The name John Blashford-Snell conjures up images of intrepid journeys, wild rivers and jungles — and today, at age 87, he is once again embracing the spirit of Adventure Travel with a deeply purposeful mission in Costa Rica. In partnership with the Scientific Exploration Society (SES), and supported on the ground by Luna Lodge and La Leona Lodge near Corcovado National Park, John and a team of dedicated volunteers are leading an expedition with a mission: deliver aid, maintain vital infrastructure, and support indigenous and remote communities.
This isn’t your typical holiday — it’s Adventure with Purpose.
Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula and Corcovado region are among the wildest, most biodiverse jungles in Central America. Remote communities here — often indigenous or living in marginalised rural zones — rely on fragile infrastructure: makeshift bridges, rudimentary paths, limited access to medical care, and scant resources.
John’s latest expedition aims to strengthen the foundations of these communities: repairing or rebuilding bridges, improving access to remote villages, and delivering humanitarian aid — helping with everything from medical support to basic supplies. The work is undertaken in concert with local lodge operators (Luna Lodge and La Leona Lodge) who know the terrain and the people, and whose local staff help coordinate logistics, supply chains, and cultural liaison.
For many villagers, the arrival of John’s team is more than fortunate — it’s transformative. A repaired bridge might give children easier access to school; improved pathways might enable safe transport of food or medicine; aid visits can mean dental checks, glasses, or even small toys to comfort children.
John Blashford-Snell is not new to this — far from it. As founder of SES back in 1969 he has led dozens of expeditions: from first descents of mighty rivers to daring crossings of uncharted terrain. (Wikipedia)
He is also the originator of the youth-focussed programmes Operation Drake and Operation Raleigh (now operating as Raleigh International) — initiatives that have inspired tens of thousands of young people around the world to embrace challenge, exploration and service. (Wikipedia)
Even decades after his early exploits — the legendary crossings of the Darién Gap, the first vehicular journey from Alaska to Cape Horn, the pioneering descent of the Blue Nile — John remains resolutely committed to “Adventure Travel with Purpose.”
When asked what tools have sustained him through decades of expeditions, John singled out SplashMaps — and revealed he’s used them on every expedition over the last ten years of his illustrious career.
SplashMaps — essentially rugged, detailed, portable maps — have proven indispensable in jungle terrain: easy to carry, resistant to damp, and precise enough to guide teams through dense forest, across rivers, up ridges. For aid-driven ventures like this one, they are crucial: routes may change, bridges may be washed out, terrain may shift — predictable navigation is vital.
John’s endorsement underlines a key point for modern Adventure Travel: good navigation isn’t just about reaching remote corners of the world — it’s about doing so safely, responsibly, and with respect for both people and place.
John Blashford-Snell’s Costa Rica mission isn’t just a throwback to classic exploration — it’s a redefinition of what adventure can be. Key takeaways:
For anyone drawn to Wilderness, Exploration, Community Aid, or simply life-changing Adventure — John’s work is a beacon.
John has hinted that he may attend the upcoming Armchair Adventure Festival in 2026 — and you might well find him there, talking about this very Costa Rica expedition, showing maps from SplashMaps, and inspiring a new generation of travellers.
If you feel the pull of a genuine Adventure Travel Expedition — not just to see wild places, but to help, to connect, to leave things better than you found them — this story may just be what you needed.
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