Costa Rica: Wildlife Adventure
Costa Rica Teen Wildlife Program
The Costa Rica Teen Wildlife Program offers teens an immersive travel experience focused on Costa Rica’s wildlife, ecology, and sustainability.
Trip Details
Departures and Availability
Session 1
July 7, 2027 July 21, 2027 OpenFocus
Wildlife & Environmental Sustainability
Grades
Entering 9th – Graduating 12th
Average Group Size
18 Students, 3 Staff
Days
15
Service Hours
40-50 Community Service Hours
Tuition
$5,595
Daily Activities at a Glance
Discover the exciting adventures and impactful moments awaiting each day on this itinerary!
- Arrive in 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 icebreaker games
- Scavenger Hunt in Alajuela – flex your Spanish muscles!
- One-day rafting adventure along one of the world’s most beautiful and biodiverse waterways near La Fortuna
- 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 the Bandera Azul Ecológica program, connecting tourism, conservation, and the environment
- Volunteer at a wildlife refuge – provide hands-on help with animal rehabilitation and conservation projects, followed by a professionally guided tour of the property
- 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!
- Yoga with a professional instructor
- Hike to a small reforestation project – plant a tree and swim under a waterfall!
- 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.
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.
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.
Gallery
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 icebreaker 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.
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.
