2025 Departure Dates
June 26 – July 3, 2025 | Finalized | |
July 3 – July 10, 2025 | Finalized | |
July 10 – July 17, 2025 | Finalized | |
July 17 – July 24, 2025 | Available | Enroll Now |
July 24 – July 31, 2025 | Limited | Enroll Now |
July 31 – August 7, 2025 | Limited | Enroll Now |
Journey to a beach on the Pacific coast to help protect Costa Rican sea turtles. These turtles face threats from hunting, pollution, and development. While we can’t guarantee you’ll see a sea turtle, you’ll be certain to contribute to the conservation of this endangered species.
In the mornings, join beach cleanup projects and help construct a hatchery. At night, monitor the beach for turtle nests, record the number of eggs you collect, and carefully transport them to the hatchery or a safer place along the beach. With help provided by expert volunteers, many of these eggs will hatch into healthy baby turtles and contribute to the preservation of sea turtles.
In your free time, learn traditional art techniques and take trips to the beach town of Samara to learn how to surf the incredible waves of the Pacific Ocean.
Service projects support UN Sustainable Development Goals |
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Country:
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Department:
- Student Travel
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Duration:
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8 Days
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Max. Students:
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18
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Ages:
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14-17
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Cost:
- $2,895 plus Airfare
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Service Hours:
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35
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Interests:
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Program Types:
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At-A-Glance:
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Accomodation Amenities
Adventure/Physicality
Educational Activities
On-Program Travel
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Seeing students work hands-on with sea turtle conservation in Costa Rica is incredible. From protecting nests to releasing hatchlings, the Turtle Conservation Project gives them a real connection to wildlife and the environment.
Quote by: Ricardo Romero Country Director, Costa Rica
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 Best Western Irazu or Quality Hotel in San Jose. At the end of the program, they’ll also stay at one of these hotels if their flight leaves on Wednesday 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 full of wildlife and views of the ocean. 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 turtle, green turtle, leatherback turtle, and olive ridley turtle. 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.
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 departs from San Jose, but adventures take place in 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 had 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, making it 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
Packing the right gear (and the right amounts) is the first step to an incredible travel experience. Follow these tips to pack like a pro:
Travel light. Pack only the essentials. You’ll need less than you think!
Consider no checked bag. We strongly recommend that you consider packing only a carry-on size bag. This prevents your luggage getting lost or separated from you, keeps your bag manageable, and helps you be more mobile on your travel day.
Bring the right clothes. Pack clothes that are culturally appropriate for your destination and acceptable for service projects. This means bringing long shorts (think Bermuda and basketball shorts), t-shirts with sleeves to cover shoulders, and appropriate footwear.
Leave your valuables behind. While traveling, it’s easier for things to get lost, stolen, or damaged. Keep any prized possessions safe at home.
Check with TSA. Make sure your luggage complies with TSA regulations, especially your carry-on. Useful tip: Pack an empty water bottle and fill it up after security.
Extra paperwork? If you need additional forms filled out to get credit for your service hours, no problem! Bring these forms with you so they can be completed in-country.
A school backpack is ideal as it will be used for daily activities and outings.
- Passport
- Photocopy of passport
- Wallet/money
- Book and/or journal
- Pen
- Phone
- Camera
- Chargers
- Ear buds
- Change of clothes
- Reusable water bottle
- Medication
- Additional community service forms
- Visa documentation (if applicable)
- Consent to Travel Letter (for students under 18, recommended by the US State Dept but not required)
- Rustic Pathways emergency contacts
A 40-50 liter duffel bag or backpack is ideal.
Clothes
- Socks (6-7, at least 2 long socks)
- Underwear (6-8)
- Pants/capris (2, MUST be black of very dark color, since lighter colors mimic the reflection of moonlight on the ocean and can throw off a turtle’s sense of direction)
- Long, loose-fitting shorts for service project work. For minimum length, your finger tips MUST touch the fabric of your shorts (not skin) when your arms are extended. Look for basketball-style shorts, or if in doubt, just wear lightweight pants/capris.
- Tank Tops (2-3) – for down time in the room or on the boat; cannot be worn during service work
- T-shirts (4-5)
- Long sleeved shirt (1-2, MUST be dark color for night walk)
- Pajamas
- Swimsuit (1-2)
- Quick dry towel
- Beach towel/sarong
- Rain jacket – must be dark color for night walk
- Strappy sandals (like Tevas or Chacos)
- Sneakers (Two pairs, one for work) – one must be dark color for night walk
- Rubber boots
- Sunglasses
- Hat (for sun)
- Headlamp w/ red light setting
Toiletries
(Travel size bottles in Ziploc bags)
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body wash
- Face wash
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Oxybenzone-free sunscreen (reef-safe)
- Biodegradable/natural bug spray
- Feminine hygiene products
- Contacts
- Contact solution
- Foam earplugs
- Personal med kit – including bug bite itch cream and oral antihistamine, such as Benadryl or Zyrtec
- Deodorant
- Wet Wipes
- Razor/shaving cream
- *Community Service Appropriate Attire includes T-shirts with no visible undergarments and shorts that extend to the top of the kneecap.
- Don’t forget the Big Five: Water Bottle, Sunscreen, Bug spray, Dark-colored rain jacket, Closed-toe shoes.