Costa Rica

One of the earth's most biologically eclectic countries, Costa Rica is a treasure-house of flora, fauna, and geologic wonders happily shoehorned into a refreshingly pacific and prosperous country. This trip allows us to study Costa Rica's fascinating geology while taking hiking, rafting, and birding excursions that weave us among volcanoes and virgin cloud forests adorned with miniforests of bromeliads, lichens, and mosses.

We will have the opportunity to view the lava flows of Arenal Volcano (active since 1968), and visit Poas Volcano, one of the deepest active volcanoes in the world. We'll also journey through Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, which extends down both slopes of the Tilaran Mountains (elevation 2,300 - 5,600 ft.).

The Reserve encompasses eight different ecological life zones and protects over 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, and 1,500 species of plants. And, if we're lucky, we'll spend some time with Tortuguero's Atlantic Green Turtles as they arrive on the beach by the thousands to nest.