Costa Rica | Conservation and Ecology in the Osa Peninsula and Manuel Antonio National Park

Upon arrival to San José, after clearing customs and immigration, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. This evening attend a welcome dinner in the hotel restaurant.

Have breakfast and program orientation early this morning and then 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, then board a boat to a nearby beach where we will spend the afternoon cleaning up the beach. Later this afternoon, continue to Dominical. Arrive at the lodge, check in then have some time to enjoy the pool or explore the hotel grounds. Have dinner then 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 the lodge 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 shorebirds. 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 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.

Transfer to Manuel Antonio, afternoon visit to Quepos CTP for activity with students.

Morning at Manuel Antonio National Park. Afternoon Mangrove litter project.

Have breakfast, then make your way back to San José, where you'll take a walking tour of the downtown area, including a scavenger hunt at the Central Market. After lunch downtown, 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. Check out is at 12n.