Discover your sense of adventure and join fellow Waterloo Science alumni and friends on an exclusive travel experience!
The Faculty of Science is excited to launch our Alumni Adventures Abroad travel program where 10 alumni and friends are offered an exclusive opportunity to join a research scientist in exploring beautiful locations around the world. Only at Waterloo are you able to explore the world with a research scientist by your side.
Our scientific adventures are one-of-a-kind travel experiences driven by the curiosity of our alumni. These annual expeditions to science-relevant destinations are lead by a Faculty of Science Team, offering a small explorer-to-researcher ratio you can't find anywhere else.
Join us for a vacation like no other. Don't miss your chance to participate in this exclusive experience.
Space is limited!
Join us in Costa Rica — our inaugural trip — May 2025
Join fellow UWaterloo Science alumni as we explore the beautiful rainforests and beaches of Costa Rica. Our inaugural expedition will be lead by none other than Dean of Science, Dr. Chris Houser.
This exclusive trip invites 10 alumni and friends to first visit the Soltis Center biological field station in central Costa Rica then travel to the Pacific coast to explore the incredible Manuel Antonio Beach and National Park.
The Soltis Center, owned and operated by Texas A&M University, is an annual research and teaching destination for Dr. Houser. He was responsible for managing the Center while he was a faculty member at Texas A&M University. Dr. Houser's research and teaching in Costa Rica focuses on the ecohydrology of the rainforest, the role of land-use and land-cover change on hydrology and the transfer of sediment to the coasts. In Costa Rica, he has also played a major role in the implementation of beach safety legislation to fund a national lifesaving program including lifeguards on major tourist beaches.
The Soltis Center is also an annual destination for the Faculty of Science's Global Perspectives of Science program.
During your visit, Dr. Houser and other expert guides will showcase the research and conservation efforts within the Children's Eternal Rainforest — the largest private nature reserve in Costa Rica. You’ll also walk up the slopes of the Poás Volcano, explore the coastal mangrove forests, zipline through the rainforest and discover the breathtaking beauty of the beaches of the Pacific Ocean – all the while learning about the natural history of exotic Costa Rica.
This is not your average holiday, but an opportunity to experience a one-of-a-kind field trip with a world-renowned researcher by your side.
Anticipated cost: $3000, including accommodations, in-country travel and meals. An additional donation of $2500 is encouraged from each travel group, used to provide Waterloo Science students with experiential learning opportunities and field work abroad.
Trip Highlights
- Tour and explore the Costa Rican rainforests and beaches with expert scientists
- Zipline through the rainforest
- Explore an active volcano with crater lakes
- Relax on the beach and kayak through the mangroves of Manuel Antonio
- Exclusive learning opportunities focused on the research and conservation being conducted in Costa Rica
Learn more
To learn more information about the Costa Rica trip and to register your interest, please contact Meaghan Middleton.
Costs
$3000 CAD per participant, inclusions listed below.
An additional $2500 donation to the Faculty of Science is encouraged from each travel group. This donation will be used to support future student field experiences abroad in the Faculty of Science Global Perspectives of Science (GPS) program.
What's included for this price?
- All meals from lunch on May 11 through to breakfast on May 19
- Travel within Costa Rica
- Accommodations from the evening of May 11 through to the morning of May 19
- Excursions to active volcanoes, zip lining, rainforests, mangrove forests, beaches and more!
Additional costs
- Round trip travel between your home to Costa Rica
- Travel, trip cancellation and health insurance
- Any travel or accommodation you choose to organize, outside of the planned May 11 through May 19 activities
- Alcohol
- Any snacks, extra food or souvenirs you wish to purchase
Meet your travel team
Dr. Chris Houser
Dean of Science, University of Waterloo
Meaghan Middleton
Director of Advancement, Faculty of Science
Student Researcher
A student will be along to help guide you and give you insights into student research.
Register your interest
About the Soltis Center
The Soltis Center for Research and Education is a field station owned and operated by Texas A&M University. The site hosts both student academic and non-academic groups and researchers who use permanent/semi-permanent research equipment focused on biodiversity, sustainability, hydrology, and other studies.
With a focus on education, outreach and research programs, the Soltis Center enhances student learning and research experiences through a unique setting for developing multidisciplinary research, education activities and community service, as well. The Center further promotes investigation into critical fields of research, such as global warming, the impact on biodiversity and productive systems, regional changes in rainfall patterns and distribution, and among others.
The Center is located in San Juan de Peñas Blancas, San Ramón, Costa Rica and is approximately 2.5 hours from San José, the capital of Costa Rica, and about 30 minutes from La Fortuna at the base of Volcan Arenal. The area provides a number of exciting educational and recreational opportunities including zip lining, white water rafting, hot springs, volcano tours, caving, jungle hikes and much more. It also backs onto the Children’s Eternal Rainforest (Bosque Eterno de los Ninos), the largest private nature reserve in Costa Rica, which covers almost 54,000 acres of primary and secondary forest.
About Manuel Antonio Beach area
With soft white sand and crystal blue water on the Pacific Ocean, it's apparent why the Manuel Antonio Beach area is one of more popular tourist destinations in Costa Rica. Home to five beautiful beaches, opportunities for swimming, snorkelling, and surfing are abundant on the coast of this tropical paradise.
Explore the mangrove forests and learn how they stabilize the coastline and reduce erosion, while providing ecosystems for a variety of wildlife and organisms. Visit the vast rainforest systems in the National Park, see breathtaking waterfalls, and finish your day watching a beautiful sunset from the beach.
During our time exploring Manuel Antonio, we will be staying at Hotel Costa Verde.
Itinerary
The Alumni Adventures Abroad runs from May 11-19th. Guests are welcome to explore Costa Rica prior to, or following, their Adventures with the University of Waterloo!
*Subject to change based on weather
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2025
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May
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Day 1 - May 10
Arrive at Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in Costa Rica (overnight accommodations at travellers' expense, see FAQs for suggestions).
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Day 2 - May 11
Meet at the tour gathering point, the Courtyard Marriott Alajuela, for morning group transportation to the Soltis Center (2.5 hours).
Welcome reception, meet your guides and fellow alumni, research center orientation.
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Day 3 - May 12
Explore the rainforest and waterfalls.
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Day 4 - May 13
Zipline through the rainforest, relax in the hot springs of Volcan Arenal and dinner in La Fortuna.
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Day 5 - May 14
Further explore the rainforest - Practice your machete skills, or relax with a drink overlooking the rainforest.
Experience an evening tour of the rainforest.
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Day 6 - May 15
Travel from Soltis Center to Manuel Antonio Beach area via ground transportation (4.5 hours). Accommodations at Hotel Costa Verde.
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Day 7 - May 16
Relax on the beach at Manuel Antonio, followed by a sunset dinner.
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Day 8 - May 17
Kayak through the mangrove forest.
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Day 9 - May 18
Explore the rainforest and coast within Manuel Antonio National Park.
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Day 10 - May 19
Visit a coffee plantation in the morning.
Travel back to the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) area to end the planned portion of the tour or continue with your own exploration of Costa Rica!
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May
Want to learn more?
See our list of Frequently Asked Questions.