| Every parent knows that there is much more to | | | | culture of Costa Rica. With over 2000 |
| a child's education than the time he or she spends | | | | domesticated animals and a variety of shows and |
| in the classroom. Research has shown that real | | | | exhibits this park provides a full day of educational |
| world experiences are the key to learning. As a | | | | fun. |
| parent, to enrich your child's education, you must | | | | Children's Museum of Costa Rica located in San |
| take advantage of "teachable moments". | | | | Jose is home to 32 permanent exhibits including |
| Costa Rica is the perfect vacation destination for | | | | an earthquake simulation. |
| families. It is also the perfect place for parents to | | | | The National Museum and Costa Rican Art |
| find teachable moments in which to enrich their | | | | Museum are also located in San Jose. |
| children's educations. There is no place on the | | | | Below you will find some tips on turning your |
| planet that compares to the biodiversity of the | | | | family vacation in Costa Rica into the educational |
| little country of Costa Rica. There are | | | | experience of a lifetime for yourself and your |
| opportunities to discuss ecology, biology, geology, | | | | children. |
| climate change, oceanography and countless other | | | | Planning your Trip: |
| -ologies at every turn. In addition, this small | | | | Determine how long your vacation will be. Do not |
| Spanish speaking country is rich in culture provide | | | | attempt to travel too great a distance in a short |
| the chance to expose your children to cultural and | | | | time. For shorter vacations a visit to a volcano |
| language differences. | | | | and several days in the area around Manuel |
| You don't need to be an expert in ecology to | | | | Antonio may be all that you can fit in. Check out |
| embrace the teachable moments in a Costa Rica | | | | the distance between locations and decide and |
| vacation. The guides on various excursions in | | | | choose which sites are most interesting to you. |
| Costa Rica are some of the most knowledgeable | | | | Remember that a distance that can be traveled in |
| people of I ever met. Ticos are very proud of | | | | a few hours on a U.S. highway may take all day in |
| their country and very knowledgeable about the | | | | Costa Rica. No one will want to spend 5 of 10 |
| plants and animals that they share it with. Many of | | | | days traveling from one area of the country to |
| the guides in the national parks have grown up in | | | | the next without stopping to enjoy what each |
| the area in which they now work. They have | | | | region has to offer. |
| been educated about the ecology, survival skills, | | | | Involve your children in the planning of the |
| history and geology of the area and they are | | | | itinerary and the activities. If they love the beach, |
| happy to share this information with visitors. | | | | then plan to spend a few days in Manuel Antonio |
| I would recommend a trip planned around visits to | | | | or Tamarindo. If they are fascinated by volcanoes |
| one or more of the national parks. The national | | | | then plan an excursion to Paos. |
| park system of Costa Rica provides you an | | | | Before you Go:o Visit your local library foro guide |
| opportunity to expose your children to what | | | | bookso nature guideso picture bookso fiction |
| National Geographic called "the most biologically | | | | bookso Purchase a journal to begin recording |
| intense place on earth. In 1970, the government | | | | information about Costa Rica and to be used for |
| of Costa Rica recognized that agriculture, and | | | | journaling throughout the trip.o Visit Kids Saving |
| development were threatening the biodiversity of | | | | the Rainforest Online for great educational |
| the country. In order to preserve this resource, | | | | resources.o Get out the globe and maps of Costa |
| the government began setting aside land for | | | | Rica and decide together where you want to go |
| national parks, wildlife preserves and buffer zones. | | | | and what you want to do.o Discuss the metric |
| Today more than 25% of Costa Rica is protected | | | | system (distances in Costa Rica are measured in |
| from development. | | | | kilometers) and the average driving speed while |
| Popular National Parks in Costa Rica | | | | making a trip in Costa Rica is about 40 km/hour.o |
| Arenal Volcano National Park - The home to the | | | | Discuss exchange rates as a math lesson. |
| most active volcano in Costa Rica is a short | | | | During Your Tripo Take lots of pictureso |
| distance from the Capital city San Jose. | | | | Encourage your kids to journalo Listen carefully to |
| Braulio Carrillo National Park - home to volcanoes, | | | | tour guides. Costa Rica tour operators are known |
| rainforest, cloud forest, water falls, and a variety | | | | for extensive knowledge of the ecology of their |
| of flora and fauna. | | | | country.o Don't forget to schedule downtime |
| Corcovado National Park - Not to be missed, this | | | | After Your Tripo Scrapbook togethero Help your |
| park is home to threatened plant and animal | | | | children to create digital presentations, dioramas |
| species. This park is an incredibly diverse home to | | | | or blog entries to share what they have learned |
| bats, birds, crocodiles, sea turtles, monkey, sloths, | | | | with friends, families, and classmates. |
| jaguar, ocelots, and otters just to name a few. | | | | Other Advice |
| Guanacaste National Park - Protected tropical dry | | | | Step out of your comfort zone a little bit and |
| forest, water research facilities, and artifacts | | | | enjoy the culture of Costa Rica while visiting. Don't |
| from indigenous civilizations. | | | | be afraid to try new foods, stop at a roadside |
| Manuel Antonio National Park - home to beautiful | | | | fruit stand, or follow the signs to a place a bit off |
| beaches, varied wildlife, hiking, snorkeling, and | | | | the beaten path. |
| guided park tours. A tour of Costa Rica is not | | | | Renting a villa or staying in a cabina can be much |
| complete without a trip to Manuel Antonio. | | | | less stressful and oftentimes more affordable |
| Poas Volcano National Park - the most visited | | | | when traveling with kids of any age. With a little |
| park in Costa Rica is for good reason. With active | | | | more personal space everyone seems to get |
| geysers and a well developed visitor center, this is | | | | along better. Many vacation houses offer daily |
| a must see for a fantastic lesson in geology. | | | | maid service, private pools, and all the amenities |
| Cultural Activities and Museums | | | | of hotels. |
| Panaca is a park that celebrates the agrarian | | | | |