Spend 8 days immersed in one of Costa Rica’s most extraordinary ecosystems alongside naturalists, educators and a small group of wildly curious humans. 🐒🐒🐒

The Urban Botanist Expeditions were created for people who don't just want to see the natural world. They want to understand it.

For one week, the rainforest becomes our classroom. We'll explore Tortuguero by land and water, by day and night, learning about the plants, insects, wildlife and ecological relationships that make this corner of Costa Rica so extraordinary.

You'll learn in the field, get your hands dirty, ask a ridiculous number of questions and experience Costa Rica alongside people who get just as excited as you do about spotting something weird in the bushes.

And no—you don't need to be a scientist.

🦋 Learn more about the expedition on our website here.

Located on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, Tortuguero is a landscape shaped by tropical rainforest, beaches, wetlands and an extraordinary network of waterways. Pura Natura describes the region as the "Tropical Venice of Costa Rica" and one of the country's hidden gems, with experiences centered around its rainforest, wildlife and local culture. Our journey into Tortuguero is part of the adventure itself. We'll travel from San José to La Pavona before boarding a boat for the approximately one-hour journey into Tortuguero. Then, for seven nights, this ecosystem becomes our home.

You don't need a biology degree. You just need to be wildly curious. All citizen scientists are welcome. 🔭

Wake up early and experience the rainforest from the water. We'll quietly paddle through Tortuguero's canals on a 2.5-hour guided canoe expedition with a certified bilingual naturalist guide. Without the sound of a motor, we'll be able to slow down, observe and listen. Potential wildlife sightings include monkeys, sloths, toucans, herons, iguanas and caimans 🦥 🦜🦎 

Fresh delicious Costa Rican coffee every morning ☕☕☕ Followed by 3 beautiful home cooked local food all included in our trip. 🥑🥗🌮

We will also be diving into the world of entomology and learning about insects in depth! 🐜

Expect to leave a budding entomologist with a new found passion and love for the tiny world of bugs around us.

Our group will also have a private sea turtle conservation workshop, scheduled beach clean to support this fragile and special ecosystem we are visiting, and a guided wildlife hike through the national park! 🥾

When everyone else goes to bed...we're going looking for bugs, frogs, and snakes! 🐍

The rainforest changes completely after sunset.

Armed with flashlights and accompanied by a certified bilingual guide, we'll spend approximately two hours exploring the jungle in search of the creatures that emerge after dark.

Potential encounters include red-eyed tree frogs, snakes, bats, armadillos and other nocturnal wildlife. 🔦

Expect flashlights, muddy shoes and at least one person getting way too excited about a frog. Probably us. 🐸

Pura Natura Beachfront

For seven nights, we'll stay at Pura Natura Beachfront, a locally Costa Rican-owned property on the Caribbean coast.

Tortuguero is a small, walkable village, and our accommodations are within walking distance of town.

Your stay includes:
· Air conditioning
· Wi-Fi
· Hot water
· Private bathrooms
· Daily room cleaning

All accommodations are shared. Participants will share a room with one other expedition member. Single/private rooms are not available.

Travelling with someone? You can request to room together.

Coming solo? Amazing. Solo travellers will be paired with another participant based on same gender and similar age whenever possible. Our group is always awesome, and you'll be leaving the expedition with a new forever friend!