Costa Rica Expeditions (2 testimonials)

In business since 1978

Costa Rica Expedition's goal is to create unique travel experiences that transcend conventional sight seeing. We strive to promote the type of tourism that is nourishing to both the visitor and the visited. The company was founded in 1978 to help the sophisticated traveler explore Costa Rica -- its flora and fauna, people and culture, and its wild and beautiful places. The company offers fixed departure and customized trips, many of which include white water rafting on the country's most scenic and exciting rivers.

"Our goal is to create unique travel experiences that transcend conventional sightseeing and travel. Our dream is to promote the type of tourism which is mutually beneficial and nourishing to both the visitor and the visited."
-Michael Kaye, June 1981

I wrote the above sentence for a brochure in June of 1981. I still can't say it any better. Though lots of things have changed since then, the basic direction and philosophy that I expressed more 20 years ago still holds true. Here's the rest of what I wrote:

Costa Rica Expeditions was founded in 1978 to help the sophisticated traveler explore Costa Rica - its flora and fauna, its people and culture, its wild and beautiful places. Over the years we have been very fortunate in being able to gather together a very special team of guides, both Costa Rican nationals and foreigners. Naturalists, artists, horticulturists, political scientists, river guides - all have in common a deep love and knowledge of Costa Rica and a desire to share.

Since 1978, our growth in terms of numbers of programs and number of participants has been greater than our wildest dreams. Even more important, the experience of sharing Costa Rica has been an extremely gratifying one. Yet, as I sit down to write about the incredible beauty and richness of Costa Rica, a doubt lingers.

I recently reread an article about one of our trips to Corcovado that appeared in a 1981 issue of the WASHINGTON STAR. The descriptions of the jungle and the wildlife are eloquent, but what sticks in my mind is an account of an experience outside the small town where charter flights depart to Corcovado:

"Palmar was a movie-set town with run-down storefronts off a dirt main street. Cows ambled about and the only game in town was bingo. To refresh ourselves, Roger, Don and I jumped into a nearby river, after which we cut through a farmer's field to get back to Palmar. The campesino, machete in hand, hailed us, introduced us to his family, and whacked a watermelon off the vine for us to eat. A trail of seeds and red juice followed us back to our pension." 
(Jungle Adventure Deep Inside Costa Rica's Incredible Rain Forest, Harriet Heyman.)

How many people walking through that field will it take before the campesino starts resenting the tourist, rather than inviting him to share a watermelon? So far, our guests have done us proud, but sheer numbers can take their toll. Costa Rica needs visitors but, as we have seen with US parks, visitation can quickly get out of control. How many is too much? 

Our dream is to promote the type of tourism that is mutually beneficial and nourishing to both the visitor and the visited. We want you to come. We advise you to come soon. We beg you to please tread softly.
-Michael Kaye, San Jose, Costa Rica

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Our commitment to sustainable travel

Costa Rica Expeditions believes that we are stewards on this earth; that we have not inherited it from our parents, but rather we are renting it from our children; that if tourism does not contribute to the protection of flora and fauna, the prevention and repair of environmental degradation, the economic well-being of local communities, and respect for local cultures; it is not a justifiable activity.

3 most popular Trips (out of 12 total)

Si Como No Resort In Manuel Antonio	Si Como No Resort In Manuel Antonio San Jose Airport, San Jose, Costa Rica for 4 Days • from $1,060* per person Provider: Costa Rica Expeditions (2 testimonials) Three nights at Si Como No Hotel & Resort in Manuel Antonio. Si Como No is an award-winning, eco-designed resort providing its own signature version of "barefoot luxury" to all its guests. During your stay you will have the opportunity to participate in a number of optional activities (at additional cost) such as hiking in Manuel Antonio and Carara Parks. Also ATV, horseback, canopy, sports fishing and other tours. more	Offered Year-round Exertion level: 4 Comfort accommodations Max group size: 20 people Must form your own group? Yes (custom departure). Price based on group size.
Manuel Antonio	Manuel Antonio Juan Santamaria International Airport, San Jose, Costa Rica for 5 Days • from $1,285* per person Provider: Costa Rica Expeditions (2 testimonials) This trip takes you to Manuel Antonio on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast, perhaps the country’s best destination if you are short on time and want to explore both rainforest and beaches. Manuel Antonio is known for its white-sand beaches and National Park and is an epicenter of outdoor activities on land and water. This trip includes one half-day excursion, four breakfasts and all land transport services. more	Offered Year-round Exertion level: 4 Comfort accommodations Max group size: 20 people Must form your own group? Yes (custom departure). Price based on group size.
Lapa Rios Ecoresort On The Osa Peninsula	Lapa Rios Ecoresort On The Osa Peninsula Juan Santamaria International Airport, San Jose, Costa Rica for 6 Days • from $2,580* per person Provider: Costa Rica Expeditions (2 testimonials) After one night in San Jose, you will be flown to the Osa Peninsula for your four-night stay at Lapa Rios Ecoresort. Bungalows are situated 350 feet above the ocean and private beach on 1,000 acres of pristine forest accessible by trails. Here you can participate in activities (at additional cost) such as kayaking, birding, horseback riding, swimming with dolphins, night walks, yoga classes, or simply relax by the pool. The hotel's restaurant specializes in freshly cooked international cuisine influenced… more	Offered Year-round Exertion level: 4 Comfort accommodations Max group size: 20 people Must form your own group? Yes (custom departure). Price based on group size.

View all 12 Trips by Costa Rica Expeditions