Conservation Meets Cultural Immersion
Arrive in the Central Valley of Costa Rica, home to 80% of the country's population and surrounded by mountains. This area boasts fantastic vistas and a perfect climate. Next, head to the Osa Peninsula, a remote and pristine wonderland. Here, work with biologists and staff in the Golfo Dulce on turtle monitoring and mangrove clean up.
Assist in the monitoring of green and hawksbill turtles by collecting data before releasing them back to the ocean. You will also participate in a mangrove reforestation project and visit an organic farm that grows cacao and many other fruits and vegetables. Depart the coast and head up into the hills above the central valley. On your way, visit an indigenous Boruca community and participate in a mask-painting workshop.
Customize Your Groups Trip
Osa Turtle Project
Head out in a shaded boat with researchers from Latin American Sea Turtles (LAST) Sto help set nets in key turtle spots. You will have the opportunity to help bring in the turtles, measure them, and release them back to the water. You’ll be looking mainly for green turtles and hawksbills, which are both endangered. The Golfo Dulce is generally a very calm body of water and great for swimming. Local staff will set out the nets and participants can hop in the water to help stretch out the nets. The boats will then take themgroup ashore, where you can spread out a towel on the beach or grass and enjoy the morning.
The staff will stay with the nets and bring in the turtles when caught. Once the turtle is brought ashore, a variety of tasks willbe split up among the staff and volunteers, including measuring the shell and tail, attaching a metal tag to the turtle’s frontflipper, taking a tissue sample, and recording the data. In between turtles, you are free to swim in the calm waters, take a walk up the beach to look for scarlet macaws or sloths, or chat with your fellow travelers. The research goes until mid-afternoon.
Mangrove Restoration
Participate in LAST’s mangrove reforestation program by working in the nursery and planting young trees. Depending on the tide, the work can involve planting or working in their greenhouse. Mangroves are critical habitat for juvenile sea turtles, fish, and other ocean life and this area has lost much of its mangrove forests over the past few decades.
Finca Kobo Organic Farm
Visit the Finca Kobo organic farm to taste a variety of fruits from around the world and to learn about the origins of chocolate, which is native to this region. You will see the entire process of making chocolate, from growing cacao to harvesting, drying, fermenting and of course tasting, finishing up with a dark chocolate fondue.
Boruca Community/ Mask Painting Workshop
On the way to the cloud forest, you will visit the Boruca Indigenous Community. This community is famous for making beautiful masks and you'll have an opportunity to paint your own. That is followed by a ceremony by the creek and a traditional lunch with community members. The next day, you will have an opportunity to visit a farm or hike the cloud forest.
What To Expect
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
Plan Your Group's Impact
Curious what a single trip can achieve? Use our estimator to see your group's total conservation contribution.
These estimates are based on our unique Conservation Impact Pricing model. Profits from your trip will support our local partners and global conservation programs.
.png){kind=icon}
.avif)
