Costa Rica Eco-Adventure Trip for Islands High School, Savannah, GA
presented by the Uvita Tropical Studies Institute (UTSI).

Day 1: Arrive to Juan Santamaria Airport in Alajuela, San Jose. All participants will be met at airport by UTSI representatives and shuttled to nearby hotel in safe neighborhood in Alajuela.
Day 2: Travel from Alajuela to Rancho Margot near Lake Arenal and Volcan Arenal, La Fortuna region. Afternoon tour of sustainable farm and facilities.
Day 3: Morning guided tour of Volcan Arenal National Park. Learn about volcanism, geology, local ecology. Lunch at Rancho Margot followed by trip to volcanically heated hot springs at Baldi Resort.
Day 4: Travel to the University of Georgia’s Costa Rica campus in San Luis de Monteverde. Afternoon guided tour with UGA naturalists of local cloud forest. Guided night hike.

Day 5: Morning guided tour of Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve-ecology, natural history of this distinct cloud forest ecosystem. Afternoon time to explore Monteverde area.
Day 6: Travel from UGA San Luis to Uvita de Osa in SW Costa Rica.Lunch near Tarcoles River.  Brief stop at beach on way into town. Go to FInca Carolina.
Day 7: All day tour and farm activities at Finca Carolina. Rainforest ecology, riparian and freshwater ecology, Sustainable Agriculture. Pizza Party at night with pizzas baked in wood fired clay oven.

Day 8: Hiking the Trails of La Cusinga-old growth rainforests, pristine private beach with waterfalls, caves. See a truly ECO friendly resort. Late afternoon trip to town of Uvita for shopping, email, etc. Groups switch locations of lodging between Finca Carolina and La Cusinga.
Day 9: Boat tours for whale and dolphin watching, marine ecology, and snorkeling. Afternoon for beach time. Evening activity is to travel to Reserva Playa Tortuga for a slide show on this wonderful effort working to protect Sea Turtles. Return to Uvita for lodging.
Day 10: Travel to Hacienda Baru, Dominical. High adventure with canopy tour. Afternoon for free time-surf lessons or guided activities at Hacienda Baru for those who want them.
Day 11: Morning guided tour of Hacienda Baru’s extensive Nature Reserve. Choose between birdwatching, mangrove tour and rainforest ecology/natural history. Following lunch return to Alajuela for dinner and lodging.
Day 12: Travel to airport for departure back to US.