Real, Affordable Costa Rica
January 16-28, 2005

Nowhere in the world is it easier to be "one with nature" than in Costa Rica. In the legendary Rincón de la Vieja, white-faced monkeys race through the forest canopy as butterflies drift on tropical breezes. Crocodiles swim the Río Tarcoles, accompanied by the raucous music of macaws and parrots. Join our adventure in this primeval landscape where ancient volcanoes rise above rain forests.

Discover Costa Rica's other great natural resource: its warm and gracious people. Our small group will enjoy a meal with a local family and spend time with the local schoolchildren of Chachagua. And our local connections help us discover Costa Rica's most thrilling locales for hiking in the rain forest or white-water rafting. You just can't get closer than this.

Highlights:

• Explore five different types of tropical forests—from rain forests to dry forests, cloud forests, and more.
• Enjoy elective water activities such as sea kayaking, white water rafting, and snorkeling.
• Cruise down the Río Tarcoles watching for crocodiles and vibrant flocks of birds.
• Ride by horseback to the Rincón de la Vieja thermal area.
• Dine with a local Costa Rican family at their home for lunch.
• Travel overland to the Guanacaste Province, a portion of which has been set aside as conservation land and designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, which is supported in part by a $500,000 grant from the Grand Circle Foundation.

This trip requires moderate walking; we experience Costa Rica by foot for much of our journey. You must be able to walk for three miles unassisted each day on a variety of terrain, from sandy beaches to rugged woodland paths. You should be in good physical shape and enjoy outdoor exploring. Mobility is required for getting in and out of water transportation and for full enjoyment of the elective activities of river rafting, horseback riding, and flatwater kayaking. Nature walks are available during each elective activity.

Prices for the land only option start at $1,595; prices for flying from Miami start at $1,795; prices for flying from Boston start at $1,945; prices for flying from New York start at $1,895. Optional travel protection insurance is $224 per person.

The trip is thirteen days long and will be accompanied by Colby Associate Professor of Biology Russell R. Johnson, who has done extensive research in Costa Rica and leads student groups there. Professor Johnson's areas of expertise are physiology and molecular biology of plant seeds during germination, dormancy, and development; responses of plants to environmental stresses; and use of genetically engineered crops in agriculture.

Please contact the Alumni Office if you're interested, 207-786-8344 or lgailey@bates.edu!