Evening: Arrive in San José, Costa Rica.

Proceed through Immigrations, Baggage Claim and Customs before exiting the secured area of the airport. When leaving the restricted arrivals area of airport, please be sure to use the exit door on the right. The Road Scholar representative will be waiting just outside the exit door with a Road Scholar sign.

Transfer to your hotel.

Please note that this is an international travel day; no meals or program activities are scheduled on this day. Hotel check-in usually begins at 3PM.

Lodging: Casa Conde Apartotel & Suites

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Program Orientation.

Excursion to Doka Coffee Estate for a look at coffee production in Costa Rica.

Doka Estate coffee is one of Costa Rica's highest quality coffees. The Doka Coffee Estate is located on the fertile slopes of the Alajuela Poas Volcano, the rich soil and the ideal altitude and climate have made the Santa Eduviges farm famous because of it's excellent coffee.

Lunch: Lunch at local restaurant.

Afternoon: Field trip to INBio Parque. Guided walk through INBio's outdoor habitat model exhibits and collections. Site lecture: An Overview of the Ecosystems of Costa Rica and its Protected Areas.

The National Institute for Biodiversity (INBio Parque) provides a sensory experience combining interpretive nature trails with multimedia technology in its bio-exhibits. Visitors learn about Costa Rica's biodiversity and the efforts in conservation through establishment of protected areas. As example of sustainable use of biodiversity, visitors will learn about medicinal, aromatic and ornamental plants, fruit trees and agricultural products.

Lecture: Introduction to Costa Rica's History.

Dinner: Dinner at hotel.

Lodging: Casa Conde Apartotel & Suites

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at local restaurant.


Morning: Transfer to dock and board river boat to Tortuguero.

Tortuguero is located on the Caribbean coast, south of Nicaragua, and fifty miles north of Limon. The Tortuguero National Park embodies Caribbean beaches, with a surprising array of plant associations, including swamp forest, lowland rainforest and a picturesque network of natural waterways. Tortuguero gets its name from the large sea turtles that come ashore yearly to nest on the beach. From late June through October, the 27 mile-long black sand beach welcomes thousands of Green Sea Turtles who come onto land to lay eggs. Every year, under the watchful eyes of park guides, visitors enjoy nighttime walks on Tortuguero’s beach in the hopes of seeing turtles (seasonal). Although these gentle giants are a big tourist draw to the area, the national park has much more to offer than just sea turtles. Navigating through the river and canals of Tortuguero reveals an incredible diversity of plant and animal life including more than 100 reptiles, 60 mammal species, and hundreds of bird species.

Arrive at the lodge and check-in.


Lunch: Lunch at lodge.


Afternoon: Excursion to local village.

Visit to Sea Turtle Conservancy (formerly Caribbean Conservation Corporation) field station for video/slide show presentation.

Return to the lodge.


Dinner: Dinner at lodge.


Evening: Lecture: History and Overview of Tortuguero.

Lodging: Pachira Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at lodge.


Morning: Early morning canal safari in Tortuguero National Park.

Tortuguero National Park is located in one of the rainiest regions of Costa Rica. It is also an area of incredible biological diversity, with at least eleven identified habitats. A scenic natural channel and navigable river mouths form the park from the southwest to the northeast. These river ways and swamps are the habitat of species of land tortoises, which can be seen sunning themselves on drifting logs or in the floating islands formed by vegetation. The canals also provide shelter to a variety of species in danger of extinction and are excellent locations to observe the different species of aquatic birds.

Guided hike along secondary forest trails. Group leader site lecture: The Migratory Birds of Tortuguero.

Return to the lodge.


Lunch: Lunch at lodge.


Afternoon: Afternoon at leisure.

Late afternoon boat safari along Tortuguero's many canals.
Return to the lodge.


Dinner: Dinner at lodge.


Evening: Short guided walk around the lodge grounds.

Lodging: Pachira Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sarapiqui -
Boat and Bus Transfer from Tortuguero to Sarapiqui/Rainforest Hike.

Breakfast: Breakfast at lodge.


Morning: Boat and land transfer to Sarapiqui, in Costa Rica's Caribbean lowlands.

Sarapiquí is one of the richest sites for birds in Middle America with well over 400 species recorded. Nearby, the La Selva Protection Zone and the Braulio Carrillo National Park form the only significant corridor of forest on the Caribbean slope linking the highlands with the lowlands - a corridor crucial to birds and animals that undertake seasonal altitudinal migrations.

Arrive at the lodge.


Lunch: Lunch at lodge.


Afternoon: This afternoon, enjoy a guided rainforest hike in the lodge's private reserve.

Lecture: The Mesoamerican Biological Corridor.


Dinner: Dinner at lodge.

Lodging: Selva Verde Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at lodge.


Morning: Visit to a local plantation to learn about agricultural practices in the region.
Return to the lodge.


Lunch: Lunch at lodge.


Afternoon: This afternoon, enjoy an exhilarating river rafting excursion.

Return to the lodge.
Snacks and music on the patio.


Dinner: Dinner at lodge.

Lodging: Selva Verde Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Early morning birding.

Breakfast at lodge.

Morning: Transfer to Arenal.

Arenal was once Costa Rica's most active volcano and a main draw to the town of La Fortuna and the Arenal Volcano National Park. The volcano lords over the countryside with its perfectly conical shape and occasional smoke and gas emissions. While minor activity excites visitors, they are rarely acknowledged by the locals who have learnt to accept the antics of the volcano as part of their daily lives. The thermal waters emanating from the volcano, the clean air and the energy associated with Arenal, makes this a favorite destination for health spa enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Arrive in Fortuna Town.


Lunch: Lunch at local restaurant.


Afternoon: This afternoon there is a field trip to Arenal National Park. Walk along Las Coladas trail to observe up close views of the volcano and also witness the regeneration process of the vegetation that was once affected by past volcanic activity. There are also privileged views of the Arenal Lake and the surrounding areas during the walk.

The National Park is situated right in the vicinity of Arenal Volcano. Although clouds often obscure the peak of the volcano, during clear days it is possible to see gases and steam rising from the cone. It is interesting to see how the periodic lava flows have contributed to the erratic growth of vegetation in the areas around the volcano

Arrive at the hotel and check-in.

Pre-dinner lecture. Lecture: Volcanology.


Dinner: Dinner at hotel.

Lodging: Arenal Manoa Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Early morning birding.

Breakfast at hotel.


Morning: Field trip to Arenal Hanging Bridges.

This private nature reserve in La Fortuna de San Carlos features a network of standing bridges, hanging bridges, and trails that crisscross 250 hectares of tropical rainforest. The park’s mission is to provide natural history education in a responsible and sustainable way. Visitors are able to view the rainforest from different angles and heights, from ground level to canopy level, learning firsthand about this fascinating and biologically diverse environment.


Lunch: Lunch at local restaurant.


Afternoon: Return to the hotel.

Afternoon at leisure to explore La Fortuna town, sample local hot springs or simply enjoy your hotel's amenities.


Dinner: Dinner at hotel.

Lodging: Arenal Manoa Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Punta Leona/Pacific Coast –
Crocodile Safari on Tárcoles River.

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Begin transfer to Punta Leona, on the Pacific Coast.

Crocodile Safari boat ride on the Tarcoles River.

The Tárcoles River Basin is one of the most important in the Pacific coastal region, virtually draining the entire western side of the Central Valley. Tárcoles hosts an amazing diversity of wildlife along its banks and in the extensive mangrove ecosystem. Perhaps the most famous of all the river's inhabitants are its enormous crocodiles. These crocodiles have been studied by numerous local and foreign specialists and featured in TV specials, including several of National Geographic Bray Barr's Wild Reptiles.



Lunch: Lunch en-route.

Afternoon: Arrive in Punta Leona and check-in at the hotel.

Punta Leona is located on the Central Pacific Coast; less than 2 hours by car from San José. The area has become a popular vacation spot with Costa Rican families. With white sand beaches on one side and tropical rainforest on the other, there are many options for both the adventure lover and those looking for a little rest and relaxation. Punta Leona is just a short distance from the important Carara National Park.

Enjoy a guided orientation to Punta Leona, followed by a lecture.
Lecture: Conservation and Development of the Central Pacific Area.


Dinner: Dinner at hotel.

Lodging: Hotel Punta Leona

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Punta Leona/Pacific Coast -
Carara National Park/Afternoon at the Beach.

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Field trip to Carara National Park.

Carara, 60 miles southwest of San José, lies at the northern limit of the Pacific lowland rainforest and the southern limit of the dry, deciduous forest. Its unique location within a transition zone means that plant and animal species from both habitats coexist in the reserve. In addition to conserving primary and secondary growth forests, Carara National Park also protects the Rio Grande de Tarcoles river basin and its rich wildlife. The park is a favored birding destination, with more than 350 recorded bird species including a sizeable population of endangered Scarlet Macaws.

Return to the hotel.


Lunch: Lunch at hotel.


Afternoon: Time at leisure to enjoy the beaches, pools and other amenities at your hotel.


Dinner: Dinner at hotel.

Lodging: Hotel Punta Leona

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.


Morning: Field trip to Hacienda Baru. Guided walk on small loop trail and lecture. Lecture: An Overview of Baru's Reforestation Project.

Hacienda Baru National Wildlife Refuge is situated on Costa Rica’s Southern Pacific Coast. This is a region of distinct natural beauty, where forest covered mountains rise up from the dramatic Pacific coastline. Hacienda Baru’s 815 acres have a fantastic variety of habitats, from wetland and secondary forest in the lowlands to primary forest on the highland costal ridge.


Lunch: Lunch en route.


Afternoon: Transfer to San Gerardo de Dota.

Arrive at the lodge and check-in.

Time at leisure.

Walk around the cloud forest grounds of the hotel.

Lecture: The History of the San Gerardo Valley.

The few families that inhabit the valley are mostly dedicated to the production of trout, apples and peaches, which grow well in the cool, moist elevations of the Talamanca Range. Pioneers in many aspects, the Chacon family was the first to settle in this area. They built the first hotel (Cabinas Chacon, now named Savegre Lodge) and the first to set out to conserve the magnificent high elevation and oak forests that covered the entire valley. The patriarch of the family don Efrain Chacon, has transmitted his love for this land to his children and grandchildren. They now share his passion and devotion for the preservation of the pristine forests.


Dinner: Dinner at lodge.

Lodging: Savegre Hotel Nature Reserve & Spa (formerly Savegre Mountain Hotel)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at lodge.


Morning: Nature walk in the Savegre Forest, adjacent to Los Quetzales National Park.
Site lecture: The Life History of the Resplendent Quetzal.

Los Quetzales National Park, situated in the Talamanca Mountans of Costa Rica, was created in July of 2005 and protects an area of approximately 12,000 acres. The scenic park encompasses rugged mountains, mist-covered forests, rivers, glacial lakes and a variety of ecosystems. The Resplendent Quetzal, a colorful bird much revered by the Maya and Aztec, can be seen all year feeding on the many aguacatillo trees growing throughout the park.



Lunch: Lunch at the lodge.


Afternoon: Transfer to San José via Cartago.

Cartago, Costa Rica’s former capital, is located approximately 15 miles east of San José in the shadows of the majestic Irazú Volcano. The city was originally founded in the mid 1500’s and is one of the country’s oldest settlements. The city’s Basilica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles is famous for its Black Madonna (La Negrita) who is credited for having miraculous healing powers. Every year pilgrims flock to the church for the feast day of the Virgin of the Angels in order to pray for their health or to offer thanks for past miracles.

Arrive in San José and check-in at the hotel.


Dinner: Farewell dinner at hotel.

Lodging: Wyndham San José Herradura Hotel & Convention Center (previously a Ramada property)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel (depending on flight departure time).


Morning: Transfer to the airport for flight to the U.S.

Note: Participants with independent travel arrangements and/or scheduled on later flights can keep their hotel rooms until check-out time on this day. Except for breakfast, all other meals are on your own on this day.


Meals Included: Breakfast