Join Garden and Nature Tours with C. Colston Burrell, The Minnesota State Horticultural Society and local guide Vernon Campos in San Jose, Costa Rica to explore a tropical paradise. Though scarcely larger than West Virginia, this friendly country is a magnet for gardeners, birders, natural history enthusiasts and adventurers. The pristine beaches are legendary!

Costa Ricans, like most gardeners, are drawn to a wealth of plants from around the world. Gardens here are as variable as their owners but are often set within a nurturing envelope of native trees. Colorful foliage is favored as a foil for the deep green palms, philodendrons and elephant ears that are commonly grown. Gingers, heliconias, birds of paradise, gardenias and succulents provide long seasons of bloom, augmented by orchids and tropical bulbs in season.

In these gardens, parks, and lodges, an unbelievable array of tropical ornamentals and edibles awaits discovery. Costa Rica boasts over 9,000 species of flowering plants and 800 species of ferns. The 876 species or birds, including flamboyant toucans and tanagers, are sure to seduce even the casual birder. Parrots, hummingbirds, tanagers and honeycreepers flock to the blazing orange coral trees that set the countryside awash with spring color. This diversity of plants and animals is due to incredible variation in topography, vegetation and rainfall patterns. For its size, Costa Rica has more preserved land than any other country in the world, nearly 1/4 of its landmass.

In addition to gardens, we have ample opportunities to explore the unique topography and geology of Costa Rica. We plan to tour the private gardens and orchid collection of Myriam Sagot, and enjoy a delicious lunch in her garden. We visit Los Cusingos Bird Sanctuary, the former home and garden of noted naturalist Alexander Skutch. We also stroll through Pura Vida Gardens to view the distant waterfall, and hike the trails in Corcovado National Park. We explore tropical forest restoration at Finca Cantaros, and walk the gardens and trails of the Wilson Botanical Garden, an Organization for Tropical Studies Field Station. There is a wealth of colorful birds at feeding stations in beautiful settings. We visit private nature reserves, intimate gardens and national parks to learn about native plants and local wildlife. We also have plenty of beach time to relax and play in the surf.