Costa Rica Leatherback Student Trip 

 Join our friends at EcoTeach for a unique educational adventure! This itinerary combines the best of Costa Rica including volunteer work with leatherback turtles, indigenous communities, rainforest visits, & much more. The leatherback is one of nature’s truly unique creatures. Their immense size boggles the mind; these turtles can average more than 6 feet long and 800 lbs.

Spend 2 nights working with leatherbacks at a research station along Costa Rica’s northern Caribbean coast. The work includes walking the nesting beach at night, helping to measure the turtles, collect the eggs and move them to hatcheries, and working with hatchlings (later in the season). During the day, participate in a beach cleanup, visit the station’s turtle museum, or look for wildlife like monkeys, sloths, butterflies, birds, & more. 

Dates: Available March to June each year

Pricing for this itinerary :

• 7 students: $2,225 per person (one free trip leader including airfare)

• 10 students: $1,975 pp (one free trip leader including airfare)

• 14 students: $1,995 pp (two free trip leaders including airfare)

• 20 students: $1,895 pp (two free trip leaders including airfare)

Includes: In-country transport, meals, lodging, activities, guides, and a donation to turtle conservation.

Excludes: Airfare to Costa Rica, personal items, and tips for the guide and driver (tipping recommendation is $80 - 100 per person).

Notes:

• This trip is set up for student groups. Individuals and non-student groups can take a similar trip, visit this page for more details.

• Minimum group size is 8 (7 students and one leader). Leaders travel at no cost as listed above including $1,000 towards airfare.

• This trip can be tailored to your group’s schedule or needs. Contact us at right to request a customized itinerary.

Contact us to learn more

• All profits support conservation efforts

• Work directly with local researchers

• Unique experiences

• Personalized service

ITINERARY

DAY 1 - ARRIVE TO COSTA RICA

Start your leatherback adventure by arriving to San Jose International Airport (SJO) anytime on the first scheduled day. Our guides will pick you up from the airport and take you to La Rosa del America (1 night), a comfortable hotel outside the city, a short drive from the airport.

DAY 2 - LEATHERBACK RESEARCH

Today you will head out to the Caribbean coast to stay at a remote research station in the rainforest. First, wake up with a delicious Costa Rica breakfast buffet of eggs, gallo pinto (their famous breakfast rice and beans), fresh tropical fruit, delicious coffee, and more. After breakfast, board the private bus for a 4 hour ride to the Caribbean coast. You’ll pass through the country’s largest national park and then descend to the Caribbean lowlands.

The bus will drop your group at a small dock along the Tortuguero canals, where a boat will meet you to take you to the research station. The short boat ride passes through rainforest, so keep your eyes out for monkeys, sloths, toucans, and more along the way. After dinner, you will head out for your first night of patrolling, accompanied by researchers who will guide you along the beach, spot the turtles, and help with the data collection. The group will stay in dormitory rooms at the station (2 nights). (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAYS 3 : TURTLE RESEARCH

Tonight will be a second night walking the nesting beach in search of the giant leatherbacks. The first thing you notice when a leatherback is nesting is their giant tracks, which look like a monster truck has driven up the beach. Tasks involved in the research include measuring the turtles’ length and width (no small task with a giant turtle!), moving the eggs to a hatchery (where they are protected until hatching), and observing the condition of the turtles, looking for scars or injuries. From mid-May to June, you will have a chance to work with hatchlings, helping to do some basic research (measuring and weighing) and releasing them to the water. Daytime activities include a boat ride on the rainforest canals to look for wildlife including birds, sloths, monkeys, & caiman and a beach cleanup activity. (B, L, D)

DAY 4 - TRANSFER TO CAHUITA

This morning after breakfast, the group will take the boat back to meet the bus and then drive to the southern Caribbean coast to visit the incredible Cahuita National Park (2 hour drive). This beautiful beach is a great spot to swim and spot wildlife including monkeys and sloths. The group will have a rainforest walk and enjoy the water and rainforest. Overnight at Hotel Atlantida (2 nights). (B, L, D)

DAY 5 - BRIBRI INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY VISIT

Today, head inland to the indigenous BriBri community of Namuwakir in the foothills of the Talamanca Mountains. It takes work to get there – you’ll make your way by bus, boat, fording rivers, and trekking through the forest! You’ll learn about Bribri history, culture, and sustainable way of life. After a traditional lunch, and maybe a pickup game of soccer, make your way back to Cahuita for dinner and some pool time. (B, L, D)

DAY 6 - SARAPIQUI BUTTERFLY FARM

This morning after breakfast, you will catch the boat back to meet your bus. The private bus will take you to the Sarapiqui region (1 hour drive) to visit Jardin Pierella, a unique butterfly farm, to learn about these fascinating insects and other wildlife. You will see hundreds of butterflies, poison dart frogs, giant walking sticks, and likely sloths and other wildlife. The wonderful family who runs this farm will prepare a delicious traditional lunch. In the afternoon, the group will return to the hotel to relax, enjoy the pool, and have dinner at the hotel. Overnight at La Quinta de Sarapiqui (1 night). (B, L, D)

DAY 7 - RETURN TO SAN JOSE

After breakfast, the group will head to the beautiful Sarapiqui River for a fun and safe rafting excursion. The river has class II-III rapids and beautiful crystal-clear pools and you’ll see a variety of wildlife including birds, plants, and animals. Overnight at La Rosa de America. (B, L, D)

DAY 8 - DEPARTURE

Return home with a new appreciation for the hard work of conservation and to share your experiences. You will be taken to the airport in plenty of time to catch your flight. (B)

Other Student Trips:

• Costa Rica Green Turtles Student Trip

Testimonial

"For any one who is looking to make a difference in conservation, explore a new culture, and/or go on an adventure in the process, then this trip is for you." - Noelle R.