Accommodations The students will stay at the Camaronal National Wildlife Refuge throughout most of their program. Exceptions may be their first and last nights in the country. The first night they’ll stay at the Quality Hotel in San Jose. At the end of the program, they’ll also stay at this hotel, if their flight leaves Tuesday morning. The wildlife refuge accommodations are very rustic. The rooms hold up to six students and have bunk beds. The open-air bathrooms are shared and have flushing toilets. The sleeping quarters are on the beach, giving great access to the project grounds. The area is teeming with wildlife and beautiful seaside views. In addition to the turtles, the students may see lizards, crabs, dolphins, macaws, and howler monkeys.
Service Projects Each student will provide about 35 hours of community service while on the program. During the day, the students will primarily work on beach cleanup and hatchery projects. At night, they’ll do walks to gather eggs and release baby turtles. Sea Turtle Basics Costa Rica has four types of sea turtles: the critically endangered Hawksbill, the endangered Green turtle and the vulnerable Leatherback and Olive Ridley turtles. These sea turtles play an important role in the environment. They help maintain healthy seagrass beds and coral reefs. Their nests provide nutrients that contribute to coastal vegetation. Plus, the turtles play a role in controlling the jellyfish population. Threats to Survival The sea turtles have natural predators both on land and in the water, including animals that eat turtle eggs. However, human activities pose the greatest threat. The refuge has rivers on each side that feed into the ocean. Trash and debris in those rivers go out to sea and then come back in on the waves. That pollution hinders the ability of mother turtles to find a safe spot to dig a nest and lay eggs. On top of that, the sea turtles are victims of fishing nets and poachers who use turtle eggs to make a popular bar drink. During one 2022 session, students saw how pervasive the hazards are. When they went on a dolphin-viewing boat ride, they encountered a sea turtle in distress. It had a life vest wrapped around one of its flippers. In response, one of the boat guides jumped into the water to cut the vest off the sea turtle. Service Work Students work diligently to remove hazards and save turtle eggs throughout the program, 2022 traveler Candace Leovao says one night she could see with her own eyes why this work is important. “We had just cleaned up wood and the twigs, and then a turtle laid eggs there that night. So I could see that we were making a difference,” Candace said. Once the eggs are laid, the students gather them to bring them to a hatchery. Last summer the number of eggs collected was staggering. The final number: 6,403 eggs collected Once the eggs hatch, the students bring buckets of baby turtles to the beach near the water and release them. They use red lights to help guide the turtles toward the water. This program offers a unique opportunity to work directly with park rangers to save sea turtle species!
Food Most of the students’ meals will be prepared at the wildlife refuge. There’ll be a set menu at each meal with alternatives for those with dietary needs. Students will have the opportunity to try a variety of Costa Rican dishes, including gallo pinto and casado. These dishes include rice and beans. Plus, they usually have an added protein, such as a fried egg for gallo pinto and chicken for casado. The chefs may spice it up on some days and offer meals typically seen in the United States, such as hamburgers, pasta and burritos. In addition, the students will dine at a few restaurants. They’ll stop at a restaurant on the way to the wildlife refuge called Casa Esmeralda, which is known for its seafood. On the weekend, they’ll eat lunch at Punta Islita Hotel Beach Club.
This was my first trip with Rustic, and everything about this trip was perfect! I am so grateful for this opportunity to be able to come on this trip! Every aspect was perfect from the other teenagers on it, the leaders, and all the adventures we got to go on! I hope that next year I’m able to come back for another trip!! – Lola Scarsi, Rustic Pathways Alumni
Itinerary Locations San Jose: San Jose is the capital of Costa Rica and its largest city by far. It’s located in the center of the country. This program arrives and depart from San Jose, but adventures take place in much-less densely populated parts of the country. Camaronal Wildlife Refuge: This refuge is located on the Pacific coast of the Nicoya Peninsula. It’s part of the large Tempisque Conservation Area, which includes a number of reserves. In 2006 the Camaronal Refuge has its first mass arrival of mother turtles in 15 years. Since then, poachers and new developments in the region have posed a growing threat, warranting increased efforts to protect the turtles. Punta Islita: The small village is home to the only open-air contemporary art museum in the country. Samara: This small coastal town is a great place to experience authentic Costa Rican culture. It’s located on a bay that is a wildlife reserve with pinkish sand and many tropical birds. Carrillo Beach: This beautiful beach is in a less developed area than some touristy spots. The beach is on a bay that’s protected by rocky terrain. This makes the waves smaller, creating a great spot for snorkeling, swimming and boating.
What’s Included in Your Program Program Leaders & Guides English Speaking Rustic Pathways international and local leaders Airport Transportation Meet and greet with private transportation to and from the airport Comfortable Accommodations All nights of accommodation All Meals Included Breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout your stay Ground Transportation All transportation between program locations and activities All Activities Every activity, entrance fee, and experience in your itinerary 24/7 Support On-call support throughout the program for peace of mind Emergency Coverage Included emergency evacuation assurance plan All Fees & Tips Airport taxes, departure fees, donations, and guide tips What’s Not Included in Your Program International Flights Souvenirs Additional Snacks Visa Expenses Passport Fees
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