Pocosol – Costa Rica Trip
Children’s Eternal Rainforest – Pocosol – Atlantic Slope Adventure
When: Dates for 2012 are coming soon! Check back with us.
Click here to download the MCLUS Costa Rica Trip Registration Form (.doc)
“The land is one great wild, untidy, luxuriant hothouse made by nature for herself.”
- Charles Darwin
“ An enormous wood spread out at our feet that reached down to the ocean: the tree-tops, hung about with lianas, and crowned with great bushes of flowers, spread out like a great carpet, the dark green of which seemed to glean in contrast to the light. We were all the more impressed by this sight because it was the first time we had come across a mass of tropical vegetation… I can tell that I shall be very happy here and that such impressions will often cheer me in the future.”
- Alexander von Humboldt
Few earthly habitats have inspired more awe or longer lasting impressions than lowland rainforests. For millennia humans have carved out their existence among the buttresses, lianas, and paddle-shaped leaves of their tropical cradles. Unfortunately, for the forests, our societal growth and tools over the past 100 years have been too efficient and our use of rainforests has evolved into overexploitation. That is why you need to come to Costa Rica! Witness first hand Costa Rica’s lowland rainforest, its origins, functions, hidden treasures, and the sustainable solutions we have put in place in order to save them. Get impressed. You’ll see everything from the isthmus’ fiery volcanic origin, how some of the original rainforest inhabitants managed life in the forest, and how the remnant forests are scattered among modern human endeavors.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1
Travelers fly to Costa Rica and arrive in San Jose (SJO, airport code) by 4:00 pm in order to join our welcome dinner. Please contact us with your flight information to help you arrange transport to Hotel Cacts. (Overnight: Hotel Cacts – D)
Day 2
This morning after an early breakfast at Cacts’ roof-top restaurant w
e’ll be on our way to the Atlantic Slope. Our first stop will be at the rainforest aerial tram for a unique look at the tropical rainforest. We’ll explore the forest from the trunks through the crowns observing the creatures and features that make the rainforest special. After lunch at the aerial tram we’ll tour Earth University (Earth University is unique in its mission to seek sustainable agricultural practices for the tropics) or a nearby organic pineapple farm. In the evening we’ll stop at Tirimbina Rainforest Center where we will have dinner and spend the night. For dessert we’ll have a guided nocturnal prowl through the forest, an added adventure to their famous chocolate tour. (Overnight: Tirimbina – B, L, D)
Day 3
Rancho Margot Cabin
After breakfast we’ll enjoy an early morning cruise on the Sarapiqui River to look for wildlife that hangs out along, or in, the river. This is the region that supports a remnant population of great green macaws and there is a good chance we’ll spot a pair. A few hours later we’ll continue our drive towards the Northern plains and La Fortuna (the home of CR’s most active volcano – Arenal). We’ll stop for lunch, and a stroll around La Fortuna which will also be a great opportunity for 
souvenir shopping. We will be staying at one of Costa Rica’s most sustainable farms and lodges, Rancho Margot. In the afternoon we’ll tour Rancho Margot, and see a slide presentation on the history of the area and Arenal Volcano before dinner. The evening is yours for volcano watching, but a swim in the shaded grotto pool is always a temptation. (Overnight: Rancho Margot – B, L, D)
Day 4
For those early risers there will be pre-breakfast bird walk. After our meal, we’ll head 
toward Arenal National park where we’ll join the local guide from last night’s presentation. In the park we will see firsthand what happens when lava meets rainforest. Around 10 am we’ll continue our trip north to visit one of the indigenous Maleku villages. We will visit a local Maleku family who will explain many of their traditions and cultures and how they struggle to maintain them in a rapidly changing world. We’ll have lunch with the Malekus (the original CR traditional food prepared by a graduate of Costa Rica’s culinary institute) before heading back towards our next destination in the afternoon. Our goal is to return to La Tigra for our 4×4 transport to the Pocosol Station in the Children’s Eternal Rainforest (CER) before nightfall. After dinner at the station, you’ll have the evening to relax, and assimilate all that’s been seen and done over the past few days. On the other hand we could be accompanied by a local guide who can lead us on a night hike. (Overnight: Pocosol/CER – B, L, D)
Day 5
served at the station, then we’ll have a guided exploration of the Zamia trail to the bubbling volcanic mudpots, and then loop back down to lake. We will eat lunch at the station then have an afternoon classroom session to brainstorm mini-research projects, or have some solo time on the trails. This station has a network of interesting trails that include views of waterfalls and varied terrain. Bat and frog game before dinner. Afterwards, a local biologist will teach us more about Costa Rica’s most diverse group of mammals (bats) and show us some up close, captured by mist-net. (Overnight: Pocosol/CER – B, L, D).Day 6
From hairy wings to feathered ones, our local biologist will set up the 
mist nets again to help bring some of the feathered denizens of the forest in for closer inspection. This will happen before/during breakfast and will last a couple of hours. The rest of the morning is yours for further exploration and observation on the trails. After lunch at the station we’ll meet in the classroom to hear what everyone discovered. We’ll have dinner at the station and an evening of leisure in preparation for our trip out next morning. (Overnight: Pocosol/CER – B, L, D).
Day 7
Luna Nueva Dining Room
After breakfast we’ll head towards our next destination, Finca Luna Nueva, a model organic farm and sustainable eco-lodge. We will be there mid-morning for a tour of their operations. After lunch, you will have the afternoon/evening free to choose a variety of optional ($) activities offered by Luna Nueva (see website for details – www.fincalunanuevalodge.com) for which we’ll sign up for in advance. (overnight: Luna Nueva – B, L, D)
community service exploration. Our first stop will be Proyecto Asis where we will tour their facilities and undoubtedly lend a hand, or many, to one of their current projects. We’ll have our picnic lunch there on the grounds then continue on to Amureci, a trailblazing association of women dedicated to creating artisanal souvenirs through recycling programs. In the afternoon we will return to Luna Nueva for dinner. (Overnight: Luna Nueva – B, L, D).
your own, do another optional activity, or just relax there at the lodge and enjoy a lovely swimming pool. Before noon we will pack up, and be on our way back to San Jose. We will stop for lunch en route as we re-enter the Central Valley and drive through small, scenic towns like Zarcero and Sarchi. At Sarchi we can make a final souvenir stop and admire the home of the typical hand-painted oxcarts. By late afternoon we’ll return to Hotel Cacts. In the evening we will walk back over to Maria Bonita restaurant for our farewell dinner. (Overnight: Hotel Cacts – B, L, D)Day 10
Today is the day we depart. Please book your airplane reservations to depart no 
earlier than 11:00 am so that we can take the group to the airport after breakfast. Contact us if you have specific departure needs. (B)
*The cost includes all items mentioned in the itinerary above, unless otherwise noted. Airfare and the mandatory $26 departure tax paid at the airport are not included as part of this package. The cost is based on double, triple, and in some cases quadruple occupancy, given the rustic or simple nature of some of the lodging. If you are interested in being part of this unforgettable adventure, or have more questions, please contact our office.
View of Children's Eternal Rainforest from Pocosol Station
Office Number (314) 941-1257
Email: info@mclus.org
OR inquire directly with Maggie Eisenberger – MCLUS Travel/Science Coordinator at maggie.eisenberger@mclus.org.
Click here to download the MCLUS Costa Rica Trip Registration Form (.doc)
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