Costa Rica | Rhythms of Nature: Coastal Conservation and Tropical Forest Ecology

Upon arrival at Juan Santa Maria International Airport you will be met by a representative for transfer to the hotel. In order to arrive in time for orientation, participants should book flights that arrive in San José no later than 4:30 pm. Hotel check-in available at 3:00 pm. This evening attend dinner with program orientation to follow.

Early this morning travel by bus to La Pavona dock, with breakfast en route, then you will board a private boat for the water transfer to the lodge. 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, three-toed sloths, wading birds, manatees, and caiman. 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, relax with a cocktail and lunch. This afternoon visit the Sea Turtle Conservancy museum to learn about sea turtle conservation. Spend the afternoon exploring the tiny town of Tortuguero. Dinner at the lodge followed by an evening turtle walk along the beach in search of nesting females. PLEASE NOTE: Lodges in Tortuguero do not have air conditioning. Rooms are equipped with ceiling fans, and have screened windows to enhance air flow.

This morning have breakfast at the lodge and then experience the flora and fauna of the Tortuguero National Park while boating through the waterways of Tortuguero. The extensive network of freshwater creeks and lagoons in Tortuguero are home to seven species of river turtles, spectacled caimans, southern river otters, many crustaceans, and more than 50 species of freshwater fish. You may also see spider, howler and white-faced capuchin monkeys, several different species of birds, three-toed sloths, and crocodiles. If lucky, you might spot an endangered West Indian manatee. Return to the lodge for lunch. This afternoon, set out on an interpretive hike along the lodge's trails to explore the mysterious jungle of Tortuguero. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. Dinner at the lodge. Evening turtle walk.

This morning transfer to Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve, first by boat and then by bus with lunch en route. Located in the lush lowlands of north central Costa Rica, Selva Verde comprises an Eco lodge and a private tract of primary and secondary tropical rainforest. Look for tropical birds and wildlife among the dense vegetation. Protecting 500 acres of rainforest, Selva Verde offers many trails, and lookout points. You'll have the chance to see species such as the Keel-billed Toucan, Great Green Macaw, White-winged Becard, Sunbittern, Red throated Ant-Tanager, and White-collared Manakin. After checking in, take a guided hike in the primary forest reserve to the 700 year old Almond Tree. Dinner at the lodge.

After breakfast, depart for the Organization for Tropical Studies La Selva Biological Station, one of the world's leading institutions in tropical education and research. La Selva was originally established in 1954 by Dr. Leslie Holdridge as a farm dedicated to experimentation on mixed plantations for the improvement of natural resources management. It was purchased in 1968 by the Organization for Tropical Studies and declared a private biological reserve and station. Since then, it has become one of the most important sites in the world for research on tropical rainforest. Over 240 scientific papers are published yearly from research conducted at the site. Be on the lookout for the Coati, Collared peccary, Mantled howler monkey, agouti, three-toed sloth, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Crested Guan, Great Tinamou, Pied Puffbird and Spectacled Owl. Return to Selva Verde for lunch. This afternoon go on an optional exciting whitewater rafting adventure! The river has a gentle current with several minor class I, II, and III rapids. A professional river guide escorts all rafting trips and all of the necessary safety equipment (helmet, life jackets, etc.) is provided, along with a lesson on rafting safety instructions and procedures. For those not interested in rafting, a boat trip along the river can be arranged as an alternative. Dinner at the lodge. After dinner, you may choose to continue your exploration with an evening night walk with your guide.

This morning, optional early birding around the lodge grounds, then after breakfast depart Selva Verde and continue to La Fortuna, with some time to stroll around town and then enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. Continue on to Arenal Observatory Lodge, check in and enjoy some time to relax or explore the many trails on the property. Weather permitting; the hotel affords excellent views of the immense volcano from every room. Dinner this evening is in the dining room. After dinner hear a talk by Costa Rican biologist, Willy Pineda.

This morning visit Arenal Vida Campesina to learn about agricultural practices in the region, like growing vegetables and dairy farming. While there, visit a sugar cane mill for a lesson in traditional methods of sugar cane processing. Before lunch, wake up your inner chef (and your appetite) by joining in a tortilla-making activity where you will learn how to make tortillas from scratch and cook them on a wood stove. Next, explore the rainforest at Arenal's Mistico Park Hanging Bridges. The site consists of 15 bridges ranging from 16 to 330 feet long, offering a unique view of the forest canopy from below and above. Six of the 15 bridges are suspended in the upper canopy of this mature forest trail system. The elevation is approximately 1,900 feet. The trail system straddles different types of ecosystems, forming a transitional vegetation strip with high biodiversity where both highland and lowland species occur. For those who would like to visit Ecotermales Fortuna to spend some time relaxing in their thermal pools, this can be booked at an additional cost. Transfer will be arranged from Mistico Park to Ecotermales at 4:30 pm for access to the springs from 5 to 9 pm. Dinner will be included at 7 pm with transfer back to your lodge at 9 pm. Other participants not wanting to visit Ecotermales will return to the lodge and enjoy dinner at the hotel.

Early morning hike in Arenal Volcano National Park. Return to the hotel for check-out. Depart for San Jose having lunch en route. This evening attend a farewell dinner at Hotel Bougainvillea.

This morning transfer to the airport for flights back to the U.S. Hotel check-out by noon.