of the group (prompt, courteous and flexible).

Any participant who has demonstrated an inability, in the opinion of the tour leader, of keeping up with the group or of safely participating in program activities may be prohibited from participating in certain activities.

You will be responsible for carrying your own luggage throughout the tour. Traveling lightly is highly recommended.

Hotels will be tourist class (four-star or superior rating) with private baths, air conditioning, and English-speaking staff.

Inclusions and exclusions vary by tour, so please read the following information carefully.

The tour price is $4,077 per person, based on double occupancy. For single occupancy, add $375. 

Inclusions: discussions led by Donna McMillan and Steve Bayne; accommodations, meals, entrance fees, and activities listed in the itinerary; private vehicle transportation unless otherwise noted in itinerary; non-alcoholic beverages with meals; full time guide for the duration of the tour; gratuities for all local guides, drivers, meals, and porters; bottled water on the bus; carbon offset; departure tax; and some limited medical coverage while overseas.

Exclusions: Airfare to and from Costa Rica is not included. Participants are solely responsible for all expenses not specifically included in the tour fee. Examples of excluded expenses are: international airfare, airport transfers if you are not on the recommended flights, any passport and visa fees, any recommended immunizations or vaccinations, alcoholic beverages, laundry, dry cleaning, phone charges, room service or other items of a personal nature, expenses incurred during free time or non-group activities, and any meals not specifically included on tour itinerary.

Registrations and all payments will be taken directly by our tour operator, Holbrook Travel. Their payment schedule is below. We highly recommend that you purchase additional trip cancellation insurance at the time of registration to recover your payments should you need to withdraw from the tour.

Deposit due:                          $500 upon registration
Refund if you cancel:          $200 until May 31, 2024. If the deposit is made after May 31, 2024 there is no refund.

Interim payment due:        $2,000 on June 1, 2024
Refund if you cancel:          $1,000 if you cancel before November 30, 2024

Balance due:                      December 1, 2024
Refund if you cancel:          None, unless the tour is full and your place can be resold

Cancellations must be in writing.

Read the Go Letter.

Click on each link and agree to St. Olaf’s Terms & Conditions and Release & Waiver.

Review the latest information on recommended immunizations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Look at the International Travel section of the U.S. State Department, including Before You Go, Country Information, While Abroad, and Emergencies.

Check your passport to ensure that it has at least 6 months’ validity past the tour return date. Should you need to renew, visit the U.S. State Department for instructions. (Note: no visa is required for Costa Rica.)

Take time to prepare for your adventure by checking out a variety of resources, including frequently asked questions, general health information, included travel insurance, safety overview, and more.

Hold the dates of March 28–April 7, 2025, but do not book non-refundable air until we can confirm the tour is a go. Meanwhile see our tips on Booking Your Flights.