Costa Rica, the land of “pura vida", is considered the home of ecotourism. The country boasts 28 national parks, 58 wildlife refuges, 32 protected zones, 15 wetland areas, 11 forest reserves, and eight biological reserves. Among these landmarks, each traveler will visit the three reserves known as cloud forests. Cloud forests take their name from a natural phenomena, when the fog and low-hanging clouds hover just above a forest's upper canopy, which rain down onto the leaves and trees below. In this experience, each traveler will experience the three best known cloud forests: Children’s Eternal Rainforest, Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve, and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve. Everyone will view a popular natural phenomenon known as the Great Divide, which is a continental separation between the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. On the way to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, travelers can enjoy the scenery and tropical seascape. Then, everyone will travel north to San Juan for a local and traditional homestay.At La Fortuna, the group will have a chance to see the Arenal Volcano, and try adrenaline-filled adventures, including dipping into the hot springs, whitewater rafting, and waterfall rappelling. At Monteverde, travelers will stop at Life Monteverde, a coffee cooperative, for coffee tastings. Each traveler can grow their knowledge on farming and traditions in agriculture. Then, spend some time in the waves at Santa Teresa and Montezuma, where you can learn to surf and spend time at the beach towns. Each traveler will be able to do any last minute adventures during this time, before arriving back in San Jose.
This 14-day trip costs $1,120, and is a G Adventures’ 18-Thirtysomethings trip geared toward young, budget minded travelers. G Adventures is a sustainable, small-group tour company that has been leading travelers for 35+ years. They have been pioneers in community tourism, and their trips directly benefit the local communities they visit. They have a responsible travel effort called G For Good and partner with the nonprofit Planeterra, dedicated to ensuring communities touched by tourism benefit from it. They were rated one of CATALYST PLANET’s 8 Best Sustainable Travel Companies.