The 2018 Costa Rica Nature Quest will be held at Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve in Sarapiquí, located amid primary and secondary forest in the Caribbean lowlands of Costa Rica. Though small in geographic area, Costa Rica sits at the crossroads of two continents and serves as a major wildlife corridor in the Western Hemisphere.
This expedition is designed for zoo, aquarium, and other nature organization leaders and representatives who focus on field programs. It features field trips, seminars, and presentations on Costa Rica and international topics.
Come and learn about the hopeful efforts to protect and manage flora and fauna throughout the Americas, share with your peers, and gain insight for your community initiatives.
Bring back your own travel group (min. 10 participants) to any of our destinations, booked by 12/31/19, and we’ll refund you the land cost of this program. Contact your travel specialist for details.
OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS: Continue your Costa Rican adventure with a three-night post-trip extension to the cloud forests of San Gerardo de Dota or to the beaches of Tortuguero.
Enjoy five days and four nights of field trips and activities to observe tropical wildlife in its natural habitat.
Learn about various aspects of tropical conservation including species protection, landscape management, geological history, and sustainable ecotourism.
Upon arrival at Juan Santa Maria International Airport you will be met by a representative for transfer to the hotel. Arrivals should be planned no later than 4:30pm. Hotel room check-in is available at 2:00pm. Pick up your welcome packet upon check-in, then receive an orientation to your program where you'll be introduced to your leaders, and receive a briefing on the day ahead. Afterwards is a welcome dinner.
Early breakfast then departure for the Sarapiquí region and Selva Verde Lodge, with an en route stop at La Paz Waterfall Gardens, located in the cloud forest near Poás Volcano. More than two dozen hummingbird species have been recorded at the garden’s feeders. Also observe the largest butterfly observatory in the world, bromeliad gardens, and striking waterfalls. Enjoy lunch on premises. Continue to Cinchona to look for the Red-headed Barbet before arriving at Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve. Receive a warm welcome to the lodge, learn about its history, and surroundings. Following dinner is this evening's featured presentation on the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor by Willy Pineda.
Optional early morning birding around the lodge. Breakfast then depart for the Organization for Tropical Studies La Selva Biological Station, one of the world's leading institutions in tropical education and research. La Selva was originally established in 1954 by Dr. Leslie Holdridge as a farm dedicated to experimentation on mixed plantations for the improvement of natural resources management. It was purchased in 1968 by the Organization for Tropical Studies and declared a private biological reserve and station. Since then, it has become one of the most important sites in the world for research on tropical rainforest. Over 240 scientific papers are published yearly from research conducted at the site. Receive a talk by a researcher at OTS and then hike along the trails in search of the Coati, Collared peccary, Mantled howler monkey, agouti, three-toed sloth, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Crested Guan, Great Tinamou, Pied Puffbird and Spectacled Owl. Return to Selva Verde for lunch. Our seminar series begins in the conference area with enriching 30 minute sessions and coffee breaks in between. After dinner, you may choose to continue your exploration with a guided walk in search of nocturnal creatures.
Early morning wildlife viewing on the grounds of Selva Verde. After breakfast take a guided hike in the primary forest reserve. Look for tropical birds and wildlife among the dense vegetation. Protecting 500 acres of rainforest, Selva Verde offers many trails, and lookout points. You'll have the chance to see species such as the Keel-billed Toucan, Great Green Macaw, White-winged Becard, Sunbittern, Redthroated Ant-Tanager, and White-collared Manakin. Have lunch and then depart for the town of Puerto Viejo and board a river boat for an afternoon cruise on the Sarapiquí River. This fairly large tropical river is bordered by Tropical Riparian Forest. We will have a chance to see a variety of reptiles, mammals, and many bird species such as Tiger Herons, Olivaceous Cormorants, Anhingas, Ringed and Amazonian Kingfishers. Afterwards return to the Selve Verde Lodge conference room, we end our sessions with final remarks and then a presentation by Alex Martinez. This evening celebrate with a cocktail party and farewell dinner at La Terraza.
After breakfast this morning, depart from Selva Verde Lodge to San José for your flight home or continue on to one of our fabulous post extensions to San Gerardo de Dota or Tortuguero. Hotel room check-out is by 12 noon.*All flights must depart from San José after 1 pm; there will be one transfer from Selva Verde to San José.
Cost is based on a minimum of 20 participants in single occupancy. Program may incur unforeseen fuel surcharges.
A $200 per person deposit and enrollment form is due to hold your space on this trip. This deposit is refundable 120 days prior to departure excluding a $100 cancellation fee. Cancellations after this date will result in loss of full deposit.
U.S. and Canadian citizens must have a valid passport to enter Costa Rica. Passports must be valid for at least the duration of your stay. As this requirement is subject to change at any time without notice, we recommend at least 6 months' validity.
If you are not traveling with a U.S. passport, please check with the Costa Rican Embassy for the requirements based on your nationality.
There are no vaccinations required for entry into Costa Rica, unless you are traveling from an endemic yellow fever area within six weeks prior to entry.
Some physicians recommend that travelers get hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines before visiting Costa Rica.
The CDC warns that travelers to Central America may be at risk for exposure to malaria. Malaria is caused by a parasite found in Anopheles mosquitos, which are active from dusk until dawn. Prevention is twofold: the use of anti-malarial drugs and the prevention of insect bites. If you choose to use an anti-malarial drug, as recommended by the CDC, see your physician for a prescription.
In June 2014, El Salvador reported locally transmitted cases of chikungunya in Central America. Local transmission means that mosquitoes in the area have been infected with chikungunya and are spreading it to people. Local transmission of chikungunya is now being reported in other countries in Central America. CDC recommends that travelers to the Central America area protect themselves from mosquito bites.
Locally transmitted cases of Zika virus have been reported in Costa Rica. Local transmission means that mosquitoes in the area have been infected with Zika and are spreading it to people. The CDC recommends that travelers to Costa Rica protect themselves from mosquito bites. As a precaution, the CDC advises women who are pregnant to consider postponing travel to any area where Zika virus transmission is ongoing.
Selva Verde is more than a lodge and more than a rainforest reserve. It is a gateway into a magical world of towering Almendro trees, mantled howler monkeys, and Keel-billed Toucans. Rekindle your sense of wonder and discover the out-of-the-ordinary. Located just two hours from San José, Selva Verde provides easy access to the wonders of the rainforest. For over 30 years, Selva Verde has been a haven for nature enthusiasts from around the world. Visit the acclaimed private 500-acre rainforest reserve in the Sarapiquí Region, enjoying the lush, wildlife-filled grounds on the banks of the Sarapiquí River. Relax in a hammock, swim in the pool, and relish the comforts and services provided by Selva Verde’s wonderful staff.
It was great to make connections with Holbrook, network with others in attendance, and learn about how to create and plan a good trip for board members/donors.
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