DAY 1 ARRIVAL - SAN JOSE. Following our arrival at Juan Santamaría International Airport , outside of San Jose , we will be met by staff members and transferred to your San Jose hotel. Following dinner, there will be a brief orientation session on our Costa Rica program. Overnight in San Jose. D.

DAY 2 SAN JOSÉ - LA SELVA, AFTERNOON RESEARCH. After an early breakfast we will enroute towards La Selva, which is located near to Braulio Carrillo National Park . The latter is one of the most boidiverse regions in Costa Rica . La Selva Biological Station is a renowned biological research facility managed by The Organization of Tropical Studies (OTS). Dinner and overnight in La Selva. B L D.

DAY 4 LA SELVA RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AND HIKINGS. After breakfast we will continue our hands-on research activities and collecting field data at La Selva. In the afternoon we will again have an opportunity to hike through the lowland tropical rainforests of this beautiful and peaceful place. Dinner and overnight La Selva. B L D.

DAY 5 LA SELVA – TRANSFER TO GANDOCA. Following breakfast, we will drive towards the Caribbean coast. On our way we will pass through the Caribbean port village of Limon, where Christopher Columbus first landed in 1502. Then we will continue on to the village of Gandoca , access point to one of the Costa Rica ’s marine reserves, Gandoca-Manzanillo Natural Refuge. This area was recently protected because of its importance in the nesting process of the leatherback sea turtle. Once in Gandoca, we will meet the staff of ANAI Association who conduct a research and conservation program to ensure the survival of the largest species of sea turtle that nests in Costa Rica . After settling into our accommodations in the homes of local villagers, we will participate in an informative session on the conservation work that is being done by ANAI’s staff at the site. Participants will then be assigned to carry out specific research duties at the hatchling nurseries, monitor beaches for nesting turtles, tag turtles, and/or assist hatchlings following their emergence from their nests and during their journey to the sea. Research and conservation efforts will run through the night. B L D.

DAY 6 GANDOCA ACTIVITIES. Following breakfast this morning, participants will again get involved in daily/nightly research and conservation activities at the ANAI Research site with staff and other volunteers. A beach clean-up, which helps to remove debris that may hamper female turtles from coming ashore or hatchlings from making their way to the ocean, will be undertaken by all. Debris includes plastic goods, aluminum cans or logs brought ashore by sea currents. While walking the beach, we will also be on the look out for hatchlings attempting to make an early departure. These will be brought back into a hatchery and released just before sunset to increase their chances of survival. Night conservation activities will occur. Dinner and overnight in Gandoca. B L D.

Day 7
July
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DAY 7 GANDOCA ACTIVITIES. We will continue sharing with the community and our research activities with ANAI’s staff throughout the day and night. Dinner and overnight in Gandoca. B L D.

DAY 8 GANDOCA – WHITE WATER RAFTING AT REVENTAZON – GUÁPILES. After breakfast, we will say goodbye to the staff in Gandoca, and continue our journey. Today, we will get wet by white-water rafting the Reventazon River . The motion of numerous rapids makes this an exceptional white-water rafting experience. We will begin near a picturesque train station that was once a stop along Costa Rica 's famous Jungle Train. After having a grand adventure down this picturesque Costa Rican River, we will travel to a town near the Caribbean Cost, Guapiles, and stay there for the night. Dinner and overnight in Guapiles. B L D.

DAY 9 GUÁPILES – TORTUGUERO – CCC. Early today we will depart Guapiles and continue on our journey. We will travel by boat through an inland waterway to Tortuguero National Park and John H. Phipps Biological Station. Upon arrival, we will be welcomed by Research Staff and given an orientation session about the Station, its history, and the conservation work that is being done by the Caribbean Conservation Corporation (CCC). After dinner, we will assist CCC staff and volunteers in their sea turtle conservation efforts. Five of the world’s eight species of sea turtles species breed offshore and nest on the beaches of Tortuguero. Participants will have the opportunity to observe, tag, measure the turtles, and count the eggs laid by females coming ashore to nest. Some nests are created below the high tide line and eggs laid here have little or no chance to develop and hatch. Thus, in an effort to increase survivorship, some of these nests will be relocated to higher ground. Our presence on the beach, especially at night, is also a great deterrent to poachers, who collect and eat or sell the eggs. Dinner and overnight in Tortuguero. B L D.

DAY 10 TORTUGUERO CCC ACTIVITY . After breakfast, participants will travel through the canals of Tortuguero National Park and observe some of the lush surrounding lowland tropical rainforest. Some call this "Costa Rica´s Amazon,” as eleven different life zones have been identified within the Park itself. Wildlife found here include three species of monkeys, river otters, three-toed sloths, caimans, iguanas, freshwater turtles and more than 320 species of birds, including all 6 species of kingfishers found in the New World, 3 species of toucans and 8 species of parrots. Aside from its diverse flora and fauna, Tortuguero is a beautiful and tranquil spot, with palm-lined beaches stretching off as far as the eye can see in both directions. Our group will also take a guided hike within the Tortuguero National Park . This is an exquisite example of Costa Rican low land tropical rainforest. Keep your eyes open, because there will be opportunities to spot birds and mammals unique to this type of forest. Group members will also be involved in the daily and evening activities of the CCC. Dinner and overnight in Tortuguero. B L D.

DAY 11 TORTUGUERO ACTIVITY. On this day w ewill continue working with the community and with the staff of the CCC with our day and night conservation activities. A day hike and ride up the canals will again allow us to explore the wonders of the lowland tropical rainforest. Dinner and overnight in Tortuguero. B L D.

DAY 12 TORTUGUERO – BRAULIO CARRILLO NAT PARK – SAN JOSÉ . Following an early breakfast, we will depart from Costa Rica ’s Caribbean slope. On the way we will pass by Braulio Carillo National Park , one of the most biodiverse regions in Costa Rica . If weather permits, we will stop briefly to experience and discuss the 6 different life zones present here. Then we will continue to San José . Dinner and overnight San José. B L D.

DAY 14 MONTEVERDE CHILDREN’S ETERNAL RAINFOREST RESEARCH . On this morning we will attend a presentation about the Children’s Eternal Rainforest Reserve and the Monteverde Conservation League (MCL), which is the organization that manages this preserve. After the presentation, will take part in a research project conducted by the MCL; this project is an attempt to inventory the different species of birds that either permanently reside in, or are migrates of, the Children’s Eternal Rainforest Reserve. Local biologists and researchers work hand-in-hand with us in this effort. Dinner and overnight in Monteverde. B L D.

Documents
The only document required is a tourist passport. Please bring two copies of your passport picture page for help in reconfirming flights and as entrance requirement for the reserve. No visa is required. No vaccination certificate is required; however, it is highly recommended that you visit your family doctor to discuss individual vaccinations deemed appropriate for Costa Rica.

Recommended
Sun block (you are close to the equator where there is less atmospheric protection from UV); insect repellent (taking garlic and vitamin B1 helps); canteen or water bottle; flashlight with spare batteries; personal first aid kit; personal toiletries; daypack or small backpack.

Optional
Binoculars; elementary school items to donate; camera (most underestimate the amount of film to bring); video camera