GoEco > Central America > Costa Rica > Sea Turtle Volunteering & Adventure Tour for Teenagers

Costa Rica – Sea Turtle Volunteering & Adventure Tour for Teenagers

Fast Facts

Join us on a transformative journey with our two-week Teen Program in Costa Rica, featuring a dedicated turtle conservation experience on the stunning beaches of the Osa Peninsula. This unique adventure combines educational projects, cultural immersion, and recreational activities, with a group size of 8 to 13 participants aged 15-17.

Program Highlights:

Engage in meaningful turtle conservation efforts designed for teens aged 15-17 years
Experience the vibrant culture of San José with a scenic city hike
Discover the Poás Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens
Volunteer on the beaches of the Osa Peninsula to support sea turtle conservation
Enjoy a boat excursion through lush natural habitats
Dive into thrilling underwater activities with a snorkeling adventure
Immerse in Costa Rican culture through tastings and guided experiences

Your Schedule at a Glance (Two-week commitment):

Day 1 – Wednesday: Arrival in San José – Arrive in San José, meet your Tour Leader, and settle into the city’s vibrant atmosphere. Explore on foot, enjoy refreshments, and sample local snacks (‘bocas’) at a traditional Costa Rican restaurant.
Day 2 – Thursday: Discover Doka, Poás Volcano, and La Paz Waterfalls – Enjoy a full-day guided excursion that showcases Costa Rica’s breathtaking natural beauty. Visit the famous Doka Coffee Estate for a behind-the-scenes tour, marvel at the active Poás Volcano, and explore the lush La Paz Waterfall Gardens, which are home to stunning waterfalls and abundant wildlife. Lunch is provided before returning to the Hostel for the evening.
Day 3 – Friday: Transfer to Manuel Antonio – Leave the bustling capital behind as you head to the coastal paradise of Manuel Antonio. The scenic private transfer will take approximately five hours, giving you a chance to soak in the diverse landscapes along the way. Check into your dorm accommodation at Selina Hostel, and unwind as you prepare for tomorrow’s adventure. Meals included: Breakfast.
Day 4 – Saturday: Explore Manuel Antonio National Park – Embark on a half-day guided tour of Manuel Antonio National Park, famous for its pristine beaches, lush rainforest, and abundant wildlife. Your guide will help you spot sloths, monkeys, and a variety of colorful birds as you stroll through the park’s trails. Enjoy some free time afterward to relax at the hostel or explore the local area.
Day 5 – Sunday: Journey to Puerto Jimenez – Travel from Manuel Antonio to the remote town of Puerto Jimenez, a gateway to the stunning Osa Peninsula. This private transfer will take around five hours, giving you more views of Costa Rica’s scenic countryside. Settle into your dorm accommodation at a hostel in Puerto Jimenez and get ready for the exciting days ahead at the turtle conservation project.
Day 6 – Monday: Transfer to Carate and Begin Your Turtle Volunteer Experience – Take a group bus from Puerto Jimenez to the secluded area of Carate, a journey of approximately 1.5 hours. Upon arrival, you’ll begin your Turtle Volunteering Experience, diving into your conservation work. Enjoy a warm welcome from the project team and get a detailed orientation about your upcoming activities.
Day 7 to Day 12 : Turtle Conservation Volunteer Work – Dive into hands-on conservation work focused on sea turtle protection. Each day, you’ll participate in morning and night patrols along the beach to monitor nesting females and protect vulnerable nests, while also recording data to assess nesting behaviors and trends. Conservation efforts extend to the environment as you join beach clean-ups, sort plastic waste, and help maintain a sustainable environment for the turtles. You’ll also engage with the local community, sharing insights on marine conservation through educational sessions and assisting with initiatives like permaculture gardening and tree planting around the camp, contributing to the area’s ecological health.
Day 13 – Monday: Return to San José – Head back to San José, with free time to explore the city’s attractions and enjoy a final night out with your group.
Day 14 – Tuesday: Departure – Say farewell to Costa Rica as you head to the airport for your flight home.

Note: The schedule is flexible, subject to weather conditions and local considerations, ensuring a dynamic and memorable experience.

Note for Parents: This itinerary is designed specifically for teenage volunteers, offering a higher level of supervision throughout the program. GoEco also offers the convenience of flight booking services to assist in coordinating participants’ travel arrangements after registration and approval.

Location of the Project: Nestled along the Osa Peninsula’s pristine beaches on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.

Project length: 14 days, 13 nights

Arrival Airport: Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO)

Volunteer Work: Sea turtle conservation efforts in their natural habitat.

Age: 15 – 17

Number of Volunteers: 8 to 13 participants

What’s Included

Accommodations: Various locations around Costa Rica. Includes hostels and volunteer houses. All destinations provide shared single-gender dorm rooms with other teen participants only.

Food: Three meals per day, except lunch on specific tour days or arrival and departure days.

Airport Transfers: Round trip airport transfers are included on the arrival day and departure day.

Support: Teen groups benefit from designated support staff for itinerary support and chaperoning, comprehensive pre-departure travel guidance, a 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, and an experienced local field team.

What’s not Included

Flights, visas (if required), travel health insurance, personal expenses, lunches on specific tour days, some meals on arrival and departure days.

Location

Situated on the stunning Osa Peninsula, this project is located in one of Costa Rica’s most breathtaking and biodiverse regions, home to an impressive 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity. Known for its tropical-humid rainforests, rare wildlife, and pristine Pacific beaches, the Osa Peninsula’s remote, untouched landscape adds to its wild allure, making it a crucial area for conservation efforts. The project’s location near Corcovado National Park—a place often recognized as one of the most biologically intense areas on Earth—underscores the importance of its mission to protect and conserve this invaluable environment and its marine life.

Volunteer Work

This program offers an introductory, hands-on experience in sea turtle conservation, allowing volunteers to make a meaningful impact while gaining an understanding of conservation work in a beautiful, biodiverse setting. Volunteers are guided through essential activities such as turtle patrols, protecting nests, and gathering basic data on nesting turtles. While specific tasks vary based on the time of year and immediate needs of the program, participants can expect to contribute to activities like beach clean-ups, sorting plastics, and participating in basic community outreach to raise awareness about marine conservation.

In addition, the program site is developing a permaculture project aimed at promoting sustainable food production for staff and volunteers, reducing reliance on non-local food sources, and enhancing local sustainability practices. The team is also committed to advancing the facility toward a zero-waste goal, reinforcing its dedication to environmental preservation.

Types of volunteer tasks may include:

Morning and night turtle patrols to monitor nesting females and protect nests
Recording data and assessing turtle nesting behaviors
Participating in beach clean-ups and plastic classification efforts
Engaging with the local community through educational sessions on marine conservation

Living Arrangements

Internet icon Internet: Wifi is provided, however the connection is limited in remote areas. Parents are connected with our staff 24/7 however.

Laundry icon Laundry: Facilities are provided

Accommodations icon Accommodations: While doing tours teens will be in a dedicated single gender dorm room in a hostel. While volunteering, teens will have a shared dormitory-style rooms for up to 4 participants of the same gender. The volunteer house is surrounded by a tropical garden, offering a unique living experience.

Food icon Food: Three meals during the project and two meals outside, featuring a mix of Western and Costa Rican cuisine.

Requirements

Please take note of this project’s minimum requirements:

Interview with GoEco Advisor together with your parent/guardian
Parental consent is required
Two Character Reference Letters
Age 15-17
Moderate to good level of physical fitness
Desire to contribute to the project goals
Good level of English

Travel Highlights

Explore Costa Rica’s diverse landscapes, from urban San José to the Caribbean’s Cahuita and Puerto Viejo. Engage in activities like snorkeling, wildlife refuge visits, and cultural experiences.