Duration: 7 days

When: March 11 - 17, 2006

Where: Reserva El Cornelio, San Jose Province, Costa Rica; south of the capitol city of San Jose.

Requirements: A passport valid for six months past the date of entry. U.S. citizens are not required to obtain a visa to enter Costa Rica.

Health Considerations: See http://www.cdc.gov/travel/camerica.htm for all sorts of warnings and recommended vaccines for those planning a trip to Central America.

Itinerary

Sat 3/11 - Arrive San Jose
Hotel - TBA - Relax, shop, drink - whatever you like. Just be ready Sunday morning - the bus leaves muy temprano (EARLY! – see below).

Sun 3/12 - Depart for San Ignacio de Acosta/Reserva del Cornelio
6am - Depart San Jose by van/bus for the hour-long drive to the village of San Ignacio de Acosta (Acosta). After a brief stop in Acosta, we’ll transfer to 4x4's for a 2 1/2 hour ride to the trailhead. The 4x4 vehicles are not large, so conditions are cramped - and the road at best is similar to SNP fire roads... it's an adventure. At the trailhead, we start walking. It's only a few miles, but a solid 3 hours, mostly straight downhill. The last portion of the hike is particularly strenuous (the members of the 2005 Cornelio trek thought their guides were kidding when a particularly ridiculous route was suggested – be prepared for adventure!). Arrive at Reserva del Cornelio early afternoon – make camp, relax, eat, drink and get to know our FUNDECOA hosts.

Mon 3/13 – Trail work in Reserva del Cornelio

Tue 3/14 – Trail work in Reserva del Cornelio

Wed 3/15 – Complete trail work projects/ Hike
Afternoon hike led by Adilio – monkeys, birds, sloths, and other mammals beyond belief, not to mention the incredible display of floral biodiversity, all in the natural setting of a pristine primary rainforest. Note to those who may be undecided at this point, thinking they can book an eco-tourism trip and see the same stuff: not a chance. This is the real deal.

Thur 3/16 – Return to Acosta
After breakfast, break camp and begin hike out of Reserva del Cornelio – 2 + hours hiking, again downhill, to 4x4’s, then a 2 + hour ride back to the village of Acosta. Our FUNDECOA hosts have graciously planned a Fiesta in our honor this evening, with food, drink and music. Once the party is over, we’ll stay in Acostan homes for the night.

Fri 3/17 – Return to San Jose
Mid-day return to San Jose by bus/van.

Deposit Information
In order to secure your place on the trip, a $200 NON-REFUNDABLE deposit is required. This will cover transportation to and from Acosta/San Jose, two nights hotel (3/11 and 3/17 based on dbl. occupancy), food (beginning with dinner on the 12th through lunch on the 16th) and a donation for the purchase of hand tools for FUNDECOA.

Deposit due by December 31, 2005 or slots will be offered to people on the waiting list. If you are truly interested in going and the deposit timing presents a major problem – email me and we can discuss.

NOT INCLUDED is everything else. Airfare is currently around $500 from Washington to San Jose (airport code SJO).

Other Notes and Disclaimers:
• This trip is NOT sponsored or endorsed by the PATC.
• The hike to El Cornelio is very strenuous – you must be in reasonably good physical condition to make the trek. A short portion of the hike in to El Cornelio is a serious bushwhack. Pack lightly.
• The biting bugs may be bad. Very bad. Be prepared with toxic cocktails, and make sure the mesh walls of your tent are intact!
• As some of you may know, Costa Rica is not part of the United States (this will be expanded upon below). No Visa is required, but you do need a passport to enter and exit the country.
• We will be in a remote part of a country that does not have a medical care network like the US, and most of our time will be spent in a region a minimum of 24 -48 hours from even rudimentary medical care facilities should an emergency arise.
• Wacky things can happen in Central America (e.g. unexpected mechanical failures, very confident drivers, wild animals in odd places, general lack of concern for the itineraries of foreigners, etc.). Relax, enjoy the unexpected, and be flexible.
• Costa Rica is very safe compared to most other Latin American countries, but you still need to be vigilant. Behave as if you are in a large American city – don’t flash cash/jewelry/gadgets, pay attention to your camera, etc. More info can be found at the State Department’s Costa Rican travel advisory.
• Food preparation and handling is not the same as it is in the United States. You may get an upset stomach at some point during your trip. Some travelers avoid the tap water, while others insist that it’s okay. It’s a personal call. Go to Frommer's tips on health for more.
• Lastly, Latin American accommodations are not the same as US accommodations. Some people are convinced that all mattresses discarded in the US end up in Latin America. Your sleeping bag may be more comfortable!