COSTA RICA

Wildlife Eco Adventure

Explore Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity. From cloud forests to sea turtle conservation, this is an unforgettable adventure!

Trip Details

Departures and Availability

Session 1
June 23, 2026 July 9, 2026 Open
Session 2
July 13, 2026 July 29, 2026 Open

Focus

Wildlife & Environmental Sustainability

Grades

Entering 9th – Graduating 12th

Average Group Size

18 Students, 3 Staff

Days

17

Service Hours

40-50 Community Service Hours

Tuition

$5,895

Daily Activities at a Glance

Discover the exciting adventures and impactful moments awaiting each day on this itinerary!

  • Arrive to San Jose for orientation in a lodge above the city
  • Create our group contract, align on individual and collective goals, clarify expectations, and play some ice-breaker games 
  • Scavenger Hunt in Alajuela – flex your Spanish muscles!

  • Embark on a thrilling overnight rafting adventure on the Pacuare River, one of the world’s most beautiful and biodiverse waterways
  • Spend the night at a permanent riverside camp used by the rafting outfitters
  • Spot unique flora and fauna along the river

  • Stay at a ranger station in the Monteverde Cloud Forest
  • Explore trail systems – take a guided night hike to experience the nocturnal forest
  • Service work with the park rangers on trail maintenance, general station upkeep, and other projects related to the flora and fauna of this unique setting 
  • Presentation on La Bandera Azul Ecológica program, relating tourism, conservation, and environment

  • Volunteer at a wildlife refuge – hands-on help with animal rehabilitation and conservation projects. Professionally-guided tour
  • Zip-line above the lush rainforest canopy with sweeping views of the jungle
  • Visit a sustainable dairy farm – learn about organic farming practices, permaculture, and cheese-making from a local expert

  • Travel to the Osa Peninsula to engage in sea turtle conservation projects
  • Participate in turtle monitoring, mangrove nursery maintenance, and seagrass sampling
  • Embark on a turtle research boat alongside local scientists
  • Assist at a turtle rehabilitation center while spotting local wildlife such as toucans and sloths

  • Boat tour with a local naturalist – opportunities to spot humpback whales, macaws, dolphins, and other species
  • Surf lesson with professional guides on the Pacific Coast – conditions are great for all levels!
  • Hike to a small reforestation project – plant a tree and swim under a waterfall!
  • Yoga with a professional instructor

  • Return to the Central Valley for a celebratory dinner and awards ceremony
  • Reflect on the trip with your group before flying home

Highlights of the Trip

Protect Costa Rica’s Wildlife

Work hands-on at wildlife research stations, helping protect endangered species. From sea turtles to native wildlife, students actively participate in conservation efforts that make a real difference.

A scarlet macaw with vibrant red, blue, and yellow feathers perches in a leafy tree.

Sea Turtles

Join conservation efforts to protect endangered sea turtles by monitoring nesting sites, conducting research, and participating in hands-on conservation projects along the pacific coastline.

Group of people wearing gloves lift a sea turtle from a red tarp on a sandy beach.

Hands-On Conservation Science

Collect data on local wildlife populations and habitats, contributing to ongoing research projects. Gain valuable skills and insight into conservation science in Costa Rica’s diverse ecosystems.

Explore Biodiverse Landscapes

Raft and zipline through pristine rainforests, discover hidden waterfalls, and immerse yourself in Costa Rica’s stunning natural beauty while learning about the importance of environmental sustainability.

Person ziplining through a tropical forest canopy, wearing a blue helmet and gray jacket. Lush green trees surround the metal platform and zipline.

What to Expect

Intentional Programming

Thoughtfully designed experiences mix learning, service, and fun.

Focus on Safety

Safety protocols are prioritized at every step.

Top-Notch Trip Leaders

Experienced and supportive leaders guide the group.

Diverse Group of Students

Connect with peers from all over the U.S.

Daily Blog & Photos

Parents stay updated with daily trip highlights.

A Balance of Service and fun

A blend of meaningful service and exciting activities.

Group Flight Option

Optional chaperoned group departure from a US city.

Private In Country Transportation

Enjoy secure and comfortable travel between destinations on private group buses.

Gallery

A group of people, wearing gloves, are gathered around a sea turtle on a beach, seemingly conducting a conservation activity.
A group of people poses in front of a wooden building with a green roof surrounded by trees.
A young person in a blue shirt holds a piglet in an outdoor setting with greenery and a wooden structure in the background.
A colorful frog with orange feet and red eyes sits on a green plant in a dark forest setting.
Eleven people sitting at the edge of a pool, overlooking a scenic landscape with mountains and cloudy sky in the background.
Two people in casual clothing are standing on a grassy path in a forested area, holding shovels and smiling at the camera.
Person surfing on a wave, wearing a blue and orange wetsuit, making a peace sign with both hands.

Accommodations

Orientation

Global Works Costa Rica participants spend the first and final days of the program in a small, comfortable lodge located in the mountains surrounding the capital of San Jose. The lodge is locally owned and specializes in hosting student groups. It is dorm style with 4 to 6 students sleeping in bunk beds; each room has a private bathroom with hot water showers. Large group spaces located on the property are ideal for group orientation, dance lessons, and ice-breaker activities.

Monteverde Cloud Forest

Our two cloud forest lodges are located within the boundary of the largest private ecological reserve in the country, The Children’s Eternal Rainforest (Bosque Eterno de los Niños). To reach the lodges, students complete an attainable hike through primary cloud forest and are rewarded with rustic yet comfortable eco-lodges built to exist in harmony with the natural surroundings. Both lodges offer large rooms with bunk-beds and private bathrooms. A large balcony affords expansive views of surrounding volcanoes and the hammocks provide an unbeatable spot to sip coffee and relax after a long day of service work.

Wildlife Refuge

In the La Fortuna area, we stay in a comfortable lodge located in a mountain valley. The lodge is locally owned and specializes in hosting teens and student groups. Rooms are for 2 to 4 students; each room has a private bathroom with hot water showers. Large group spaces located on the property are ideal for group activities.

Osa Peninsula Ecolodge

This Eco-Lodge is located in the northern part of the Osa Peninsula on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The lodge has solar-powered electricity and is very basic, so please come with the expectation of simple-living! Our meals and volunteer projects are organized through the lodge and family that operate it.

Pacific Coast Beach

Participants stay at an ecolodge in southern Costa Rica located just steps from the beaches of Marino Ballena National Park. Accommodations are traditional hotel-style rooms shared by two to four students. The lodge is styled with an onsite swimming pool, hammocks, and common areas.

Mountain peak surrounded by mist, overlooking a dense forest with lush greenery under a cloudy sky.

“The hands on experience with wildlife made this experience unique as well as being able to fully immerse yourself into the Costa Rican environment, it was amazing. Also working on service projects that directly help the local environment was very special

My favorite moment of the trip was working up close with the turtles, specifically with the last one we caught, the green turtle. Getting to learn about it, hold its fins, and see its face so close was magical. Even filling out the data sheet was enjoyable because I got to learn a bit more about the science behind the project.

“This trip has made a base of my curiosity of nature and environmental sciences. I know this experience will motivate me to explore these ideas.

Enroll in a Teen Summer Trip With Global Works Today

Through our service trips for students, we cultivate unique adventures and inspiring experiences that will stick with our travelers long after the summer is over.