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The Trip

The treasure-seeking conquistadors called it the "Rich Coast," but Costa Rica offers much more than gold. The country's exotic plants and flowers, colorful birds, unusual wildlife, and diverse biological zones will delight your senses. We get close to nature in a variety of ways, from rainforest and oak forest to mangrove swamps and seashores. Though our days are filled with as much activity as you like -- hiking, bird watching, snorkeling, horseback riding, and kayaking -- you also have the freedom to just relax in this tropical wonderland.

You're likely to see a variety of wildlife including monkeys, coatis, sloths, bats, the endangered and resplendent quetzal, toucans, and hummingbirds, as well as an incredible range of insects, reptiles, and brilliantly colored amphibians. The flora includes orchids, bromeliads, ginger, and the ceiba -- the sacred tree of the indigenous people of Costa Rica.

We travel comfortably by tourist bus and enjoy spectacular scenery along the way, feasting on tropical fruits and healthy, fresh, local cuisine. While this isn't a luxury trip, we stay in very pleasant lodges. We will also enjoy a lovely thermal pool area near the Arenal Volcano.

Itinerary

Note: The following day-to-day itinerary may vary according to the availability of accommodations.

Day 1: Arrive at San Jose's international airport. The leader will meet you and our hotel van will shuttle you to our lodging overlooking San Jose. In the evening, we'll meet each other over a welcome dinner.

Day 2: After breakfast, we'll drive south from San Jose, stopping along the way at the famed La Paz Waterfall and Gardens, where we enjoy the exhibitions of butterflies, frogs, snakes, and hummingbirds. The area attracts a huge number of butterflies and birds -- there are at least 800 varieties here alone. After lunch we continue to the misty and beautiful cloud forest. At elevations of over 7,000 feet, nights here can be chilly, but our lodge will be warm and comfortable.

Day 3: Today we'll start with some early-morning bird watching, which should reward us with sightings of quetzals, scarlet macaws, tropical warblers, collared trogons, many hummingbirds, and any of 200 other species. In the afternoon, you can hike the local trails or take a horseback ride to a waterfall (not included in the trip price).

Days 4-6: Following an early-morning birding walk and breakfast, we will follow the Pan American Highway south, climbing steeply to the 10,600-foot Cerro del Muerte, high above timberline. Here, we'll stop briefly to visit the paramo highland scrub and tussock fields. This unique ecosystem is found only here and in the Andes, in South America. Passing the city of San Isidro del General, we'll head south to the lowland tropical rainforest of the Osa Peninsula.

Owing to its isolation, biological diversity, and large areas of old-growth forest, the Osa Peninsula is one of Costa Rica's most important natural areas. Here we are surrounded by the rainforest, and just outside your room are the magical sounds, sights, and smells of this complex and majestic environment. During our time here, we visit the mangrove environment of the Gulfo Dulce, relax at the beach, and then kayak along a shore populated by flocks of scarlet macaws and other species endemic to the mangrove. We will take a day trip to Drake Bay and Corcovado National Park. Drake Bay was believed to be used by Sir Francis Drake in the 16th century and was the location of one of the British pirate's fabled hidden treasures. We take a boat to Corcovado National Park, the only remaining old-growth wet forests on the Pacific coast of Central America. There are 13 major ecosystems here, including lowland rain forest, highland cloud forest, jolillo palm forest, and mangrove swamps, as well as coastal marine and beach habitats. We will hike and swim, and may spy some anteaters, crocs, and small, beautiful (but venomous) frogs. The Osa Peninsula is truly a "hidden treasure."

Days 7-9: We'll head north, stopping in the town of Palmar Sur to take a close look at the mysterious spheres made by the indigenous population that lived in this area 1,000 years ago. A short while later we stop at a private reserve overlooking the sea where an extremely attractive ecolodge will welcome us for the next three nights. Our accommodations overlook the beautiful coast of Ballena Marine National Park. This is one of Costa Rica's newest parks, dedicated to protecting nesting grounds for brown boobies, frigate birds, and ibises. From December to April, humpback whales and their offspring ply the waters here.

Our days will be spent hiking, exploring the tide pools, enjoying the private beach, whale and dolphin watching, swimming, and snorkeling. There are miles of trails, and the birdlife in the forest reserve is prolific. Our half-day snorkeling trip should provide us the opportunity to observe and enjoy a variety of marine life. You will also have a free day for optional activities (not included in the trip price) to go snorkeling and whale watching at Cano Island, horseback riding to a waterfall, hiking in the hills behind the lodge, or just relaxing.

Days 10-11: We will stay in a nearby lodge adjacent to Carara National Park for two nights. This park protects the northernmost region of the Pacific rainforest and is the beginning of the transition zone into the tropical dry forests of the northwest. Carara National Park has excellent hiking and birdwatching, which will be our morning activity. In the afternoon, we will do some hiking in the area around our lodge. On the second morning, we'll awake once again to the chattering monkeys and the calls of toucans, then tour the Tarcoles River by boat for incredible bird watching and crocodile sighting.

Days 12-15: Heading north along a scenic highway, we reach Arenal National Park. Our hotel is located on the flank of the Arenal Volcano, offering incredible views (weather permitting!). In the evening we might see lava pouring out of the cone, for Arenal is currently one of the world's most active volcanoes. The next morning, we will hike the Hanging Bridges of Arenal, which is sure to delight everyone. We will hike in Arenal National Park in the afternoon, and relax at Ecotermales Hot Springs in the evening. We will then have a free day to enjoy zip-lining, horseback riding, or white-water rafting, which is optional and not included in the price of the trip. After lunch, we'll board our private minibus and head back to San Jose for our farewell dinner.

Day 16: Departure day. After breakfast, you can take an easy taxi ride to the airport.

Getting There

The trip begins and ends in San Jose, Costa Rica. You must make your own travel arrangements to the starting point. Airport transfers are included, and will be arranged by the leader. You will need a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the trip date. This trip does not include San Jose or attractions in the Central Valley. The leader will be happy to assist participants who wish to extend their stay.

Accommodations and Food

Although we won't have the luxury of four-star hotels, we will stay in very nice lodges. Rooms will all be double-occupancy, so if you're a solo traveler, you will be assigned a roommate. For days five to seven, a few of the rooms may be triple-occupancy, but these rooms are extra-large.

Trip Difficulty

This is an active leisure trip, though you'll have plenty of opportunities for more strenuous pursuits. The trip is suitable for old and young alike, as long as you are in reasonably good health, enjoy the wilderness, and have a good-humored and flexible approach to traveling in Latin America. Keep in mind that Costa Rica is still a developing country -- things don't always run exactly as they do at home. There may not be hot water or air conditioning in some of our accommodations, rain will fall, clothes will get muddy and/or wet, and plans will change, but that's all part of the charm of international travel. A few of the bus rides will be long, but we'll mostly be on good roads, and the views will be great.

To take advantage of the dry season, we've scheduled this trip during December and January. The main part of our trip takes place in or near the Osa Peninsula, which has year-round tropical weather, so it will be very-warm-to-hot and humid. We can expect daily rain showers. (Rain occurs in every season in the tropics.) Temperatures vary with elevation. The Central Valley, which includes San Jose, is known for its eternally spring-like weather, with average temperatures in the high 60s. At lower elevations, it is likely to be warm and humid. Cloud-forest nights and mornings can be chilly.

Equipment and Clothing

The leader will send a detailed packing list to each registered participant.

References

Books:

• Lonely Planet Guidebook for Costa Rica.
• Pariser, Harry S., Explore Costa Rica.
• Coates, Anthony G., Central America, a Natural and Cultural History.
• Foster, Lynn V., A Brief History of Central America.
• Kricher, John C., A Neotropical Companion.

Maps:

• Costa Rica map, International Travel Maps Vancouver, B.C. Canada

Conservation

The Sierra Club is an environmentally focused entity. We are concerned about conservation and sustainability of resources, both locally and globally. Our work is accomplished by volunteers and aided by a salaried staff, encouraging grassroots involvement. Our outings seek to empower participants toward environmentally understanding parallel concerns at home and abroad.

In Costa Rica, we will get an up-close look at conservation in action. The country has long been committed to protecting, rather than exploiting, its natural resources. Indeed, as Pulitzer Prize-winning author Robert Cahn puts it, the Costa Rican park system is "in some ways the most remarkable national park system in the world." All told, it contains 34 protected areas, including 28 national parks, and the entire system encompasses about 11 percent of Costa Rica's land area. When forest reserves and wildlife refuges are included, the country's federal lands total about 25 percent. By comparison, our national parks cover about one-thirtieth of our total land area.

The rate of deforestation has been reduced somewhat in the last decade and there is a lot of reforestation and natural regeneration going on throughout the country. Ecotourism has been an incentive for private conservation (about 3% of Costa Rica land currently) to preserve the environment. Parks, however, lack money for facilities and staff. The entire country has a long way to go in terms of recycling and waste management as well. The present government (and the electorate) must be convinced of the need for true and permanent protection of the environment in this beautiful country.

Trip Price

This trip requires a $200 per-person deposit. An additional payment of $300 per person is due six months prior to trip departure. International trip prices are subject to change and are based on double-occupancy or group accommodations as described above. Single rooms may not be available or may cost more than the listed price. If you have any questions regarding double occupancy, please contact the trip leader.

See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy.

The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.

The Sierra Club accurately and fairly budgets and prices our trips. However, unforeseen costs such as devaluation of the dollar compared to other currencies and fuel surcharges assessed by our international providers may necessitate adjustment in trip price. We will make every effort to mitigate and absorb these fees. If a price increase is necessary, however, you will have 14 days after announcement to cancel without penalty.

Staff

Having spent some of her formative years living overseas, Carol Marty enjoys sharing her appreciation for other cultures and the outdoors in the hope that we can all be responsible global citizens. She is happiest when engaging in activities in the outdoors, from hiking to kayaking, skiing, snowshoeing, or snorkeling. Carol has led national Sierra Club trips for the past 10 years in the Caribbean and California, and three years ago she began leading internationally. Carol has traveled in 22 countries and has lived in many parts of the United States. She lives in Annapolis, Maryland, where she enjoys kayaking the rivers off the Chesapeake Bay.

E-mail: cmmarty@netzero.net

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General Notes About Sierra Club Trips

• Carbon Offsets
• Electronic Devices
• Equipment
• How to Apply for a Trip
• Leader Gratuities
• Liability Release and Assumption of Risk
• Medical Issues
• Non-discrimination Statement
• Participant Approval
• Reservation and Cancellation Policy
• Seller of Travel Disclosure
• Travel Insurance
• Trip Feedback