Annual eco-tourism trips to Costa Rica focused on tropical conservation and wildlife photography are offered with a built-in contribution to the MCLUS. They are usually two weeks long, draw on the expertise of local scientists and naturalists in the field.They are not luxury trips as we stay parttime deep in the forest in a biological field station in the BEN/Children’s Eternal Rain Forest. But the view of Volcan Arenal from the porch and the opportunities for wildlife sighting are wonderful! There is considerable hiking on forest trails and possibility of getting rained on. It’s a rainforest!

Join the June 11-24, 2010 Costa Rica trip!

This trip includes a $200 tax deductible gift to the Monteverde Conservation League.

A tropical adventure filled with conservation, biodiversity, and a spectacular opportunity to stay in the biological field station in the largest private reserve in the country, El Bosque Eterno de los Niños awaits you. You can view the active Arenal Volcano from the verandah. The 54,000 acre reserve includes Monteverde cloud forest and tropical rain forest.

We will raft the Corobici River through tropical dry forest and visit Carara National Park, a lowland Pacific forest. The differences in each ecosystem will be apparent as local biologists and naturalists share their expertise. We will get to help catch bats in the night as our scientist/guide collects data. We will visit a local school, learn about women’s issues in Costa Rica, learn a little Spanish, do lots of hiking and see fabulous birds, monkeys, coati, agouti, and maybe the tracks of margay, ocelot, jaguar or tapir.

Visits to a Wild Cat Refuge, a Butterfly Garden, an Orchid Garden and the Ranario (frog garden) are easy ways to see and learn a lot in a short time. Optional activities include canopy zipline, horseback riding and suspension bridges through the canopy of the forest. Photo ops are everywhere! This is not a lie-on-the-beach trip. Come ready to have a jungle adventure, sleep in a bunk, be willing to hike, learn a lot, and try new foods, meet new people and appreciate a whole new culture and ecosystem.

$1995 includes all lodging, overland transportation, guides, admissions, instruction, taxes and meals. A deposit of $200 will hold your spot and is refundable (less a $40 cancellation fee). The balance is due April 1, 2010. We meet in San Jose, Costa Rica.  Departure tax of $26 and tips for the guide are not included.  An Early Bird Discount of $100 to those who send their deposit prior to January 31, 2010.

from a grandfather in Rochester NY who asked us to design a custom trip for his family:

“I cannot believe how interesting, exciting and informative the trip was – far exceeding my greatest expectations. You, as the engine/leader/teacher and Mighty Dwighty as the caboose/leader/teacher, were an exhilirating combo, and you provided us with a great combination of your expertize, the expertize of perfectly chosen bug, bird, bat and other specialists, home cooked local fare, 7-scoop milk shakes, and a modicum of “quiet time”. A great, delicate balance that pleased all, aged 8 to 70++. We absolutely will spread the word about our experience, and will be delighted to be a promotional assistant with our recommendation to any qualified inquirers.”