Costa Rica Sea Turtle Conservation & Volunteer Trip Overview
Did you know that the sea turtle population is declining rapidly? Six out of seven sea turtle species are going extinct, and in Costa Rica, the Pacific Leatherback population has declined 90% since 1980. Travel For Teens is committed to making a difference for this ancient species, and we invite you to join us this summer on a sea turtle conservation trip to Costa Rica!
We partner with an organization in Montezuma dedicated to protecting the four species that frequent this area’s beaches. These turtles are at risk of extinction due to a variety of factors, including human activities. Our goal will be to monitor the turtles that nest on Montezuma Beach and assist with a strategy for future marine conservation efforts. Some of your volunteer duties will include evening patrols to look for nesting turtles, collecting nest data, and even releasing baby turtles safely into the ocean!*
Our service efforts will be complemented by a variety of fun activities designed to embrace Costa Rican “pura vida,” including ziplining through lush jungle canopies and learning how to surf on Montezuma’s beautiful coastline.
If you are looking for an opportunity to give back and enjoy the laid-back lifestyle of Costa Rica, then this is the perfect program for you!
*Please note you will be doing service that supports the sea turtle population without handling them physically. Turtles are not guaranteed on this program.
During this program, you will:
- Earn 30+ hours of community service credit as you work with a local conservation organization to observe and care for sea turtles
- Relax on a catamaran cruise in the turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean
- Hike through the jungle to observe exotic wildlife like toucans, sloths, coatis, agoutis, and more
- Zoom through the treetop canopy on an adrenaline-pumping zipline tour
- Learn to surf on Costa Rica’s incredible beaches with perfect waves
- Take a yoga lesson on the beach
Trip Itinerary
DAY 1: DEPART FROM MIAMI (MIA)
DAYS 1-2: PUNTARENAS
On our first night, we will get to know each other with some group icebreakers and become acquainted with Costa Rican culture. The next morning we will hop on a boat to Montezuma, where our service project officially begins!
DAYS 2-6: MONTEZUMA SEA TURTLE SERVICE PROJECT
Montezuma is a very small village with a population of approximately 500 people and it is the perfect place to not only start our service project but also learn what Costa Rica is all about–away from the crowds and the typical tourist path!
As soon as we arrive, we’ll receive an introduction to the sea turtle conservation station we will call home for the next six days. The center has accommodation for us onsite, which will allow us to participate in night patrols and be ready to spring into action if there is any nesting or hatching activity that happens during the night or early morning. Our days here will be filled with turtle conservation efforts. One day you may be helping to collect nest data, and the next you may be helping baby turtles (hatchlings) make it safely to the ocean! As turtles are wild animals, there is no guarantee of what each day may look like, but that is part of what makes this program so exciting! July is peak nesting season for turtles, so there is a very high probability that you will be able to watch a female turtle lay her eggs or witness babies hatching. Other projects may include building hatcheries, beach cleanups, tagging and measuring turtles, and anything else related to protecting these beautiful creatures.
DAYS 7-10: JACO
For the next portion of our trip, we will stay in the laid-back surf town of Jaco. The beaches of Jaco are some of the most beautiful in Costa Rica and they are the perfect starting point for our surf lessons. Long sandy beaches and warm water create an ideal environment for experienced surfers as well as beginner surfers. Heal your body after an active week of giving back to the local community with a soothing yoga practice at a local studio.
Take a ride through gigantic trees on a canopy tour through the nearby forest. You will not forget the experience of flying over a canyon or incredible views of the Pacific Ocean and the forest from many different perspectives.
Finally, we’ll take a day trip on a catamaran boat to Tortuga Island. This island paradise with tall coconut palms, beautiful white sand beaches, and crystal clear waters is the perfect way to end our adventure.
DAY 11: RETURN FLIGHT TO THE STATES
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Frequently Asked Questions
What do students like most about the Costa Rica Sea Turtle Service & Adventure trip?
Our environment-loving participants truly enjoy the layout of our trip! Costa Rica Sea Turtle Service & Adventure gives our participants the opportunity to explore Costa Rica’s hidden treasures while also being able to give back to the community.
Our service projects are centered towards working with local conservations, volunteering at local schools and helping maintain local beaches. This provides an immersive experience and allows students to discover all facets of life in Costa Rica!
Our environment-loving participants truly enjoy the layout of our trip! Costa Rica Sea Turtle Service & Adventure gives our participants the opportunity to explore Costa Rica’s hidden treasures while also being able to give back to the community.
Our service projects are centered towards working with local conservations, volunteering at local schools and helping maintain local beaches. This provides an immersive experience and allows students to discover all facets of life in Costa Rica!
Where do we stay on the Costa Rica Sea Turtle Service & Adventure trip?
Students stay in centrally located, safe, and well-supervised accommodations in each city.
They are well suited to facilitating group supervision and usually within walking distance of the main attractions. We do not use large, impersonal chain hotels on the outskirts of cities; we prefer to select smaller, family-run hotels where we establish personal relationships with the owners.
Our first night we will stay in Puntarenas at a family-run hotel located right on the beach. We will be able to enjoy the swimming pool and have easy access to the ocean. The accommodation at Montezuma is a modern hotel with air conditioning.
For safety reasons, we do not publish the names of the accommodations we use. We do not feel it is safe to publish the name of a hotel where a group of teenagers is staying abroad. After registering, participants and parents are given access to our secure parent website where you will be able to see the names of all of the accommodations for a program.
Students stay in centrally located, safe, and well-supervised accommodations in each city.
They are well suited to facilitating group supervision and usually within walking distance of the main attractions. We do not use large, impersonal chain hotels on the outskirts of cities; we prefer to select smaller, family-run hotels where we establish personal relationships with the owners.
Our first night we will stay in Puntarenas at a family-run hotel located right on the beach. We will be able to enjoy the swimming pool and have easy access to the ocean. The accommodation at Montezuma is a modern hotel with air conditioning.
For safety reasons, we do not publish the names of the accommodations we use. We do not feel it is safe to publish the name of a hotel where a group of teenagers is staying abroad. After registering, participants and parents are given access to our secure parent website where you will be able to see the names of all of the accommodations for a program.
What is included in this trip?
Tuition cost includes: ground transportation; accommodation; chaperones and guides; program-related activities and admissions; taxes and tips; all breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.
Not included in cost (this is not intended to be an exhaustive list): airfare; visas and visa application fees; personal and medical expenses; activities and admissions that are not program-related or referenced in the itinerary; beverages other than filtered water at meals; participant expenses that are outside of the program description, such as excess baggage fees and damage to hotels; expenses related to unforeseen circumstances, such as transportation strikes and natural disasters.
Tuition cost includes: ground transportation; accommodation; chaperones and guides; program-related activities and admissions; taxes and tips; all breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.
Not included in cost (this is not intended to be an exhaustive list): airfare; visas and visa application fees; personal and medical expenses; activities and admissions that are not program-related or referenced in the itinerary; beverages other than filtered water at meals; participant expenses that are outside of the program description, such as excess baggage fees and damage to hotels; expenses related to unforeseen circumstances, such as transportation strikes and natural disasters.
What is the food like in Costa Rica?
The food on this program is authentic, delicious, and a central part of the cultural travel experience.
We prioritize eating at local, authentic establishments rather than Americanized chains, encouraging students to sample the local specialties wherever we go. We fully accommodate all dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten allergies, and other restrictions.
The food in Costa Rica is delicious! Expect to eat seasoned rice, beans, chicken, steak, tropical fruit and veggies, plantains, and many other foods flavored with unique Caribbean spices! Vegetarians will have no issues eating well on the trip. Also, unlike in Europe where a light breakfast of coffee and toast is the norm, ticos (Costa Ricans) eat big, savory breakfasts—and so will we!
The food on this program is authentic, delicious, and a central part of the cultural travel experience.
We prioritize eating at local, authentic establishments rather than Americanized chains, encouraging students to sample the local specialties wherever we go. We fully accommodate all dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten allergies, and other restrictions.
The food in Costa Rica is delicious! Expect to eat seasoned rice, beans, chicken, steak, tropical fruit and veggies, plantains, and many other foods flavored with unique Caribbean spices! Vegetarians will have no issues eating well on the trip. Also, unlike in Europe where a light breakfast of coffee and toast is the norm, ticos (Costa Ricans) eat big, savory breakfasts—and so will we!