MARINE CONSERVATION & SEA TURTLE EXPEDITION

Experience a variety of world-renowned beaches and national parks of Costa Rica. Depending on your session length (14-day or 21-day), two or three small coastal communities will become your home away from home. As you travel the Pacific coastline during your expedition, you will contribute to conservation projects addressing climate change and practice environmental stewardship. On the Nicoya Peninsula, spend a week learning about sea turtle conservation and supporting other wildlife native to the area. Then head south and explore world-famous Manuel Antonio National Park, while continuing your environmental service projects along the coast.

In the third week, for those on the 21-Day Program, your expedition will take you further into the southern Pacific region, where you’ll discover what it takes to become an ocean steward. Throughout this traveling adventure, you will explore the impacts of climate change on our oceans, habitats, and communities, while experiencing nearly every epic Costa Rican adventure you can imagine!

This is your opportunity to become a steward of the oceans and an advocate for planetary health. As climate change and other environmental impacts continue to affect once-pristine habitats in vulnerable ecosystems around the globe, biodiversity hotspots such as Costa Rica are especially at risk. With Costa Rica representing around 5% of the world’s biodiversity despite its small size, it is critical that we develop strategies to protect and preserve the environment. Marine conservationists and local experts will guide you through what’s happening on land and in the water. Learn about blue zones, the connection between environmental and community health, and more. And don’t forget that “Tico culture” is another treasure to explore. Experience Costa Rican music and dance, and participate in a cooking class with a local community leader.

You will have multiple Home Bases on this program, each a unique lodging experience as you travel along Costa Rica’s Pacific shoreline. Each Home Base is an ecolodge or hotel located close to the beach, and you’ll make several visits to the ocean during your time on-program. The Home Bases themselves are comfortable, with basic amenities and western-style bathrooms. Students will share rooms with roommates, and have shared bathrooms with showers. Food will be healthy and locally sourced, including rice, beans, meats, vegetables and fresh fruit.

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