Costa Rica | Tropical Ecosystems: Exploring Biodiversity

Upon arrival in San José, after clearing immigration and customs, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Join your guide before dinner for a welcome orientation followed by dinner this evening at the hotel.

Depart San Jose for Sarapiqui stopping at stop at Toucan Rescue Ranch en route. TRR is home to rescued birds and animals such as toucans, a variety of parrots, macaws, owls, two toed and three toed sloths, and kinkajous. This is a unique opportunity to see conservation and rehabilitation of rainforest animals up close and personal. Stop for lunch en route before arriving at Selva Verde Lodge. After checking in embark on a boat ride down the Río Sarapiquí. As you wind down the river, which is bordered with forests and cultivated fields, watch for aquatic animals, birds, and reptiles in their natural habitat. You can also see residents going about their daily lives and witness the impact of local banana plantations on this watershed. Return to Selva Verde for dinner. After dinner, enjoy a guided walk around the lodge in search of nocturnal creatures.

Early this morning, join your guide for a birding hike to view some of the 300-plus species found in the area. Some popular species you may see include the Great Tinamou, Gartered Trogon, Keel-billed Toucan, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, and Red-lored Parrot, so be sure to bring binoculars! Following breakfast, set out on a hike through the 500-acre reserve to discover the rich and diverse examples of flora and fauna. As you study the forest, your guide will discuss the complex details of the ecosystem and how life in the rainforest thrives. Selva Verde Lodge's reserve is located on a large, private tract of primary and secondary premontane wet forest in the lush lowlands. Life in a rainforest is stratified in three distinct horizontal layers. The upper canopy is a little-known world of beauty and biological diversity. The middle tier is filled with small trees, lianas, and epiphytes. The ground surface layer is littered with branches, twigs, and undergrowth. Contrary to popular thought, ground cover is thick only where sunlight penetrates sufficiently. After lunch, enjoy an exciting whitewater rafting trip on the Río Sarapiquí. 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. Enjoy a dip in the river along the way along with some fresh fruit before returning to the lodge.

After breakfast, transfer to nearby Tirimbina Biological Reserve to learn about the natural and cultural history of chocolate. Hike across a suspended bridge to a plot of land formerly used for growing cacao, and watch a demonstration showing how the fruit is converted into chocolate. Learn about the crop's role in the pre and post-colonial Americas while sampling chocolate prepared on the spot using traditional methods. Transfer to La Fortuna for lunch. This afternoon, hike along a treetop suspended bridge system at Arenal 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. This evening, enjoy the thermal springs at the hotel.

This morning, take a hike in Arenal National Park. As you walk around the base of the volcano your guide will discuss geology as you walk over volcanic rocks and also point out flora and fauna. After lunch, enjoy ziplining at Arenal Sky Trek. The adventure starts with a ride in an open air gondola to the top of the mountain. Along the way you will be able to enjoy beautiful views of the forest at different levels. Once at the top, you will zipline your way back down. The cables stretch from mountain to mountain (7 total) with the longest being 2,460 feet in length. This evening, learn about bats.

Morning birding around Arenal then transfer to San Jose with lunch en route. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner at the hotel.

Depart for the airport for your flight home.