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2. COSTA RICA
The following educational topics will be highlighted throughout this presentation and your Costa Rica: Eco-adventures program:
Deforestation Migratory patterns
Sustainable farming Costa Rican culture
Geological evolution Climates
Biodiversity Ecosystems
Natural habitats Species observation
Species identification Data collection
Ecology Experiential learning
Scientific method Environmental conservation
Bat mist-netting Endemic species
Bird identification Turbidity
pH Water conservation
Data analysis Adaptations of organisms
Water Testing Earth science
Wildlife adaptations Volcanic activity
Data measurement Soil chemistry
Mineralogy Energy production
Geothermal heat Biological evolution
Cloud forest ecosystem Endangered species
Tropical entomology Medicinal plants

3. Orientation
Day 1
Day 1, evening: Upon arrival at the hotel in San José, students receive a detailed introduction to their program from their Course Leader. They will be given an overview of Costa Rica, some of the key concepts they’ll learn, as well as an overview of the sites they will visit throughout the program. In addition, each night, the Course Leader will preview the following day’s activities so that students will know what to expect and how to prepare for the next day.
The theme of this Costa Rica program is Adaptations. This program covers how various organisms change their behavior or structure to adapt to their surrounding environments. Costa Rica, a small country with 12 ecosystems (communities of organisms and their surrounding environment), is one of the best places in the world to study biodiversity and explore how organisms are interrelated.

4. Introduction to Adaptations: Ecosystem Insight
Sarapiquí Region
Day 2
Day 2, morning: Students will transfer to the Sarapiquí region and learn about the history of Costa Rican environments, foodmile calculations, and food production as Sarapiquí is one of the country’s most lush forest regions.
Later that morning, students will experience the sights and sounds of Costa Rica as you hike along interpretive trails through three different ecosystems and participate in a team challenge. This is a great introduction to the biodiversity of Costa Rica.
Educational topics: environment, food production, ecosystems, biodiversity
Costa Rican Economy
Introduction to Adaptations: Ecosystem Insight

5. Tirimbina Rainforest Center
Day 2
Day 2, afternoon: Once in the Sarapiquí region, students arrive at Tirimbina Rainforest Center (TRC). Students work with naturalist guides and get a glimpse of what it is like to be a field ecologist. After an overview of the scientific method, students get to actually put it into practice as they go out into the field themselves.
Students are introduced to the work of a field researcher in the quest to answer a biological question. Hiking through the Sarapiqui rainforest, students will learn the basics of seed dispersal, plant and seed identification, plot sampling and forestation. Participate in a Costa Rican bird song activity to learn how to identify native and migratory birds by sight and song.  
Educational topics:
Data collection, ecology, experiential learning, scientific method, species observation, species identification.
Organisms Adapt to Ecological Changes
Some pictures courtesy of SCLC

6. Tirimbina Rainforest Center
Day 2
Day 2, evening : At the Tirimbina Rainforest Center, an educational research center, students experience the sights and sounds of the rainforest
Students have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn about bats through an interactive presentation, capture these elusive animals with nets, handle and study these interesting creatures, and then release them back into the rainforest. Students learn the significance of Costa Rica’s high bat diversity and the bats’ beneficial role in the rainforest ecosystem, and they will also learn about bat anatomy and discover their food habits through seed traps.
The primary purpose of Tirimbina Rainforest Center (sponsored by the Milwaukee Public Museum and Riveredge Nature Center) is to preserve one of the few remaining stands of intact, mid-elevation tropical forests in Central America. Tirimbina Biological Reserve is officially part of the 25% of Costa Rica currently protected from deforestation.
More information about Tirimbina Rainforest Center is available at
Educational Topics: Species observation, species identification, data collection, environmental conservation, bat mist-netting
Night Bat Tour

7. Bird Hike and Mist Nets Day 3
Day 3, morning: Students will learn about Costa Rican bird species on a bird hike. Later that morning, students will gather at mist nets to check seed traps and collect overnight material.
Educational topics: Species identification, Bird identification, Mist netting

8. Tirimbina Rainforest Center
Day 3
Day 3, morning: In the early morning, the Course Leader, along with a naturalist guide help the students identify native and migratory birds by sight and song. With over 430 species of birds including toucans, parrots, trogons, and hummingbirds, Sarapiquí is one of the best locations in Costa Rica to spot these radiant creatures. Students compare and contrast bird and bat adaptations and learn that while birds and bats share the ability to fly, they have different structural adaptations that correspond to their species’ needs.
After breakfast, the students apply their knowledge from the previous day as they go out into the field to conduct and in-depth chemical water analysis. Part of this analysis involves collecting microinvertebrates and bringing them back to the laboratory to discuss the significance of their presence in that particular ecosystem.
Educational Topics: Endemic species, species observation, bird identification, data collection, migratory patterns
Microinvertebrate Activity

9. White Water Rafting Adventure
Sarapiquí River
Day 3
Day 3, afternoon: Before students embark on an exciting white water rafting adventure on the Sarapiquí River, they are given a safety orientation and outfitted with safety helmets and life vests. As they paddle along one of the most pristine rivers of Costa Rica, a professional guide helps them spot the wildlife along the river’s edge including toucans, cormorants, kingfishers, howler monkeys, hummingbirds and much more.
Students also stop for a standard analysis of the water. Through this analysis, students learn the importance of water conservation and water cleanliness and how nature and marine life respond to changes in water cleanliness.
Note: Students on this program only raft on Class I or II rapids. Class I rapids require little or no maneuvering through quiet, moving water. Class II rapids have regular waves and simple maneuvering may be required to avoid obstacles.
Educational Topics: Turbidity, pH, water conservation, species identification, adaptation of organisms, data collection, data analysis
White Water Rafting Adventure
Some pictures courtesy of Costa Rican Nature Adventures©

10. Experience Costa Rican Culture
Day 3
Day 3, evening: Students get the opportunity to gather with members of the local community for some Costa Rican fun! They will take cooking lessons or learn the local Latin dances with Costa Ricans from the Sarapiquí region.
Some dishes students may cook include empanadas (turnovers filled with meat, beans, and potatoes), arregladas (puff pastries filled with beef, chicken, or cheese), patacones (fried plantains), or batidos de fruta (natural fruit shakes). Students can learn the salsa, merengue, bolero, or another Latin dance rhythm!
Educational Topics: Costa Rican culture

11. Arenal Volcano National Park
Day 4
Day 4 morning: Students take a hike along the trails of Arenal Volcano National Park. Here, students experience the tropical highland forest as well as the lowland wet forest. Students learn how plant and animal life adapt to changes in the earth’s environment after volcanic eruptions.
After the students hike along the cooling lava flows, they take part in a rock activity in which the Course Leader helps them analyze different types of rocks and how they reflect volcanic activity. Students also learn about reconstruction, species regeneration, and changes in soil chemistry, mineralogy, and other topics being studied by scientists at Arenal. In addition students learn how Lake Arenal, a man-made lake, and its surrounding rivers provide over 40% of Costa Rica’s energy production.
Educational Topics: Earth science, wildlife adaptations, volcanic activity, data measurement, soil chemistry, mineralogy, energy production
Hike the Lava Flows

12. Arenal Volcanic Springs
Day 4
Day 4 afternoon: Students have the opportunity to relax in the natural hot springs created by the Arenal Volcano. As they enjoy time in the warm pools and waterfalls with friends, they learn about the formation of these springs and the varying temperatures and minerals in the pools.
In the afternoon, take a cultural excursion through town to get a sense of Costa Rican life and culture.
Educational Topics: Earth science, mineralogy, geothermal heat.
Relax in the Natural Hot Springs

13. Boat Ride Across Arenal Lake
Day 5
Day 5, morning: Students take a boat ride across Arenal Lake. They analyze the quality of the water of this reservoir and compare the results with the previous samples.
Educational Topics: analyzing water samples
Boat Ride Across Arenal Lake

14. Hike through the Cloud Forest
Santa Elena Reserve
Day 5
Day 5, Morning: After arriving in Monteverde, students take a hike through the magnificent Monteverde Cloud Forest, one of the most outstanding wild refugees in the New World Tropics. They observe the wildlife and learn about the canopy and how all the rainforest plants around them evolved as they compete for light and food.
There are six distinct ecological zones in the reserve. Clouds go through the forest because of its high altitude, creating moisture and an abundance of wildlife like nowhere else in the world.
For more information, visit
Educational Topics: Species observation, biological evolution, Cloud forest ecosystem
Hike through the Cloud Forest

15. Discover Tropical Reptiles and Amphibians
Monteverde Snake Farm
Day 5
Day 5, afternoon: Students explore the Monteverde Snake Farm and witness more than 40 species of both poisonous and non-poisonous reptiles and amphibians, including snakes, iguanas, frogs, lizards, and turtles. Within the Monteverde’s modern and spacious exhibition area, a natural environment has been created to provide students with a safe and wonderful opportunity to learn about the fauna of Costa Rica.
Here’s a fun fact about snakes: they don’t see, smell, or hear. They use sensors that surrounded their mouths to perceive heat.
More information about the Monteverde Snake Farm is available at
Educational topics: Tropical herpetology, Adaptations of organisms, species observation, species identification
Discover Tropical Reptiles and Amphibians

16. Amphibian Adaptations
Monteverde Frog Pond
Day 5
Day 5, evening: Students take a guided tour of the Monteverde Frog Pond and learn how natural habitats are simulated in order to preserve the various endangered frog and toad species. Students view over 20 species of frogs up close and even get a chance to hold them. They will see the famous Red Eye Tree Frog and Poison Arrow Frog and learn why these bright animals have adapted in different ways to their corresponding habitats.
The Monteverde Frog Pond is run by a team of biologists, naturalist guides, and conservationists. Their mission is to enable everyone to appreciate the beauty of amphibians and provide information about the significant role they play in the natural world.
More information about The Monteverde Frog Pond is available at
Educational topics: Adaptations of organisms, endangered species, species observation, species identification
Amphibian Adaptations
Some pictures courtesy of monteverdeinfo.com

17. Monteverde Canopy Tour
Day 6
Day 6, morning: This morning, students begin their exhilarating canopy tour! Once hooked to the zip line, students soar across the treetops, through the clouds, and stop at several platforms with their naturalist guide to observe the wildlife that inhabits this truly unique ecosystem. Students learn why most wildlife thrives in the canopy and how these organisms have adapted to the variable climate. After this great adventure, students understand why this area has been named one of the most outstanding wild refuges in the New World tropics.
More information about the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is available at
Educational Topics: Species observation, biological evolution, Cloud forest ecosystem
Zip into Biodiversity
Some pictures courtesy of monteverdeinfo.com

18. Shopping in an Artisan Town
Sarchí
Day 6
Day 6, afternoon: On the way back to San Jose, students will stop to shop in Costa Rica’s most famous artisan town. This town is home to the country’s famous traditional oxcart, or “carreta”. Here, students will find countless souvenir stores that reflect Costa Rican culture. These storesfeature handmade artifacts such as elaborately painted bowls, utensils, tables, jewelry boxes, and carvings.
Shopping in an Artisan Town
Some pictures courtesy of Zoo Ave

19. Costa Rica: Eco-adventures
Sarapiquí
San José
Arenal
Monteverde