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Destinations > Central / South America > Costa Rica

Costa Rica: A Conservation Experience

Day 1: Home - San Jose - Selva Verde Lodge (D)

Your group will be met by their naturalist bilingual guide at the International Airport and transferred in an airconditioned micro-bus directly to Selva Verde Lodge in Sarapiqui Rainforest. Check in and dinner.

Day 2: Selva Verde (B, L, D)

After an early morning breakfast, the group will be transferred to the OTS (Organization for Tropical Studies) at La Selva Biological Station. Here you will discover the biodiversity of lowland tropical rainforest at this internationally renowned research station. With its state-of-the-art laboratories, on-line geographic information system, extensive trails, and large forest reserve bordering Braulio Carrillo National Park, La Selva is one of the world's most important sites for tropical ecosystem research.

A half day tour given by excellent bilingual naturalists guides will provide you with a glimpse of the leading-edge research conducted at La Selva and the education and conservation activities carried out by the Organization for Tropical Studies. Head back to the hotel for lunch.

After lunch, head to the Earth Research Grounds. You will be given a tour of a banana plantation and cultivation process, after which you will continue to the banana packing facility to learn how the fruit is classified and packed for export. The tour continues showing the different uses for the non-export and by-products of the banana cultivation process by visiting the banana paper processing facility. Back to the hotel for dinner.

Day 3: Selva Verde (B, L, D)

Early morning at the sight of the first rays of the sun, the group will take a trail walking tour through the Selva Verde Lodge private reserve. This tour is special for bird watching and spotting other animals as well. Get to know the rainforest as soon as the sun makes a peek!! Back to the hotel for breakfast.

At approximately 10:00 AM, the group will be transferred to the Sarapiqui River to see its natural whitewater and crystal clear pools. Enjoy the natural splendor and abundant wildlife in a spectacular setting of tropical rain forest. Then return back to the hotel for a free afternoon to relax.

Day 4: Selva Bananito (B, L, D)

Today after breakfast you will check out and board an airconditioned micro-bus and transfer to Selva Bananito Lodge. You will have lunch upon arrival and then begin a Natural History Rainforest Hike. Return back to the Lodge and enjoy a free night. Dinner.

Day 5: Selva Bananito (B, L, D)

This morning you will have breakfast and then participate in the Plant a Tree project and become part of the growing reforestation project. Hundreds of tropical hardwoods have been planted on the part of the land originally cut down by banana plantations in the 1800s. By creating corridors back into the rainforest, it is hoped that more habitats for wildlife will be provided. You will be shown how to plant your seedling to give it the best chance of survival. With a recorded 91% success rate, your tree will hopefully one day become part of the tropical rainforest and contribute to the conservation of endemic and endangered species while contributing to Foundacion Cuencas de Limon.

After, the group will participate in an Organic Farm Horseback Ride. Saddle up for a fantastic introduction to Costa Rican style horseback riding! A memorable ride for those with little or no riding experience, you will see breathtaking vistas, cattle and farmland along the Bananito riverbed, and take a tour of the unique heliconia flower garden. You will learn to control one of the tame and well-trained horses to walk, trot, and even gallop over various terrains. Make a stop for a refreshing dip in a natural river swimming hole. Return back to the hotel. Enjoy a free afternoon to rest. Lunch and dinner included.

Day 6: Selva Bananito (B, L, D)

After an early morning breakfast, you will be given a Selva Bananito Recycling Consciousness tour around the facilities. Have some lunch and then continue on to the Puerto Viejo town to enjoy some pristine beach time! Puerto Viejo is famous for its kick back Rasta-fari Caribbean lifestyle and music!! After a free afternoon to enjoy the beach, you will stay at the selected lodge. Dinner included.

Day 7: Puerto Viejo (B, L, D)

This morning after breakfast you will be taken to the Cahuita National Park Beach. You will go on a trail-walking tour through the park. The group will enjoy bird spotting and other animals and plants as well. Enjoy the rest of the morning at the beach, basking in the sun. Mid afternoon, round up the group for lunch and visit the Gandoca-Manzanillo Area to watch the sunset along the Caribbean beach. Return back to the lodge for dinner.

Day 8: San Jose (B, L)

Early morning after breakfast you will head back to San Jose. Along the way you will stop at a banana plantation for a Historic Banana Cultivation & Packing Process explanation stop. Continue on towards the capital city. You will detour to the famous La Paz Waterfalls Gardens. Here you will see 5 magnificent waterfalls that will astonish you with their power (and they will wet you also!!). Have lunch and also visit the Butterfly Garden at the same location. You will continue a bit farther until you reach the La Riviera brand new Bed & Breakfast just 5 mins from the International Airport. The micro-bus will be at your disposal until 7:30 PM in case the group wants to visit the nearby Food court - Mall for dinner.

Day 9: San Jose - Home (B)

This morning you will be transferred to International Airport for your departure flight to head home.

Tour includes:

Return Airfare
Bilingual guide at all times
All land transfers in an airconditioned micro-bus
22 meals per person
Selva Verde Private Reserve Tour
OTS (Organization for Tropical Studies) La Selva Biological Station Tour
EARTH Research Grounds Banana Cultivation & Packing Process Tour
Selva Bananito Natural History Rainforest Hike
Participation in Plant a Tree Project of Fundacion Cuencas de Limon
Selva Bananito Organic Farm Horseback Ride
Selva Bananito Recycling Consciousness Tour
Cahuita National Park Trail Walking Tour
Entrance to Cahuita National Park
La Paz Waterfalls & Butterfly Garden Tour
All hotel and tourism taxes included

#17 - 15168 - 22nd Ave, Surrey, B.C. V4A 9T4 Phone: (604) 538-2853 Fax: (604) 538-2863
Toll Free: 1-866-538-2853 Email:ststours@telus.net B.C. Reg. No. 24835
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