Costa Rica: Three Jewels in Paradise

Orientation: 6:00 p.m. at the hotel. The Group Leader will greet everyone with a warm welcome and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. Meals on our program feature local cuisine. Unless otherwise specified, transportation during your program will be provided by air-conditioned bus. Our buses do not include onboard toilets, so we have scheduled stops during drives for bathroom breaks. Free time is reserved for your personal independent exploration. Please note that program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Welcome dinner at the hotel.

At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

At the hotel.

A local expert will join us at the hotel for an informative overview of Costa Rica, providing insights into the country’s history, culture and geography. We’ll check out of the hotel, board the Road Scholar bus, and begin our scenic journey to the Valley of the Saints. While driving near the farm owned by President Pepe Figueres' family, we will stop for coffee and cookies and discuss his political legacy in Costa Rica with our Group Leader. Don José “Pepe” Figueres Ferrer holds hero status in Costa Rican history, a position earned through a lifetime of political activism. Don Pepe, as he was known locally, was a key figure in the 1948 revolutionary movement that led to the ousting of President Teodoro Picado and the creation of a new constitution. Next, we’ll take a field trip to a gourmet coffee cooperative in the Valley of the Saints region to learn about coffee farming and processing and also to sample some world-class brews. The Valley’s landscape, acidic soil composition, and well defined dry and rainy seasons all lend themselves to raising coffee. Harvesting is done during the region’s dry season (November – March). Limited rainfall during those five months gives fruit an opportunity to ripen evenly and also facilitates the sun drying process.

At the cooperative's cafeteria.

Continuing our ride, we’ll arrive at the lodge and check in with some time to freshen up, relax, and explore the lodge grounds.

At the lodge.

After a review of tomorrow’s activities, the remainder of the evening is at leisure.

At the lodge.

We will start our day in the cloud forest searching for the bird of ancient royalty, the colorful and elusive Resplendent Quetzal. In addition to learning about the life history of the Resplendent Quetzal, we’ll investigate the myriad other flora and fauna that are characteristic of this highland environment. We’ll accompany our Group Leader on a nature walk on forest trails leading to the 400 year-old oak forest situated on the upper slopes of the valley.

At the lodge.

Free time. You might like to go bird watching, walking/hiking, or try out some of the lodge amenities (additional costs might apply). Before dinner, we'll learn about the history, development and conservation of the Savegre Valley during a presentation by a local resident.

At the lodge.

After a review of tomorrow’s activities, the remainder of the evening is at leisure. Prepare for check out and transfer in the morning.

At the lodge.

We’ll check out and depart for the Pacific coast and the transitional Pacific jungle.

At the home of a local resident of the small town of Santo Domingo, we’ll have a meal with traditional Costa Rican cuisine.

Arriving at the tented camp, we’ll settle in and take some time to freshen up before our next adventure. We’ll accompany our Group Leader on a nature walk along the lodge's forest trails to learn about resident plants and wildlife. We’ll also learn about the efforts to reintroduce the tapir to this area. We’ll gather before dinner for a sunset discussion with the owner/manager of the camp to learn about the fascinating story of Rafiki.

At the camp.

After reviewing the schedule for tomorrow, the remainder of the evening is at leisure.

At the camp.

After breakfast we will accompany a camp guide and our Group Leader on a scenic, half-mile nature walk from our camp to the Savegre River rafting put-in site. We'll set off on undulating paths and rocky terrain before reaching a mostly flat gravel road. After a preparatory session with local experts, we’ll board the rafts and embark on an invigorating ride paddling down the Savegre River. Each raft will have its own rafting expert who will sit at the back to navigate and direct participants on how and when to paddle. Delight in the swells and dips of the rushing river; a natural roller coaster ride that will make our inner child cheer and laugh out loud (even as you get a good upper-body workout!). At the end of our invigorating river activities we'll disembark from the rafts and return our gear, then we'll get on 4x4 vehicles for the ride back up to the camp.

At the camp.

Free time. You might like to enjoy activities such as bird watching, walking/hiking on local trails, kayaking, horseback riding, or simply relax.

At the camp.

After a review of tomorrow’s activities, the remainder of the evening is at leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

At the camp.

We’ll check out and begin our transfer from the lower Savegre Valley to Manuel Antonio. As we travel through the forested hills of Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Region, we’ll take the opportunity to visit the small farming community at El Silencio. During our field trip, we’ll learn from a member of the community about the history and ongoing projects of Coopesilencio—an agricultural cooperative in the area—during interactions with some of the residents. The farmlands that now make up El Silencio were once part of the United Fruit Company’s large banana growing operation in Central America. With the departure of the United Fruit Company in the early 1970s, local farmers had the opportunity to buy lands they had worked on for years. Area families created Coopesilencio in order to pool resources and work together on projects that benefit the community. Getting back on the road, we expect to arrive in Manuel Antonio in time for lunch. El Avion — “The Airplane” — is an historic restaurant literally built around a C-123 Fairchild cargo plane. We’ll learn from our Group Leader about its fascinating connection to the U.S. Iran-Contra Affair. The plane was one of a handful of aircraft purchased by the U.S. to secretly aid the counter-revolutionary movement in Nicaragua in the 1980s.

At El Avion restaurant.

We’ll check in to our hotel upon arrival with time to freshen up and relax. Late afternoon, at the hotel, we'll enjoy an expert-led presentation on the ongoing squirrel monkey (Mono Titi) conservation efforts taking place at Manuel Antonio.

At the hotel.

After a review of tomorrow’s activities, the remainder of the evening is at leisure.

At the hotel.

We'll accompany our Group Leader on a walking field trip in Manuel Antonio National Park to learn about the park's flora and fauna. This is one of the best areas in the country in which to view monkeys. In fact, three of the country's four species of monkey can be found here, including the highly endangered Titi Monkey (Grey Crowned Red-backed Central American Squirrel Monkey) which can only be seen here and in the Corcovado region. Once we conclude our field trip we’ll walk back to the hotel to freshen up.

On your own to explore local fare.

Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most in Manuel Antonio. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

On your own to explore local fare.

At leisure. Prepare for check out and transfer tomorrow.

At the hotel.

After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll check out, say goodbye to Manuel Antonio, and begin our transfer to San José. En route, we’ll stop for a crocodile safari boat ride on the Tarcoles River. As we navigate up the river, a local expert will provide background information on the resident crocodiles. 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 (Crocodilus acutus). These crocodiles have been studied by numerous local and foreign specialists and featured in TV series and specials.

At a local restaurant en route.

Arriving in San José, we’ll check in to our hotel with time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

At the hotel. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

At the hotel (depending on flight times). This concludes our 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 rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!