Connecting with nature was when I felt true happiness. I grew up in a small town in Southern Oregon, surrounded by beautiful forests and rivers. I went to college a few hours away from home, staying close to friends and everything familiar. I studied Environmental Science at the University of Oregon, never quite knowing what […]
One of the things we love most about Outward Bound Costa Rica is the nature we are immersed in everyday. Whether surfing at the beach, rafting in the river, or hiking in the rainforest, our students are always surrounded by the incredible outdoors. But what happens when students return home? For most people, spending this […]
On a walk along the beach at dawn, the faint outline of hundreds of sea turtles comes into view. The turtles drag their heavy bodies up the sand, dig nests, lay eggs, and then return to the sea. This is the beginning of the arribada. An arribada, which is Spanish for arrival, is the mass nesting […]
Our Coast to Coast Expedition Semester students are in the thick of their 24-day hike through Costa Rica that will lead them from the Caribbean to Pacific coasts. We have shared their photos on Facebook and are excited to provide more updates here. At a recent check-in point, our staff joined them for a […]
Under the tropical waters of Panama lies a plethora of amazing fish and coral reef! While scuba diving or even just cruising along the sandy beaches, you can see the colorful arrangement of amazing marine life throughout the Panama Sea. 1. Parrot Fish These colorful fish ranging up to 4 feet have beak-like jaws and […]
Step into your boots, strap on your backpack, and open your eyes to prepare for the beautiful journey to Piedras Blancas, one that few outsiders ever see on their average trip to Costa Rica. The trek to Piedras has many scenic routes with views of high mountain ranges, sweeping flatland’s and machete-carved trails that lead […]
Costa Rica is known world-wide for its conservation efforts that protect its rich biodiversity. With policies such as its recent ban on recreational hunting, it is no question that the country is especially passionate about saving its wildlife. Here at Outward Bound Costa Rica, we are lucky to have opportunities to explore Costa Rica and […]
Although we’re based in Costa Rica and have more ample opportunities than others living round the world to see these creatures, we were still delighted to find out that Saturday, October 20 was International Sloth Day (video)! This excellent video showcases the famed Costa Rican sloth sanctuary located along the country’s Caribbean coast. Learn more about […]
Ever since the Marketing Office’s weekend trek through the Piedras Blancas region we have been thinking an awful lot about backpacking gear. What rain jacket would keep me the driest hiking through a torrential downpour? What hiking boot is both durable and lightweight? How can I bring the right amount of equipment without being weighed down? Let’s start there with this […]