Sarapiquí (Costa Rica)
Evening Nature Walk - 13FEB26
We arrived at our new lodge, the Selva Verde Lodge and immediately enjoyed another perk of Road Scholar: we never touched our bags. From the moment we checked in in San José, our luggage seemed to magically appear in our rooms and was always whisked away the morning we checked out — it happened every time we arrived at a hotel or lodge. We dropped off our laundry at the front desk, met our guide, and set out for an evening of flora and fauna. We traversed the river we would be rafting down the next day on a smallish wooden trestle bridge. For some of our group it would be a test of wills and personal courage, for the rest of us, we bounced across and stepped into the forest and spent the afternoon surrounded by frogs, birds, butterflies, and lizards, marveling at how effortless travel felt when the little logistics were handled for us.
Breakfast With The Birds - 14FEB26
The next morning we rose before dawn for an early, before-breakfast birding safari and discovered it truly was breakfast with the birds. The lodge had thoughtfully set out fruit that drew a riot of color and song to the clearing. The birds would flit in, hop around for a moment or two and then a different group would take their turn at feeders. The task was to keep track of all the different birds you had a chance to see. Then a stately hornbill flew in and inspected the spread with curious beak-tilts. Even the local squirrels joined in, leaping between feeders and tails flicking as they nibbled at bits of banana, making the scene feel like a cozy neighborhood café where everyone—feathered and furry—was welcome at the table.
Afternoon Chocolate
Next, we boarded our bus for a short ride to a local farm to learn about cacao production and the secrets of making chocolate. First we enjoyed a walking tour exploring the farm, learning how cacao is grown, harvested, fermented, and processed before becoming the chocolate we know and love. We all took turns participating in the chocolate-making process—sorting beans, roasting, and even grinding them—where I found myself pedaling a makeshift bike/grinder to help turn beans into paste. The finished chocolate was rich and delicious, and afterward we scouted the farm, spotting a few more wild animals and savoring the peaceful, hands-on to a perfect morning.
White Water Rafting
After our chocolate experience we headed to the river for whitewater rafting in Costa Rica. They suited us up, making sure everyone had the right gear and correct sizes, then we practiced our drills—paddle right, paddle left, paddles up, stop paddling—until it felt instinctive (Karen edit — safe enough that no one would die is what he meant). The trip lasted about an hour and a half with a short break halfway where we snacked on local pineapple and cookies. We ran Class 1 and Class 2 rapids (our guide teased that one was almost a three), and by the end everyone was soaked and grinning. Even the raft guides knew enough about the birds to point out each species along the river bank. One of the most interesting elements was the knife skills in cutting up the pineapples. Just a few quick slices and the things were boats with bite size pieces. In our house that would have taken several minutes, some swearing and a knife too sharp for Randy to handle. Back in the boats we tackled a couple more tricky spots; as one of the lead boats we even got to show off our boat-handling skills pulling off the last set of rapids and nailing the quick left turn to get ashore.
Night Walk
After dinner we headed out for the evening walk safari despite the driving rain, but only a handful of us braved the weather. With most of our fellow travelers staying cozy indoors, the wildlife did the same—leaving us to admire only fog-shrouded paths and the lone centipede we found. Our guide Katherine turned what could have been a damp disappointment into a mini-masterclass: she calmly pointed out the differences between centipedes and millipedes, explained how their legs and body segments differ, and even showed us how to tell their sex by subtle features. Her enthusiasm and clear explanations made the soggy night unexpectedly fascinating.
