Costa Rica Adventure: Protect Sea Turtles

Course Description: Costa Rica Adventure: Protect Sea Turtles

🐢 Wildlife Conservation Program in Costa Rica

This is the perfect program for teens passionate about conservation and hands-on environmental impact. Travel along the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica and work with like-minded peers to protect endangered sea turtles—vital creatures for maintaining healthy ocean ecosystems. Each day offers something different: scientific research, egg incubation, hatchling rescue, harbor patrol, and reburying sea turtle eggs.

Outside of volunteering, enjoy unforgettable adventures including surfing, ziplining, cultural exploration, and Costa Rica’s natural beauty. This program is meaningful, immersive, and truly life-changing 🌿.

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🌟 Program Highlights

• Support sea turtle conservation: nesting, data collection & protection

• Work at a hatchery on egg incubation, measuring & releasing hatchlings

• Learn to surf with professional instructors 🏄‍♂️

• Enjoy the Caribbean Sea & Pacific Ocean

• Take a Latin dance class 💃

• Taste world-famous Costa Rican coffee at Café Doka

• Zip-line + jungle hike in Jaco 🌴

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🐢 Service Projects

Latin America Sea Turtles (LAST) – Pacuare

Work directly on the nesting beaches of Leatherback and Green sea turtles along Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. Days and nights are spent conducting beach patrols and helping at the hatchery.

About LAST

LAST is a network of biologists, educators, and community leaders committed to restoring Costa Rica’s sea turtle populations. They are the Costa Rican branch of WIDECAST, active across 40+ Caribbean nations.

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🌴 Activities

Central Valley, Costa Rica

• Thrilling jungle zip-line excursion in Jaco

• Professional surf lessons

• Café Doka plantation visit + coffee tasting ☕

• Latin dance class

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🏨 Accommodations

Central Valley, Costa Rica — Quality Hotel

Air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and a swimming pool.

Pacuare, Costa Rica — Volunteer Base

A rustic, simple beachside base with:

• Bunk beds with mosquito nets

• Solar-powered electricity

• No air conditioning

• Cold showers

• No cell phone use

  A meaningful, nature-immersed experience just steps from the beach.

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🌎 What It’s Like

A perfect balance of meaningful service, cultural immersion, and unforgettable adventure ✨.

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🤝 Cultural Sensitivity

Participants must be open to new foods, living conditions, and cultural differences.

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📜 Certificate of Completion

✔️ 20 Service Hours

A letter of completion will be issued detailing your work and impact.

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🐢 Service Projects

All participants work together in each project. Final assignments are confirmed in late spring and follow the tasks described above.

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👥 Local Guide

A professional guide supports, educates, and immerses the group in Costa Rican culture.

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🏡 Accommodations

Hotels and lodges.

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🍽️ Meals

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included daily.

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🎯 Activities

All recreation and activities listed are included.

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🚌 Transportation

Chartered, air-conditioned motor coach with a professional driver.

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👥 Group Size

Up to 24 participants.

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🥗 Dietary Options

Most dietary needs and allergies can be accommodated.

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✈️ Program Specifics

Flight to San Jose, Costa Rica

Chaperoned flight from South Florida (and possibly New York depending on enrollment). Students from other regions may connect or arrive independently within set parameters. Staff greet participants upon clearing immigration.

Return Flight from San Jose

Chaperoned return flight to South Florida (or New York, depending on group). Students outside those regions may join or fly home independently with staff assistance at check-in.

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🛌 Where We Stay

Accommodations are selected for comfort, safety, and group cohesion.

No homestays are offered to maintain quality and consistency.

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🍽️ Meals & New Cuisines

Costa Rican cuisine includes rice, beans, meat dishes, and abundant fruit.

North American options are available.

Most dietary requests (vegetarian, lactose-free, celiac, kosher-style, allergies) can be accommodated.

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💧 Drinking Water

Tap water is generally drinkable. Purified water will always be provided for refills.

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🌙 Community Service in Pacuare

This experience is rustic, remote, and deeply impactful:

• Beach patrols take place between 7pm and 4am, in 4-hour rotating shifts

• Expect up to 9 miles of walking per shift

• Tasks include locating nests, collecting & relocating eggs, hatchery guarding, and releasing hatchlings

• Daytime: rest, sleep, and perform site upkeep (cleaning, gardening, kitchen work, painting, beach cleaning)

• Afternoon naps recommended

• No insect repellent allowed during night patrols (sea turtle sensitivity)

• No cell phone usage

• Solar-powered electricity + cold showers

Though rustic, this is a once-in-a-lifetime conservation experience that brings you close to nature and makes your impact truly meaningful 🐢💛.

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💉 Vaccinations

Follow CDC guidance and your physician’s recommendations. Updated details provided in spring.

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👕 Laundry

Weekly wash-and-fold service. One week of clothing is sufficient.

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✅ What’s Included

• Lodging

• Breakfast, lunch & dinner daily

• All listed recreation & activities

• Airport transfers (designated times)

• Gratuities & taxes

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❌ Not Included

• Transportation to/from the program

• Personal spending money (snacks, souvenirs, laundry)

• Optional travel insurance