Costa Rica

The Best of Costa Rica: Exploring Natural Wonders

Program No. 11586RJ
With more than 5% of the world’s biodiversity, 121 volcanic formations, 801 miles of coastline and hundreds of endemic birds, Costa Rica is a true Mecca for nature lovers to explore.

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Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

At a Glance

Unhurried. Active. Environmentally aware. Lush. Protected. Biodiverse. Pura Vida — the Pure Life. Costa Rica’s pervading cultural ideology unites with its natural delights to create a unique national character, in which 25 percent of the land is preserved by law and there is no standing military. This invigorating program explores the essential nature of this Central American nation, from its pristine beaches and verdant forests to its rural villages and historic capital.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to 1.5 hours a day over uneven trails in hot and humid conditions. Includes a number of bus transfers; no bathroom on bus but bus stops every 1.5-2 hours. Elevations up to 4,000 feet.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • Learn from naturalists about the unique features of the rain forest, wetlands and transition zones.
  • Participate in cultural activities in rural communities.
  • Admire the misty beauty and unique characteristics of a cloud forest during a trail hike and expert presentation.

General Notes

This Road Scholar program offers participants the chance to explore a number of Costa Rica’s iconic ecosystems within a relatively short period of time. Although bus travel is a necessity, it is also an opportunity to see and experience the country up close. En-route program activities help to break up lengthier bus transfers and provide rewarding educational experiences. Local road conditions, weather, two-lane highways, winding roads, traffic and elevation are bigger factors in determining the length of travel than actual distance. This program offers Micro Group options--with 12 or fewer participants--on some departures. Please refer to program date notes.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
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Pedro Bosques
Pedro Bosques is a veteran Road Scholar instructor and group leader, with approximately 20 years of experience in hosting lifelong learners in Costa Rica. Although born in Puntarenas, on Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast, Pedro grew up in San José. His interest in conservation blossomed when he began working at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve as a field assistant. During this time he colaborated with researchers and biologists in projects including the study of the behavior and migration of the Three-wattled Bellbird and reforestation of the biological corridor in the Monteverde region. Pedro is a certified naturalist leader who enjoys sharing his knowledge with travelers from around the world. He looks forward to hosting you in this program and enhancing your journey in his beautiful country.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Pedro Bosques
Pedro Bosques View biography
Pedro Bosques is a veteran Road Scholar instructor and group leader, with approximately 20 years of experience in hosting lifelong learners in Costa Rica. Although born in Puntarenas, on Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast, Pedro grew up in San José. His interest in conservation blossomed when he began working at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve as a field assistant. During this time he colaborated with researchers and biologists in projects including the study of the behavior and migration of the Three-wattled Bellbird and reforestation of the biological corridor in the Monteverde region. Pedro is a certified naturalist leader who enjoys sharing his knowledge with travelers from around the world. He looks forward to hosting you in this program and enhancing your journey in his beautiful country.
Profile Image of Erick Guzman
Erick Guzman View biography
Costa Rica’s tropical rainforest with its glorious biodiversity was the childhood playground of Erick Guzman, who grew up in the country’s Caribbean lowlands. He enjoyed accompanying travelers on boat excursions during his post-high school years, assisting his father, and went on to work in the field of adventure travel, leading rafting, kayaking, horseback riding and hiking trips. Erick then worked at the La Selva field station of the Organization for Tropical Studies, interacting with scientists and deepening his knowledge of Costa Rica’s natural habitats.
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William Suarez View biography
While working for the logging industry in Honduras and seeing its negative impact on the environment, William Suarez became interested in conservation. He returned to his native Costa Rica and received training to serve as a leader for groups interested in learning about the country’s flora and fauna. Today, he specializes in the natural history and birds of Costa Rica. William is also a writer who has had three books published, as well as an outdoorsman who enjoys mountain biking, hiking and fishing.
Profile Image of Lizeth Alfaro
Lizeth Alfaro View biography
Lizeth Alfaro is a Costa Rican naturalist expedition leader, flower therapist, and bee keeper. She earned her qualifications in sustainable tourism and became a national guide by the time she turned 18. Growing up among the rich biodiversity of the northern Caribbean lowlands gave her an early appreciation for nature and awareness of local conservation efforts. In her free time, Lizeth enjoys bee keeping, painting, and herbology.
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José Miguel Calvo View biography
José Miguel Calvo is a licensed Costa Rican naturalist expedition leader, fluent in English and his native Spanish. He grew up just outside Turrialba, in an area known for its scenic hills, rivers, and farmlands. After giving farm work a try, he realized his passion for nature and conservation would be better suited to a career in ecological exploration. In addition to being certified as a naturalist and general expedition leader, José Miguel is also trained in canyoning, zip lining, and river rafting.
Profile Image of Deynor Alfaro
Deynor Alfaro View biography
Deynor Alfaro is a licensed Costa Rican naturalist group leader. His love of nature and the outdoors took root while growing up on a cattle farm in Puntarenas province. When time came to consider college and career choices, he set his sights on becoming a naturalist. Deynor went on to earn a degree in ecotourism from the Universidad Técnica Nacional in Puntarenas city. Some of his favorite pastimes include hiking, birding, horseback riding, and playing soccer with friends.
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Andrew Newcomb View biography
Andrew “Yito” Newcomb grew up just outside San José, Costa Rica. The child of a U.S. Merchant Marine and a Costa Rican housewife, he looked forward to the months when his father came home on leave. Andrew joined the U.S. Air Force after high school, served during Operation Desert Storm, and earned his associate degree from Jamestown Community College in Jamestown, New York. Once back in Costa Rica, he returned to college and became a licensed expedition leader as well as a qualified chef.
Profile Image of Esteban Rojas
Esteban Rojas View biography
Esteban Rojas became a certified naturalist expedition leader in 2001, after completing his bachelor’s degree in ecological tourism. In addition to his role as a naturalist leader, he has spent a decade working on sea turtle conservation projects along the Pacific coast. Esteban’s growing interest in nature conservation led him to eventually pursue a master’s in natural resource management. Some of his favorite pastimes are bird watching, mountain biking, and traveling. Esteban and his wife welcomed a daughter, Eva, in 2020.
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Edwin Duarte View biography
Edwin Duarte’s childhood in dry forests of Guanacaste honed his observational skills. Birds and native plants were an early obsession. Edwin completed university degrees in agro/eco-tourism and education, and is a certified naturalist. His first foray into group leading was active adventure, including zip-lining, rappelling, kayaking, and white water rafting. Edwin now lives at the base of a volcano. He is a gifted, multifaceted individual who lives to grow and share, learning more about the world as he teaches others.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.





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