Costa Rica » Nature’s Kaleidoscope

Costa Rica: Nature’s Kaleidoscope™

Five unique ecosystems. One adventure. See it with your own eyes.

Highlights

Experience massive biodiversity
Hike up the crater of a volcano
Volunteer at an impoverished village primary school
Learn to identify species of tropical flora and fauna
Live in an experimental reforestation center in a protected area
Whitewater raft and tube down a roaring river – check out this video
Zip line through the forest – check out this video

Overview

Experience nature in all its beauty on this unique experience in Costa Rica. We’re based in the Guanacaste Conservation Area – one of the most unique places on earth, with so much biodiversity that UNESCO, a UN body, named it a World Heritage Site.

We’ll spend a week volunteering in an experimental forest station that is actively trying to recover a dry forest ecosystem. You’ll engage in hands-on work to reforest the area, repair trails while also learning from experts about the local ecosystem. The following week we’ll move up to the border of the rainforest where we’ll work at a rural community school. Besides living in two distinct ecosystems, we’ll also explore natural wonders through rafting, hiking, zip lining and horseback riding.

Check out an overview video of our Costa Rica program.
Read student blog : GLA Alum Emily Creek writes about things she learned in Costa Rica.

Community Service

The first project is working with an experimental forestry project in the lowland dry forest that is trying to recover deforested land. In the mornings, we will build tree nurseries and plant trees to reforest the area. We’ll also clear trails through the forest to prevent degradation by hikers and other visitors. A couple of afternoons we’ll go out with biologists to collect species as part of a larger research project going on in the national park.

During the second week when we move to the cloud forest, we will work in an impoverished community where we’ll volunteer at a local school teaching English, sports or arts and crafts. In addition, we will assist in projects to improve the school’s infrastructure, such as painting classrooms or building a playground and an outdoor basketball court.

Check out a feature article on GLA Costa Rica Alum Max Gehring and his contributions to the local community.

Hands-on Learning

You will experience a range of distinct ecosystems and be able to compare and contrast each one. While living in the cloud forest, we’ll examine issues related to water, public health, and ecological conservation. Working first-hand in a watershed area is the perfect setting to discuss the global water crisis and its affect on impoverished communities. Along the way, you’ll discover a whole new world of animals and plant life.

The time spent at the experimental forestry project will allow us to learn firsthand about the challenges of reforestation. The last five days of the program, we’ll live in a rural rain forest community and see first hand the challenges locals face with regard to access to natural resources. You’ll also learn about Costa Rican culture, including dance, music, and social issues.

Adventure

You’ll engage in just about every outdoor activity imaginable! The huge range of ecosystems concentrated in a relatively small geographic area provides a vast array of exciting outdoor adventures. We’ll explore the forests by hiking, whitewater tubing, and zip lining. You’ll also hike up an active volcano, relax on an untouched beach, bathe underneath a waterfall, and ride horses through a jungle paradise. We’ll even spend the weekend at a beautiful beachfront resort where we’ll be able to relax on the beach and hike around an island.

Lodging

On the first night, upon arrival to Costa Rica the group will travel to our dry forest Home Base, located in the national park where we will spend five nights. We will then travel to our beachfront Home Base for one night (two days) located on a quiet bay. Here students can hike, explore, relax on the sandy beaches, and cool off in one of the many swimming pools. For the last seven nights students will lodge in our rain forest Home Base. Both the dry forest and rain forest Home Bases are rustic and simple, with four bunk beds per room and shared bathrooms. Although the bases are remote, students will have internet access. Food will be hearty, healthy, and locally grown food that consists of meats, beans, rice, vegetables, and fruit.