Day 2: The Bioparque, the Poas Volcano, a waterfall, and the hotsprings...

Thursday was a busy day!  We had a wonderfully educational tour at Costa Rica's Institute for Biodiversity, Bioparque.  There were three different ecosystems created there, with representative plant and animal life.  A beautiful place to learn.  The next stop was the Poas Volcano.  There was a hike through the cloud forest to the overlook.  You had to wait for clouds to roll through so you could see down into the crater, which was actively smoking and had an acid lake.  After an authentic Costa Rican lunch, which all enjoy seemed to the cuisine, we headed toward La Fortuna.  We crossed the continental divide from the Pacific side of Costa Rica to the Caribbean side.  The day finished with a few hours at the Arenal volcano hotsprings resort, then dinner at our new lodging which is at the foot of the Arenal volcano.  Our tour guide, Marguel, is very knowledgeable and doing a great job.  Our tour is shared with a group of adults from the Arizona Community College System and Sustainability students from Ohio State University.  Stay tuned for more adventures of the BCC Environmental Biology class!

The BCC Family Abroad

Three-toed male sloth at Bioparque

Iguana at the Bioparque

Butterfly Pavilion at Bioparque

Taylor demonstrates the proper way to wear a turtle shell.

Madi in her turtle attire.  

The Central Valley of Costa Rica

Poas Volcano Smoking

Group stops for a photo opportunity at a waterfall.

Austin enjoying the Arenal Hotsprings

Sarah enjoys the hot waterfall in the Arenal Hotsprings