Costa Rica

This program takes you to the rural coastal communities of San Miguel and its surrounding areas, where you will learn about community-based conservation programs that protect endangered sea turtles. You will work alongside local researchers with Turtle Trax, conducting night turtle patrols, relocating sea turtle nests to protected hatcheries, and maintaining nesting sites. Along the way, you will see and hear about the work this NGO does to protect and conserve sea turtles, and how it promotes rural tourism and empowers local communities.

While based in San Miguel, you will work at one of four community-based sea turtle conservation sites and take part in environmental education programs at local schools, teaching students about sea turtle conservation and coastal ecosystems. You will also join rural ecotourism activities led by community members, including mangrove tours, bird and wildlife watching, reforestation projects, and learning about sustainable fishing practices from local fishermen.

The program also includes a series of local tours. On a gastronomy tour with a local farmer and cook, you will visit a farm and ranch with sheep, pigs, chickens, bunnies, and more. You will help prepare a traditional dish, milk cows, and take a tractor ride. With Jungle Mike, you will wander through the jungle with butterfly nets and learn about the butterflies, bees, and insects of Costa Rica. At a macaw rescue center, you will watch endangered macaws feed at dinner, and you will likely see monkeys and other wildlife in the trees nearby.

Outside of turtle conservation work, you will explore the diverse habitats of the southern Nicoya Peninsula. The program ends with three days in San Rafael de Peñas Blancas, where you will experience rural Tico culture by working with local students from area schools, playing soccer, preparing traditional foods together, and joining evening activities with local youth while practicing Spanish and English through interactive games.

This program is designed to help you understand the connections between community empowerment, biodiversity protection, and sustainable tourism while gaining hands-on research experience. You will leave Costa Rica with field research skills and a new perspective on how conservation programs can provide economic opportunities for rural communities while protecting endangered species.

*Please note that programs are subject to change based on the health and safety of participants and our partners.