Costa Rica | Ecotourism and Sustainability

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.

Today, visit Montaña Sagrada Nature Reserve. This Reserve is located at the foot of Juan Castro Blanco National Park. The reserve is owned and managed by Coopelesca, a Rural Electrification Cooperative of the North Zone, that thanks to the supportive contribution of its associates are able to purchase land located near Juan Castro Blanco National Park with the main objective of preserve its territory and to protect the water reservoirs for the region of San Carlos. Since 2012, Coopelesca Associates have invested ? 200 per month in their electricity bill for the protection of the Juan Castro Blanco National Water Park. 1,136 have been purchased to protect the important water resource that is born in this Sacred Mountain and the preservation of the flora and fauna. Montaña Sagrada Nature Reserve is a non profit project constituted to reinvest in conservation. Coopelesca partners with APANAJUCA, a non governmental, conservationist, rural, non political and non profit organization, so the tourists can visit the Reserve, Following lunch, students will check into Albergue Pozo Azul Lodge, a family-owned and operated property on a working farm. Students will hear from the family owner, Douglas Vargas, about the evolution of lodge/restaurant on the land as an ecotourism property. Following the talk, students will hike the 1.5 mile trail attached to the property with the guide to discuss cloud forest ecotourism. Dinner and breakfast the next day will be served utilizing the food produced on the farm.

Following breakfast at Albergue Pozo Azul Lodge, the group will depart for LaFortuna. Students will visit the LaFortuna Waterfall and learn for the manager of the Integral Development Association of LaFortuna, how the money raised from the attraction benefits local schools and other public projects. Students will visit the downtown area and then spend a few hours at the Ecotermales Hot Springs to have lunch. After this adventure, the group will head to Selva Verde Lodge and Rainforest Reserve, located in the lush lowlands of northeastern Costa Rica in time for dinner. The group will have a tour of the property upon arrival. After dinner, take a night walk to discover nocturnal creatures such red eyed tree frogs and many species of insects.

After breakfast students will attend a presentation on the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor (MBC). Selva Verde is 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 is the habitat for the endangered Great Green Macaw. Students will then take a hike in Selva Verde's private reserve that consists of 500 acres of primary forest. The reserve and the surrounding forests habitats 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. After lunch meet with students will visit the nearby Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center (SCLC) for a charla presentation on local culture by the director, Francini González Hidalgo will discuss the important role the SCLC plays in the community. 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. Students to spend afternoon with local farmers cooking and sustainable crops activities. After dinner, students can enjoy the pool or gather in the meeting room to play games or cards. BINGO with finding plants, reptiles and birds.

After breakfast at the lodge, students will spend the morning at Universidad Nacional (National University of Costa Rica), one of five public universities in Costa Rica. Adrian Carmona, Director of the Recreation and Tourism Department, will introduce students to the focus of their academic program, followed by a lecture from Dr. Willy Pineda, Professor of Biology and Ecotourism, about his research with sustainable ecotourism and wildlife. Students will then be paired with students from UN to discuss their perspectives on global issues around sustainability and tourism. The collaboration will end with a lunch and a short tour of the campus. In the afternoon, students will be preparing for their community service activity. Our students will invite community college/vocational school students and locals who have interest in becoming a tour guide or pursuing a career in tourism. This interaction will allow potential new professionals in tourism to practice English, solve customer service problems, explain the birds and other wildlife to students. Those who attend will receive a copy of the tour guide bird book, which is the essential resource for tour guides in region.

Early this morning enjoy an introduction to the amazing tropical birds of Selva Verde which includes over 300 species including Great Tinamou, Violaceous Trogon, Keel-billed Toucan, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, and Red-lored Parrot. After breakfast, students will head out for a rafting experience. Students will meet with the owner of a local water rafting company that utilizes the Sarapiqui River to share sustainable tours with visitors. Along the float, students may see sloths, monkeys, birds, and reptiles. In the afternoon, the group will visit Best Chocolate and the Reserva Curare and meet the owner of the reserve, Rodolfo Avarado. The tour starts in the 2-acre cacao plantation where you will learn all about the cacao plant, its flowers, and pollination. Next you will meet at the Cacao Rancho in the middle of the reserve to learn where chocolate comes from, starting with the fruit to the final product. After watching the processes from seed to cocoa powder you will get to sample fresh made chocolate. After the presentation, meet with the family that owns and runs Best Chocoloate to learn about their sustainable tourism model. The day will end with a cultural dance class taught by local community members.

This morning, bid farewell to Selva Verde and head to San José to visit Café Britt for a coffee and folkloric tour. Since 1991, more than 1 million tourists have visited the attraction. After lunch along the way, you will check into your San José hotel and have time to relax before attending a trip reflection session and a farewell dinner.

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.