Drea & Mary Beth Costa Rica 2014

June 9 -- Arrive & Drive to Central Pacific Coast (La Cusinga Lodge)

Today we will start with a visit from Costa Rican university student (it would be good to name the university & what the student is studying) sharing his experiences working with the biodiversity in the country.

After this we will be on our way to the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Along the way we will learn and see the many different microclimates of Costa Rica and the ecosystems that they host.  Also, we’ll stop by Tarcoles River to see the largest population of American Crocodiles in the country. Along the way we will also be able see African Palm plantations, and learn about the effects of monoculture and the impact of big transnational companies, such as United Fruit Company.

Our final destination today is La Cusinga Ecolodge which is one of the pioneer lodges of conservation.

See you in Corcovado Mary Beth!

The Institute of Biomimicry uses La Cisinga for their training courses. Here, surrounded by protected rainforest, and among the genius of the natural world, we'll take a indepth look into just how much we can learn from nature to get us to a more sustainable future (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

June 10 -- Travel to Drake Bay, Corcovado National Park (Drake Bay Lodge)

We will be driving south to Sierpe, along the way we will see banana plantations and also one of the biggest mysteries of the Pre-Columbian times. The Stone Spheres, are unique structures in the world . The archaeological sites where most of them have been found are on our route down to Drake Bay.

HOLA!

Once in Sierpe we will go by boat down the Sierpe River. On the way we will see and visit the Terraba-Sierpe Mangrove Forest, which happens to be the biggest remainder of mangrove in Central American Pacific Coast. Once on the ocean we will sail by the shore of Drake Bay until we reach our
lodge. The lodge will have basic accommodation, using generators and solar power to provide electricity.

When we get to the lodge, we’ll rest and talk about the logistics of the next few days. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

June 11 -- Corcovado National Park & Sea Kayak (Drake Bay Lodge)

"The most biologically intense place on earth" - according to  National Geographic - Corcovado National Park is the place to be when talking about flora and fauna in the tropics. Lots of birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, mammals, plants, trees--it is just a paradise totally worth visiting. After breakfast we will take the boat down to the National Park, where we will be taking a hike looking for monkeys, sloths, tapirs, birds, crocodiles and much more. This full outdoor experience will be great to comprehend the dynamics of the ecosystems present in this lush tropical rainforest. We will have a picnic lunch at Corcovado and return to the lodge later in the afternoon.

During the evening hours we will enjoy another adventure of riding Sea-kayaks near the coastline. The kayaking begins in a very calm river and we will row our way out to the pacific ocean where we will enjoy the beautiful scenery just before the sunsets on the pacific. After this adventure we will head back to the hotel to enjoy dinner and reflect on the days adventure. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Adventure to Caño Island

June 12 - Caño Island Biological Reserve & Snorkeling (Drake Bay Lodge)

Today after breakfast we will be taking our next adventure into the ocean. Drake Bay is well known for being the place where many species of  cetaceans including Humpback Whales come to spend the winter, while mating and giving birth to their cubs. There is always a chance to see big groups of dolphins, jumping and spinning around the boat. Sea turtles, many species of birds, stingrays, reef sharks and more are among the many things that could be seen today. The island is also an archeological site for the ancient native tribes that use to live inland and would use the island as a sacred burial place.

We will also have the chance to snorkel around the island and experience some of the most biodiverse region of Marine Life found in Costa Rica.

Cloudforest here we come!

Later we will come back to the lodge and at dusk we’ll do a night walk on one of the trails of the lodge to untangle some of the secrets of the rain forest at night. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

June 13 - The Highland of Costa Rica, San Gerardo de Dota Valley (San Gerardo de Dota Lodge)

After this amazing adventure at Corcovado area it is time to get back to Sierpe and be on our way to our next destination. We will take the boat and then get on our bus and drive to the highlands of Talamanca Mountain Range, the highest in Costa Rica. The valley of San Gerardo is also the best place in Costa to spot the amazing Resplendent Quetzal, considered by many the most beautiful bird on the American Continent. June is part of its mating season.

Hola Drea! You might know me from Mayan Culture. (Quetzal)

Today is a driving day, we will stop on the way for lunch and if the weather conditions permit, we will visit the Paramo. This is a South American ecosystem present only in the highlands and that gets as far north as Costa Rica. At 11,000 ft. of elevation the Paramo is a variety of alpine tundra ecosystems. Some ecologists describe the Páramo broadly as “all high, tropical, mountain vegetation above the continuous timberline”.  The vegetal structure and biodiversity present in both ecosystems will allow us to learn about the different species that live there and the adaptations that they have developed to survive the extreme conditions.(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

June 14 - Birdwatching and drive to Homestay (Sitio de Mata)

Early in the morning we will start our search for the Resplendant Quetzal. They are more active during the early morning before the sun starts to heat things up.  We will look for them as they feed on the wild avocado trees. To see the Quetzal is one of the most magical experiences one could dream of.  Later today we will drive back up to the Pan-American Highway to see a  very different and interesting ecosystem, the Highland Bogs, which is a wetland that accumulates peat, a deposit of dead plant material.

Doña Fressy

We will make the drive to Sitio de Mata where you will be saying "hola!" to your new families. This is the part of the trip where the kids will be immersed with some of the greatest families for homestays you will find anywhere. You will be taken in as family and have the chance to communicate in Spanish from start to finish. Every day will be
filled with activities and things to keep us busy, building new friendships, learning about the culture, and understanding the importance of family values.

When we arrive we will meet in a little ranchito where all the moms will be present and we will introduce all of you to your new families. Although not everyone will be in the same house, this is a small village and houses are close together. Everything is within a very short walking distance.

In the evening we will meet as a group in one of the ranchitos where the kids will have time to journal and reflect on the homestay arrival. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

June 15 -  Homestay activities (Sitio de Mata)

Homestay Friends

Today we have a fun activity to practice our Spanish. Families organized a farewell party for us tonight, but for this it is necessary to buy food and other necessary items. We travel on the public bus to Turrialba. We’ll organize in groups and each will be assigned a list of items to be acquired. All our Spanish skills will be needed while walking through the village market, and visiting the shops in search of these items. We’ll return to Sitio de Mata, lunch with our families, and then help out cooking and preparing the food for the party. Then there’ll be a little time for play—we’ll meet at the soccer field for that game Ticos, young and old all love—Costa Rican futbol. At night it is time to eat, party and dance at the beautiful fiesta prepared by the community (Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner).

Pacuare Ecolodge

June 16 -  Enter Pacuare River and Stay at River Lodge (River Lodge)

Today we will spend the morning saying "Hasta Pronto" to our Sitio de Mata famililes. Once we give our final hugs, good-byes or "until next time", we'll head to what National Geographic has listed as one of the top five most scenic rivers in the world. In the morning we'll raft some small class II & III rapids then have lunch right on the river followed by a little hiking to some waterfalls.

Your Cabin with bomber River Views

Then it's back in our rafts to get to our final river destination, our beautiful river lodge that has breath-taking views of the Pacuare Canyon and lush green mountains as far as the eye can see. In the evening we will have activities planned for everyone as we experience living in the jungle for a night. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 17 - Environmental Activities at River Lodge (Pacuare Ecolodge)

Today we enjoy a day at the lodge where we will learn about different indigenous medicinal plants and also have time to do some conservation work with the area around the lodge. In the evening we will have a bon-fire and play games after a day in the jungle and some time playing in the river. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)


June 18 -  Class III & IV Rapids and travel to Arenal Volcano (Casa Luna Lodge)

Camp Fire!

Today we will get breakfast and begin our final raft. This is the most scenic part of the river with the most adventurous rapids. We will deftly make our way down the class III & IV sections passing beautiful canyon walls that rise 300ft high, primary rainforests from start to finish, and 100ft waterfalls that drop into the banks of the river.

Back on dry land and in the bus, we will make the 3 1/2 hour drive to the Arenal Volcano area where we will have dinner at the beautiful Casa Luna Lodge. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)



June 19 -- Arenal (Don Juan, Ziplining, National Park) (Casa Luna Lodge)

Zipline Adventure

Today we will start with a little adventure and head to the ziplines that hang 700ft above the rainforest floor. This will be the students’ introduction to the primary rainforest. The students will also get to use their Spanish in an adrenaline-pumping situation. We'll give them a list of words to use such as
TUANIS! PURA VIDA! BUENAZO! and many more local favorite phrases. The zipline guides will
surely be impressed with their bi-lingual guests. After the zipline we will go to the Arenal Volcano National Park, starting with a presentation by your guide about the geology, history and biodiversity that is related to Arenal. Then we will hike up to the old lava flows enjoying the

landscapes and nature that surrounds the area.

Nos vemos pronto!

After lunch it’s a hands-on experience at the Finca of Don Juan. Here the kids will taste, see, smell, and feel the different stages of organic farming from one of Costa Rica's most respected farmers. We will gain an even deeper appreciation of the organic production that Don Juan teaches by feasting on a delicious dinner prepared from all the things grown on the farm. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

June 20 -  Fly home!!!

Today we’ll drive to the San Jose Airport where you will catch your flight home! (Meals: Breakfast)