Costa Rica: Protecting the Pacific™

Turn your passion for Earth’s oceans into a journey in marine conservation.

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Highlights

Volunteer alongside passionate ocean conservationists
Help eliminate ocean contamination
Learn to surf on a beautiful beach
Spot dolphins, whales, turtles & tropical fish
Hike through Corcovado National Park

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Overview

Often considered the planet’s most sustainable country, Costa Rica is a role model for the international community in environmentalism, and the perfect setting for learning about marine conservation. You’ll be based in Bahia Ballena—which translates to “whale bay”—a small coastal village located next to Marino Ballena National Park, Costa Rica’s first marine national park. With these surroundings, you’ll discover issues critical to local sustainable development, examine the full spectrum of marine conservation and adopt the perspectives of grassroots environmental leaders in ocean stewardship.

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Community Service

Contaminants generated by tourists in the local community find their way into the ocean, endangering Whale Bay and its wildlife. You’ll work alongside passionate conservationists and organizations that help the environment that are committed to eliminating ocean contamination through various projects. Depending on when you arrive in Costa Rica, you might help build a simple draining and filtration system, clean up beaches, use cutting-edge Geographical Information System (GIS) technology to map waste management, and volunteer on community infrastructure initiatives designed to educate the public and local students on recycling, trash and pollution.

Learn how to protect the ocean and surrounding ecosystems

Hands-On Learning

Through volunteer work and presentations, you’ll dig deep into issues of sustainability, marine conservation and climate change, and learn about the ocean’s biodiversity. Connect with grassroots leaders from organizations like the Stanford Woods Institute, who are committed to protecting our natural resources. You’ll also participate in informal soccer games with locals, take a fun dance class, explore local artisan shops in Bahia Ballena, learn to make jewelry using recycled materials and try your hand at cooking local cuisine.

Learn how Costa Rica’s fragile ecosystem affects its people

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Adventure

On this action-packed adventure, you’ll visit Península de Osa, one of the world’s most biodiverse rainforests, and soar above the canopy on extensive ziplines. Even the zipline course teaches a lesson in sustainability—it’s designed to grow with the trees in order to preserve the natural beauty of the rainforest. Learn to surf from local experts and hike rugged trails in Corcovado National Park, with a good chance of spotting its endangered habitants—the jaguar, tapir and white-faced monkey.

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Lodging

The Home Base is a peaceful lodge surrounded by lush gardens. Students stay in gender-segregated rooms with fans, and have bathrooms with cold-water showers. There is a pool at Home Base. Meals will be hearty and healthy, consisting of meats, beans, rice, vegetables and fruit.

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Dates & Tuition

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Costa Rica: Protecting the Pacific™ 14-Day Program (2017)

2017 Dates
Jul 8 - Jul 21, 2017
Jul 24 - Aug 6, 2017
Aug 10 - Aug 23, 2017

Duration: 14 days

Tuition: $3,499

Student/Staff Ratio: 6 to 1

Community Service Hours: 30

Language Hours: N/A

Tuition includes all in-country expenses including:

All educational materials
Lodging
3 meals per day
All in-country transportation
Airport pick-up/drop-off
Professional full-time staff and experts from the USA/Europe
24/7 Parent Support Hotline during the program
Secondary medical and travel insurance
All cultural activities, lectures and weekend excursions
Pre-departure materials and support

Costa Rica: Protecting the Pacific™ 14-Day Program (2018)

2018 Dates
Jun 20 - Jul 3, 2018
Jul 7 - Jul 20, 2018
Jul 23 - Aug 5, 2018
Aug 9 - Aug 22, 2018

Duration: 14 days

Tuition: $3,499

Student/Staff Ratio: 6 to 1

Community Service Hours: 30

Language Hours: N/A

Tuition includes all in-country expenses including:

All educational materials
Lodging
3 meals per day
All in-country transportation
Airport pick-up/drop-off
Professional full-time staff and experts from the USA/Europe
24/7 Parent Support Hotline during the program
Secondary medical and travel insurance
All cultural activities, lectures and weekend excursions
Pre-departure materials and support

More Information

Call 1-858-771-0645 Email info@experiencegla.com Chat With Us Q&A

Fundraising

Tips to raise funds for your trip

Interested in Family-Friendly trips? Check out Discover Corps, our volunteer vacations for adults and families, in collaboration with the National Peace Corps Association.

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Read the Program Blog

Grey

Finishing biogardens and putting up signs in the community gave me such a feeling of accomplishment, and learning to surf in such an amazing place, as well as snorkeling and the other things we were able to do were such special experiences for me. This program has placed yet another small community from another place in the world deep in my heart.

Costa Rica: Protecting the Pacific™

Hometown: Bluemont, VA