Visit the Children’s Eternal Rainforest
Friends of the Children’s Eternal Rainforest (FCER) leads annual ecotours to Costa Rica. These trips focus on tropical conservation, wildlife photography and education by local scientists and naturalists working in the field. Choosing to travel with us directly benefits the forest because a portion of the trip price is a donation that supports FCER programming and conservation efforts.
As part of your visit, you will have the opportunity to stay deep within the Children’s Eternal Rainforest at one of the the forest’s two Biological Field Stations where you can hike on trails through pristine rainforest or relax on the porch with a view of the stunning Arenal Volcano and watch for wildlife.
2013 Trips
June 14 -22, 2013
July 12 – 20, 2013
To see more information and itinerary for both of these trips click on the San Gerardo/Pococol links under our EcoTravel tab.
Click here to download the registration form to sign up.
Nine days jam-packed with rainforest hikes, waterfalls, mist-netting for bats and birds. Experience wildlife encounters, from hummingbirds and butterflies to hundreds of species of tropical flowers and birds, frogs, and monkeys, all in the misty cloudforest and montane rainforest of the Tilaran mountains around the Costa Rican continental divide. See why this 55,000 acre reserve, the largest private reserve in Central America, hosts unimaginably high biodiversity and is so important to onservation. Do your part by participating in a few hours of service, which might be tree-planting or trail maintenance, whatever is needed when we are there. Visit a women’s craft cooperative for unique souvenir shopping. Savor the flavor (guanabana, mora, or other tropical fruits, or just the most heavenly vanilla on earth) at the Cheese Factory, where they make the best ice cream in the world! For those who are fortunate enough to be able to stay longer, we can arrange an extension to suit your preference.
TESTIMONIALS!
From several of our 2011 travelers:
“The service and sights were beyond amazing! This trip really opened my eyes. I want to go and do it all over again!
“My trip to Costa Rica was an experience of a lifetime, and I don’t say this lightly, having lived in Venezuela and Uruguay and traveled extensively around the world. Sponsored by [FCER] and led by Maggie Eisenberger, I knew I would be getting a quality experience, not just a tourist visit. It was filled with many hikes led by expert local naturalists into the depths of the forest in the Monteverde Region and the Children’s Eternal Rainforest. We were able to observe the amazing and unique plants and animals of the forest as well as interesting facts about the animals. I wanted to choose a highlight, but as each day ended I remember thinking, “This was the best day ever!” How could I decide on a highlight when I’d have to choose among experiencing the peacefulness and power of a waterfall pool, the brilliant iridescence of the morpho butterfly’s wings, the frisson of delight at catching sight of an agouti or coati at the station, the primal wonder at playful monkeys in the branches overhead, the silent grace of a swallowtail kite soaring in the sky, the exquisite delicacy of the tiniest orchids and hummingbirds, the spiritual connection I felt during my solo time on the trail – I think you get my drift! The rainforests of Monteverde are like no where else on earth!”
“…[W]e had an opportunity to experience many facets of Costa Rica. The trip was well planned to include activities appropriate for younger children. Overall, seeing the beauty of the flora of the rainforest and seeing fauna in its natural habitat was perhaps the most enjoyable.”
“Our trip exceeded our expectations. We learned much more about rainforests than expected. The size of the group was ideal.”
“The trip was a fabulous experience from beginning to end! LOVED IT!”
“Once we arrived I saw so much! There were monkeys along the Sarapiqui River and we ate ice cream cones on the bridge at a town called Los Iguanas while big green iguanas sunned themselves below. We shared the path at Tirimbina with leaf cutter ants and learned not to stop in the middle of their trails and I watched my nephew crack open a cacao pod to make chocolate.”
From a student traveler on a school trip:
“All the people in Costa Rica are wonderful people. I learned a lot from everyone. And our guide was the best!”
From a grandfather in Rochester NY who asked us to design a custom trip for his family:
“I cannot believe how interesting, exciting and informative the trip was – far exceeding my greatest expectations. You, as the engine/leader/teacher and [FCER co-founder Dwight Crandell] as the caboose/leader/teacher, were an exhilarating combo, and you provided us with a great combination of your expertize, the expertize of perfectly chosen bug, bird, bat and other specialists, home cooked local fare, 7-scoop milk shakes, and a modicum of “quiet time”. A great, delicate balance that pleased all, aged 8 to 70++. We absolutely will spread the word about our experience, and will be delighted to be a promotional assistant with our recommendation to any qualified inquirers.”
