Costa Rica
Costa Rica at a Slower Pace: Natural Wonders by Water & Land
Program No. 17988RJ
Enjoy the natural history, biodiversity and friendly attitude of Costa Rica in a non-strenuous way that allows you to learn the true meaning of “pura vida.”
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DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Aug 12 - Aug 22, 2024
Starting at
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11 days
10 nights
29 meals
10B 9L 10D
8
Transfer to Central Pacific Coast, Tárcoles River Field Trip
Central Pacific Coast
9
Playa Agujas Outrigger Activities, Carara National Park
Central Pacific Coast
At a Glance
Enjoy the natural history, biodiversity and friendly attitude of Costa Rica at a leisurely pace that allows you to learn the true meaning of “pura vida.” Discover the rainforest, Arenal Volcano and the Pacific coastline. Interact with Costa Ricans from campesinos (farmers) to small business owners and American expatriates. Experience Costa Rica by water on boat excursions exploring the Sarapiqui and Tarcoles rivers and an ocean canoe ride. This program has been specially designed to minimize walking and travel time and maximize opportunities to connect with your surroundings.
Activity Level
Easy Going
Walking up to a few blocks unassisted and climbing stairs. Activities take place near the hotels. Program not recommended for participants with walkers/rollators or wheelchairs due to limited storage space on the bus and lack of handicap accessible locations.
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
- Observe the Arenal Volcano from two prime vantage points and learn how scientists monitor its activity.
- Encounter the mighty crocodile and other creatures of the mangroves on a Tarcoles River boat excursion.
- Enjoy several opportunities for informal conversations with Costa Rican people.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Alex Ramirez
Raised since age 5 in Chilamate, Costa Rica, Alex Ramirez developed a passion for nature working at a local rainforest lodge and nature reserve, showing a special interest in the gardens, butterflies, birds and frogs. Fluent in English, Alex has conducted important research at INBIO, Costa Rica's Institute for Biodiversity and Conservation Research.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Alex Ramirez
View biography
Raised since age 5 in Chilamate, Costa Rica, Alex Ramirez developed a passion for nature working at a local rainforest lodge and nature reserve, showing a special interest in the gardens, butterflies, birds and frogs. Fluent in English, Alex has conducted important research at INBIO, Costa Rica's Institute for Biodiversity and Conservation Research.
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.
Greivin Araya
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Greivin Araya Vega, “Dalua”, has been passionate about the outdoors since his childhood in Guacimo, an agricultural town in eastern Costa Rica. With a family legacy in education, he planned to teach science. He eventually found himself teaching English, while spending his free time as a naturalist. After six years of teaching, he was unable to ignore the call of the outdoors and became a certified Costa Rica Naturalist. Dalua particularly enjoys entomology, travel, and learning what he can from the experiences of others.
David Mora
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David Mora was immersed in the culture of birding from an early age. David’s nickname is "Bird Whistler," earned by his unique ability to mimic bird calls with uncanny accuracy. As a child, he participated in Cornell University’s Bird Detectives program at the Sarapiquís Conservation Learning Center; his formal education was at the National Learning Institution, where he earned his naturalist certification. David’s informal education continues through the reciprocal exchange shared with program participants, and, of course, through birding.
Suggested Reading List
(21 books)
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.
Costa Rica at a Slower Pace: Natural Wonders by Water & Land
Program Number: 17988
Volcanoes, Crucibles of Change
A complete primer for the volcano lover, this heavily illustrated book covers types of volcanoes and eruptions, worldwide distribution and the physics of their formation.
The Monkey's Bridge, Mysteries of Evolution in Central America
Opening this absorbing account of the history and biogeography of the Central American isthmus with the tale of Columbus, Wallace weaves his own travels in the region with a crisp overview of exploration, nature and evolution. Natural history buffs and ecologically minded travelers will appreciate this valuable resource.
The Wildlife of Costa Rica, A Field Guide
This guide includes 450 of the most common, interesting and charismatic mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and arthropods that you are likely to encounter. Each has exquisite full-color illustrations.
Costa Rican Wildlife
Put it in your pocket! This handy, fold-up card includes color illustrations of dozens of typical birds, mammals and reptiles.
Costa Rica Reader: History, Culture, Politics
A lively, literate sourcebook on the politics, economy and society of Costa Rica
Neotropical Rainforest Mammals, A Field Guide
Compact enough to slip into your daypack, this field guide to the mammals of Central and South American features 29 color plates of more than 200 species.
Nature of the Rainforest, Costa Rica and Beyond
Our favorite biologist-writer returns to the Neotropics in this beautifully illustrated, oversized overview of the rainforest. With chapters on Monteverde and Guanacaste, plants, frogs and snakes, birds, monkeys and jaguars, the sloth, peculiar insects and biodioversity; A marvelous, anecdotal introduction to ecology, evolution and conservation.
Wild Costa Rica
This beautiful, informative survey of the habitats, wildlife and protected areas of Costa Rica features 200 color photographs and chapters on natural history and conservation.
Costa Rica, A Traveler's Literary Companion
A wonderful introduction to the character of the people, culture and land, this anthology brings together 26 stories by Costa Rican writers.
A Brief History of Central America
A good overview of the region’s economic, political and social history through the 1980s by a professor at the University of Costa Rica. Well-written, informative and concise.
The Ticos
This insightful, fact-filled portrait of the Costa Rican people accessibly explores their culture, history and society.
National Geographic Costa Rica
This stylish, informative and up-to-date travel resource features 200 photographs, many maps and good information on the country's history, nature and culture.
Costa Rican Spanish
A pocket guide to understanding idioms, slang and Spanish as it is spoken by the Ticos.
The Birds of Costa Rica
Built for the field, this great guide includes multiple illustrations for 820 species of birds.
The Green Republic: A Conservation History of Costa Rica
For the serious reader, this book offers a vivid synopsis of the founding and expansion of Costa Rica’s National Park system, including portraits of the local heroes and institutions that fought for conservation.
Costa Rica Butterflies & Moths
A handy, laminated fold-up card with color illustrations of Costa Rica’s more visible species of butterflies and moths. Includes the distinguishing markings or behaviors of each species.
Tropical Nature
A lively, lucid portrait of the tropics as seen by two uncommonly observant and thoughtful field biologists. Its 17 marvelous essays introduce the habitats, ecology, plants and animals of the Central and South American rainforest
Costa Rica Adventure Map
A double-sided map at a scale of 1:500,000.
Culture Smart! Costa Rica
A guide to local customs, etiquette and culture.
Costa Rica, A Journey Through Nature
Dividing the book by ecosystem and geographic area, BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year Hepworth's color photographs showcase the diversity of Costa Rica's wildlife and habitats.
Monkeys Are Made Of Chocolate: Exotic And Unseen Costa Rica
When Jack Ewing moved his family to Costa Rica in 1970 and purchased a hacienda, he saw himself becoming a cattle rancher. He could never have anticipated that one day he would devote himself to reforesting the very land he had worked so hard to clear for farming. Hacienda Barú is now a popular nature wildlife refuge and a success story for proponents of biological corridors. Ewing's storytelling talents lend themselves well to this collection of essays on nature, biodiversity and cultural traditions in rural Costa Rica.
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