UNCA Tropical Ecosystems Field Trip Dec 28 2013 -Jan 10 2014

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 UGA San Luis. Afternoon guided hike and night hike.
Day 3: Morning guided tour of Monteverde National Park. Free time during afternoon for birdwatching, exploring around UGA campus.
Day 4: Travel from UGA San Luis to Uvita de Osa in SW Costa Rica. Brief stop at beach on way into town. Stay at Finca Carolina.
Day 5: All day tour and farm activities at Finca Carolina. Rainforest ecology, riparian and freshwater ecology, Sustainable Agriculture.
Day 6: 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.
Day 7: 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 8: Travel to Sierpe and onto Drake Bay. Stay at Drake Bay.
Day 9: Boat ride and Day hike at La Sirena. Sleep in Drake Bay.
Day 10: Leave Drake AM for Fundacion Neotropica’s Field Station in Rincon de Osa.  Kobo Chocolate Farm Tour. Nocturnal insect tour and evening lecture by Fundacion Neotropica.
Day 11: Explore Lagoon en Rincon in canoe. Hike to lookout point overlooking Lagoon.  Visit medicinal plants garden.  Evening video presentation.
Day 12: Leave 8 AM from Rincon to return to Finca Carolina. Arrive in time for lunch. Afternoon for enjoying the river, birdwatching, etc.
Day 13: Depart FC 7 AM to head for Cerro de la Muerte. Picnic lunch and Paramo hike. After hike, drive to Alajuela to stay in Hotel La Guaria.
Day 14: Depart from Alajuela for USA