Costa Rica Green Turtle Student Trip
The southern Pacific region of Costa Rica is a truly spectacular place. The Osa Peninsula is an extraordinary rainforest, with more than 2/3rds under protection and the Gulfo Dulce is one of just three tropical fjords, with dramatic views in every direction. These waters are home to 2 species of sea turtles, plus dolphins, humpback whales, and more.
On this unique journey, you will work with researchers to catch and study green and hawksbill sea turtles to study and release. These turtles forage and grow in the gulf and nest elsewhere, so catching these turtles is the only way to study them. You’ll also help restore mangroves that are critical to the growth of fish and sea turtles and visit an organic farm that grows and makes its own chocolate.
Dates: Available year round except for October & November
Pricing:
7 students: $2,225 per person (one free trip leader including airfare)
10 students: $1,975 pp (one free trip leader including airfare)
14 students: $1,995 pp (two free trip leaders including airfare)
20 students: $1,895 pp (two free trip leaders including airfare)
Includes: Bilingual guide, private transportation, accommodations, meals (except where listed), activities, and a donation to turtle conservation.
Excludes: Airfare to Costa Rica (other than group leader), personal items, and tips for the guide/driver (recommended $80-100 per person).
Notes:
This trip is set up for student groups. Individuals and non-student groups can take a similar trip, visit this page for more details.
Minimum group size is 8 (7 students and one leader). Leaders travel at no cost as listed above including $1,000 towards airfare.
This trip can be tailored to your group’s schedule or needs. Contact us at right to request a customized itinerary.
CONTACT US TO REQUEST A TRIP PROPOSAL
Why Travel With US?
All profits support conservation efforts
Work directly with local researchers
Unique experiences
Personalized service
ITINERARY
DAY 1: ARRIVE TO SAN JOSE
You will be picked up at the San Jose Airport and taken to La Rosa de America in Alajuela, a quiet hotel with beautiful gardens and a pool. Get a good night's sleep to rest up for the fast paced trip. (no meals included)
DAY 2: DRIVE TO THE OSA PENINSULA
After breakfast, you'll head to the South Pacific coast in a private vehicle (about a 5 hour drive). Along the way, you will stop for lunch and take in the beautiful views. After settling in to your cabins, researchers from our partner Latin American Sea Turtles (LAST) will give an orientation to the turtle research and train you in data collection techniques. This evening, relax and get a good night’s sleep. Overnight at Delfines de Golfo, a simple family lodge. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 3: SEA TURTLE RESEARCH
Today is all about sea turtles. Head out in a shaded boat with researchers to help set nets in key turtle spots (timing dependent on the tide). Once caught, researchers will bring them to the beach where you will have the opportunity to help carry in the turtles, measure them, weight them, and perhaps even tag them. You’ll be looking mainly for green turtles and hawksbills, which are both endangered. In between, take a swim in the beautiful Golfo Dulce or explore the coastline to look for macaws and sloths. (B, L, D)
DAY 4: MANGROVE RESTORATION & CHOCOLATE FARM
Today, you will be protecting sea turtles by land, by supporting reforestation and organic farming. This morning, you will participate in LAST's mangrove reforestation program by working in the nursery and planting young trees. Mangroves are critical habitat for juvenile sea turtles, fish, and other ocean life and this area has lost much of its mangrove forests over the past few decades (the wood is popular for construction). We will also help in their small turtle rescue center if there are turtles present.
In the afternoon, the group will visit Finca Kobo, an organic farm that grows cacao and many other yummy fruits and vegetables. You’ll see the whole process of making chocolate from tree to roasting and fermenting and finish with a delicious chocolate fondue. That evening, the group will gather again at the cabins for dinner. (B, L, D)
DAY 5: WATERFALL HIKE & NIGHT HIKE
Today after breakfast, the group will board the bus to head north to Mastatal (4 hour drive). After lunch, the group will do a rainforest hike to visit and swim in waterfalls. After some rest and dinner, the group will participate in a 1.5 hour night hike around the reserve. More than 60 percent of the wildlife found its tropical rainforest is nocturnal. This specialized activity is full of amphibians, reptiles, insects, and hopefully some nocturnal mammals. Overnight at Finca Siempre Verde (2 nights). (B, L, D)
DAY 6: BIRDING & SCHOOL VISIT
Located between Pacific Cost and the Central Valley, Mastatal is home to diverse ecosystems with many different species of birds, flowering plants, varied fruit trees, attracting more than 358 different species in Mastatal and la Cangreja National Park, migrating from North and South America. After lunch, the group will visit La Gloria High School where students are learning to work in tourism and conservation. This activity is one of the trip highlights and includes a nature walk, a traditional meal, tree planting, dance lessons, and a soccer game all led by students. (B, L, D)
DAY 7: RETURN TO THE CENTRAL VALLEY
Today, after breakfast, the group will pack up the bus and head back north to San Jose (2 hour drive). On the way, the drive will be broken up with an outrigger excursion along the shoreline of the Gulf of Nicoya. Everyone will work together to get you to a secret beach for a snack and some swimming. Look for monkeys, birds and fish and enjoy the scenery along the way. The group will have a final celebratory dinner and reflection on the trip. Overnight at Rosa de America. (B, L, D)
DAY 8: DEPART FOR HOME
La Rosa de America provides a delicious breakfast for your last morning. After, head out for the airport in time for your flight, taking along your memories, photos, souvenirs, and stories to tell friends! (B)
Photo credits: Hal Brindley, James Richard, & Latin American Sea Turtles