Out of the rainforest and arriving in Manuel Antonio

We all left Sierpe for the Corcovado National Forest on Tuesday after an exciting hike and hummingbird feeding!

The boatride to the idyllic Campanario Station was filled with surprises - flying fish and specially adapted floating flowers. We took advantage of the opportunity to have a lesson on various water adaptations, such as porous bulbs. As soon as the boat touched ground on the beach, students were immersed in a tropical paradise. The lush scenery included palm trees, macaws, and plenty of coconuts. Our first day at the station was auspicious as we saw a tapir, a large mammal endemic to Central America. Our friendly guide and our excellent teacher co-led the hike, which also featured starfruit tasting, a Blue Morpho butterfly sighting, and a dip in a waterfall. 

Our second day consisted of a trip to Isla del Caño, a nearby island considered sacred by the indigenous peoples of Costa Rica. Students took advantage of the sunny weather to have a lesson on biogeography along the shore, followed by a brief hike and reflection session. 

Later, we were treated to freshly picked coconuts back at the research station. After a beautiful sunset, we had the unique chance to see 45,000 bats migrate from their cave. We even got to pet some! (Under the watchful eye of our guides and teacher.) 

On our third day, we went snorkeling - a much anticipated event for the students! We saw schools of colorful fish, a few eels, and even a  baby shark!  

The next day, we all enjoyed a special trip to Rio Claro, where we relaxed and floated down the river. Students particularly appreciated seeing biodiversity in action - birds, fish, multiple varieties of plants and trees all working together to create a healthy ecosystem teeming with life. 

Students hated to leave the lush national park, but we were able to commemorate our stay with a bonfire and s'mores as well as a toast with sugar cane juice that we extracted ourselves! To thank the staff for their hospitality, students wrote a lovely letter - and utlitized their Spanish vocabulary in doing so. 

After almost a full week spent unplugged and fully engaged in our surroundings, we arrived back to the mainland and began a new adventure - exploring the beachtown Manuel Antonio and discussing the problems posed toward biodiversity. Following an impassioned round of water volleyball, a marine biology documentary screening, and a typical Costa Rican dinner, we're ready to call it a night!