COSTA RICA

MARINE CONSERVATION & SEA TURTLE EXPEDITION

The beaches of Costa Rica are yours to explore this summer. Discover what you can do for the future of the planet as you learn about sea turtle conservation and ocean stewardship.

Highlights

FOR THE COSTA RICA: MARINE CONSERVATION & SEA TURTLE EXPEDITION™ PROGRAM

  • Explore the Pacific coast and enjoy ample beach time
  • Support a sustainable sea turtle hatchery
  • Zipline through the forest on an adventure excursion and go bioluminescence boating
  • Live in multiple beach communities along the Pacific
  • Collaborate with ocean stewards as you support reforestation, seed planting, and local campaigns to protect our oceans (21-Day Program Only)

COSTA RICA

MARINE CONSERVATION & SEA TURTLE EXPEDITION

Program Overview

Experience a variety of world renowned beaches and national parks of Costa Rica. Depending on whether you choose the 14-day or 21-day session, two or three small coastal communities will become your home away from home. As you travel the Pacific coastline during your expedition, you will contribute to conservation projects addressing climate change and learn to be environmental stewards. On the Nicoya Peninsula, spend a week learning about sea turtle conservation and supporting other wildlife native to the area. Then head south and explore world-famous Manuel Antonio National Park, while continuing your environmental service projects along the coast.

In the third week, for those on the 21-Day Program, your expedition will take you further south, down to the southern Pacific region, where you’ll discover what it takes to become an ocean steward. Throughout this traveling adventure, you will go deep into the impacts of climate change on our oceans, habitats and communities, while checking off nearly every epic Costa Rican adventure you can imagine!

COSTA RICA

MARINE CONSERVATION & SEA TURTLE EXPEDITION

Community Service

Lend a hand on a variety of meaningful community service projects to support marine conservation along the Pacific coast. Wildlife and habitat conservation will be the cornerstones of your efforts. Assist local conservationist with sea turtle night patrols, hatchery support, and other duties to support this important year-round work. You’ll live and work in small beachside communities where the ocean plays a huge role in daily life. Threats ranging from critical habitat loss to the climate crisis mean there are many opportunities to serve your host communities here; take part in projects based on what is identified as most needed at the time of your arrival. For example, you may participate in environmental projects such as beach clean-up, planting native tree saplings, or creating signs to promote environmental awareness and sustainability.

Immersive Learning

This is your opportunity to become a steward of the oceans and an advocate for planetary health. As climate change and other environmental impacts continue to affect once-pristine habitats in more vulnerable ecosystems around the globe, biodiversity hotspots such as Costa Rica are especially at risk. With Costa Rica representing around 5% of the world’s biodiversity despite its small size, it is critical that we come up with new ways to mitigate the damage and preserve the environment. Marine conservationists and local experts will be your guides to what’s happening on the ground and in the water. Learn about blue zones, the connection between environmental and community health, and more. And don’t forget that “Tico culture” is a treasure waiting to be discovered, too. Experience Costa Rica music and dance, and have a culinary adventure during your time here.

Adventure

Adventure is at the heart of this program! Designed for the nature adventure seeker and beach lover, you will arrive and quickly head to our first beachside community in the Guanacaste region, where we will go bioluminescence kayaking at night. Explore a nearby wildlife refuge, and spend time soaking up the sun on beaches made of tiny seashells.

Next, we will travel to another beach community, where you’ll discover world-famous Manuel Antonio National Park. This park has impressive landscapes, diverse wildlife and several coves with white-sand beaches and lush foliage amidst great mountains and forests. Hike, swim, and get face-to-face with monkeys, birds and (with a little luck) sloths. Go ziplining and experience both a Costa Rican cooking class and dance class. Students will also visit Santa Teresa, a popular surf town. Spend the day surfing, exploring town, and then experiencing the nightly ritual of enjoying the sunset from the beach.

On the 21-Day Program only, we will then head even further south for the final week. Explore Bahia Ballena Marine Park and try surfing, hike to waterfalls and take an epic boat ride to Caño Island. Catch a glimpse of sea turtles and other wildlife if you can! You’ll even have a unique opportunity to hike the active and spectacular Poás Volcano before you head home.

Lodging

You will have multiple Home Bases on this program, each a unique lodging experience as you travel along Costa Rica’s Pacific shoreline. Each Home Base is an ecolodge or hotel located close to the beach, and you’ll make several visits to the ocean during your time on-program. The Home Bases themselves are comfortable, with basic amenities and western-style bathrooms. Students will share rooms with roommates, and have shared bathrooms with showers. Food will be healthy and locally sourced, including rice, beans, meats, vegetables and fresh fruit.

COSTA RICA

MARINE CONSERVATION & SEA TURTLE EXPEDITION

Dates & Tuition

Everything you need to know before you apply.

21-Day Program
Ages 14-18
2024 Dates
JUN 17 – JUL 07, 2024
JUL 11 – JUL 31, 2024
Duration: 21 days
Tuition: $6,499
Student/Staff Ratio: 6 to 1
Community Service Hours: 50
Language Hours: N/A
For Ages: 14-18
Lodging: Ecolodge
14-Day Program
Ages 14-18
2024 Dates
JUN 11 – JUN 24, 2024
JUN 28 – JUL 11, 2024
JUL 17 – JUL 30, 2024
Duration: 14 days
Tuition: $4,799
Student/Staff Ratio: 6 to 1
Community Service Hours: 35
Language Hours: N/A
For Ages: 14-18
Lodging: Ecolodge

Tuition Includes All In-Country Expenses

  • Airport pick-up/drop-off
  • In-country transportation
  • Lodging
  • 3 meals per day
  • Professional full-time staff and experts
  • 24/7 parent support hotline during the program
  • Secondary medical and evacuation insurance
  • Cultural activities, lectures and excursions
  • Pre-departure materials and support
  • Educational materials

To save your spot, an application fee and $600 deposit are required.

Backed by our 5-Point Safety System™

GLA HOME BASE:
SAFE & SECURE LODGING
CARING SUPERVISION &
EXPERT LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
SAFE
TRANSPORTATION
HEALTHY FOOD
& PURE WATER
24/7 SUPPORT &
EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Speak with the GLA Admissions Team

Admissions
Phone Number

1-858-771-0645

USA Toll-Free
Phone Number

1-888-358-4321

Admissions
Email Address

info@experienceGLA.com

COSTA RICA

MARINE CONSERVATION & SEA TURTLE EXPEDITION

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