Activities at La Selva Biological Station

Costa Rica - for Educational Groups-2

A new and exciting way of adventure... seek the thrill of exploring Costa Rica’s tropical rainforest with one of the world’s leading institutions in education and research of tropical science, the Organization for Tropical Studies.

The trip will follow from the lowland tropical rainforest with the most exciting biodiversity of flora and fauna, to a dry deciduous forest with adjacent wetlands, a stop for millions of migrating birds, and a premontane tropical forest and botanical garden which boasts an impressive collection of tropical plants.

Plenty of opportunities for hands-on learning and field-based science. This trip will be of great interest to nature lovers, biologists, environmental and ecology enthusiasts.

Day 1 Flight to Costa Rica

Arrival San José • Touch down in San José, the main entryway to the country.

Costa Rica is characterized by an impressive scenic beauty, consolidated system of protected areas, social and political stability, high educational levels, and efficient infrastructure and services. All these characteristics you can find in a territory of only 51 thousand square kilometers, surrounded by both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, only three to four hours away from each other by land or 45 minutes by air. Covering only 0.03% of the surface of our planet, Costa Rica has approximately 6% of the world's biodiversity.

Overnight at San José.

Day 2 Palo Verde Station

Transfer to Palo Verde Field Station • Visit one of the 10 Wetlands of International Importance (RAMSAR) of the world at Palo Verde National Park. This 20,000-hectare park has seasonally dry forest on limestone outcrops and extensive wetland vegetation bordering the Tempisque River that flows into the Gulf of Nicoya.

More than 60 species of birds as well as a variety of mammals (keep on the lookout for peccaries, armadillos and monkeys, just to name a few) pass through this dry forest, known as one of the most ecologically diverse sites in Costa Rica.

Guided nature walk • A local guide leads you through trails of natural beauty in this tropical dry forest, one of the most important sanctuaries in the Americas for migrating and resident species of waterfowl.

Day 3 Palo Verde Station

Boat tour • Head out in the early morning for a scenic boat tour in the Tempisque River. It’s brackish waters host a variety of species of mangroves and different invertebrates and vertebrates that depend on the river for survival. Definitely a unique habitat.

Afternoon hike to La Roca Mapache Trail • Loop around 3 different habitats (lowland deciduous forest, limestone hill and evergreen forest) on this afternoon’s hike. Observe different species of flora such as Guayacan (Guaiacum sanctum), Ron Ron (Astronium graveolens), Naked Indian (Bursera simaruba. Look for black-headed trogons (Trogon melano-cephalus),white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and mantled Howler monkeys (Allouatta palliate). Continuing to the top Black vultures, turkey vultures, peregrine falcons, roadside hawks and Cliffs swallows can also be seen and heard, with the occasional appearance of a white-faced capuchin monkey. At the top, you’ll have a fantastic view of the Palo Verde marsh, and the Tempisque.

Day 4 La Selva

Transfer to La Selva • Travel to the heart of the Caribbean lowland rainforest. La Selva protects a large portion of Costa Rica’s biodiversity including more than half of the 886 species of birds, Home to 1850 species of vascular plant flora, thousand of mammals, Reptiles, insects and amphibians.

Guided trail expedition • Over fifty kilometers of trails provide access to a variety of terrestrial and aquatic habitats at La Selva. Join a knowledgeable bilingual naturalist guide for a walk to explore life in the tropical rainforest, and getting a glimpse of the leading-edge research conducted at La Selva.

Day 5 La Selva

Full-day workshop: Be a Scientist for a day

The tropical rain forest can be seen as a great natural laboratory. It deals with the complex and mysterious ecosystem that functions in a perfect manner.  As all ecological systems, it consists of productive organisms: which are principally green plants, makers of their own food; consumer organisms which require feeding off others in order to survive, and decomposing organisms: such as bacteria and fungus that are in charge of recycling the wastes of the forest.  They are all connected and relate among one another and their environment.

Through a hands-on science activity, lives the experience of relating with the forest with a scientific spirit.  Your visit not only will be profound and enjoyable, but also it will give the bases to commit to the necessities of conservation.

Day 6 La Selva

Relax and explore some nearby attractions of the Sarapiqui Region:

• White water rafting at Sarapiqui River
• Horse back riding
• River Boat tour
• Chocolate tour
• Pineapple tour

Day 7 Las Cruces

Transfer to Las Cruces • Explore one of the premier botanical gardens in the American tropics, which boast an impressive collection of tropical plants from around the world. Centered in the southern Talamanca mountain range, near the Panamanian border. Over 1000 genera in more than 200 plant families’ makeup the unique collection that forms part of the Las Cruces Biological Station.  Aroids, bromeliads, ferns, gingers, heliconias, marantas, and palms are all well represented on the 12-hectare (30 acre) site.  Collectively, the Garden and adjacent forest (266 ha total; 657 acres) also have an impressive diversity of native plants (~ 2000 species).  Animals include over 400 species of birds, more than 800 species of butterflies, an abundance of mammals (some 40 species of bats), and a high diversity of reptiles and amphibians. 

The Station serves as the principal center in the region for teaching, research, and on-site environmental education, as well as visitors who have a unique opportunity to experience tropical nature and to learn about it in a place where scientists and students from around the world come to research and study.

Guided nature walk • Discover the richest botanical collection in Central America and learn about the flora and fauna of a mid-elevation forest during an afternoon nature walk. Follow the Orchid Trail, climb Tree Fern Hill, and visit the Hummingbird Garden.

Day 8 Las Cruces

Research project at Las Cruces Station • Get ready to get dirty! You will participate in a research project at Las Cruces Station. Fields of exploration include flowering and pollination monitoring, plant distribution in the Wilson Botanical Garden, exotic plants distribution in the native forest, native plant distribution at the forest restoration project, and insects from the forest restoration project. Go out in the field to collect your data, and then participate in a lab activity!

Day 9 San Jose

Transfer to San José • Head back to San Jose, Costa Rica’s capital located  in the Central Valley. An extensive plain, guarded by majestic volcanoes and green hills, honoring the natural richness that exists throughout the national territory that you have already seen. Founded in 1737 as “Villa Nueva de la Boca del Monte del Valle de Abra,” the city’s name was later abbreviated in honor of its patron saint: “San José.”

Afternoon free time in San José • Enjoy some free time this afternoon to explore San José on your own. The Central Valley offers a variety of tourist, cultural and natural attractions, including Costa Rica’s best museums: the Gold, Jade, National, Costa Rican Art, La Salle Natural Science, University of Costa Rica Insect and Children’s Contemporary Art and Design Museums. In addition, this region is home to the architectural jewel of Costa Rica: the National Theater.

Day 10 Home

Return home • Transfer to the airport, where you’ll check in for your return flight home.

For information and reservations:

edu.travel@ots.ac.cr