1. • Monitor and tag green sea
turtles at the Sea Turtle
Conservancy’s field station in
Tortuguero.
• Set out on guided hikes in
the rainforest to identify
neotropical flora and fauna.
• Take an exciting whitewater
rafting adventure down the
Sarapiquí River.
• Examine the ways in
which the needs of local
communities are balanced
with environmental concerns.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
COSTA RICA
TROPICAL ECOLOGY &
SEA TURTLE WORKSHOP
WITH MICHAELTALLY, ZOOLOGIST
Tortuguero, on Costa Rica’s Caribbean
coast, holds the most important nesting
site in the Western Hemisphere for the
endangered green sea turtle (Chelonia
mydas). Set out on nightly patrols with
Sea Turtle Conservancy researchers to
monitor populations of these graceful
giants, as well as leatherback, hawksbill,
and loggerhead turtles.
In addition to your work with the STC,
experience the biological wealth in Costa
Rica’s Sarapiquí region and at Arenal
Volcano with your knowledgeable and
experienced leader, zoologist and science
educator Michael Tally.
JULY 3 – 12, 2016
10 DAYS | 9 NIGHTS

2. green sea turtles and assimilating data to assist in
important sea turtle conservation. Tortuguero is
a crucial ancestral nesting site for populations of
leatherback, hawksbill, loggerhead, and of course,
Atlantic green sea turtles. Spend the rest of the day
at leisure in preparation for this evening’s turtle
patrol. Overnight at Evergreen Lodge. (BLD)
JULY 6 - TORTUGUERO
After breakfast take the opportunity to explore
the rainforest and biodiversity of the local
environment and the small village of Tortuguero.
This afternoon return to the STC’s biological field
station for a comprehensive discussion about the
role of research within the global community.
Spend the rest of the day at leisure in preparation
for this evening’s final turtle patrol. Overnight at
Evergreen Lodge. (BLD)
JULY 7 - SARAPIQUÍ
This morning travel by boat back to the Caño
Blanco dock, where you will board a bus and
head to Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve.
Upon arrival at Selva Verde you will receive an
orientation to the lodge and area. Conservation
of the rainforest was a major reason for the
establishment of the lodge, which was founded
in 1985. The lodge is designed to have minimum
impact on the environment, and its extensive
grounds include a 500-acre rainforest reserve.
Before dinner, embark on a short night walk in
search of nocturnal creatures like red-eyed tree
frogs and giant beetles. Overnight at Selva Verde
Lodge & Rainforest Reserve. (BLD)
JULY 8 - SARAPIQUÍ
Early this morning, join your guide for an
introduction to tropical ornithology. Over 300
species of birds are found in Selva Verde’s 500-acre
rainforest reserve. Popular species include the
Great Tinamou, Violaceous Trogon, Keel-billed
Toucan, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, and Red-
lored Parrot. Following breakfast, hike through
the reserve to discover the rich and diverse flora
and fauna. As you study the forest your guide will
discuss the complex details of the ecosystem and
the principles for protecting the intricate balance
ITINERARY
JULY 3 - SAN JOSÉ
Upon arrival at the Juan Santamaría International
Airport, you will be met at the airport and trans-
ferred to your hotel for the night. Before dinner,
receive an orientation on Costa Rica. Overnight at
Country Inn & Suites. (D)
JULY 4 - TORTUGUERO
Prepare for an early morning departure as you
head to the Caño Blanco dock in the Caribbean
lowlands. Board a boat and transfer to Tortuguero
National Park, having breakfast en route. As
you journey along the northern Caribbean
coast, observe a series of natural interconnecting
canals and wildlife inhabitants. During the
transfer, begin to explore the importance of
water conservation, from the perspective of
local communities dependent on healthy water
environments to challenges facing water quality
management in rivers throughout Costa Rica.
Key to this discussion is the significance of
international water conservation practices.
In addition to boasting 300 species of birds,
Tortuguero is part of a significant coastal route
for birds migrating between North and South
America. Following check-in at the Evergreen
Lodge, meet with a Sea Turtle Conservancy
(STC) research biologist for an overview of their
research and an orientation to turtle tagging
that will prepare you for your first evening of
green turtle monitoring and tagging tonight.
Tortuguero Beach is the most important nesting
site of the endangered green turtle in the Western
Hemisphere. Overnight at Evergreen Lodge. (BLD)
JULY 5 - TORTUGUERO
After a leisurely breakfast explore Tortuguero
National Park’s canals. The waters of Tortuguero’s
interconnected canals and lagoons contain more
than 30 species of freshwater fish, including the
garfish. A boat ride through the winding water
channels provides an unforgettable glimpse into
the ecosystem and its wild inhabitants. In the
afternoon return to the STC’s field station for
a discussion about mapping migratory data of

3. of nature in the world’s rapidly diminishing
rainforests. After lunch visit Tirimbina Reserve
for an “origins of chocolate” tour. The tour
begins with a hike, during which the cultural
history of the cacao tree will be explained. Upon
arrival to the former cacao plot you will learn all
the steps of making chocolate, from harvest, to
fermentation, to drying, etc. At the end of the
demonstration you will be able to sample the
different chocolate items created. Overnight at
Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve. (BLD)
JULY 9 - SARAPIQUÍ
Early this morning another bird walk will be
available. After breakfast visit a local organic
pineapple plantation and learn about farming
and harvesting techniques. The pineapple
industry is an important source of foreign
exchange for Costa Rica. Discussion topics
include the current controversy regarding
the effects of the agriculture industry on
the environment and how recent concern
has brought about reforms and constructive
compromise. After lunch, embark on an exciting
whitewater rafting excursion. The whitewater
stretches of the Sarapiquí River are some of
the most beautiful in Costa Rica. Experience
adventure and gentle floats as you navigate
the river with professional river guides. A
preliminary safety orientation will prepare you
for the challenges you’ll face on the water. Keep
an eye out for the diversity of wildlife seen at the
river’s edge in between Class I & III rapids. After
dinner visit the Tirimbina Rainforest Center for
a presentation on bats. Overnight at Selva Verde
Lodge & Rainforest Reserve. (BLD)
JULY 10 - ARENAL
This morning head to Arenal, stopping in the
small town of La Fortuna for lunch. Upon
arrival in Arenal, check in to the Arenal Paraíso
Hotel, situated over many acres of geothermal
activity and overlooking the volcano. In
the evening, gather for a lecture by a local
volcanologist. The lecture will touch on the
importance of geologic formations such as
volcanic structures, geothermal energies and
plate tectonics in Costa Rica. After dinner, spend
the remainder of the evening at leisure, enjoying
the hotel’s private geothermal pools. Overnight at
Arenal Paraíso Hotel. (BLD)
JULY 11 - SAN JOSÉ
This morning, explorations will start with a hike
through Arenal National Park. At only 10,000
years old, Arenal is young as volcanoes go. The
hike will take you through forest, over recent lava
flows and finally to the destroyed forest areas that
are now in the process of regeneration. This path
will give you an excellent opportunity to take
photos of the volcano and Lake Arenal. Later in
the afternoon return to San José, with stops along
the way for photos. Overnight at Country Inn &
Suites. (BLD)
JULY 12 - DEPARTURE
Transfer to the airport for your flight back home.
(B)
PROGRAM PRICING
$2,300 (based on 8 participants)
Price includes accommodations, meals, non-alcoholic
beverages with meals, park fees, activities as listed in the
itinerary, private in-country transportation, full time guide
for duration of program and carbon offset.
Price does not include gratuities, travel/trip cancellation
insurance, optional activities, items of a personal nature,
alcoholic beverages, or international airfare, estimated at
$920 from Raleigh-Durham. Other departure cities are
available.
To enroll, visit: holbrook.travel/seaturtleworkshop
THE FINE PRINT
Price is based on double occupancy; single rooms are
available at an additional cost. A $200 per person deposit
and enrollment form is required to secure your space on
the trip. This deposit is refundable until March 30, 2016
excluding a $100 cancellation fee. Final payments are due
no later than March 30, 2016. Travel/trip cancellation
insurance is strongly recommended. For more information
call Travel Insured at 800-243-3174. Holbrook Travel’s
agency number is 15849.

4. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO ENROLL
Contact Lisa Palmese-Graubard at lisa@holbrooktravel.com or Michael Tally at mtally@nc.rr.com.
Photo by Neil Osborne
Photo by Jennifer Shea Moses
Photo by Kukiaries
Photo by John Earl Kneisler
Photo by Andrea and Antonella FerrariPhoto by Andrea and Antonella Ferrari
Photo by Daniel Evans
PACIFIC OCEAN
CARIBBEAN SEA
COSTA RICA
NICARAGUA
PANAMA
San José
Sarapiquí
Arenal Volcano
Tortuguero NP
GULF OF NICOYA