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Costa Rica

Costa Rica: Nicoya Peninsula Turtle Conservation — Custom School Trips

Groups of 8+ | Custom Dates | 20 Service Hours | Fully Supported | 4.9 on GoOverseas

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Learn all about turtle conservation and work to protect native sea turtles on the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica. Spend the days both enjoying the beach and working to keep it clean. Help protect the turtles during evening patrols looking for nests to relocate eggs to safety. Experienced conservationists will lead you through service and teach you about the many ongoing efforts to save sea turtles. In addition to daily shifts in a hatchery, carry out beach cleanups with park rangers and take breaks to surf, zipline and watch the sunset.

Because of wood collecting on the beach a mother turtle couldn’t dig her hole, so she had to go back to the ocean. It was sad because she may never come back to that beach to lay her eggs. Seeing that firsthand motivated us to clear wood off the beach.

Custom School Trip

Contact us for a custom quote

Custom dates & duration. Groups of 8+.

Response within 1 business day

Anna Beckerman

Anna Beckerman

Head of School Group Travel

Dartmouth · 15 years at Rustic

321+ school partners since 2010

Not sure yet?

Email Rustic Pathways

Talk to a personal travel advisor: +1 (440) 975-9691

Schedule a call

View program itinerary

What Does a 8-Day Program Include?

A typical program. Daily activities are subject to change based on group logistics and weather.

1

Welcome to Costa Rica!

Arrive at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) or Liberia (LIN) and meet your program leaders who will be with you for the duration of the program. Head to the hotel and settle in, relaxing after your long flight. Join the group for an orientation discussion and an introduction to the local culture. Flights: Rustic Pathways is happy to book your flights as an optional add-on service. Overnight: Hotel in San Jose or Liberia
2

Venture to the Coast

Depart to Camaronal Wildlife Refuge after a delicious Tico breakfast. Enjoy the beautiful drive over the mountains and along the coast, and arrive at Camaronal Wildlife Refuge to receive an introduction to the week’s service project with the turtles. After you get settled in and enjoy dinner, start your expedition with a night walk along the beach patrolling for turtles in the dark. Overnight: Hotel Hacienda del Mar, Carrillo Beach (or similar)
3 - 5

Turtle Conservation and Beachside Exploration!

Wake up surrounded by nature, gain energy from a tasty breakfast, and get ready to protect sea turtles. The next several days you’ll live as a Costa Rican park ranger and understand how important — and often challenging — it is to work on a conservation project. This turtle expedition will involve nightly walks looking for sea turtles, working in the hatchery, and participating in beach clean-ups. All of this is designed to protect the turtles nesting on Camaronal Beach. Night walks: During high tide and in the company of the park ranger, walk along the beach looking for turtles. If we’re lucky, we’ll see the whole process of turtles coming out of the ocean, looking for the right spot to lay their eggs, laying eggs, and finally coming back to the ocean. When a nest is found, the park ranger will decide if it’s necessary to move the eggs to the hatchery, and then plant the eggs in the hatchery. Work in the hatchery: It is very important to keep the hatchery in good shape - things like airing the sand, raking the sand, cleaning it, and keeping the fence in good shape for stopping anybody or anything from coming inside and destroying the nest. Beach clean-ups: All the labor is important in order to protect sea turtles, and beach clean-ups are one of them — removing garbage, driftwood or any other objects that can become an obstacle for sea turtles laying the eggs. In your spare time, enjoy the natural beauty of the area with fun activities such as hikes through the wildlife refuge, walks through the forest to a river, soccer games on the beach, and surfing. On day four, take a break from service to take surf lessons. Overnight: Hotel Hacienda del Mar, Carrillo Beach (or similar)
6

Ziplining

In the morning go ziplining above the trees! Afterwards, enjoy lunch and relax at the beach. Watch a beautiful sunset before gathering for an evening with your group. Engage in a post-service debriefing, discussing what you experienced and learned through hands-on work in the community. Overnight: Hotel Hacienda del Mar, Carrillo Beach (or similar)
7

Art Class & Back to San Jose

After breakfast, travel along local dirt roads to visit a women’s cooperative where you’ll learn woodworking and traditional skills during an art class. After lunch, say goodbye to the beach and start driving to San Jose or Liberia. At the program’s end, students reflect on their experiences and participate in the traditional Rustic Ties ceremony. This unique and powerful activity allows students to capture highlights of their program so they can share what they’ve learned with their communities back home. Overnight: Hotel in San Jose or Liberia
8

¡Adiós, Costa Rica!

Say goodbye to your newfound friends as your program leaders take you to the airport for your flight departure. We hope the people you’ve met, perspectives you’ve gained and lessons you’ve learned will serve you well as you head home. Flights: Rustic Pathways is happy to book your flights as an optional add-on service.

Total: 8 calendar days / 7 nights. International flights are not included.

How Does Rustic Pathways Handle Safety?

24/7 Support

In-person staff + US emergency line

Trained Program Leaders

Background-checked, first-aid certified, deep local knowledge

Licensed & Insured Transport

Risk management plans for every program

Customizable Itinerary

Custom dates and duration

Learn more about Rustic Pathways safety protocols.

Costa Rica

What Do School Organizers Ask?

Flights & Cost

How do flights work?

School groups can arrange their own flights, or Rustic Pathways can arrange them as an optional add-on. In either case, teachers fly with students, and Rustic Pathways coordinates airport pickup and handles all in-country logistics.

What's included in the price?

Included: Lodging, all meals, in-country transport, all activities, 24/7 staff.
Not included: International airfare, travel insurance, personal spending ($150–200).

Is travel insurance required?

Travel insurance is not included in the program fee. Rustic Pathways recommends that families purchase travel insurance. Get a quote from our recommended provider →

Supervision & Safety

Who supervises the students?

Rustic Pathways Program Leaders complete a four-month vetting process, and programs maintain a 7:1 student-to-staff ratio. All Program Leaders are first-aid certified, and most have led multiple Rustic Pathways programs. Leaders range from 25 to 35 years old.

Are rooms gender-separated?

Yes. Students room with same-gender peers. Staff stay in adjacent rooms.

What about medical emergencies?

All Program Leaders are first-aid certified. Nearest hospitals are mapped out in all locations. Our health & safety team reviews all medical forms before departure and works with families to plan medications, allergies, and dietary needs.

Communication

Can students contact home?

Yes. Rustic Pathways’ policy is that students can call, text, or WhatsApp anytime. Rustic Pathways is happy to defer to established school policies instead.

How do families stay informed?

Rustic Pathways sends daily photo updates throughout the program.

Group & Logistics

How big is the group?

Group size varies based on the school’s needs. Contact Rustic Pathways for a custom quote.

Can friends room together?

Yes. Rustic Pathways provides a room list prior to travel. Schools can assign rooming allocations or allow students to choose their roommates.

Program Details

Will students have unsupervised time?

Structured independence with staff nearby. No unsupervised time in public areas.

Can Rustic Pathways accommodate food allergies? 

Yes. Dietary needs are collected during enrollment and shared with all meal providers.

How much spending money should students have?

$150–200 recommended. Tipping is included, no extra cash needed.

Support

What if a student gets homesick?

Homesickness can be common during the first few days; Rustic Pathways is well-prepared. See how staff support students through homesickness

Does Rustic Pathways support neurodiverse students?

Rustic Pathways welcomes all students. Read how Rustic Pathways supports neurodiverse students.

What Should Teachers Know?

Which students thrive on this program?
Students who are curious, adaptable, and open to new experiences. No prior travel experience is required.
What will students do each day?
Each day includes a mix of structured activities, cultural experiences, and group time. See the itinerary above for a day-by-day overview.
Costa Rica offers a unique combination of cultural richness, safety, and meaningful engagement opportunities for student groups. Rustic Pathways has operated programs here for years and maintains strong local partnerships.
How Do Flights Work?
School groups can arrange their own flights, or Rustic Pathways can arrange them as an optional add-on. In either case, teachers fly with students, and Rustic Pathways program leaders meet the group at the arrival airport and manage all in-country logistics from there.
What Meals Are Included?
All meals included. Dietary needs accommodated.
Included:
  • All lodging
  • All meals
  • In-country transport
  • All activities and excursions
  • 24/7 staff support
Not Included:
  • International airfare
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal spending money

What Other Program Types Are Available?

Costa Rica Americas Conservation
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