Costa Rica: Turtle Conservation Program (College)

Students fly into San José International Airport (SJO), where Rustic Pathways staff will greet them upon arrival. Group transportation to and from the airport is included. The program’s start and end dates include international travel time. There are no internal flights within Costa Rica, as all travel between destinations occurs by private, air-conditioned vehicle.

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

Yes. Payment plans are available for all families, and Rustic Pathways offers both need-based financial aid and merit scholarships. Explore scholarships and financial aid →

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

Rustic Pathways Program Leaders complete a four-month vetting process, and programs maintain a verified 4.37:1 student-to-staff ratio, better than our 7:1 promise. All Program Leaders are first-aid certified, and every program includes at least one leader with 3 or more years of field experience. Program Leaders range in age from 22 to 45.

Yes. San José hotel (first and last nights): double/triple rooms with private bathrooms. Camaronal Wildlife Refuge (5 nights): rustic gender-separated dorm rooms with shared bathrooms. Staff are in adjacent rooms throughout the program.

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.

Yes. Wi-Fi is available at the San José hotel (first and last nights) and occasionally at the refuge main area. Phone use is not permitted during service activities. Families can reach the Rustic Pathways 24/7 emergency line at any time.

Staff provide regular updates. Rustic Pathways’ 24/7 Global Operations Center monitors programs in real time and is reachable by families at any time.

Rustic Pathways allows students to keep their phones and does not confiscate them, but encourages students to actively participate in the program experience. Students may contact home as often as they like.

Wi-Fi is limited: available at the San José hotel and occasionally at the refuge main area.

This is a college program for students ages 17–22. Groups are kept small for meaningful hands-on conservation work alongside National Park rangers at Camaronal Wildlife Refuge.

Yes. Students from 53+ countries join programs like this. International students fly independently to San José (SJO) where Rustic staff meet the group on arrival. After enrollment, our team helps coordinate flights matching program schedules, passport and visa requirements for Costa Rica, and USD payment options.

Both. Many college students travel solo and connect through the shared group experience. Ice-breakers on Day 1 help students get to know each other quickly.

Two locations: (1) Comfortable San José hotel on arrival and departure nights — double/triple rooms, private bathrooms. (2) Camaronal Wildlife Refuge volunteer quarters for 5 nights — rustic dorm-style, gender-separated rooms (4–8 students), shared bathrooms with flushing toilets, situated right on the nesting beach. Amenities are simple; the experience is immersive and purposeful.

Rooming requests are considered. Final decisions are made by staff to ensure safety and group balance.

This itinerary reflects what we intend to deliver, and we work hard to make that happen. Since programs operate in real-world conditions, activities may change due to weather, health and safety factors, transportation, site availability, or local circumstances.

If plans need to change, our team will use its judgment to adjust the schedule while prioritizing student safety and preserving the program’s purpose and quality.

The program is highly structured. Night patrols are staff-supervised at all times. Some age-appropriate free time occurs in Samara town (Day 6) and at the beach club (Day 5), which is staff-managed. Students are never left without supervision during conservation fieldwork or overnight activities.

Yes, with advance notice. Meals include gallo pinto, eggs, fruit, chicken, fish, rice, plantains, traditional Costa Rican dishes, and occasional pasta/BBQ. Purified drinking water is available at all times. Students should note dietary needs and allergies on their medical form at enrollment.

$100–150 is recommended for souvenirs and personal purchases. Costa Rica uses the Costa Rican Colón (CRC), but U.S. dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas. No currency exchange is needed for most purchases.

Most U.S. citizens do not need a visa for Costa Rica (stays up to 90 days). International students should confirm visa requirements based on their citizenship. After enrollment, Rustic Pathways helps coordinate SJO flights and answers travel-related questions.

Program Leaders are trained to support students experiencing homesickness. Learn more about how Rustic Pathways prepares students: rusticpathways.com/student-travel/prep/homesickness-anxiety.

Yes. Learn more about Rustic Pathways’ inclusion practices: rusticpathways.com/about/inclusion.