Costa Rica | Wildlife, Culture, Food: Sustainable Tourism Experiential Learning Tour in Costa Rica

Upon arrival in San José, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your Hotel Bougainvillea located in the Santo Domingo area. The hotel is surrounded by 10 acres of tropical gardens and features beautiful nighttime views of the city. Attend an orientation with your group leader at 6:00 pm. Please note that check-in starts at 3:00 pm. Dinner on own tonight.

Early this morning travel by bus to La Pavona dock, with breakfast en route. Then, board a private boat for the water transfer to Pachira 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, crocodiles, three-toed sloths, wading birds, manatees, and caimans. 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. Meet with a Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC) research biologist at the John H. Phipps Biological Field Station for a presentation about sea turtles. Spend the afternoon exploring the tiny town of Tortuguero. Have dinner at the lodge, then this evening take a beach walk to search for nesting sea turtles on the beach.

This morning, have breakfast at the lodge and then experience the flora and fauna of Tortuguero National Park while boating through its waterways. The extensive network of freshwater creeks and lagoons is 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 surrounding forest. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. Dinner at the lodge. This evening, take a night walk around the lodge grounds to see nocturnal creatures like snakes, frogs, sloths, and tamanduas (a type of anteater). Later take another walk on the beach in search of nesting turtles.

This morning, depart for Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve, first by boat and then by bus. Located in the lush lowlands of north-central Costa Rica, Selva Verde is an eco-lodge and a private reserve with a 500-acre tract of primary and secondary tropical rainforest with many trails and lookout points. After lunch, take a guided hike in the primary forest reserve to the 700-year-old almond tree, which provides habitat for the endangered Great Green Macaw. Following dinner is this evening's featured presentation on the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor (MNC). Selva Verde is in the MBC, which is an international initiative that links critical habitats from southern Mexico 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 for many reasons, one of them being this area is the last remaining habitat for the endangered Great Green Macaw.

Early this morning receive an introduction to the amazing tropical birds of Selva Verde during a short hike with your guide around the grounds of the lodge. The avifauna of Selva Verde is abundant, and feeding stations have been set up around the lodge to facilitate observation and identification of the many species that frequent the area. Return to the lodge for breakfast, and then set out on a second nature hike through the reserve in search of new species. In the afternoon enjoy the thrill of zip lining through the rainforest. The adventure consists of 12 zip lines crisscrossing tropical rainforest, ornamental gardens, and the magnificent Rio Sarapiquí. Throughout your adventure, you will be accompanied by experienced guides, using specialized equipment of the highest quality. In the evening visit the Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center (SCLC) for a cooking class with community members. 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. By participating in programs with the SCLC, they use the income to support community programs.

Another early morning bird walk is available this morning. After breakfast visit Best Chocolate to learn about the natural and cultural history of chocolate. Experience the story of pre- and post-colonial chocolate in Costa Rica while sampling chocolate prepared on the spot in the traditional way. In the afternoon go white water rafting or take a boat ride on the Sarapiquí River. In the evening enjoy a fun Latin dance class with community members.

This morning depart for San Jose with a stop en route at Mi Cafecito coffee plantation. During the visit, learn about organic coffee production from the seed to the cup. Mi Cafecito is a project of Coopersarapiui RL, a non-profit organization that brings together 137 small producers (5% women) from the highlands of the Sarapiquí area. Its main objective is the commercialization and benefit of coffee production to its members. Upon arrival in San Jose, visit the Gold Museum. In the evening enjoy a farewell dinner.

Travel to the airport for the flight back to the US. Check-out is at 12 pm.