Costa Rica | Tropical Biology Course

Upon arrival in San Jose you will be met at the airport and transferred to Selva Verde Lodge situated in the lush lowlands of north central Costa Rica on a large private tract of primary and secondary tropical rainforest. This evening receive an orientation to the area and Selva Verde in the Rainforest Classroom.

In the morning, take a guided hike in the Selva Verde Reserve. As you study the forest your guide will discuss the complex details of the ecosystem and how life in the rainforest thrives. In the afternoon, work on course projects in the Rainforest Classroom. Take a nocturnal hike around the lodge.

After breakfast work on course projects in the Rainforest Classroom. In the afternoon visit a local pineapple plantation to learn about farming and harvesting techniques. Discuss the importance of pineapples as a source of foreign exchange and the controversy surrounding the agricultural industry’s impact on the environment, including the resulting reforms and compromises.

This morning visit La Selva Biological Station for a special orientation about the current research taking place there (academic tour). This afternoon return to Selva Verde to work on course projects in Rainforest Classroom.

Morning will be spent working on course work in the Rainforest Classroom. In the afternoon visit Best Chocolate for an interactive origins of chocolate presentation.

After breakfast, travel to Monteverde with lunch and a stop to learn about coffee production at Don Juan Coffee Tour en route. After checking in, attend an orientation about the history and founding of the Monteverde Reserve before dinner at the lodge.

This morning, visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. This consistently cool and wet environment receives over three meters of rain annually and is home to an astounding variety of flora and fauna. 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. This afternoon, visit Curi-Cancha Reserve. The reserve sits at a slightly higher elevation than Monteverde, meaning you may encounter some different species.

This morning is at leisure to explore the area before returning to San José.

Transfer to the airport for flight home.