Road Scholar in Costa Rica: Celebrating 50 Years of Adventures

Activity note: Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).

Afternoon: After checking in at the hotel and getting your room, take some time to freshen up and relax before our Orientation session. Orientation: 6:00 p.m. We will be split into smaller groups corresponding to individual program themes (selected at time of enrollment). Theme 1: Slower Pace Natural History: Activity Level- Easy Going Theme 2: Birding: Activity Level- No Sweat Theme 3: Natural History: Activity Level- Keep the Pace Theme 4: Outdoor Adventure: Activity Level - Outdoor: Spirited. The Group Leaders will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Meals on our program feature local cuisine. Travel and transfers will be via air-conditioned bus unless specified otherwise. The bus does not have a restroom on board; however, there will be stops at least every two hours for program activities, meals, and/or basic pit stops to break up longer travel times. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare luggage for a morning check out.

Activity note: Getting in/out of a bus; driving about 60 miles to approximately 2 hours riding time. Theme 2: walking about 1 mile, approximately 1.5 hours; mostly flat terrain, intermittent standing. Theme 3: walking on mostly flat garden paths. Theme 4: walking up to 2 miles on undulating paths with some inclines.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will be joined at the hotel by a local expert who will give us an overview of Costa Rica. Then we will check out of the hotel and split into smaller groups corresponding to individual program themes (selected at time of enrollment). Theme 1: Slower Pace Natural History Theme 2: Birding Theme 3: Natural History Theme 4: Outdoor Adventure Theme 1: After check out we’ll accompany our Group Leader on a short walk to the Gold Museum to learn about its stunning collection of Pre-Columbian gold artifacts. The total weight of the 2,000-piece collection is more than 20,000 troy ounces, making it one of the richest spots in the nation. At the end of our field trip we will board a bus and begin our transfer to Sarapiqui Theme 2: Once our gear is loaded onto the bus, we'll take our seats and begin the transfer to Sarapiqui. Before reaching the lodge, we will stop to do some birding at Copearte. The garden was designed to maximize opportunities for birding and photography and features ponds that attract aquatic species as well as blinds from which we can observe birds. Theme 3: Board the Road Scholar bus and begin the transfer to Sarapiqui in the Caribbean Lowlands. We will make an en route stop at a coffee estate and accompany an expert on an interactive walk through the farm to see how their coffee is grown, harvested, and processed for consumption. We’ll learn from a “cupper” — a professional coffee taster — the proper way to taste coffee in order to identify the quality of the brew br>Theme 4: We'll hop aboard the bus and ride to the famous Poás Volcano National Park in preparation for a hike on park trails led by our Group Leader. Fumaroles, geysers, lava formations and a steaming, turquoise-colored, crater lake hint at the powerful geothermal forces at play in this area. At the end of our field trip we will return to the bus and transfer to Sarapiqui.

Lunch: Theme 1: At a restaurant en route Theme 2: At Copearte. Theme 3: At the coffee estate Theme 4: At a restaurant en route.

Afternoon: We will check in at the lodge and receive room assignments. In the late afternoon we'll gather at the lodge's terrace for some social time among new Road Scholar friends; a complimentary drink will be provided at the bar.

Dinner: At the lodge.

Evening: Time at leisure. Get a good night's rest in preparation for early morning activities the following day.

Activity note: Theme 1: early morning birding at La Selva. Themes 2 & 4: early morning (pre-breakfast) birding on lodge grounds.

Breakfast: Theme 1: early, at La Selva Biological Station. Themes 2,3 & 4: at the lodge.

Morning: Theme 1: We'll embark on a relaxing boat ride on the Sarapiqui River to look for wildlife such as caimans, turtles, monkeys, and birds that frequent the river and its forested edges. Then we'll learn about the way of life in the port town of Puerto Viejo as we ride through its downtown area en route to a heart of palm farm. The mild and crunchy white vegetable, known locally as "palmito", is an important national export and is frequently used in Tico dishes. During our field trip we will learn from a farmhand about about the cultivation, harvesting, and processing of hearts of palm. Theme 2: Early this morning we will board the bus and ride to La Selva Biological Station in preparation for a full morning birding from trails within the 3,900-acre tropical wet forest reserve Theme 3: Our Group Leader will take us on an exploratory walk on rainforest trails in search of resident flora and fauna in the Selva Verde Rainforest Reserve. Theme 4: After hopping on the bus, we’ll ride to a nearby drop-off point to meet our rafting experts and listen to a safety orientation. Then we’ll grab our gear and set off on a refreshing white water rafting adventure on the Sarapiqui River.

Lunch: Theme 3: at a local restaurant. All other groups will eat at the lodge.

Afternoon: Theme 1: We will hop aboard the bus and return to the lodge for a chance to relax and enjoy lodge amenities before regrouping for our next activity Theme 2: After lunch, we will ride back to La Selva Biological Station to resume our birdwatching activities at the reserve Theme 3: We will ride the bus to a nearby farm for a lesson in the making of artisanal chocolate--from the cultivation and processing of cacao to its transformation into a beloved dessert Theme 4: We will participate in a community service project facilitated by the not-for-profit Sarapiqui Conservation Learning Center. All groups will return to Selva Verde in time to freshen-up and socialize before attending a pre-dinner lecture: The Mesoamerican Biological Corridor Initiative.

Dinner: At the lodge.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Themes 2 & 4: pre-breakfast birding on lodge grounds. Theme 2: rafting involves an upper body workout and the likelihood of getting wet; wear bathing suit and water shoes/sport sandals; apply sunscreen well before water activity. Class I & II rapids: easy/moderate conditions including waves, rocks, sand banks, and light riffles. River conditions monitored daily; activity can be cancelled/rescheduled if conditions aren’t optimal.

Breakfast: At the lodge.

Morning: Theme 1: We'll join our Group Leader on an interpretive walk through the lodge's gardens to learn about heliconias, bromeliads, orchids, ferns, and other tropical flora native to the region. During our walk we will also be on the lookout for colorful frogs, iguanas, toucans, hummingbirds, and many other interesting creatures that call this area home. Then we'll board the bus and ride to the home of a local resident to learn about day-to-day life in the area Theme 2: We will board the bus and ride about one hour to the Virgen del Socorro area--a hotspot for middle-elevation species--in preparation for birding along roads and forest Theme 3: We'll hop aboard the bus and ride to a nearby drop-off point in preparation for a river rafting adventure. Once we complete a safety orientation and get fitted with our gear, we will board rubber rafts manned by a rafting experts and begin our journey along the Sarapiqui River. Theme 4: Our Group Leader will lead us on a looping rainforest hike within the Selva Verde Rainforest Reserve so we can learn about the area's flora and fauna. One of the highlights of our walk will be the chance to see a centuries-old, giant almendro tree that towers over the forest (177 ft tall and 46 ft in circumference).

Lunch: Theme 1: at a restaurant en route. Themes 2,3 & 4: at the lodge.

Afternoon: Theme 1: After lunch we will return to the bus and ride to a nearby farm for a delicious introduction to the cacao plant, its fruit, and the making of chocolate Theme 2: We will board the bus at the lodge and ride through Puerto Viejo town on the way to the river dock. Once there, we will embark on a covered river boat Take part in a relaxing boat ride along the Sarapiqui River for a look at the wildlife that frequents the riverine vegetation, including caimans and water birds. Theme 3: After boarding the bus, we will ride to an organic pineapple farm to learn a bit about the environmental and economic impact of growing pineapples in Costa Rica. Once at the farm, we'll accompany a staff member on an informative exploration of the property to view all the stages of production (and learn how to pick the perfect pineapple!). Next time you buy a fresh pineapple at the grocery store or use the canned variety, take a peek at the label--chances are that your fruit came from Costa Rica! Theme 4: We will take a short bus ride into the community and stop at a local home to learn how to cook some typical "Tico" dishes. Free time to freshen up at the lodge before joining your fellow participants for social time on the veranda and then dinner.

Dinner: At the lodge.

Evening: Theme 1: At leisure Theme 2: We'll join our Group Leader on a nighttime walk on lodge grounds in search of nocturnal bird species Theme 3: After dinner, we will ride our bus to the Tirimbina Biological Reserve in order to participate in their nighttime bat program. A multimedia presentation and a demonstration on the use of snare nets by reserve staff will offer insights into local bat research. We will enjoy close up views of the bats that were captured this evening before they are released back into the wild. Theme 4: A nighttime walk with our Group Leader will reveal the myriad nocturnal critters that come out in the secondary forest as the sun goes down.

Activity note: Themes 1 & 3: early morning (pre-breakfast) birding on lodge grounds

Breakfast: At the lodge.

Morning: Theme 1: After boarding the bus, we will ride to an organic pineapple farm to learn a bit about the environmental and economic impact of growing pineapples in Costa Rica. Once at the farm, we'll accompany a staff member on an informative exploration of the property to view all the stages of production (and learn how to pick the perfect pineapple!). Next time you buy a fresh pineapple at the grocery store or use the canned variety, take a peek at the label--chances are that your fruit came from Costa Rica! Theme 2: Early this morning we will board the bus and ride to the Lapa Verde Wildlife Refuge for a full morning of birding on trails and from a wildlife tower. Theme 3: We will board the bus at the lodge and ride through Puerto Viejo town on the way to the river dock. Once there, we will embark on a covered river boat Take part in a relaxing boat ride along the Sarapiqui River for a look at the wildlife that frequents the riverine vegetation, including caimans and water birds. Then we'll return to the bus and ride to a local home to learn about daily life in the region Theme 4: A short bus ride from the lodge will deliver us to a drop-off point on the Puerto Viejo River. We'll take a moment to grab our gear, listen to a safety orientation, then board duckies (inflatable, sit on top kayaks) and begin our relaxing float along the river.

Lunch: Themes 1, 3 & 4: Return to the lodge for lunch. Theme 2: At a local home.

Afternoon: Theme 1: After lunch we'll ride to Dave and Dave's nature reserve for birding in their world-famous gardens. Viewing platforms, trails, feeders, and flowering plants offer ample opportunities for observing and photographing birds including hummingbirds, toucans, aracaris, and more. Theme 2: Our Group Leader will take us on an exploratory walk on rainforest trails in search of resident birds in the Selva Verde Rainforest Reserve Theme 3: We will hop aboard the bus and return to the lodge for a chance to relax and enjoy lodge amenities before regrouping for our next activity Theme 4: We will visit a local cacao plantation at Tirimbina Rainforest Center for an up-close look at local agricultural practices and the making of artisanal chocolate. Explore the center's nature reserve through walks along hanging bridges and forest trails. At the end of our activity we'll return to the lodge. Before dinner all themes will have the opportunity to socialize while practicing some Latin dance moves! We'll have some lessons with local people to learn three styles of Latin dance: Merengue, Salsa, and Cumbia. The dancers will demonstrate the different styles, then lead us through the dances step by step.

Dinner: At the lodge, we'll have a farewell dinner.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare luggage for check out and international travel.

Activity note: Getting in/out of a bus; driving about 50 miles, approximately 2.5 total riding time to the airport. Please take this into effect when booking your international flights; do not select a departure flight that leaves San José any earlier than 12:30 p.m. Hotel check out by 11:00 a.m. See your program’s "Getting There" details regarding transfers.

Breakfast: At the lodge (dependent on flight times).

Morning: There will be one, early morning transfer to San Jose's international airport included in the program cost for those interested. This concludes the program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!