Costa Rica Rainforest & Turtle Conservation

Your trip to Costa Rica

Program type: Conservation & Environment

Duration: 14 Days

Accommodation: Hotel, Lodge

Transport: Private Bus, Boat

Sustainable Development Goals: 4. Quality Education, 13. Climate Action, 14. Life Below Water, 15. Life on Land

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Trip highlights

Help protect sea turtles – Participate in night turtle patrols and care for hatchlings during nesting season.
Conduct coastal habitat conservation – Plant native trees and lead beach clean-ups to combat climate change and protect coastal habitats.
Explore Costa Rica’s biodiversity – From the Irazu Volcano to Cahuita National Park, discover the unmatched natural beauty of Costa Rica.
Monitor monkeys and other wildlife – Conduct primate surveys and wildlife monitoring using camera traps, playing an important role in vital wildlife conservation.

What you can expect

You will journey from Costa Rica’s capital to two critical conservation sites – the Camaquiri Conservation Initiative and the remote Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge, both based on the stunning Caribbean side of Costa Rica. Spend your days surrounded by lush jungle, learning from expert conservationists as you get stuck into field research and conservation projects.

Your project work will include setting camera traps, conducting bird and primate surveys, restoring habitats through reforestation, and patrolling beaches to protect endangered sea turtles. Each day will provide countless opportunities to experience Costa Rica’s incredible wildlife up close, and play an active role in helping to protect the future of these important habitats.

These hands-on activities are complemented by workshops, evening lectures, and cultural experiences such as local cooking, salsa dancing, and exchanges with the community.

Living within these environments offers a unique chance to see conservation in action. Nights spent monitoring nesting beaches, days dedicated to ecosystem restoration, and reflection sessions under the stars all contribute to a powerful educational journey – one that blends science, culture, and service.

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Why choose Costa Rica for your Conservation and Environment program?

Costa Rica is a global leader in biodiversity protection and sustainable development, making it an ideal setting for students to see how conservation principles are applied in the real world. This program provides rare access to active research sites, allowing groups to contribute to sea turtle monitoring, primate studies, and reforestation projects that directly support the region’s fragile ecosystems.

For educators, it offers a structured framework to link environmental science, geography, and global citizenship with meaningful fieldwork. Students return with practical research skills, a deeper understanding of ecological challenges, and an authentic sense of how collective action protects our planet’s most vulnerable habitats.

What's included?

We handle all the essentials, so you can focus on the experience

Included

Accommodation – Clean, safe and welcoming accommodation. A home away from home with comfortable amenities.
Meals and drinking water – All breakfasts, lunches and dinners, and always fresh drinking water.
Transportation – To and from the airport, plus everything in between.
24/7 Support – Round-the-clock support on the ground and 24/7 backup from our global teams.
Free teacher places - One free staff place for every nine students that travel
Travel and medical insurance – Provided by our trusted insurance partners.
Activities – All excursions, cultural activities, and social events.
Project training and materials – All program activities and equipment, including training and workshops from experienced professionals.
Projects Abroad T-shirt – A free t-shirt for every traveller.
Dedicated pre-departure support – Your group’s own contact to support with everything from application to departure.
Presentations for students, parents, and teachers – Online or in-person presentations to answer all questions and help prepare travellers for their program.
Fundraising advice – Support and resources to aid students’ fundraising journeys.

Upon request

Flights – We can arrange group flights for you to keep your booking simple.
Reflective journals – Custom-made journals to support student reflections and learning outcomes.
International Volunteering Diploma (16 UCAS Points) – Bolster your program's educational value with an online Level 3 diploma developed specifically for Projects Abroad participants by the Centre for Global Citizenship Studies.