MARINE CONSERVATION & SEA TURTLE EXPEDITION

Fly into San José (SJO), where staff will greet you warmly. Meet your fellow travelers and get to know your new travel pod. We’ll stay one night near San José to rest after travel, then depart the next morning for a four-hour journey to our Home Base on the Nicoya Peninsula, just steps from the beach.

Wake up to the sounds of the ocean and wildlife, then dive into an orientation covering group objectives, service expectations, and cultural tips. After breaking into Mentor groups for icebreakers and activities, we’ll head out for our first day of service at the sea turtle hatchery. We’ll meet the organization leaders and begin our new projects. In the evening, we’ll engage in a leadership activity and learn about conservation efforts in Costa Rica.

Service time! We’ll meet with organization leaders to learn how we’ll contribute to community projects. Our work will be hands-on, including constructing turtle hatcheries, measuring and marking patrol routes for sea turtle nesting, and planting for reforestation. We’ll also do night patrols to protect turtle eggs and support their habitat. Teams will work together, and we’ll practice communicating in Spanish with our local counterparts. We’ll explore a nature preserve, go kayaking to witness bioluminescence, and reflect in the evenings with your GLA students and Mentors on the impact of our service, leadership journey, and cross-cultural experiences.

Wake up and get ready—it’s time to prepare for the next leg of your journey! But before we say goodbye to Montezuma, let’s make the most of our final day in this tropical paradise.

Spend the afternoon playing beach games, splashing in the waves, and soaking up the sun, then enjoy a classic beach BBQ as the sun sets. In the evening, gather with your mentor group on the sand to reflect on your time here, share favorite memories, and take in the breathtaking views of the Nicoya Peninsula. It’s the perfect way to relax, recharge, and celebrate before tomorrow’s next adventure!

Experience the back roads of Costa Rica as we journey down the Pacific coast, including a ferry ride where you might spot dolphins. We’ll stop for lunch and visit the famous crocodiles of the Tarcoles River. By early evening, we’ll arrive at our next home base, located along the stunning Pacific Ocean.

We’ll return to work with the Parrita community, continuing conservation projects for local organizations. We’ll deepen our understanding of environmental stewardship and explore Costa Rica’s global conservation initiatives. Our service will include infrastructure building, beach cleanups, and other tasks as needed by local leaders.

In addition to half days of service, we’ll go ziplining through the rainforest canopy, hike and swim in Manuel Antonio National Park, and possibly encounter monkeys or sloths. In the afternoons, we’ll try cooking local dishes, play games, learn traditional dances, and enjoy the beach and swimming pool.

Today, we’ll wrap up our service projects in this beach community. For those on the 14-day program, it’s time to say goodbye to new friends and the community that’s become your home away from home. We’ll share a celebratory meal and reflect on our accomplishments and lessons learned.

The 14-day students will head to San José to prepare for last-minute souvenirs and departures the following morning. For those on the 21-day program, we’ll continue our adventure to Drake Bay.

Next, we’ll head to the stunning Drake Bay, where we’ll partner with a top local environmental foundation for meaningful conservation work. Students will participate in habitat restoration, wildlife monitoring, and beach clean-ups, directly contributing to preserving the region’s rich biodiversity.

A highlight of the trip will be a visit to Caño Island for snorkeling in its vibrant marine ecosystems, along with an exciting surf lesson to embrace the coastal lifestyle. These experiences will deepen your appreciation for environmental stewardship, inspiring reflection on your impact and role as a conservation advocate. By the end of this immersive journey, you’ll leave with a strong connection to the Osa Peninsula’s breathtaking landscapes and cultures.

More adventure ahead! We’ll rise early and head towards the center of the country, near San José, for a hike up the active Poás Volcano. As our 3-week journey wraps up, we’ll take time for final reflections and leadership activities. To celebrate, we’ll share a special dinner together and reflect on our accomplishments and all we’ve learned.

After breakfast and final goodbyes, we’ll head to the airport where GLA staff will check students in for their journey home. ¡Adiós!