What to see while on your class trip to Costa Rica

Thousands of tiny leaf cutter ants—each carrying greenery five times their own body weight—march in a single file line across a rainforest trail. Scarlet macaws, blue Morpho butterflies, hummingbirds, and other vibrant wildlife dart in front of our group as we trek across a trail in the Braulio Carrillo National Rainforest Park. Howler monkeys make a guttural ruckus that can be heard for miles, while the raccoon-like coatimundis make brief appearances. This enchanted land can offer a wide array of experiences, but for the typical school group who wants to experience both the science of the rainforest, the ecology of the ocean, and the culture of Latin America within a short trip time frame (less than 12 days), it important that you visit certain areas. These different regions offer a wide variety of experiences for you school group or class trip to Costa Rica.

San Jose and the Central Valley

Coffee and volcanoes; San Jose is the capitol of Costa Rica and sits nestled in a volcanic valley at about 4,100 feet. Because of its elevation, it receives cool weather in the evenings and substantial rain throughout the year. This climate and elevation is the perfect setting for some of the finest coffee in the world. Additionally, San Jose is surrounded by several active volcanoes from Poaz to the northwest, Irazu to the east, and dormant volcanoes to the south. Because of its location, which lies directly over two tectonic plates, it has had a history of earthquake activity. For those educators wanting to experience culture, history, the coffee baron heritage, cooking classes and folkloric dance, San Jose provides the perfect place to visit for language students.

La Fortuna and Volcano Arenal

The village of La Fortuna sits at the base of the 5470-feet high Arenal Volcano in the North by the northwest part of this West Virginia-sized country. Arenal is one of the seven active volcanoes, and the most active volcano in Central America, shooting out pyroclastic bombs each night. This amazing fireworks show can be quite a sight if you are lucky enough to see it on an unclouded night. Nearby is the Fortuna waterfall that many compare to a scene directly out of the movie Jurassic Park. The rushing waters descend almost 450 feet directly into a pool of mesmerizing, clear water. This waterfall is a must-see excursion within this tropical region. Because La Fortuna has waterfalls, rainforest, volcanic activity, and hydrothermal springs, it is a perfect location for a school group to enhance their in-class science experience. Teachers can promote their students' experience by teaching rainforest ecology, symbiotic relationships, hydrology, geology, and a variety of environmental studies. Appleseed Expeditions is a science-oriented travel company that can provide an ecologist's guides to help enhance this experience.

If you are looking for a book that will help prepare your students for their experience in the tropics of Costa Rica we recommend a book called “Tropical Nature: Life and Death in the Rain Forests of Central and South America”. You can order this at - http://www.amazon.com/Tropical-Nature-Forests-Central-America/dp/0684187108

Monteverde and the Bridges in the Sky

The Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve is a Costa Rican national park that has some of the highest number of diverse species in the entire country. The Preserve consists of over 10,500 hectares of tropical rainforest with most of the forest being virgin or primary uncut rainforest. This area consists of over 2,500 plant species including thousands of orchids, 100 species of mammals, 400 bird species, 120 reptilian and amphibian species, and thousands of insects. The Bridges in the Sky are aerial suspension bridges built over the top of the rainforest. They span canyons and drainages, and bring visitors face to face with the upper level of the forest canopy. Because of this high biodiversity, high amount of plant insect symbiotic relationships, and virgin rainforests, this is a must see area for science students. Many AP biology students from high schools across the nation team up with local scientist to study species biodiversity in this region of Costa Rica. If you are interested in having your school group volunteer with these scientists in this region contact us at info@appleseedexpeditions.com.

Guanacaste and Tamarindo

Tamarindo and the Pacific Northwest coast is known as Guanacaste is free-spirited and laid-back; a different drummer kind of place. For those wanting to experience lush tropical crocodile filled estuaries, untouched golden beaches, and rare Pacific dry forests, Gauanacaste is the region for you. The warm Pacific is inviting with its blue waters, rock reefs, and peculiar wildlife. Many snorkelers will receive an up-close and personal experience with golden puffer fish, wild yellow belly sea snakes, and the occasional whale shark. For a science class trip, students will be able to learn about the interconnections with the rare dry rainforest, estuaries and the fragile marine ecosystems. Free time along this region consists of surf lessons, kayaking, or the mandarin colored sunset.

Manuel Antonio National Park

Four beaches are contained within this park along the southwestern part of the Pacific in Costa Rica. The first beach is separated by a natural land bridge formed by sand accumulations. The diversity of wildlife in these three square miles has no comparison in the country. This park contains 109 species of mammals and over 160 different species of birds, including the scarlet macaw. Both Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth and Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth make their home here. A major draw to this park is that you are guaranteed to see monkeys. These include the Mantled Howler monkey, the Central American squirrel monkey, and the white-faced Capuchin. The is a great place to encourage students to compare them to the similar species diversity found in the ocean environment.

Tortuguero National Park

Tortuguero, translated in Spanish literally means Land of Turtles. This park is located on the Northern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica in the Limón Province. Because of its location along the northern coastal area of the Caribbean Sea, it provides the perfect nesting area for many of the world's most endangered sea turtles. There are two biological stations in this area, the Cano Palma Biological Research Station and the John H. Phipps Biological Field Station. Both stations concentrate on research and conservation of local endangered sea turtles such as the hawksbill, green, and leatherback. Science students can enhance their in-class teaching that emphasizes marine biology and ocean conservation. Appleseed Expeditions provides guided tours of this region with professional marine biologists and ecologist to help students understand their role in marine preservation.

Sarapiqui and La Selva Biological Station

La Selva Biological Station is a rainforest research station in Costa Rica, providing a facility of worldwide importance for tropical ecology. Located near Sarapiqui in the central lowlands, La Selva includes a nature reserve that protects about 15 square kilometers (5.8 square miles) of virgin tropical rainforest. The research station is run by the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS), and provides research for universities in Costa Rica and abroad. Prominent professors from all over the globe study tropical biodiversity and sustainable agriculture at this station. Appleseed Expeditions groups team up with researchers to volunteer and help with ongoing rainforest studies. Last year (2010), we had several teams helping a herpetologist study the breeding habits of red poison arrow frogs.

Pacuare River

The Pacuare River in Costa Rica has its source in the Cordillera de Talamanca, and flows almost 90 miles to the Caribbean ocean. This is the most popular white water rafting river experience in Costa Rica partly because of its challenging rapids and partly because of its tropical location. National Geographic stated that the Pacuare rates in the top 10 rivers to raft in the world. The rainforests that surround the river are home to exotic animal species such as jaguars, monkeys, ocelots, and a very large number of birds.

For more information or to schedule a class trip to Costa Rica please contact Appleseed Expeditions at info@appleseedexpeditions.com or go to www.appleseedexpeditions.com. We can also provide educational materials and resources to prepare you for your school adventure at no extra cost.