Join Pacific Horticulture March 23 – 31, 2016 as we explore this jewel of the neotropics. Situated at the southern end of Central America, Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity is a concentration of the plants, birds, and animals from both Central and South America.

You’ll encounter a variety of microclimates including cloud forest, sub-tropical montane forest, dense riparian jungle, and lush rain forest habitats all the while learning about the remarkable flora and fauna of each region including orchids, heliconias, bromeliads, and ferns.

You’ll visit well-recognized destinations such as such as the Nectandra Cloud Forest (pictured) and the Las Cruces Biological Station with its 800 butterfly species and 400 native and migratory bird species.

Our tour includes major public gardens that you’d expect to enjoy on a trip to Costa Rica as well as private reserves and gardens not found on most. These include spectacular orchid collections, tropical plants thriving along the humid Caribbean coast, and a butterfly “farm.”

Many different species of trees can be seen in the high altitude forests of Cerro de la Muerte mountain, which is also considered a bird watcher’s paradise with fairly common sightings of the iconic Resplendent Quetzal, Emerald Toucanettes, and hummingbirds.

You’ll stay in metropolitan San Jose for a short portion of your trip, in cabins at the Las Cruces Reserve and the Savegre Hotel Natural Reserve and Spa the balance, letting you experience this progressive country at its finest. For more information visit www.pacifichorticulture.org.