Costa Rica Rainforest Outward Bound School

Costa Rica Outward Bound inspires and develops leadership, compassion, responsibility, environmental respect and service through experiences in nature guided by our expert staff.

8 Days
Day I (March 7): Arrival: Arrival at the Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) and transfer to the Costa Rica Outward Bound base nestled in the hills of San Ramón de Tres Ríos, located about an hour from the airport and situated in a tropical rainforest that sits at about 1,700 meters (5,577 feet) above sea level. At base, you will be welcomed by your instructors who will lead you in an orientation meeting and “Duffle Shuffle” (packing for the trail). Possible activities, depending upon arrival time, include a tree climb, waterfall rappel and possibly a canopy tour. Spend the night at base in the student dorms.
Day II (March 8): Toñito: Early morning transfer to the trekking area. The first day of trekking runs through areas of tropical alpine tundra at an approximate elevation of 2,500 meters (8,200 feet). The area is home to the quetzal bird, which has historical significance for indigenous groups, as well as a myriad of other flora and fauna such as parrots, parakeets, toucans, birds of prey, ocelots, three species of monkeys, sloths and even tapirs. While mammals are much less frequently sighted, groups can see many bird species as well as evidence of mammals in the form of tracks, scat, and vocalizations. This area is quite rugged and mountainous, so our pace is unhurried as we take in the abundant natural beauty of the area. A Costa Rican instructor accompanies each group for the entire rainforest portion of any Costa Rica Outward Bound course and will spend time teaching about Costa Rican ecology as the students learn about it firsthand. His or her role is to share unique knowledge of the species found in the rainforest, and to converse in Spanish with the students. Our bilingual instructors will interact with students in Spanish according to their level, effectively improving their conversational skills. Camp under the stars at a site called Toñito.
Day III (March 9): Tinamú: Our trek continues generally downhill towards our homestay at Rancho Tinamú, a farm that is run by Santiago Parra and his delightful family. Students will spend the night in the cozy thatch roof cabins that look down into the rainforest-filled valley below.
Day IV (March 10): Tinamú: Wake up to an immaculate view of the sun coming up over the mountains. Today, students will have the opportunity to perform a service project, hike down to a beautiful waterfall, learn about alternative energy sources and observe different farm activities like milking cows, caring for farm animals and tending crops. One of the many on-going service projects that students have been working on at this site is a recycling center constructed of bamboo, improving the quality of life and environmental sustainability in the region. The entire family is a joy to be around and will give the students many opportunities to learn about their day-to-day life in the rural and pristine mountains of Costa Rica. And after a full day of activities, the students will be able to settle down again for a cozy night's rest in the cabins at Rancho Tinamú.
Day V (March 11): Londres: An early morning departure will take your group on an 18-kilometer downhill hike to the town of Londres from where you’ll be transported to our base in Manuel Antonio. If time permits, the afternoon will be spent working on your surf skills at Manuel Antonio Beach.
Day VI (March 12): Manuel Anotnio: Spend a relaxing yet energizing time at the spectacular Pacific Ocean beach area of Manuel Antonio. Try your hand at surfing, boogie boarding and sea kayaking in the warm Pacific waters. Students will also have the opportunity to check out Manuel Antonio National Park along with the tropical plants and wildlife found within. Some of the most common animals sited are monkeys and sloths. Evening transfer back to our base camp in San Ramón de Tres Ríos.
Day VII (March 13): Rio Pacuare: Transportation to the Pacuare River, named by National Geographic as one of the top ten rivers in the world. A safety talk ends in donning life jackets, strapping on helmets, and taking on the Class III and IV rapids of the Pacuare in six man rafts. The river flows through a combination of rainforest and scenic rural farmland. Combine this with warm green waves and surfing holes for an experience you'll never forget! Riverine ecology as well as principles of hydrology will be experienced up close. Depending on water conditions, students might have the opportunity to captain the rafts and guide their peers through the rapids. Students will then be transferred back to our base in San Ramón de Tres Ríos where they will spend the night.
Day VIII (March 14): Departure: Gather your belongings and prepare for your departure. Outward Bound will provide transportation to the Juan Santamaría International Airport.