Pura Vida: Sea Turtles, Conservation, Waterfalls and Rafting!
Costa Rica is a land of waterfalls, lush rainforests and a hugely varied wildlife. This trip is about exploring the above, whilst also contributing to the nature. Both in looking after sea turtles and their habitat, as well as spending time in eco-lodges, your trip is about traveling in harmony with the environment. The only footprint you will leave will be in the sand, but the memories Costa Rica will imprint in your mind will stay with you forever.
On this project, you will assist with sea turtles, both at sea and on land and you will also help support the local environment by planting new trees and helping clean up the beaches.
And once the work is over, it’s time for fun. White water rafting, snorkeling and waterfalls abound. You will learn how to make chocolate, improve or begin your Spanish language adventure, and learn more about this wonderful country of Costa Rica. Pura Vida!
As an added bonus, your volunteer effort will earn you up community service credits.
Day 1: Transport from San Jose to Playa Blanca
Bienvenidos a Costa Rica! You land at San Jose airport where you will be met by your tour manager, who will be with you throughout your trip. You will make your way down to a spectacular and still relatively unknown part of Costa Rica to begin working on a sea turtle and conservation project. Snacks and drinks will be provided for the journey.
Upon arrival you will have a chance to settle in, get to know your hosts and project coordinators, and will learn about what you will be doing for the next few days.
During the project your accommodation will be in locally-owned guest houses with Wifi available.
Day 2: Sea Turtle Volunteer activities.
Early rise this morning, to have breakfast before helping the biologists load the boat for sea turtle monitoring, then off to sea to do the very same. Lunch will be boxed to eat on the beach.
Back to shore in the afternoon and time to clean the equipment and nets before you finish for the day; now it’s your time to relax and swim at the beach before dinner.
Day 3: Turtle Rescue center
Turtles can suffer all kinds of incidents, from fishing-related to dehydration and parasites. In order to help them there is a rescue center where they can be cared for and where they can get better before being released back into the wild.
While there is no guarantee that any turtles will be present during your visit (which is clearly the best case scenario for the turtles) the hospital still requires looking after ready for any new arrivals. You will therefore assist at the hospital with whatever needs doing during your stay - today is a day dedicated to such work before some down-time to swim and relax at the beach.
Day 4: Mangrove Volunteer
After an early start you will head out to help the biologists working on a Mangrove Reforestation project. Mangroves are absolutely fundamental to sea turtles, as it is here where they feed. Unfortunately so much of the forest has been destroyed, it needs replenishing. You will be involved in collecting seeds and mud, planting seeds, measuring trees, and reforestation. Lunch will be served at your accommodation.
In the afternoon you will have the opportunity to make chocolate, where you can learn about the importance of chocolate to the region, its history and also have lots of fun making your own!
Day 5: Carate: La Leona Eco-Lodge (B, L, D)
Today you will depart the Sea Turtle Conservation Project and travel north along the coast until the road comes to an end. Leave your 4x4 transfer vehicle and walk along the beach and rainforest trail until you arrive at La Leona Eco-Lodge, a spectacular chance to be immersed in nature as you are situated between the rainforest and Pacific Ocean with fantastic views. As an authentic eco-lodge there is no electricity in the rooms, so you truly will be cut off from the modern world; an amazing opportunity to consider the ways in which it’s possible to live in a more sustainable way. It’s also an opportunity for a brief digital detox, to experience what it was like to live pre-internet! And you are also doing good just by staying there, as for every booking a tree is planted.
Day 6: Carate: La Leona Eco-Lodge (B, L, D)
Wake up in the heart of the Osa Peninsula and enjoy a half-day hike to the most bio-intense place on earth, the Corcovado National Park. Explore your surroundings during the afternoon.
Day 7: Uvita: Rio Tico Safari Lodge (B,L,D)
Depart the Peninsula, without leaving Osa. Your next tent lodge is closer to civilization but still secluded in the jungle. Before checking in, get your adrenaline pumping again with a Mangrove Kayak /Stand-up Paddle in the mangroves / Rafting in Costa Rica’s most pristine river.
Day 8: Uvita: Rio Tico Safari Lodge (B,L,D)
Full-day Caño Island Snorkeling Tour. This is one of the best places for snorkeling and diving in Costa Rica. Chances are you will spot dolphin and/or humpback whales along the way.
Day 9: Cerro de la Muerte: Paraiso Quetzal Lodge or similar (B, L, D)
Start traveling up the mountains to the Cloud Forest of Cerro de la Muerte. Before lunch, you will stop along the way and hike to one of Costa Rica’s most impressive waterfalls. Later, arrive in your family-owned lodge, home to beautiful hummingbird gardens and wonderful lookout points, for a delicious farewell dinner.
Day 10: Departure
Say hasta luego Costa Rica!
What is included:
Activities:
White water rafting
Surfing lessons
Visiting local waterfalls and swimming in them
Chocolate-making class
Accommodation and services
A 24/7 tour manager accompanying you throughout the trip
Private transportation throughout the trip
Eco-lodges and hotels in perfect harmony with the surroundings
Project accommodation is in shared rooms (4 to a room)
All meals (please note we can cater to all dietary requirements)
Medical and luggage insurance
Project:
Contributing to the sea turtle project by:
Assisting with the monitoring of sea turtles and their environment
Assisting in the sea turtle rescue center
Planting seeds and reforestation
Practice your Spanish by working alongside locals
Not included in this Trip
Flights (we can set these up for you)
Visa costs
Any vaccinations required