Costa Rica: Reforestation and Tropical Trails

The Trip

Costa Rica's wildly diverse ecosystems provide a haven for tropical wildlife of all kinds. and opportunities for adventure. Forming the land bridge between North and South America, the country is a peaceful biological treasure, with more species of mammals and birds than in the continental United States and Canada combined. The country also boasts exquisite flora, including more than 3,000 species of orchids, and a world-famous national park system. Costa Rica's recently announced Zero-Carbon Plan could be a model for the world.

On this trip, we'll be planting trees and supporting reforestation projects organized by the Monteverde Institute, a local non-profit educational organization established to guide the increased tourism in a positive and productive manner for the benefit of the visitors and local community. We will explore Costa Rica's natural wonders including cloud and dry tropical forests, volcano-heated hot springs, waterfalls, and dramatic valleys. We'll look for exotic plants and wildlife as we hike in private reserves and traverse the forest canopy on a series of interconnected skywalks, or optionally, zip lines. Additionally, we will experience the beauty of a forest lined river by boat or raft. Frequent bird watching opportunities affords the chance to see many different avian species.  We will learn about how tree planting is developing and expanding habitat for the Three-wattled Bellbird and the Resplendent Quetzal. This trip gives you an opportunity to experience and enjoy Costa Rica’s. natural wonders and beauty while giving back through reforestation.

Costa Rica is a land of extraordinary biodiversity. You are likely to see a variety of mammals, including the white-faced capuchin monkey, coatimundi, sloths and agouti. There are hundreds of species of birds, including bellbirds, resplendent quetzals, toucans, parrots, hummingbirds, blue and gold tanagers, motmots, and bellbirds. There is also an incredible range of butterflies, insects, reptiles, and brilliantly colored amphibians. The flora includes innumerable kinds of flowering plants -- such as orchids, bromeliads, and ginger -- as well as the many forest trees including the strangler fig and the Guanacaste tree.

This service trip endeavors to satisfy the criteria for Sustainable Tourism. The United Nations World Tourism Organization defines sustainable travel as “tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of its visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.” Through successful ecotourism, Costa Rica has been able to support both conservation and economic growth.

We stay at locally owned hotels and lodges, we interact with locals in a variety of ways, we hire and support local guides, businesses and restaurants, and we will support public and private conservation efforts through non-governmental and community-based organizations.  We strive to reduce negative impacts to the places we visit by traveling outside of the high season. Our trip will directly bring benefits to the local economy, the Costa Rican people and the environment. The trip is also an excellent trip for young adults as it affords an opportunity to learn about conservation, natural resource conservation and giving back through service.

The Project

Continuing reforestation in areas around Monteverde as part of the Three-wattled Bellbird (Pájaro Campana) Biological Corridor, is a multi-institutional initiative which seeks to connect critical Pacific-slope habitat between the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Complex and the coastal mangroves on the Gulf of Nicoya. The goal of the corridor is to enhance important altitudinal migratory routes for bellbirds and other species.

Day 1: Arrive at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) and head to our locally owned hotel to relax and meet your fellow participants at the trip orientation and dinner. The taxi ride will take about 10-15 minutes and will cost USD$10 or less.

Day 2: Immediately after breakfast we will travel over the Cordillera Central, the volcanic mountain range in central Costa Rica, to the Sarapiquí area in the Caribbean lowlands. We will enjoy lunch at a favorite Sierra Club forest lodge. After lunch, we will enjoy a casual float trip along the Sarapiquí River. After we change into dry clothes, we will continue to La Fortuna, a quintessential Costa Rica town complete with a town square and a bustling commercial center.

Passing through La Fortuna, we will continue our journey to our lodge at the foot of the Arenal Volcano. The historic lodge provides a front row seat to the once highly active volcano, studied by scientists for many years. After checking in, we will enjoy dinner at the lodge.

Day 3: If you rise a bit early, you can enjoy some birdwatching off the restaurant’s deck or search the forest for monkeys. After breakfast, we will hike down 530 steps to the La Fortuna Waterfall, one of the tallest waterfalls in the country. You may bring your swimsuit enjoy a cool plunge in the picturesque pool. The climb up 530 steps may take a while, but your reward will be a delicious, organic lunch prepared in a traditional Costa Rica kitchen.

After lunch, we will visit a local hot spring which features lush landscaping around several pools naturally heated by Arenal ranging from 90°F to 104°F. We return to our lodge for dinner.

Day 4: After our breakfast we will bid adieu to Arenal, cross Lake Arenal by boat, then proceed to Monteverde, our home in the Tilaran Mountains mountain range. Monteverde was founded by Quakers from Alabama in 1950. It is home to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, created by the Quakers to protect the watershed. The Reserve has attracted biologists and researchers studying flora and fauna; it now attracts many tourists every year.

Upon arrival into Monteverde, we will have lunch at Stella’s Cafe, an old haunt of your trip leader. After lunch, we will have time to visit the merchants in the town square and soak up the vibe of Monteverde before checking in at a nearby lodge, our home for the next several days. 

Day 5: Imagine a place where the trees are draped in moss and the air is filled with the sound of birdsong. A place where the clouds hang low and the mist swirls around you. That is the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. It is home to several endangered species, including the Resplendent Quetzal and the Three-wattled Bellbird.

We will join a naturalist after breakfast in for a walk in the Reserve. After our walk, time permitting, we will visit the Hummingbird Gallery adjacent to the entrance to the Reserve. There are over 30 species of hummingbirds in Monteverde, Costa Rica, making it one of the best places in the world to see these amazing birds.

We will return to Monteverde for lunch then walk over to the Monteverde Institute, the organization we support through our reforestation service work. The MVI offers a variety of academic programs that give students the knowledge and skills they need to address global issues of sustainability while also learning about the local culture and environment. In the afternoon, we will perform our first half day of service. After a fulfilling day, we will return to our lodge and then enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 6: After breakfast, you have the option of taking a guided nature walk on hanging bridges to explore and feel the forest canopy. Those seeking an adrenalin rush can opt to zip through forest canopy at an additional cost.

Lunch will be at a locally owned restaurant offering traditional food located in Santa Elena, the larger town in the tri-community area. Santa Elena has the largest grocery store, post office, a bookstore and numerous restaurants. After lunch, we will perform our second half day of reforestation-type work. Dinner will be at another local, family-owned restaurant.

Day 7: We will begin our day with our third half-day of reforestation work after breakfast at our lodge. Lunch at a local restaurant will precede some free time to explore the area on your own.

You can visit the Butterfly Garden near our lodge, visit the Orchid Garden or Frog Pond in Santa Elena, go on a hike inside the Children’s Enteral Rainforest, walk down to the Waterfall in Monteverde, or take time to visit one or more art galleries in the area. Taxis are inexpensive so getting around is easy should you not wish to walk.

We will meet in Monteverde in the late afternoon and learn about tropical bats at the Bat Jungle followed by a wonderful dinner upstairs at the top restaurant in Monteverde, owned a operated by a longtime resident of Monteverde originally from Argentina.

Day 8: No trip to Costa Rica is complete without some time at the beach. After breakfast, we will travel to Nicoya Peninsula characterized a distinct dry season and beautiful beaches. The national tree of Costa Rica is the Guanacaste (also called Elephant Ear Tree) is found here. The peninsula has extensive mangrove forests which play an essential role in the Nicoya Peninsula's ecosystem.

To get to the peninsula, we will board a ferry in the port town of Puntarenas. The journey takes us across the Gulf of Nicoya and provides stunning panoramic views of the ocean while reducing our total drive time significantly. We will stop for lunch in route. This is our longest travel day, traveling from the continental divide to sea level which is an elevation change of 5,000 feet.

Our boutique hotel offers comfortable rooms with modern amenities and a serene atmosphere. Our hotel is located just a short walk from the beach. Dinner will be at our hotel.

Day 9: Montezuma is a beautiful destination that offers a mix of history, culture, and natural beauty. It is known for its bohemian vibe. After breakfast, we will enjoy hike in the Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve which is about 30 minutes away from Montezuma. Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve was Costa Rica’s first national reserve and its creation helped to shape the country’s conservation efforts. The afternoon affords you time to relax at the beach or the pool.

For those with more energy, you can take a technical hike to the Montezuma waterfall or stroll through the town. If we are lucky, we may have an opportunity to see baby Olive Ridley turtles released into the ocean by Costa Rica's Association of Volunteers for Service in Protected Areas (ASVO). Dinner will be at a local restaurant.

Day 10: After breakfast, we will travel by boat to the mainland where our bus will be waiting to take us to lunch. The boat to Herradura Beach takes about one hour and offers an opportunity to spot dolphins, whales and manta rays along the way. After lunch we will return to our boutique hotel near the airport where we enjoy a farewell dinner with newfound friends.

Day 11: Today, you can either fly back to the USA or spend more time in Costa Rica. Your trip leader can offer suggestions for extending your trip. Our hotel is only 15 minutes from the airport and the hotel will arrange a taxi the night before. Breakfast, starting at 6:30am, will also be offered.

Getting There

Book your flight into and out of Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) near San Jose, where the trip begins and ends. SJO is served by several airlines, including American, Southwest, Delta, and Copa Airlines.

Accommodations and Food

Although this is not a luxury trip, we will stay in charming, locally owned lodges and modern hotels. Rooms are double occupancy; if you come alone, we'll provide you a roommate. We will travel by comfortable, private minibus. The food will be delicious -- a mix of local and continental dishes, with a variety of tropical fruits and vegetables. Vegetarians are welcome. The water is safe to drink throughout Costa Rica; single use plastics are highly discouraged.

Trip Difficulty

This trip is suitable for people who are in good health, get regular exercise, enjoy nature, and have a good-humored approach to traveling in Latin America -- where things might not go as predictably as they do at home. Our trip is not strenuous and can be considered leisurely to moderate most days. Unlike most Sierra Club service trips which involve full days of work, this trip involves only four half days of reforestation activities. Nonetheless, the service work may be difficult due to the heat, humidity and uneven terrain. Elevation gains and losses on most hikes are minimal except when we are hiking to and from a waterfall.

Although we will be traveling during the wet, ‘green’ season, rain is not expected to restrict our movements or your enjoyment of the trip. The weather will be varied with the Monteverde area dropping to about 65F at nights and the lowlands and coastlines of the Nicoya Peninsula will be warm and humid. On most travel days we will drive short distances; however, the longest travel day will be about 5-6 hours.

Equipment and Clothing

No special equipment is needed but good hiking shoes or boots, quick-dry clothing, water shoes, binoculars and a camera are highly recommended. Your leader will provide a comprehensive packing list well in advance of the trip.

References

• Lonely Planet Costa Rica

• Ewing, Jack, Where Tapirs and Jaguars Once Roamed: Ever-Evolving Costa Rica.

• Monteverde: Science and Scientists in a Costa Rican Cloud Forest.

• Kricher, John C., The New Neotropical Companion.

Conservation

Reforestation is the conservation focus of this trip. We will learn about the history of Monteverde and the Monteverde Institute, our host organization organizing the service work. We will also learn about the community of Quakers whose pivotal decision to protect their watershead has resulted in making the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

Evacuation and Travel Insurance

The Sierra Club provides evacuation insurance to all participants on international trips. Since this coverage does not include any trip cancellation or interruption insurance, we suggest you purchase another policy separately to provide coverage for your trip and other travel costs. This policy also does not cover pre-trip and post-trip travel. Please note the evacuation insurance provided does not cover claims resulting from any pre-existing condition that occurs within 60 days of the trip departure. If you have specific questions about this exclusion, please review the insurance brochure. For information on purchasing a separate policy, please see our travel insurance page.