Costa Rica | International Field Studies: Tropical Biodiversity and Ecotourism

Upon arrival, after clearing customs and immigrations at the airport, meet your driver and transfer to your hotel. This evening, attend a Costa Rica and program introduction followed by dinner at the hotel restaurant. Check-in starts at 3:00 pm.

This morning check out early and transfer from San José to Guápiles by bus. Stop for a breakfast buffet and then continue to Pavona, where you will board a boat for the transfer to Evergreen Lodge in Tortuguero. From late June through late October, Tortuguero is the most important nesting site in the western Caribbean for the endangered green sea turtle. Other turtles that nest on these beaches include the hawksbill, leatherback, and the occasional loggerhead. Upon arrival at the lodge, have lunch and then visit the Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC) Visitor Center. After the visit, have free time in Tortuguero Village to meet with locals and soak in their culture before returning to Evergreen Lodge.

This morning and afternoon, board a boat and explore the canals of Tortuguero National Park. Located on the northern Caribbean coast, Tortuguero consists of a series of natural interconnecting canals and provides a unique opportunity to observe wildlife by boat. Along the inland waterways you may see spider monkeys, crocodiles, three-toed sloths, wading birds, manatees, and caiman. This evening set out on a night walk around the lodge grounds to see nocturnal creatures.

After breakfast, travel by boat back to the Pavona dock. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch and then head to Sarapiqui, located in the lush lowlands of north central Costa Rica, with lunch en route. Upon arrival to Sarapiqui, stop at the Best Chocolate for a chocolate tour. Learn about the cacao plant and its historical and economic importance, and see firsthand the step-by-step process of transforming cacao beans into the delicious finished product. After checking in, receive an orientation to the lodge and receive an introduction to the important work of the Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center (SCLC). The SCLC's mission is to support conservation through educational programming and community development. The ESL (English as a Second Language) program, the after-school program, and the scholarship program have wide participation locally and are mostly funded by international guests via their participation in programs like this one. Later, enjoy a night hike.

Early this morning, visit La Selva Biological Station for a guided hike. In the afternoon, go white water rafting on the Sarapiquí River. All rafting trips include a professional river guide, the necessary safety equipment (helmet, life jackets, etc.), and a thorough lesson on rafting and safety procedures prior to your adventure. As you raft along the river, keep an eye out for the variety of wildlife in the surrounding forests.

Morning ziplining adventure then depart for Monteverde stopping in La Fortuna along the way for lunch and time to explore. In the evening, take a night walk in the Monteverde reserve.

Visit Santa Elena Reserve to meet with a representative who will share information about the reserve which is run by a local high school. After the introduction take a guided hike in the reserve. After lunch, afternoon free at the lodge. Dinner at a local restaurant.

This morning, visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve for a guided hike. 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. The beginnings of the preserve 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, spend some time exploring the village of Monteverde and then take another hike in the reserve. Dinner at a local pizza restaurant.

Depart Monteverde and head to the coast, stopping at El Viejo Wetlands. Explore the El Viejo National Wildlife Refuge on one side and the Palo Verde National Park on the other, while cruising the magnificent Tempisque River by boat. Experience the local ecology and encounter a variety of wildlife, including birds, monkeys, and more, during this serene boat ride.

After breakfast, explore Minas Beach in search of nesting Leatherback sea turtles. This afternoon head to Flamingo beach for a catamaran ride and snorkeling opportunities. Return to the hotel this evening in time to freshen up before dinner.

Transfer to the Liberia airport for your flight home. Check-out is at 11 am.