Program Description

Full of adventure, beauty, captivating culture and richbiodiversity, Costa Rica has everything you could ask forin an educational travel destination. It’s small in size andwell-traveled, making it one of the best countries onEarth for student groups. e Sustainable Tropics program brings us to several lesser-known learning spotsin some of Costa Rica’s most enticing destinations andimmerses us in three different ecosystems. We search forall kinds of wildlife and learn about the successful sustainable development strategies that have made CostaRica famous for conservation and ecotourism. We alsointeract with rural community members and have thechance to give back through service projects. Travelingby foot, kayak, boat, canopy walkway and zip-line, wetruly experience this wonderful country up close andpersonal.

Tropical ecosystems, sustainable development and rainforest conservation.

Pre-Travel Curriculum

Costa Rican history and culture and Spanish language.

Leadership skills, service learning and responsible travel knowledge.

Global Explorers

WHERE // Sustainable Tropics: Costa Rica

Program Highlights

Stroll along Caribbean beaches, explore the rainforest and cruisethrough the cloud forest on zip-lines as you experience the myriadecosystems and incredible biodiversity this tiny country has to offer.

Immerse yourself in the animated “Pura Vida” lifestyle that makesCosta Rica known for its vibrant culture worldwide.

“I felt this swelling inside, like myconsciousness, my confidence, myinner-self was literally just growing.”

- Melinda, Student Explorer

// Global Explorers // www.globalexplorers.org // 1.877.627.1425

Search for howler monkeys, poison dart frogs, resplendent quetzals,three-toed sloths, nesting sea turtles and more with expert localguides.

Global Explorers

Sustainable Tropics: Costa Rica

Day 1After traveling from the U.S. to San Jose,Costa Rica, we settle into a comfortablehotel.

Days 2 – 3We depart by van and continue by boatfor our trip to the Caribbean beachesand canals of Tortuguero. On the way toour lodge, we visit the community ofTortuguero and have some time to explore. When we arrive at our beach-side lodge we can relax and let ourselvesbecome immersed in our spectacular newenvironment. Tonight, we learn aboutthe community’s incredible conservationprojects. Our next morning begins witha spectacular boat ride to search forwildlife and continues with a beachcleanup project and kayaking in thearea’s canals. Tonight, we scour thebeaches for several hours searching fornesting sea turtles.

Days 4 – 6We depart Tortuguero this morning andhead to the Sarapiquí region. Our firstday includes a visit to a pineapple plantation (with plenty of samples), anda boat trip in search of monkeys on theSarapiquí River. We conclude the daywith an exciting bat observation activityand fall asleep to the sounds of the forest at the Tirimbina Lodge Field Station, our home for the next threenights. Day 5 includes a visit to La Selva,one of the most important sites in theworld for scientific research on tropicalforests. We conduct a research activityand enjoy a night hike in search of frogs

back at Tirimbina. Our last day in Sarapiquí is spent working on a serviceproject with the Sarapiquí ConservationLearning Center and a local community.en, we play a game of fútbol with thevery students we just worked alongside.

Days 7 – 9Our next stop is the Monteverde region,filled with cloud forests and wildlife. Wearrive at the UGA San Luis ResearchStation, where we stay for the next threenights, and search for wildlife on a nighthike. We begin the next day in a similarfashion, with an early morning search forresplendent quetzals – the stunning birdthat is symbolic of Costa Rica. Later, weexperience the forest as the birds do, zipping through the canopy and exploring a series of walkways. At a localhandicraft cooperative, we can supportlocal artists and find gifts for our familiesand friends. We also visit a local dairy tosample the cheese and ice cream thatmake Monteverde famous. On Day 9,we visit Finca la Bella, a small, local, sus-tainable farm where coffee, sugarcaneand other crops are grown. We discuss sustainability and participate in an ongoing conservation project that willcontribute to offsetting some of the carbon our trip has produced.

Day 10We depart early this morning for SanJose to catch our flight back home.

*is represents a sample itinerary that is subject to change based on weather or othercicumstances outside the control of GlobalExplorers.

Program Itinerary

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Program Details

Maturity Level:is program is open to middle school and high schoolgroups.

Group Size:We require a minimum group size of 10 paying participants for this program and can accommodate up to 24 paying participants.

Accommodations:Students stay in clean and rustic dormitory-style lodgeswith bunk beds, indoor bathrooms and electricity in theday time. Food is delicious and healthy local cuisine.Fresh drinking water is always available.

Expedition Length: 10 days

Location: Costa Rica – San Jose, Tortuguero,Sarapiquí, Monteverde

What’s Included: All lodging in Costa Rica; all meals and drinking waterin Costa Rica; all transportation in Costa Rica; all dailyactivities and related fees; Global Explorers ExpeditionLeader; local guides and drivers; all gratuities; basictravel insurance; airport departure fees; preparatorymaterials and support; t-shirts and journals; carbon offsets for international air travel.

What’s Not Included: International airfare between your home city and SanJose, Costa Rica; passport fees; immunization fees;spending money (for souvenirs and extra snacks); expenses as a result of travel delays or cancellationsthat fall outside of Global Explorers’ control.