Workshops
Fiona's a Costa Rican wildlife expert of 30 years, offering an authoritative experience like no other.
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Not content with a day visit? Perhaps you'd like to join Fiona and other international experts on one of the themed bioblitzes or workshops below. Still looking for something a little different? Don't hesitate at all to contact us to organize something a little more bespoke, from night walks to a themed tour of your own.
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Herpetile Tour
January 21 to 30, 2026
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In 2026 we are offering a 9-day trip with the amazing TWAN LEENDERS!
Tour 1 Based at Sylvan, we have ample time to search for glass frogs in Glass Frog Alley, snakes up Culebra Creek and much more.
You can choose to join Twan on a pre-trip, or make your own way to Sylvan. At the end of our tour we stay at a wonderful lodge overlooking the Terraba Sierpe estuary, and visit Corcovado.
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Cost: $2,250 USD per person
shared accommodations
Pretrip not included in this price
Leader: Twan Leenders, author, photographer, leading herpetologist for Costa Rica. Co-led and organized by Fiona Reid.
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Group Size: 6-8.
Sorry, Sold Out
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Les: Any trip to the wildlife paradise that is Sylvan will leave you wanting more. From glass frogs and party lizards, to fer-de-lance and poison dart frogs, the 2024 herp trip with Fiona and Twan was a blast. Over 50 species of amphibians and reptiles were observed, but that’s only the beginning. We saw many birds, bats, monkeys, and insects while hiking the many trails in the area. Highlights of the trip were Glass Frog Alley, Culebra Creek trail, and of course swimming in the waterfall pool with the biting fish (a must for every visitor to Sylvan).
Bridget: I was a total newbie to Costa Rica and to ecotourism when I joined a herp blitz at Sylvan in January 2023. What a fantastic time I had! Fiona and Twan were fabulous and very knowledgeable and the food was amazing! I cannot say enough good things about my stay and plan on returning as soon as I can.
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​Bat Bioblitz
February 23 to March 1, 2026
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Sylvan has recorded over 70 species of bats to date. On this bioblitz participants will visit a number of locations, near and far, setting a variety of types of nets in the forest and over rivers.
Participants will learn how to identify and handle a variety of species.
We will also visit a cave offsite, enjoy the massive waterfalls, relax in hammocks, but most of all learn about numerous bats and their habits.
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Cost: $1,250 per person, shared accommodations
Flights and in-country travel not included
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Sorry, Sold Out!
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Tropical Sketching Workshop
February 2 to 9, 2026
This is our third sketching workshop with the multi-talented artist, naturalist, and instructor DEBBY KASPARI. Sylvan is the perfect place for studying landscape and wildlife, with incredible falls, streams and forest, and a variety of birds visiting feeders and nesting at the lodge. Participants will learn how to sort out and simplify complex rainforest subjects and experiment with a variety of media. There will be plenty of one-on-one instruction during daily classes. We end our stay at a lodge perched over the Terraba Sierpe estaury - a magnificent view for our studies. This is a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in a pristine environment and learn how to portray it yourself.
New: underwater painting!!
The trip starts and ends in Rio Claro.
Cost: $1,950 USD per person, shared accommodations
Leader: Debby Kaspari - landscape artist, teacher and birder
https://drawingthe motmot.com
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Group Size: 6 - 8
To register please contact Fiona: info@escapetosylvan.com
Comment:​​
Catherine: Thank you, Fiona and Debby, for everything you did and for sharing the jaw-droppingly wonderful Sylvan. It was a perfect trip!
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