Costa Rica: Gardens, Orchids and Cloud ForestsFebruary 10-20, 2024

Escorted by C. Colston Burrell and Vernon Campos

This winter, join C Colston Burrell and Vernon Campos for an unforgettable adventure in Costa Rica, a tropical paradise where verdant gardens, botanical gardens and thundering waterfalls are set against lush tropical forests and dramatic volcanic peaks cloaked in mysterious cloud forests. Though scarcely larger than West Virginia, this friendly country is a magnet for gardeners, birders, natural history enthusiasts and adventurers.  We have arranged visits with avid gardeners and chosen lodges in a variety of exciting settings. Costa Ricans, like most gardeners, are drawn to a wealth of plants from around the world. Gardens here are as variable as their owners. Colorful foliage is favored as a foil for the deep green palms, philodendrons and elephant ears that are commonly grown. Gingers, heliconias, birds of paradise, gardenias and succulents provide long seasons of bloom, augmented by a dazzling array of orchids. In addition to gardens, we have ample opportunities to explore the unique topography and geology of Costa Rica. Dramatic waterfalls and lofty cloud forest trees laden with bromeliads and orchids await discovery. We will tour CATIE, a world-renowned tropical agricultural research institute. An active volcano, an organic coffee plantation and hummingbird feeding stations are a few additional attractions we will visit. We also have ample opportunities to enjoy the alluring birds that call Costa Rica home, including the resplendent quetzal. Join us for this unforgettable journey to explore these bucolic and rugged regions of Costa Rica, with exciting opportunities for exploration and relaxation.