DAY 1 SAN JOSE - TOUR ORIENTATION.
Following your arrival at Juan Santamaría International Airport, outside of San José, you will be met and transferred to our hotel. Following dinner, there will be a general orientation session to our Costa Rica Field Course. Overnight San José. D

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DAY 2 SAN JOSE - PEJIBALLE BIKING TOUR - TURRIALBA.
After an early breakfast, we will leave San José city to start the adventure. We have chosen the bicycles as the first step on this trip, because they will allow us to enjoy the beautiful landscape the will surround us on the Pejiballe Valley, where we are going to switch the vans for the bikes, so prepare your legs, your heart and your eyes for this breathtaking experience. At the end of our journey we will have gotten to the city of Turrialba, the heart of the White Water rafting activity in Costa Rica. Sleep well, because the river you can hear at night will be waiting for you tomorrow. B L

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DAY 3 TURRIALBA - REVENTAZON WHITE WATER RAFTING - CAHUITA.
Our group will also pass through the Caribbean port city of Limón. It was here that Christopher Columbus first landed in 1502. Following lunch, we will drive on to the village of Cahuita, access point to Costa Rica’s only Marine Reserve, famous for its’ coral reef and adjacent rainforest. Following our arrival, we will settle into our hotel and have dinner. Overnight at Cahuita. There will be time for you to start a mini-project on a selected organism, biotic group or habitat. Dinner and overnight Cahuita. B L D

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DAY 4 SNORKELING CAHUITA NATIONAL MARINE RESERVE - RAINFOREST HIKE.
Following breakfast this morning, our group will have an introduction to snorkeling. The remainder of the morning will be spent snorkeling in the Cahuita National Marine Reserve. We will then return to the mainland for lunch. In the afternoon, we will have a guided hike into the rainforest of the land-based portion of Cahuita National Park. We would also have some time to sit and relax on Cahuita’s white sand beach. Dinner and overnight Cahuita. B L D

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DAY 5 CAHUITA - ARENAL VOLCANO - BALDI HOT SPRINGS.
Early this morning, we will depart for Arenal Volcano. One of the most active volcanoes in the Western Hemisphere, Arenal has been in a constant state of activity since it last erupted in 1968. Located on the southern shores of the Lake Arenal, it is a spectacular site, with its perfect conical shape rising from the surrounding hills. Following lunch, we will visit Baldi Hot Springs, located at the base of Arenal. Steaming waters form waterfalls and natural therapeutic pools that we can soak and relax in. The hot springs found here are surrounded by brilliant vegetation, while Arenal serves as a stunning backdrop. After the sun sets, we will with some luck, observe the activity of Arenal. On a clear night, one can see bursts of fire and red-hot molten lava shooting hundreds of feet into the sky, whereas during the day only smoke and the volcano's roar are apparent. Explosions typically can be seen from the hot spring. Overnight Lake Arenal. B L D

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DAY 6 HIKING ON ARENAL VOLCANO LAVA FLOWS ARENAL HANGING BRIDGES.
Following breakfast today, we will spend the morning hiking on the hardened lava flows that make up Arenal’s lower slopes. We will observe the remains of the volcano’s more active past. and we will have the chance to learn about the nature that surrounds it and are part of the Arenal National Park. Following lunch, we will take a brief look at Lake Arenal, while we enroute to the Arenal Hanging Bridges, where the trails and bridges of this project will bring you as close as you could ever hope to get to the birds, the flowers and the lush vegetation of the primary rain forest.  There you will be able to walk right into the forest, on hanging bridges and trails that are safe and easy to walk on.  Overnight Lake Arenal. B L D

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DAY 7 LAKE ARENLA - HORSE BACK RIDING TO MONTEVERDE - BUTTERFLY FARM.
Following breakfast this morning, our group will start on the horse back riding from Arenal to Monteverde, this is serious adventure and a rough ride through the mountains that’s surrounds Arenal Lake. It would take us about four hours to get to Monteverde, but despite of the hard physical effort the landscape is just gorgeous.  If due to forces of nature, we can not be able to make this activity, then, we will travel by bus to Monteverde, but instead of the horse back riding, we would be travelling around the largest lake in Costa Rica, a hydroelectric dam at one end produces approximately 75% of the electricity used in Costa Rica. It is also well known for its’ windsurfing and freshwater fishing. Anyhow our group will get to the village of Monteverde. This is a peaceful community, considered an example of conservation, Arround this little village we can find several reserves (the Children´s Eternal Rain Forest and the Santa Elena Reserve among others).  Once we are finally in Monteverde, our group will travel a short distance to a local butterfly farm. Here, we will have a guided tour through and we will have the chance to see hundreds of spectacular butterflies found in Costa Rica, learn about their complex life cycle and the importance of butterflies in the wild.  After a very full day, we will have dinner and overnight at Monteverde.  B L D

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DAY 8 MONTEVERDE CLOUDFOREST RESERVE - CHEESE FACTORY.
After breakfast this morning, we will have a chance to hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. At present, Monteverde is comprised of 27,000 acres and run by the Monteverde Conservation League. The Reserve is cool, due to its’ elevation and lush vegetation. Incredible biodiversity here includes 400 species of birds, 100 species of mammals, 500 butterfly species and 2500 different types of plants. Three species of monkeys, tree sloths, coatimundis, kinkajous, the spectacular resplendent quetzal, three-wattled bell birds, red-eyed tree frogs and blue morpho butterflies are just a few of the animal highlights.   At the end of our journey in the reserve our group will visit the Hummingbird Gallery, where feeders are set up to attract some of the many species of hummingbirds found here. Fifty species have been recorded in Costa Rica. Following lunch, our group will visit the well-known Monteverde Cheese Factory, which is run by local Quakers, one of the largest dairy producers in Costa Rica. About 2200 pounds of cheese is produced daily and well known for its’ quality in Costa Rica and throughout Central America. Dinner and overnight at Monteverde. B L D

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DAY 9 MONTEVERDE CANOPY TOUR - SAN JOSE FAREWELL DINNER.
Early this morning our group will take a Canopy tour. In a tropical forest the most of the activity occurs near to the top, so that’s exactly where we are going to be during this tour. Be prepared for an exiting ride on the highest portion of the Monteverde cloud forest, the canopy. After lunch, we will return to San José, for our Farewell Dinner and overnight. B L D

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DAY 10 SAN JOSE - DEPARTURE.
After an early breakfast and farewells to our Costa Rica Field Course Staff, you will be transferred to Juan Santamaría International Airport, outside San José for your return flight home. B

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