Costa Rica | Teen Camp with Hog Island Audubon

Upon arrival into the Miami Airport you will pick up your luggage and then meet Eva Lark and/ or Andrew Lentz, your trip leaders, at Baggage Claim Number 15 in the Central Terminal. From there, they will accompany you to the Days Inn Miami Airport. Should you have any issues locating them, you can reach them at the cell numbers listed on the contact list on page 3 of your field guide. Dinner together as a group.

Early flight to Costa Rica as a group. Depart for the Sarapiquí region and Selva Verde Lodge, with orientation en route. Make a stop at La Paz Waterfall Gardens, located in the cloud forest near Poás Volcano. More than two dozen hummingbird species have been recorded at the garden's feeders. Also observe one of the largest butterfly observatories in the world, bromeliad gardens, and striking waterfalls. Enjoy lunch on the premises. Check into Selva Verde Lodge and receive a warm welcome, learn about its history, and surroundings. This evening after dinner take a guided walk around the lodge in search of nocturnal creatures including frogs, bats, kinkajous and hundreds of species of insects.

After breakfast take a guided hike in the private rainforest reserve of Selva Verde. This large tract of primary and secondary premontane wet forest is teeming with species such as the Great Tinamou, Gartered Trogon, Keel-billed Toucan, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, and Red-lored Parrot. Study the forest as the guide discusses the complex details of the ecosystem and how life in the rainforest thrives. This afternoon depart for the town of Puerto Viejo and board a river boat for a cruise on the Sarapiquí River. This fairly large tropical river is bordered by tropical riparian forest. We will have a chance to see a variety of reptiles, mammals, and many bird species such as Tiger Herons, Olivaceous Cormorants, Anhingas, Ringed and Amazonian Kingfishers. Evening lecture on the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor.

Early departure for the Organization for Tropical Studies La Selva Biological Station (OTS), one of the world's leading institutions in tropical education and research. Receive a talk by a researcher at OTS and then hike along the trails in search of 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 the lodge for lunch. This afternoon participate in a reforestation project at a nearby farm. Planting native tree species allows the local people to benefit from rainforest conservation through sustainable wood production and habitat protection for wildlife, including the critically endangered Great Green Macaw. Travel to Tirimbina this evening to learn about the fascinating lives of bats.

Depart Selva Verde and head to Arenal. Make stops for birding along the way at various interesting locations, as well as lunch. Continue on to the picturesque town of La Fortuna, situated in the shadow of Arenal Volcano.

This morning explore the area surrounding Arenal Road and Lake Arenal, near Mirador Road. Return to the lodge for a short walk around the grounds before lunch. In the afternoon, explore Bogarin Nature Reserve in La Fortuna to spot Russet-naped Wood-Rails, White-throated Crakes, and Uniform Crake.

Early departure for the airport for the flight home. Holbrook can assist with round trip flights to Miami.