COSTA RICA
OCEAN & WILDLIFE CONSERVATION ADVENTURE
Become a steward for wildlife and their habitats through sustainability, environmental protection and coastal conservation efforts in the biodiverse Puntarenas Province region of Costa Rica.
Program Overview
On this program, you will discover Costa Rica’s Puntarenas Province, where you’ll be amazed by the stunning beaches, thriving mangroves and abundant wildlife. Embrace the coastal ‘Pura Vida’ lifestyle as you live by the ocean and contribute to marine and wildlife conservation.
Experience the beauty of the Pacific Ocean and the rich biodiversity of Costa Rica in one of the most unique places on the planet. You’ll volunteer with local ecological groups to help conserve beaches and wildlife habitats, raise awareness about environmental protection or prepare and distribute food to support some of the country’s most iconic species.
This program combines two themes, Environmental Stewardship and Animal and Wildlife Conservation, making for a one-of-a-kind summer adventure.
On GLA’s Costa Rica: Ocean & Wildlife Conservation Adventure program you will:
- Contribute to environmental restoration and conservation projects that protect vital wildlife habitats
- Support the well-being of rescued wildlife with a local organization focused on animal welfare and protection
- Go on an epic boat excursion to spot marine wildlife
- Zipline through the forest canopy
- Visit world-famous Manuel Antonio National Park, home to nearly 300 species of mammals and birds
- Learn from marine biologists and park experts about their vital conservation efforts
- Kayak through Uvita’s coastal mangroves
Program Menu
COSTA RICA
OCEAN & WILDLIFE CONSERVATION ADVENTURE
Sample Itinerary
Let’s take a sneak peek at what your program experience might look like this summer! Please note that the order of activities may differ for each program session. The details provided here represent a general outline of what you can anticipate, though community service projects and activities are subject to change based on the needs of our local community partners, cultural celebrations and traditions, weather conditions and the specific requirements of the student group.
Day 1: Arrival
Fly into San José (SJO), the capital of Costa Rica, where GLA staff will be ready to welcome you and take you to our hotel for the first night of the program. Start getting to know your fellow travelers, GLA staff and what to expect during your program at orientation. Tomorrow morning, you’ll have an early departure to Uvita.
Day 2: Travel Day to Uvita & Orientation
Enjoy your first Costa Rican breakfast before heading toward the Pacific coast, stopping at a famous bridge to spot crocodiles along the way. Upon arriving at your Home Base in Uvita, settle in for lunch and an afternoon orientation covering service goals, cultural insights and group expectations. Wrap up the day with Mentor group activities and icebreakers to get to know your fellow travelers.
Days 3-5: Community Service, Adventure & Cultural Activities
This week focuses on community service, including reforestation, beach protection, wildlife support and local research projects—typically half-day activities, scheduled around ocean tides. You’ll also enjoy a surf lesson with certified instructors, learning the basics and catching waves. Cultural activities include a guided walk with a local leader and a hands-on cooking class to taste regional specialties.
Day 6: Manuel Antonio National Park
In the morning, we’ll visit Manuel Antonio National Park, one of Costa Rica’s top attractions. We’ll hike its trails, explore stunning beaches and observe the diverse wildlife. Afterward, we’ll return to Uvita for a relaxing afternoon at Home Base, with time to swim in the pool.
Days 7-10: Community Service & Adventure
In the second week, continue supporting local organizations while learning about the region’s biodiversity and conservation challenges. Volunteer at a wildlife rescue center, hear from a guest NGO speaker, and visit Innoceanna Marine Center to explore marine conservation and climate impacts. Adventures include hiking and swimming at Uvita Waterfall, a boat tour to Caño Island and a yoga class to relax after an action-packed week.
Day 11: Ziplining & Drive Back to San José
Wrap up your projects and say goodbye to the community partners who’ve shared their time and knowledge. Celebrate your final day in Costa Rica with a thrilling ziplining session, then head back to San José for a farewell dinner and closing ceremony.
Day 12: Departure
¡Adiós y Pura Vida! Our Costa Rica adventure must come to an end. After breakfast and final goodbyes, we’ll head to the airport where GLA staff will check students in for their journey home.
Program Map
COSTA RICA
OCEAN & WILDLIFE CONSERVATION ADVENTURE
Program Details
Dates & Tuition
2027 Session Dates
July 05 – July 16, 2027
July 20 – July 31, 2027
What's Included in Tuition
In-country transportation
Lodging
3 meals per day
Professional full-time staff and experts
24/7 parent support hotline during program
Secondary medical and evacuation insurance
Cultural activities, lectures and excursions
Pre-departure materials and support
Educational materials
to hold your spot on-program.
Program at a Glance
Every GLA Program is 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
Recommended by Students and Parents
Colleen W. | 2024 Alumni Parent
“I highly recommend GLA for their dedication to the safety and well being of all of their staff and students. It was a great experience for my 15-year-old to explore another part of the world, and being with others that care for the enviroment both on land and in the sea.”
The Program Experience
Service Learning
Protect the fragile marine ecosystems and wildlife of Costa Rica’s Puntarenas Province, a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot. Address the environmental impacts threatening Whale Bay through community-led projects aligned with immediate ecological needs, including coastal reforestation, beach erosion control, educational signage and supporting marine research initiatives. Partner with local conservationists at a wildlife sanctuary to assist in rescuing, researching and rehabilitating native species through habitat restoration and daily wildlife care like food preparation and distribution. Beyond field service, visit a cutting-edge coral restoration laboratory and nursery to learn directly from marine biologists, study Marine National Parks and sustainable marine tourism, take a surf and ocean stewardship lesson with Bodhi Surf School, and practice mindfulness through a guided coastal yoga session.
Adventure
Embark on an unforgettable Pacific adventure across Costa Rica’s crown jewel national parks! Fly through the jungle canopy on an eco-friendly zipline course featuring nine cables, eleven platforms, two rappelling stations, two suspension bridges, an aerial tram and a heart-pounding Tarzan swing. Hike to a secluded waterfall for a refreshing swim and paddle kayaks through winding coastal mangrove channels to spot native estuarine wildlife. Set out on an epic boat safari through Marino Ballena National Park to search for humpback whales and dolphins, explore world-renowned surfing breaks and journey through Manuel Antonio National Park—spotting playful coastal monkeys and exotic wildlife along pristine tropical beaches.
Country Spotlight
Discover the lush coastal beauty, protected marine habitats and rich conservation culture of Costa Rica’s Pacific shore.
Lodging: Stay at a scenic coastal Home Base surrounded by protected ecological zones in the Puntarenas Province. Students enjoy access to an on-site swimming pool, outdoor lounge spaces with covered seating and a private beach just half a mile away for staff-supervised visits. Accommodations feature air-conditioned, gender-segregated rooms with roommates and private en-suite bathrooms.
Meals: Savor fresh, healthy meals featuring a balance of local Costa Rican specialties and familiar staples, designed to fuel active days of field service and outdoor exploration.
COSTA RICA
OCEAN & WILDLIFE CONSERVATION ADVENTURE
Photo Gallery
COSTA RICA
OCEAN & WILDLIFE CONSERVATION ADVENTURE
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