Costa Rica Trip—Spring 2004

In 2004, thirty-eight Master Gardeners, along with State Coordinator Tom Wichman, travelled to Costa Rica to spend eleven days enjoying the country's many parks and gardens.

April 5--San José

• Arrival and check-in at the Hotel Residencia de Golf
• Visit to the Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad

April 6--San José

• Tour to learn learn how the world's finest coffee is farmed, harvested and transformed into perfectly roasted beans
• Travel to Cartago to see Irazu Volcano
• Stop in at Lankaster Gardens and Orosi

April 7--Sarapiqui

• Driving tour of Braulio Carrillo National Park
• Check in at Selva Verde Lodge

April 8--Sarapiqui

• Transfer to Heliconia Island, a tropical oasis with more than 70 species and varieties of heliconias, as well as a range of other plants

April 9--Arenal

• Guided hike of the lodge's private rainforest reserve
• Travel to the hot springs at Temales del Bosque
• Continue on to the Arenal Volcano, a young, active, and impressive volcano

April 10--Arenal

• Explore Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge

April 11--Monteverde

• Travel to Monteverde and tour the town and local cheese factory
• Check in to Hotel El Establo

April 12--Monteverde

• Tour of Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

April 13--Punta Leona

• En route to Punta Leona, stop at Carara Biological Reserve for a boat ride on the Rio Tarcoles into crocodile territory
• Check in at Punta Leona Hotel

April 14--Punta Leona

• Guided hike to Turu Ba Ri Park, an ecosystem complex that has a wealth of orchids, heliconias, cactus, and palms

April 15--San José/Departure

• Return to Florida