I realize Christmas has yet to come and go, but if you're like me - traveling is way more fun to anticipate! So, let the count down begin!
To whet your appetite for the trip, check out this video on the Osa peninsula. The FIRST 3 MINS are best because then, it show hotels we are not staying at. :)
The beginning shows a great map reference - note, we will be staying in the Drake Bay area. And, all the activities mentioned we are doing!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkwA0Yp52MI
(sorry the link in to view video is not working!)
PURA VIDA, MAE! (If you don't know what that means - no worries - you'll learn very quickly upon arrival in CR!)
Saturday, December 5, 2015
Sunday, September 6, 2015
CR 2016 - By the numbers
Costa Rica covers .03% of the Earth's surface YET contains ~6% of the world's biodiversity!
Osa Peninsula is home to at least 1/2 of all living species in Costa Rica!
Corcovado National Park covers 1/3 of the Osa Peninsula and is considered the 'crown jewel' among Costa Rica's extensive system of national parks and biological reserves.
More than 500 species of trees, 367 species of birds, 140 of mammals, 117 of reptiles/amphibians and 40 species of freshwater fish make Corcovado their home.
Drake Bay is known as wintering and breeding grounds for humpback whales and more than 25 species of whales and dolphins are commonly seen by visitors. (The Costa Rican Times, Dec.2013)
Caño Island is 10 miles west of the Osa coast also known as "paradise."
This entire area is only accessible by boat or cessna planes. We will go by boat!
The final important number is the cost to see it all! I work really hard in offering quality, organic travel experiences to WL students that do not cost an arm and a leg! This trip is coming in at $2170. right now - a tremendous value for all the things the students will get to see and do! This price includes ELEVEN meals, all accommodations, excursions, activities, park entrance fees and guide tips!!
Read more here:
http://www.costaricantimes.com/whale-watching-off-costa-ricas-osa-peninsula/23443
http://www.zonatropical.net/Osa.htm
Osa Peninsula is home to at least 1/2 of all living species in Costa Rica!
Corcovado National Park covers 1/3 of the Osa Peninsula and is considered the 'crown jewel' among Costa Rica's extensive system of national parks and biological reserves.
More than 500 species of trees, 367 species of birds, 140 of mammals, 117 of reptiles/amphibians and 40 species of freshwater fish make Corcovado their home.
Drake Bay is known as wintering and breeding grounds for humpback whales and more than 25 species of whales and dolphins are commonly seen by visitors. (The Costa Rican Times, Dec.2013)
Caño Island is 10 miles west of the Osa coast also known as "paradise."
This entire area is only accessible by boat or cessna planes. We will go by boat!
The final important number is the cost to see it all! I work really hard in offering quality, organic travel experiences to WL students that do not cost an arm and a leg! This trip is coming in at $2170. right now - a tremendous value for all the things the students will get to see and do! This price includes ELEVEN meals, all accommodations, excursions, activities, park entrance fees and guide tips!!
Read more here:
http://www.costaricantimes.com/whale-watching-off-costa-ricas-osa-peninsula/23443
http://www.zonatropical.net/Osa.htm
Thursday, August 20, 2015
We're going to Costa Rica in Feb 2016!!
COSTA RICA - FEBRUARY 2016
See that red circle?! That's where we're going!!
The 2016 International trip destination is a unique itinerary only offered by Elemento Natural. This school year, students will have the opportunity to explore the Costa Rican south Pacific coast & experience a natural world like no other! The Osa Peninsula is known world-wide for its marine wildlife, biodiversity, and biological reserves so much so that National Geographic has called this area "the most biologically intense place on Earth in terms of biodiversity.”
First payment due by Oct.30
Final payment due by Dec.15
TRAVEL DATES: Feb 10 -16, 2016
Open to: grades 7&up - students first, parent travelers are placed on wait list until student spots fill up, max 26.
ITINERARY:
Day 1 - depart for San Jose, CR
Day 2 - Irazu Volcano & National Park - the highest volcano in CR, where on a clear day you can view both the Pacific & the Atlantic Oceans! Visit Cartago city, the country’s colonial capital & the beautiful basilica. Explore Lankester Gardens - a Neotropical floral experience!
Day 3 - Dota Could Forest & Drake Bay. Goal is to see the resplendent quetzal! You will pass through 4-5 different ecosystems in one day, & visit an indigenous community called Rey Curré, known for their artisan crafts & masks. Boat transfer to Sierpe Bay (i.e beach!)
Day 4 - Caño Island. The supposed site of “Treasure Island” - Caño’s waters contain some of the most abundant and varied marine life in the world (sea diving). The island also possesses several pre-Colombian archeological artifacts, which can be explored on a hike through the tropical vegetation. The journey to the island will give you the opportunity to see dolphins, (at seasonal times) whales, sea turtles, manta rays, etc!
Day 5 - Corcovado National Park - one of the most intense biological reserves in the world where students get up close and personal with the diverse nature that is Costa Rica! Corcovado covers the Osa Peninsula - southwest toward Panamanian border!
Day 6 - Transfer back to the city
Day 7 - return to Charlotte.
PRICE: $1325 land tour + airfare (tbd) = goal of $2200. max
**This trip max cuts off at 26.
Currently available are 17 spaces - reserve your student’s now!
CONTACT: for questions or to register, email Señora Laine
See that red circle?! That's where we're going!!
The 2016 International trip destination is a unique itinerary only offered by Elemento Natural. This school year, students will have the opportunity to explore the Costa Rican south Pacific coast & experience a natural world like no other! The Osa Peninsula is known world-wide for its marine wildlife, biodiversity, and biological reserves so much so that National Geographic has called this area "the most biologically intense place on Earth in terms of biodiversity.”
First payment due by Oct.30
Final payment due by Dec.15
TRAVEL DATES: Feb 10 -16, 2016
Open to: grades 7&up - students first, parent travelers are placed on wait list until student spots fill up, max 26.
ITINERARY:
Day 1 - depart for San Jose, CR
Day 2 - Irazu Volcano & National Park - the highest volcano in CR, where on a clear day you can view both the Pacific & the Atlantic Oceans! Visit Cartago city, the country’s colonial capital & the beautiful basilica. Explore Lankester Gardens - a Neotropical floral experience!
Day 3 - Dota Could Forest & Drake Bay. Goal is to see the resplendent quetzal! You will pass through 4-5 different ecosystems in one day, & visit an indigenous community called Rey Curré, known for their artisan crafts & masks. Boat transfer to Sierpe Bay (i.e beach!)
Day 4 - Caño Island. The supposed site of “Treasure Island” - Caño’s waters contain some of the most abundant and varied marine life in the world (sea diving). The island also possesses several pre-Colombian archeological artifacts, which can be explored on a hike through the tropical vegetation. The journey to the island will give you the opportunity to see dolphins, (at seasonal times) whales, sea turtles, manta rays, etc!
Day 5 - Corcovado National Park - one of the most intense biological reserves in the world where students get up close and personal with the diverse nature that is Costa Rica! Corcovado covers the Osa Peninsula - southwest toward Panamanian border!
Day 6 - Transfer back to the city
Day 7 - return to Charlotte.
PRICE: $1325 land tour + airfare (tbd) = goal of $2200. max
**This trip max cuts off at 26.
Currently available are 17 spaces - reserve your student’s now!
CONTACT: for questions or to register, email Señora Laine
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
The day after
Well, the snow day was a nice transition back! Flight was great and we had a smooth landing. Hope your kids got to sleep in late and they told you all the fun things we did. Please encourage them to write reflections in their journals - what they enjoyed most, what they learned, what was contrary to expectations, etc. They will be grateful for these written thoughts one day. :) Trips like this go by in a blur since we are so busy and have days that are packed full - it's nice to remember the moments most enjoyed.
Now, some random photos for you:
Final group shot w/ #SlothKing
Mural in Sarchí
Poison Dart Tree Frog!
Hotel wall in SJO
Cabin at the Don Juan Farm
Inside view of cabin
Kids playing parking lot ball game before heading to airport
Hotel in SJO
Now, some random photos for you:
Final group shot w/ #SlothKing
Mural in Sarchí
Poison Dart Tree Frog!
Hotel wall in SJO
Cabin at the Don Juan Farm
Inside view of cabin
Kids playing parking lot ball game before heading to airport
Hotel in SJO
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Day 7 / final day?
While I have heard all about the weather back home, we are hopeful our flight will make it in tonight. As of 8:20am, it says we are "on time" and will arrive in Clt by 9:00pm. We do have a Plan B already set up, which would be to stay here another night in a hotel closer to the airport because we are under the impression there is not another plane to even take us to MIA or ATL. I'm sure your kids will be texting you throughout the day.
A few pics from what I hope is our final day here - Hotel Casa Conde, SJO:
A few pics from what I hope is our final day here - Hotel Casa Conde, SJO:
Monday, February 16, 2015
Day 6 / Sunset, Nature, Sarchí
Last night's surprise I don't have enough pics of, BUT there is this place called Villa Caletas that I heard about back in 2006 - the very first time I brought WL kids to CR. It's a resort that you can visit to watch the sunset.... but let me paint the picture for you: Greek style architecture, steep amphitheatre facing the Pacific Ocean, looking over a cliff so high you're eye level with the sun. Mountains of the Nicoya Peninsula are the backdrop to the north and wide open ocean to the south. The music is like what you'd hear in a yoga studio and everyone arrives right on time to watch the sunset together. The panoramic view is breathtaking and it's one incredible way to watch the sun go down. Ask your kiddos for pics - but they probably won't do it justice.
Final full day and it was a good one. We first had breakfast seaside & poolside at our lovely resort (Punta Leona, just north of Jaco):
After breakfast, we went for a nature walk where we spotted: 2 macaws, 2 monkeys, 2 poison dart frogs, 1 basilisk, 1 ghost bat (the absolute highlight), many blue morpho butterflies & 36 crocodiles! And yesterday we got to see a coati snatch a bag of bread and carry it up a tree to eat!
Ghost Bat was a very rare sighting and the most exciting from today.
Alonso showing us how termites are quite edible and full of protein. -Yes, of course a few of the boys tried them without hesitation!
We made our way to back to SJO via the town of Sarchi - known for its wood works - like brightly colored, hand-painted ox carts & wheels.
Final full day and it was a good one. We first had breakfast seaside & poolside at our lovely resort (Punta Leona, just north of Jaco):
After breakfast, we went for a nature walk where we spotted: 2 macaws, 2 monkeys, 2 poison dart frogs, 1 basilisk, 1 ghost bat (the absolute highlight), many blue morpho butterflies & 36 crocodiles! And yesterday we got to see a coati snatch a bag of bread and carry it up a tree to eat!
Ghost Bat was a very rare sighting and the most exciting from today.
Alonso showing us how termites are quite edible and full of protein. -Yes, of course a few of the boys tried them without hesitation!
We made our way to back to SJO via the town of Sarchi - known for its wood works - like brightly colored, hand-painted ox carts & wheels.
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