Biodiversity in Costa Rica: Sloths & Turtles

from £2090pp

Based on 9 days

Suitable for Secondary Schools

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Overview

Costa Rica is well-known for its long sandy beaches, but it also boasts rich biodiversity too!

On this trip, you will discover the rainforests and its wildlife, both diurnal and nocturnal. Your expert guides will help you spot different creatures and tell you more about them as you continue exploring. Make sure to look out for sloths!

Students will also learn about turtles volunteering at the 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.

This tropical paradise is the perfect destination for a more exotic school trip and has plenty to offer. Make sure you also have a look at our Living with the Turtles itinerary for more activities!

Our Suggested Itinerary

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!
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!
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.
Day 4

Continue with your Turtle Project. Daytime work will include community support and cleaning up the turtles’ beach habitat.
Day 5

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!
Day 6

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 National Volcano 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.
Day 7

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.

Tonight, follow your expert guide on a Rainforest Wildlife Night Walk! More than 60% of the wildlife found in tropical rainforest is actually nocturnal and can only be found in under the cover of darkness!
Day 8

On your last morning in Costa Rica, take a Sloth Tour to learn more about these lovable creatures! Your guide knows where they like to relax after a tiring day of eating leaves, and spotting a sloth in the wild is all but guaranteed.

Then depart La Fortuna and make your way to the airport.

Late afternoon flight back to the UK.
Day 9

Flight arrival into the UK.

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