The Expedition

Costa Rica has protected more than a quarter of its land from development, ensuring that its cloud forests, steaming volcanoes, and pristine beaches will be around for generations to come. From rain forest to cloud forests to coastal flatlands, discover Costa Rica's incredible biodiversity — and the pioneering ecotourism efforts that help preserve it. Through an On Assignment project of your choice — Photography, Documentary Film, or Wildlife & Conservation — set out to further investigate and document Costa Rica's stewardship of its diverse ecosystems.

CENTRAL VALLEY
3 days. Our adventure begins in the hills surrounding Costa Rica's capital city of San José with an introduction to the country, its customs, and its ecosystems. Start your day with rice and beans, and fresh pineapple. Join a pick-up soccer game, learn basic Spanish phrases, and explore the neighborhood supermarket. Your next three weeks will be spent in some of the most remote and protected ecosystems of Costa Rica. Before heading off on your first expedition, raft the white-water rapids of the Río Pacuare through untouched rain forest.

TORTUGUERO AND LA SELVA
7 days. For the next seven days, travel in smaller exploration groups to both Tortuguero and La Selva. While in Tortuguero, participate as a volunteer for the Caribbean Conservation Corporation, the world's longest ongoing sea turtle conservation project. Monitor sea turtle nesting patterns during night hikes on Tortuguero's isolated beaches. Work with local school children on turtle conservation awareness projects. Explore mangroves on the research station's launch, and keep an eye out for crocodiles and manatees. Travel to La Selva Biological Station, encompassing 1,600 hectares of tropical wet forest and home to more than 400 recorded bird species and around 120 mammal species. Check out long-term research projects being conducted at La Selva, and discuss results with the scientists and graduate students working at the station.

MONTEVERDE
5 days. Regroup near San José before heading north into the cloud forests of Monteverde. Originally settled in the 1950s by a group of Quakers from North America, Monteverde is now home to a mix of Costa Ricans, descendents of the original Quakers, and foreigners. Thanks to its remote location — accessible only by dirt roads — the area has maintained a tranquil and pristine atmosphere. Work alongside the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve's trail crew. Visit with local Costa Rican families, and learn the politics of coffee cooperatives. Interview local hotel owners, and learn about their sustainable tourism efforts. Meet Quakers living in Monteverde, and try fresh cheese from their dairy farm. Ride a zip line through the forest canopy, and meander along endless rain forest paths.

ARENAL
6 days. Although the distance between Monteverde and Arenal is only 25 kilometers as the crow flies, the drive takes three hours. You may opt for the drive, or turn it into an adventure, traveling by horse and boat instead. At Arenal — one of the most active volcanoes in the world — study volcanology and hike over old lava flows. Climb Arenal's extinct sister volcano, Cerro Chato. Crawl through caves, bathe in bubbling hot springs, and cool off under a waterfall's refreshing spray.

Conclude your trip back in the Central Valley, and share your final On Assignment projects with the group.

National Geographic Expert

Conservation biologist TAYLOR EDWARDS is a scientist at the University of Arizona where he oversees public testing for National Geographic's Genographic Project, an innovative project that traces geneology back 60,000 years using DNA. Taylor combines wildlife ecology and molecular biology in an emerging field called conservation genetics. Aside from his enthusiasm for hiking and scuba diving, Taylor is an aficionado of reptiles and amphibians, so be prepared to gain a new admiration for creepy and crawly things! Taylor will join the July 24 depature at La Selva Biological Station.