Just got back from the Natural Wonders tour of Costa Rica. Wonderful country with a very high biodiversity per square mile ... Ie you'll see a lot! Roger our guide and Frank our bus driver were both very professional with great senses of humour. We would highly recommend this trip, particularly if you are lucky enough to have Roger and Frank leading the tour.

Costa Rica is a small but exceptionally varied country and Road Scholar’s “Exploring Natural Wonders” gives a good overview focusing on geography and wildlife, making it a valuable alternative to a “beach trip.” The itinerary’s rewarding coast-to-coast locales, interesting lecturers and guided tours, plus the range of hotels and good food, make this two-week tour highly recommended. Our guide Carlos Jimenez did an outstanding job, particularly in pointing out all the critters on the trails and rivers with the use of radio sets, and driver Alvaro Montero was a friendly partner. As with all Road Scholar trips, fellow travelers were all very companionable.

In Costa Rica, I loved waking up to the howler monkeys howling, and howling again before bedtime ! The white-faced capuchin monkeys stealing the food of our plates, and our delight in finally seeing a pair of colorful macaws. We saw just about every bird our guide told us we would see...he knew his birds, their calls, and their hang-outs. Exciting and educational trip !

I just returned and can highly recommend this Costa Rica program. The nature activities were balanced - seeing birds, mammals, flowers, trees, insects, etc. The lectures provided a framework for what we were seeing - the inter-dependency of geography, history, and economic influences. It is an active trip - not particularly physically demanding - but a full day starting early in the morning. Our guide Ignacio was excellent.

This was a great program which would be enjoyed by almost anyone interested in the outdoors, especially birding and flowering plants. The history of Costa Rica as it relates to current conservation efforts was especially interesting. Any moderately active senior would have no trouble; an 88 year old participant enjoyed himself. No problems with insects or illness(for most), food and acomodations generally excellent. Guide was superb.

I loved it! I saw Quetzales and Scarlet Macaws, crocodiles, Storks and Spoonbills. I awakened to Howler Monkeys. I went zipling and white water rafting. The food was fabulous. The people were wonderful.

This trip was the fulfillment of a 20 year dream. Costa Rica is a natural wonder, and this trip gave a wide sampling. Yes, long bus rides are not fun, but I found looking out the windows fascinating. Stops were well planned. I particularly enjoyed the eco-lodges in Tortuguero and Selva Verde. Rooms were basic with only screens in the windows and ceiling fans but quite comfortable. The "fancier" lodgings were more predicable. Food was basic, good and plentiful. Yes, you will eat a lot of rice and beans (which I love). Our guide, Rodger, was fantastic with an encyclopedic knowledge of flora and fauna which he loved to share. I was most surprised by the other participants. They were all engaging and interesting people who made the trip even more special. If you have an opportunity, take this trip!

This was my first visit to Costa Rica. I had been dreaming of visiting for many years. It fulfilled my dreams and beyond. The scenery, birds, and tropical vegetation were breath taking.