Costa Rica | Eco-Tourism Program: Selva Verde, Monteverde, and Lomas Barbudal

Upon arrival in San José, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. In the evening have an orientation to Costa Rica and presentation on the country's biodiversity and national park system. Costa Rica has protected more than 2.7 million acres of microclimates with 75 national parks and reserves. Check-in starts at 3:00 pm.

This morning, travel to Selva Verde Lodge and 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, enjoy an orientation to Selva Verde and then visit the nearby Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center (SCLC) to take part in a community service project. The SCLC is a not-for-profit organization founded to preserve the cultural integrity of the rural community of Chilamate and aid in sustainable community development projects. After dinner, take a night hike to discover nocturnal creatures such as red-eyed tree frogs and many species of insects.

After breakfast, take a hike in Selva Verde's private reserve that consists of 500 acres of primary forest. The reserve and the surrounding forests provide habitat for over 300 bird species, 120 species of mammals, 48 amphibian species, 89 reptile species, more than 10,000 species of insects, approximately 1,500 species of orchids and 330 species of trees. In the afternoon, take an exciting whitewater rafting trip on the Rio Sarapiquí. Rapids range from Class I-III. Along the way, you will be able to stop to swim in the river and enjoy some fresh fruit. After dinner, attend a presentation on the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor (MBC). Selva Verde is located in the MBC, which is an international initiative that links critical habitats from southern Mexico and Belize to Panama in an effort to conserve biodiversity and promote sustainable development throughout this ecologically fragile region. This region of Costa Rica's rainforest is important because it is the last remaining area that provides habitat for the endangered Great Green Macaw.

After breakfast, check out and transfer to the Monteverde area. En route, stop at Ecotermales Hot Springs, where you can enjoy soaking in hot mineral waters. After lunch, board a boat and cross Lake Arenal, enjoying beautiful views of Arenal Volcano and the Monteverde mountain range. On the other side of the lake, board a bus and continue to Monteverde. This evening, meet a representative from Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, who will share information about the reserve and the project you will be working on. The 765-acre reserve is managed by the local public high school's Board of Directors.

Return to Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve this morning, where you will spend the day. The 766-acre reserve, founded in 1992, 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, sign construction/painting, and tree identification signs. This evening, meet with a member of one of the founding Quaker families that came to Monteverde after World War II. They will share with you the Quakers' history in the Monteverde community and their contribution to the development of this region.

After breakfast, return to Santa Elena Reserve, where you will have the opportunity to meet the local students. This is the perfect time to share with them all you have learned about the cloud forest and Monteverde community. Have lunch at a local restaurant and then visit Life Monteverde Farm. Here you will learn about coffee, sustainability, organic gardens, compost, and the role of the farm animals. Discuss the agricultural research they are conducting and its implications. The farm is part of the Monteverde Community Fund and a portion of all their sales fund local community projects. This evening, attend a lecture on climate change.

After breakfast, transfer approximately three hours to Lomas Barbudal Biological Reserve. Often referred to as the "insect park," Lomas Barbudal boasts an immense variety of insects; 240 species of bees have been recorded, along with 60 species of moths. The reserve protects interesting examples of dry tropical forest, along with patches of evergreen and riparian forests. Several species of endangered trees can also be found here, like mahogany and redwood, as well as the Panama redwood. Upon arrival, meet one of their representatives for an introduction to the site and volunteer work. Service work will be focused on reforestation with native plants, trail and sign maintenance, fence maintenance, and building resting areas along the trails and around the forest. Later this afternoon, transfer to Hacienda La Pacifica near the town of Cañas. Hacienda La Pacífica Hotel was founded in the 19th century by former president Bernardo Soto Alfaro and his wife Pacifica Fernández Guardia, who came to rest in the paradise between the Corobici and Tenorio rivers amid the area's lush flora and fauna.

This morning, return to Lomas del Barbudal Biological Reserve. Spend the day volunteering at the reserve. At the end of the day, return to the hotel and enjoy a farewell dinner.

Depart the hotel this morning with a boxed breakfast and travel to the Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia (an estimated 1.5-hour drive) for your flight home.