Costa Rica: Biology Lab
Length
8 days
Price
$1,115
Destinations
San Jose & Cahuita
This 8 day program gives students hands-on biology lessons in the breathtaking tropical environment of Costa Rica.
Students will have many opportunities to take biology outside of the classroom and into to the field in Cahuita. Students will participate in a variety of field projects, including a stream investigation on aquatic macroinvertebrates, DNA isolation of local fruit, examinations of water and soil samples from multiple sources, animal and plant identification, and more. There will be labs on both genetics and natural selection.
Costa Rica’s ecosystem is rich and abundant in variety, and students will have the chance to see and study all of the vibrant flora and fauna with naturalist tours in Gandoca Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge and Cahuita National Park. A marine biology lesson will accompany coral reef snorkeling.
In addition to snorkeling, other recreational activities include surfing lessons, white water rafting, and souvenir hunting in an artisanal market.
Special activities include a visit with the Bribri indigenous tribe to learn their unique customs and how to make chocolate, and a service learning project at a local elementary school.
Program includes
- 7 Nights of Accommodation in Twin or Triple Rooms with Individual Beds
- Daily Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
- Entrance to All Venues
- All Ground Transportation
- Full-Time Professional Bilingual Guide & Assistance
- Travelers Insurance
- Wildlife Tours
- Nocturnal Wildlife Hike
- Service Learning Projects
- Coral Reef Snorkeling
- Jaguar Rescue Center
- Biology Labs
- White Water Rafting
Itinerary
DAY 01– San Jose
- Arrive in San Jose, Airport Transfer
- Check In, Relax, & Refresh
- Welcome Dinner & Program Orientation
DAY 02– Cahuita
- Breakfast & Day Briefing
- Transfer to Cahuita
- Check In & Group Lunch
- Town Orientation, Discussions of Projects & Communities
- Surfing Lessons (Safe for Beginners)
- Nocturnal Wildlife Hike
DAY 03– Cahuita
- Breakfast & Day Briefing
- Cahuita National Park Wildlife Tour (Local Flora & Fauna)
- Microscopy Scientific Investigation: Stream Investigation on Aquatic Macroinvertebrates
- Group Lunch
- Cahuita Elementary School Service Learning Projects
- Free Time & Cultural Immersion
- Group Dinner
DAY 04– Cahuita
- Breakfast & Day Briefing
- Cahuita National Park Volunteer Projects
- Collection of Local Macrofungi
- Group Lunch (Traditional Bribri Meal)
- Bribri Tribe Educational Day – Medicinal Plants, Chocolate Making, Sustaining Culture & Traditions, & Bribri Waterfalls
- DNA Isolation of Local Fruit
- Free Time & Cultural Immersion
- Group Dinner
DAY 05– Cahuita
- Morning Bird Watching
- Breakfast & Day Briefing
- Jaguar Rescue Center
- Group Lunch
- Gandoca Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge Naturalist Tour (Local Flora & Fauna)
- Animal & Plant Identification (Taxonomy)
- Stream, Beach Water, & Soil Samples (in Kingdom Protista)
- Group Dinner
DAY 06– Cahuita
- Breakfast & Day Briefing
- Coral Reef Snorkeling & Marine Biology Lesson
- Group Lunch
- Cahuita National Park: Lessons on Kingdom Plantae and Kingdom Animalia (Insects, Birds, Mammals, & Mollusks)
- Genetics Lab
- Natural Selection Lab
- Group Dinner
DAY 07– San Jose
- Breakfast & Day Briefing
- Rio Pacuare White Water Rafting
- Group Lunch
- Transfer to San Jose
- National Artisanal Market Souvenir Shopping
- Farewell Dinner & Program Closing
DAY 08– Departure
- Breakfast & Day Briefing
- Airport Transfer
- Depart San Jose for Home
All of our programs are 100% customizable
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