Costa Rica | Experiential Learning on the Pacific Coast and Osa Peninsula

Upon arrival to San José, after clearing customs and immigration, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon attend an orientation to get to know your guide and the amazing country that will be your home for the next week followed by with a Welcome Dinner at the hotel. In order to arrive in time for orientation and dinner, please book flights that arrive into San José no later than 4:30 pm.

After breakfast this morning, check out of your hotel and travel to the Tárcoles River on the Pacific coast. During a boat ride on the river, view the giant American crocodiles that reside here and learn about the regional importance of this mangrove ecosystem. Have lunch on-site, and then continue to Hacienda Barú, a lodge and 815-acre national wildlife refuge that was founded by Jack Ewing, author of "Monkeys Are Made of Chocolate." Learn about the purpose and creation of the lodge. After dinner, take a night walk with your guide to look for nocturnal wildlife.

Take a guided walk this morning in search of the two species of monkeys found in the area, the white-faced capuchin and the spider monkey, ending up at the beach. Have lunch back at Hacienda Barú and then transfer to El Chontal Ecolodge on the Osa Peninsula. This rustic, family-owned lodge sits on the Golfo Dulce, which is home to important populations of bottlenose dolphins, pantropical spotted dolphins, and humpback whales, as well as other marine life, like sea turtles and sharks. El Chontal is the base camp for the Center for Cetacean Research of Costa Rica, and since 2012 has collected data and hosted research programs to support conservation of the region. After checking in and getting settled, receive an orientation to the lodge, the dolphins, and the conservation project you'll be working on. Dinner is at the hotel tonight.

This morning before breakfast, set out on an optional bird walk, where you may see the endemic Mangrove Hummingbird and Yellow-billed Cotinga, plus a variety of parrots, parakeets, tanagers, and shore birds. This morning, take part in research and dolphin monitoring at Golfo Dulce. Help collect data, including taking photos of dolphins for identification, recording animal behavior, and monitoring climate stations. This afternoon, take a chocolate tour at the nearby Finca Kobo to learn about the cultural history of this important crop and the process for making chocolate from the cacao plant.

Today continue with dolphin research or take part in a sea kayaking excursion and learn about the local mangrove ecosystem. In the afternoon, process and analyze the data you've collected and wrap up your projects. Later visit the nearby beach of Playa Blanca. After dinner, take a night walk around the grounds of the lodge.

Today check out of the hotel and head back up the coast to Manuel Antonio stopping en route at Uvita waterfall for time to swim and walk on the trails. Upon arrival in Manuel Antonio in the afternoon, check in and lecture on "The Squirrel Monkey and Conversation Efforts" before dinner.

This morning after breakfast at the hotel, hike in the renowned Manuel Antonio National Park. The park is situated along the Pacific coast and is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna. Spend the morning exploring the park's trails and beach. After lunch TBD.

Have breakfast, then make your way back to San José, where you'll take a walking tour of the downtown area. Check in at your hotel. Tonight, have a farewell dinner and reflect on your experiences.

Transfer to the San José International Airport for your flight
home.