OCEAN & WILDLIFE CONSERVATION ADVENTURE

Arrive in San José (SJO), Costa Rica’s capital, where GLA staff will warmly welcome you and take you to our hotel for the first night of the program. During orientation, you’ll meet fellow travelers, GLA staff, and learn what to expect throughout your program. The next morning, we’ll head out early for Uvita.

After our first Costa Rican breakfast, we’ll hop into the vans and begin our journey to the Pacific coast. Along the way, we’ll stop at a famous bridge to see the large population of crocodiles that often gather in the area.

Upon arriving at our Home Base in Uvita, we’ll enjoy lunch before diving into an extensive orientation. We’ll review group objectives, service expectations, and tips for adapting to the local culture. Then, we’ll break into Mentor groups for icebreakers and group activities to get to know each other better.

This week, we’ll focus on community service projects like reforestation, beach erosion protection, creating educational signs, supporting local research, and assisting a wildlife rescue center. Service will typically be a half-day activity, with timing depending on the tides.

We’ll also have a surf lesson with certified local instructors from a renowned Uvita surf school, perfect for beginners or those looking to improve. Learn the basics of surfing, equipment, and ocean safety. Additionally, we’ll explore the local culture with a guided walk around the beach community and a cooking class to prepare and taste regional delicacies.

In the morning, we’ll visit Manuel Antonio National Park, one of Costa Rica’s top attractions. We’ll hike its trails, explore stunning beaches, and observe the diverse wildlife. Afterward, we’ll return to Uvita for a relaxing afternoon at Home Base, with time to swim in the pool.

In our second week, we’ll continue supporting two local organizations, working on our assigned projects while learning about the region’s rich biodiversity and the global threats impacting it. We’ll volunteer at a local wildlife rescue center, assisting with animal care and gaining insight into iconic species.

To deepen our understanding, a guest speaker from a local NGO will discuss rural development and the Plastic-Free Ballena Bay project. We’ll also visit the Innoceanna Marine Center to learn about local conservation issues and their connection to climate change and biodiversity loss.

The week will be filled with adventure, including a hike and swim to Uvita Waterfall, zip-lining through lush forests, and a boat tour to Caño Island for snorkeling with marine life. We’ll end the week with a yoga class to stretch and recenter after an action-packed itinerary.

Our community service days are complete. After finishing our projects, we’ll bid farewell to the local leaders who welcomed us and gave us the opportunity to learn and grow with them.

We’ll spend our last full day in Costa Rica surfing once more, enjoying the ocean waves. After lunch, we’ll head to San José for our final dinner and closing ceremonies to wrap up the program.

¡Adiós y Pura Vida! Our Costa Rica adventure must come to an end. After breakfast and final goodbyes, we’ll head to the airport where GLA staff will check students in for their journey home.