Costa Rica January 4-12, 2010 Credit or non-credit View the Itinerary
OVERVIEW: Enjoy nine (9) wonderful days in Costa Rica, visiting nature's museum. We will travel to several of the beautiful and spectacular national parks. Our trip begins with a flight to San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. We will visit the INBioparque and learn about the biological diversity of this region, including the butterfly garden, walking through three different ecosystem trails and seeing plant life around the lagoon. We will visit the Arenal Volcano National Park, one of the most active volcanoes in the Western Hemisphere, where we will have a walking tour to see the great variety of plants, wild life, magnificent lava rock formations and the Arenal Lake. You will have the opportunity to relax in the natural hotsprings. In the Arenal area, we will visit Sarapiqui, in the heart of the banana growing region. You may experience a thrilling whitewater rafting expedition down the Sarapiqui river,and a visit to La Fortuna Waterfall, which cascades down 200 feet and originates from the base of a dormant volcano. We will visit Monteverde, high in the Tilaran mountain range . Monteverde is home to over 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds and 120 species of amphibians and reptiles as well as 2,500 species of plants and tens of thousands of insect species. We will spend time in the Santa Elena Cloud Forest, situated near the Continental Divide, which experiences 12 feet of rain per year, and is bathed in a constant soft mist. A canopy tour of the cloud forest is also included. The trip will continue to the Pacific Coastal Region of Manuel Antonio National Park, with its' sandy beaches, rocky coastline and lovely rainforests. This area is home to the two toed sloth, squirrel monkey, iguanas and many insects and birds. On the trip back to San Jose, we will visit the picturesque town of Sarchi, known for its' colorful painted designs. COST: $2,789.00 p.p. for adults over the age of 23 $2426.00 for students under the age of 23 The entire payment is due by October 30, 2009 INCLUDED: Round trip airfare Air taxes and fuel charges (subject to change) 8 overnight says in hotels 3 meals a day English speaking tour guide 2 experiential learning activites 1 lecture Air conditioned deluxe motor coach All guides, entrances, touring and transportation as appears on itinerary NOT INCLUDED: Tips to driver, guides and hotel staff ($63.00 recommended) Optional travel insurance CONTACT: Ingrid L. Bortner, 443-840-1933 Coordinator of International Travel Studies, Essex campus OR Terry Walter, 443-840-1717 Coordinator of Office of Travel Studies, Essex campus