Costa Rica: Preserving Paradise

Trip highlights

• Selva Verde Rainforest Reserve. Search for sloths, monkeys, iguanas, and other wildlife on the reserve trails. Take a boat ride on the Sarapiquí River to learn about its ecology.

• Carara Biological Reserve. Explore the biodiversity of this transitional forest, where rainforest and tropical dry forest overlap. Take a night walk to look for kinkajous and other nocturnal animals.

• Manuel Antonio National Park. Search the park’s beautiful beaches and trails for squirrel monkeys, basilisk lizards, coatis, and more. Enjoy an evening lecture about ongoing conservation efforts in the region.

• Savegre Natural Reserve. Hike the cloud forest ecosystem in search of the Resplendent Quetzal. Attend a talk with a member of the Chacón family about the history and development of this region.

• Travel with a small group. The maximum number of travelers is 15. We think the small-group atmosphere allows you to get closer to your guide, each other, and, most importantly, nature.

Activity Level 3: Moderate

Participants should be able to ascend or descend 60 stairs consecutively, plus walk for at least 3 hours over some steep slopes, uneven, and potentially slippery surfaces without difficulty. Physical activities typically last for 3 or more hours at a time. 

Health & Safety

There are no vaccinations required for entry into Costa Rica. A note about altitude sickness: Upon arrival at locations of high elevation (above 5,000 feet), shortness of breath and a pounding heart are normal responses to the lack of oxygen in the air. However, for some visitors, these symptoms can deteriorate into altitude sickness.

Headache, extreme tiredness, dizziness, nausea, and loss of appetite are standard symptoms. Staying hydrated and well rested is important to adjust to the altitude. Additionally, avoiding heavy, fatty foods and alcohol in the days before arriving to altitude can help. Over-the-counter medications are also available to help prevent or alleviate symptoms.

It’s advisable to avoid sleep medications, as they can slow breathing and respiration, which aid in getting the blood oxygenated while sleeping. Participants who take blood pressure medications should discuss this with their doctor as the medication can drop pressure too low at times.