Costa Rica | Health, Wellness, and Food

Upon arrival at the Juan Santamaría International Airport, meet your driver and transfer to your hotel. This afternoon attend an orientation at 6 pm in the hotel conference room to get to know your guide and the amazing country that will be your home for the next week. In order to arrive in time for orientation and dinner, please book flights that arrive into San José no later than 4:30 pm.

This morning, drive to the cloud forests of the Monteverde region. The beginnings of the area can be traced back to a group of Alabama Quakers that emigrated from the U.S. to Monteverde in the early 1950s. Visiting biologists discovered that the cloud forest located above the Quaker community was rich in plant and animal life. Due to the incredible foresight of the Quakers and the Tropical Science Center, Monteverde and Santa Elena reserves were born. After lunch, visit Finca Paraiso for a cheese farm tour. During the visit you will learn how they sustainably produce their artisanal cheeses. They will guide you through the entire process, from collecting fresh milk to making delicious cheese. Afterwards, enjoy a homemade snack prepared from fresh ingredients from the farm. Later in the day you will have the opportunity to meet the local students.

After breakfast take a guided hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Cloud forests occur near mountain peaks where rain turns into a life-sustaining mist, hydrating and nourishing epiphytic plants. This consistently cool and wet environment receives over three meters of rain annually and is home to an astounding variety of flora and fauna. Over 2,500 plant species have been identified here, including 300 individual orchid species and over 200 species of ferns. At the Hummingbird Gallery, birds hover then zip by, attracted to the many feeders specifically placed to entice them there. This afternoon, visit Life Monteverde Farm, here you will learn about coffee, sustainability, organic gardens, compost, and the role of the farm animals. Discuss the agriculture research they are conducting and its implications. As part of the Monteverde Community Fund, they donate a portion of all their sales to fund local community projects. This evening there will be a lecture on climate change.

This morning, visit the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, meet their staff and get ready for a full day of cloud forest immersion. The Reserve is managed by the local public high school's Board of Directors. The 310 hectare reserve, was founded in 1992 and is located along the Caribbean slope which offers a large variety of flora and fauna. Project work will be based on the needs at the time of your visit, past projects have included: trail maintenance, signs construction/painting, and tree identification signs. This evening meet a member of the Rockwell family to hear about the first generation of Quakers came to Monteverde after World War II and join them for dinner. They will share with you the Quaker's history in Monteverde and their contribution to the development of this region. In the evening take a night hike around the lodge.

After breakfast begin your transfer to Arenal with lunch en route. After checking in at the hotel, take some time to relax. This evening, visit Ecotermales Hot Springs.

This morning explore Arenal National Park. During the exploratory hike your guide will lead you through secondary forest and old lava fields that surround the Arenal Volcano. You will learn about the geology of the area, as well as local flora and fauna. After the hike head to the Sarapiquí area and Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve, located in the lush lowlands of northeastern Costa Rica. Founded in 1985, the lodge is designed to have a minimum impact on the environment and is a proud participant in the Certification for Sustainable Tourism program (CST). After settling in, receive an orientation to Selva Verde's facilities and private reserve and then visit Best Chocolate. The tour starts in the 2-acre cacao plantation where you will learn all about the cacao plant, its flowers, and pollination. Next you will meet at the Cacao Rancho in the middle of the reserve to learn where chocolate comes from, starting with the fruit to the final product. After watching the processes from seed to cocoa powder you will get to sample fresh made chocolate. In the evening take night walk around the lodge in search of nocturnal creatures such as frogs, bats and kinkajous.

Start today with a visit to the Sarapiqui Conservation Learning Center (SCLC) for an orientation to their work in the community. The SCLS's initiative is to connect local communities and visiting guests with educational resources and conservation projects. SCLC programs include environmental education, rural tourism activities, English classes, community outreach, women's groups, and scholarship funds for high school students. Next, visit a local farm for a reforestation project arranged by the SCLC. Planting native trees on local farms helps establish biological connectivity in the San Juan-La Selva Biological Corridor. The corridor contributes to the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, which strives to connect habitats from southern Mexico to Panama. The SCLC supports local farmers who allow the native trees to be planted on their land. Biological corridors work to bring together stakeholders to promote sustainable practices and conservation or restoration strategies that promote connectivity or biodiversity-friendly landscapes. The afternoon will be at leisure. After dinner, take a night hike around the lodge.

Early this morning take another birding walk around the lodge before visiting a local heart of palm plantation to learn about its history in Costa Rica and the different types of the palm used. As you explore the farm you will learn how it is grown, harvested and it becomes one of the most popular ingredients in Costa Rica. In the afternoon, take an exhilarating whitewater rafting trip on the Río Sarapiquí. A professional river guide escorts all trips, and all necessary safety equipment (helmet, life jackets, etc.) will be provided. Following a thorough safety orientation and basic rafting lesson, enjoy both Class II and Class III rapids of the Río Sarapiquí.

After breakfast, depart for San Jose and stop at the Green Ark Botanical Garden. Your visit starts with their thematic ethnobotanical garden terraces, a medicinal garden, culinary garden, tropical food garden, essential oils garden and natural colorants garden. The Ark believes in the value of education and sharing of knowledge about medicinal, culinary and commercial uses of plants to improve the well-being of the people and planet. After exploring the gardens and learning about the many plants and their uses you will enjoy a delicious farm to table meal from the gardens. Later in the afternoon check in at the Wyndham Herradura and have time to freshen up before a final briefing followed by a farewell dinner at the hotel.

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.