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Costa Rica

The Best of Costa Rica: Exploring Natural Wonders

Program No. 11586RJ
With more than 5% of the world’s biodiversity, 121 volcanic formations, 801 miles of coastline and hundreds of endemic birds, Costa Rica is a true mecca for nature lovers to explore.

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Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

At a Glance

Unhurried. Active. Environmentally aware. Lush. Protected. Biodiverse. Pura Vida — the Pure Life. Costa Rica’s pervading cultural ideology unites with its natural delights to create a unique national character, in which 25 percent of the land is preserved by law and there is no standing military. This invigorating program explores the essential nature of this Central American nation, from its pristine beaches and verdant forests to its rural villages and historic capital.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to 1.5 hours a day over uneven trails in hot and humid conditions. Includes a number of bus transfers; no bathroom on bus but bus stops every 1.5-2 hours. Elevations up to 4,000 feet.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Learn from naturalists about the unique features of the rainforest, wetlands and transition zones.
  • Participate in cultural activities in rural communities.
  • Admire the misty beauty and unique characteristics of a cloud forest during a trail hike and expert presentation.

General Notes

This Road Scholar program offers participants the chance to explore a number of Costa Rica’s iconic ecosystems within a relatively short period of time. Although bus travel is a necessity, it is also an opportunity to see and experience the country up close. En-route program activities help to break up lengthier bus transfers and provide rewarding educational experiences. Local road conditions, weather, two-lane highways, winding roads, traffic and elevation are bigger factors in determining the length of travel than actual distance. This program offers Micro Group options--with 12 or fewer participants--on some departures. Please refer to program date notes.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
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Gilberth Molina
An early interest in plants led Gilberth Molina to work as a gardener for a rainforest lodge in Costa Rica's Caribbean lowlands. There he developed a deep appreciation for the animals and plants of the rainforest and found that he also enjoyed interacting with the lodge's international guests. After studying English and receiving training on the flora, fauna and birds of Costa Rica, Gilberth began leading groups of learners including many Road Scholar participants, sharing his enthusiasm for Costa Rica's natural treasures.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Gilberth Molina
Gilberth Molina View biography
An early interest in plants led Gilberth Molina to work as a gardener for a rainforest lodge in Costa Rica's Caribbean lowlands. There he developed a deep appreciation for the animals and plants of the rainforest and found that he also enjoyed interacting with the lodge's international guests. After studying English and receiving training on the flora, fauna and birds of Costa Rica, Gilberth began leading groups of learners including many Road Scholar participants, sharing his enthusiasm for Costa Rica's natural treasures.
Profile Image of William Suarez
William Suarez View biography
While working for the logging industry in Honduras and seeing its negative impact on the environment, William Suarez became interested in conservation. He returned to his native Costa Rica and received training to serve as a leader for groups interested in learning about the country’s flora and fauna. Today, he specializes in the natural history and birds of Costa Rica. William is also a writer who has had three books published, as well as an outdoorsman who enjoys mountain biking, hiking and fishing.
Profile Image of Alvaro Alvarado
Alvaro Alvarado View biography
Alvaro Alvarado began working as a naturalist expedition leader in 2006. He grew up in Costa Rica’s northern Caribbean lowlands; a rural region dominated by banana and pineapple plantations. Despite his inherent appreciation for nature and outdoor hobbies, he first attended college with plans to become an accountant. When the pull of nature proved too hard to resist, Alvaro turned his sights on ecotourism and earning his naturalist credentials. In his free time, he likes to go hiking, camping, and fishing with his family.
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Edwin Duarte View biography
Edwin Duarte’s childhood in dry forests of Guanacaste honed his observational skills. Birds and native plants were an early obsession. Edwin completed university degrees in agro/eco-tourism and education, and is a certified naturalist. His first foray into group leading was active adventure, including zip-lining, rappelling, kayaking, and white water rafting. Edwin now lives at the base of a volcano. He is a gifted, multifaceted individual who lives to grow and share, learning more about the world as he teaches others.
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Sergio Calvo View biography
Sergio Calvo is a certified Costa Rican naturalist and adventure expedition leader. He grew up in Turrialba, an area famed for its world-class white water rafting, national parks, and the Guayabo pre-Columbian ruins. Sergio is one of seven siblings; they all live in and around Turrialba along with their growing families. Like most Ticos, he is a soccer fan, and he enjoys playing whenever the chance arises. His other favorite pastimes include listening to music, dancing, and hanging out with his family.
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Alex Alvarez View biography
Alex Alvarez began his career as an expedition leader in the early 1990s, after completing his naturalist training at OTS La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica. His early appreciation for the natural world stemmed from a childhood spent in Costa Rica's Caribbean Lowlands, an area known for its diversity of plant and animal species. Alex enjoys spending his free time hiking, cycling, running or diving (he is PADI certified). He is studying natural resources management and conservation at UNED.
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Liza Mora View biography
Liza Mora is a Costa Rican tropical biologist and a certified expedition leader. She lived in the Caribbean lowlands before moving to San José to pursue her secondary school education and college. While attending the Universidad Latina de Costa Rica she worked weekends as a nature interpreter at Tortuguero National Park. This introduction to educational tourism helped her hone the interpretive skills she uses today. Liza has worked for the Peregrine Fund in Panama and conducted scientific research at Columbia Forest Reserve in Belize.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.





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