Costa Rica: Living with the Turtles!

from £1990pp

Based on 12 days

Suitable for Secondary Schools, International Schools

Overview

Experience volunteering in beautiful Costa Rica and find out for yourself about living the Pura Vida!

On this trip, students will have the opportunity to learn more about turtles while volunteering at a conservation project.  Their duties will vary from collecting nesting activity data to looking for nesting adult female turtles on nocturnal patrols.  Students might also get involved in cleaning the beaches, helping to maintain the turtles’ natural habitat.


The volunteering experience is only one part of this thrilling trip!  Whilst you are in Costa Rica, you will get a chance to marvel at its biodiversity (you can also have a look at our Sloths & Turtles itinerary), with visits such as a guided tour of Reserva Natural Cabo Blanco or the ASIS Project, geography when visiting the Arenal Volcano National Park, and culture on a Rainforest Chocolate Tour!

Our Suggested Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Morning flight to Costa Rica.

    After checking in at your accommodation, explore San Jose’s downtown!  Some of the highlights are the Pre-Colombian Gold Museum, San José's Central Market, and the famous Teatro Nacional!

  2. Day 2

    Montezuma

    Depart San José in the morning and make your way to Montezuma, via the Gulf of Colorado ferry, to make your way to the turtle conservation project.

    In the afternoon, settle into your new accommodation before your Conservation project orientation – your project coordinators will give you a talk about the local turtle species, and show you the basics of the work you will be doing.

    Later on, head into the rainforest for a guided tour of Montezuma Waterfalls, and to explore your spectacular new surroundings!

  3. Day 3

    The first day of your hands-on Turtle Project on Montezuma Beach!  Your duties will include hatchery surveillance and looking for nesting adult female turtles on a nocturnal patrol.

  4. Day 4

    Continue with your Turtle Project.  Daytime work will include community support and cleaning up the turtles’ beach habitat.

  5. Day 5

    Today, you will explore a bit more of the Nicoya Peninsula!

    Start your day with a walking tour around Reserva Natural Cabo Blanco, one of the most important protected areas in Costa Rica.

    After lunch, you will have a guided tour of the beautiful seaside of Santa Teresa, a hot-spot for surfers!

  6. Day 6

    Your third day working at the Turtle Project!  Continue your volunteer work at the project.

  7. Day 7

    The fourth and last day at the Turtle Project.

  8. Day 8

    La Fortuna

    After breakfast, depart Montezuma for the rural town of La Fortuna, which is located within Arenal Volcano National Park.

    Then, after checking into your new accommodation, reward yourselves for all your hard work by relaxing in your hotel’s very own natural hot springs!

  9. Day 9

    Full-day "highlights" tour of the Arenal Volcano National Park!

    Start the day enjoying a bird's eye view of the rainforest from the Arenal Hanging Bridges.  Then visit the famous La Fortuna Waterfall, which was formed by an old lava flow from the extinct Cerro Chato volcano.

    After lunch, explore the spectacular wildlife and scenery of Arenal Volcano National Park with a knowledgeable local guide.

    Finally, refresh yourselves with a visit to the Baldi Hot Springs, the biggest hot spring facility in the Arenal Park, before having dinner at a local restaurant.

  10. Day 10

    Begin today with a Rainforest Chocolate Tour, a hands-on experience where you will participate in all stages of the chocolate production process.

    In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of Wildlife Rescue Centre Proyecto ASIS and discover the stories of the animals you visit.

  11. Day 11

    Time for a Zip Line Experience!  Take a trip by cable car to the first platform, which on clear days will offer stunning views of the volcano and the lake.

    In the afternoon, relax at one of the hotel’s swimming pools - your last chance to soak up La Pura Vida!

  12. Day 12

    Depart La Fortuna and make your way to the airport.

    Flight back to the UK.

School Trip Accommodation

Accommodation

We use accommodation like Hotel Don Carlos in San José, Sano Banano in Montezuma, and Arenal Paraiso in La Fortuna.  We always use safe and secure accommodation especially suited to schools and our accommodation is usually 2* or youth hostel standard.  All accommodation we use is audited, and our auditing regime is verified by independent experts.

Want a quick quote?

New born sea turtle

Costa Rica: Living with the Turtles!

from £1990pp

Based on 12 days

Would you like to do something different in Costa Rica?  Just click on Request a Quote and we'll help you start planning your own personalised itinerary!