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From the palm-fringed beaches of the Caribbean coast to mistshroudedmountains cloaked in cloud forest, Costa Rica is aparadise for the naturalist. This peaceful little country, located at anatural bridge between North and South America, contains a phenomenallydiverse concentration of wildlife. With over 25% of the country setaside for national parks and reserves, it’s easy to understand how CostaRica has earned its reputation as the wildlife sanctuary of the Americas.Within these rainforests and cloud forests there is an impressive arrayof flora and fauna. In the lowland jungles, monkeys create a commotionin the canopy, in the company of toucans and macaws. In the centralhighlands of Costa Rica, luxuriant cloud forests blanket mountains, valleysand active volcanoes. In this emerald kingdom, giant tree ferns, orchids,bromeliads and other epiphytes add an air of enchantment.In addition to wildlife explorations accompanied by expert Naturalists, ouritinerary features comfortable accommodations and opportunities to relax,enjoy the local culture and take in the most beautiful tropical beachesin the country.Destination Highlights• Our guides are the best in Costa Rica,trained in both universities and in the field.• Look for spider, capuchin, howler andsquirrel monkeys, sloths, hummingbirds,resplendent quetzals and more in thecountry’s pristine parks and reserves.• Our accommodations at the Arenal SpringsResort put us in prime position to see thespectacular Arenal Volcano.• Not only will you enjoy a traditional dinnerwith Doña Mireya at Hidalgo Family HotSprings, you’ll meet one of the originalQuaker settlers of Monteverde.

Day 6 Sarapiquí / ArenalExplore the Arenal Hanging Bridges.As we walk these trails, see flowersand wildlife typical of the rainforest.Visit the Hidalgo family to enjoy atraditional dinner prepared by ourlocal host, Doña Mireya. Spendtonight at the Arenal Springs Resort,enjoying a dip in the hot springs.(B,L,D)Day 7 Arenal / MonteverdeA boat takes us across Lake Arenalto an ecological farm, where weenjoy lunch. Continue to the MonteverdeCloud Forest. Once settledinto El Establo, we’ll be visited byone of the area’s original Quakersettlers. (B,L,D)Day 8 MonteverdeExplore the Monteverde Reserve,looking for motmots, hummingbirds,toucans and the stunning resplendentquetzal. After a coffee tour learningabout Costa Rica’s “golden bean,”visit the Butterfly Garden. (B,L,D)Day 9 Monteverde / San José / U.S.Return to San José for our independentflights home, departing after 2 p.m.(B)

In this land of eternal spring you discover the richest, most complex tropical cloud forest in the New World — Monteverde. There are sixdistinct forest types at Monteverde, with each tree trunk, every limb and even the ground itself becoming a solid mat of living green.Experience the Full Beauty ofNature’s Rich CoastNo less dramatic than a volcano or anelegant orchid, the easy tranquility ofCosta Rica’s people is often a surpriseto first-time visitors. But at InternationalExpeditions we discovereddecades ago that beauty in Costa Ricagoes beyond nature.Arenal VolcanoMagenta-throated woodstar with an orchid

For more information contact:Alexander M. McCandlessChristopher H. Lutz DirectorCenter for Global StudiesLoomis Chaffee Schoolalec_mccandless@loomis.org860-687-6298