Global Adventure - Hike and Photograph in Costa Rica Where Nature is Its Colorful Best!

Arrive at the Juan Santamaria International Airport  (SJO) on Saturday March 23, 2019. We will be met by our Costa Rica Expeditions guide who will take us to our hotel which has a restaurant.  Because most flights arrive in San José in the evening, there are no group activities scheduled for today and you are on your own for dinner.

 On Monday, April 1, 2019 you will return to San Jose so you can make the connection with your international flight in the afternoon or evening or continue on the extension of the trip flying to the remote Tortuguero National Park to end on April 4, 2019.

Itinerary Highlights: The focus of this ecologically-sensitive adventure is to view and photograph the wildlife, flowers, butterflies and the unique and extraordinary birds in their mating plumage, in this stunning and diverse Central American country.   We will be day-hiking in some remote areas, walking and boating in nature preserves, research stations and national parks with a biologist/naturalist guide at all times to ensure that we learn, photograph and see as much as possible.  Lodging will be in hotels and lodges near trail heads. 

A detailed daily itinerary can  be downloaded here, and a daily hiking distance and elevation profile here.  Find an overview map of our route here.

Time of Year: : Late March to early April is high season when weather is good and you will have the greatest chance of seeing the active animals and  very colorful birds during mating season.

Lodging: Lodging will be in comfortable small hotels, lodges and bungalows all with en-suite facilities. Rooms are double occupancy. In one case rooms may need to be shared by 3 people. 

Food: All meals will be provided except on the evening of arrival in San Jose and lunch on April1. Special diets can be arranged with prior arrangements. Coffee and tea are included with breakfast. Fruit juices are not included. Drinks with lunch and dinner are not included.

Leader’s Experience:  Patti Polinsky has led many Mountaineers hikes, climbs, field trips, Global Adventure trips and private trips. She directs the Winter Sports and the Mountaineers famous Mushroom weekend at Meany Lodge. She is also a founding member of the Peak Society and received the Service Award from the Mountaineers. (Meanysports@me.com)

Participant Requirements: Must be a current Mountaineers member with an up-to-date waiver on file.  This trip is focused on taking the time to find, observe and photograph many of the unique plants, animals and insects of the country, and as such, is not designed for trekkers and climbers looking for a fast paced workout or adventure trip. Must enjoy communing with nature through listening, looking and photographing the birds, butterflies, reptiles, snakes and animals of the tropic while walking or hiking (longer walks) with a naturalist guide. As some walks are in rain forests, some trails may be muddy and slippery, and some of the walks may be as long as 6-7 hours on sometimes steep terrain.  For this reason the trip level is stated as moderate and participants must be fit for several hours of walking and have sound joints and balance to negotiate potentially rough, steep and slippery trails.  Most days one could remain at the lodging if not wanting to do a day-hike.  See daily trip profile, attached.

Trip Price Detail:   $3,850 including all lodging, meals (except night of arrival), transportation, all entrance fees to parks, reserves, private facilities as mentioned in detailed description, and a guide/naturalist with us the full time and tips. Your travel insurance, drinks with lunch and dinner, airfare to San Jose, Costa Rica are not included. International medical and emergency evacuation insurance are required. (The same commercial trip in 2018 is $5,500)

Registration Instructions:   Please download and complete the application form and email it to the leader. After leader’s approval, please pay the 50% deposit ($2,100) in order to hold your space on the roster, and complete and sign the online Global Adventures Liability Release. Space is strictly limited to 10 people (plus leader and husband). Registration will close Jan 1, 2019 and the balance of the payment is due on that date.

application          release

Cancellation Policy:  If you cancel because of an emergency, you may receive a refund less expenses incurred and a $100 administrative fee.