Tropical Ecology Tentative Itinerary 

March 29 - April 6, 2025

Travel to Costa Rica for Spring Break

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FLYER

Scholarships are Available!

Scholarships will be awarded based on financial need and academic merit. Awardees will be expected to share about their experiences upon their return.

Scholarship application deadline for Spring 2025 trip will be November 1, 2025.


Students in the SFO airport preparing for a flight to Costa Rica.

Day 1: Saturday Arrival in San Jose, Costa Rica

  • Noon departure from San Jose, CA Airport
  • Airport pickup from San Jose, Costa Rica
  • Check-in at Wyndham Herradura Hotel near airport

Day 2: Sunday Activities

  • Travel to Cabo Blanco Absolute Reserve
  • Take ferry across the Gulf of Nicoya from Puntarenas to Paquera
  • Hike trail into the field station and settle into bunkhouses
  • Discuss species seen that day and using iNaturalist
  • Student journaling 

Day 3: Monday Activities

  • Explore life in the tidepools
  • Snorkeling 
  • Observational study
  • Guided hike to Playa Balsitas with emphasis on trees of Cabo Blanco
  • Student journaling 

Snorkeling student gives a peace sign underwater to camera.

Day 4: Tuesday Activities

  • Early morning Bird walk
  • Orientation to Forest composition research study
  • Snorkeling
  • Forest study- data collection
  • Forest study- data analysis
  • Student journaling 

 

Day 5: Wednesday Activities

  • Hike out of Cabo Blanco to Mal Pais
  • Take ferry back across the Gulf of Nicoya to Puntarenas 
  • Travel to Monteverde
  • Orientation and check-in at La Casona de Monteverde Lodge
  • Observational Study
  • Student journaling 

Skywalk in Costa Rica.

Day 6: Thursday Activities

  • Monteverde Reserve walk
  • Camera Trap activity
  • Insect Diversity talk
  • Night walk through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve with focus on insects

Day 7: Friday Activities

  • Sky Walk Suspension Bridges
  • Biodiversity study at Sky Walk
  • Data analysis and preparation for research symposium
  • Research symposium

Beach at sunrise in Costa Rica.

Day 8: Saturday Activities

  • Monteverde Butterfly garden
  • Biodiversity Conservation through Agroforestry in Biological Corridors-a diversified coffee farm and reforestation project
  • Lunch with local family in San Luis
  • Transport to Wyndham Herradura Hotel near airport

Day 9: Sunday Activities

  • Early morning departure back to US from San Jose airport, Costa Rica
  • Evening arrival at San Jose, CA airport

Total program fee for travel to Costa Rica over Spring break including airfare, lodging, most meals, transportation, entrance fees, and all activities are still being determined and estimated to be approximately $2800.  Students must have a current and valid passport.