Wildlife Expedition, Costa Rica
Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet: from butterflies to birds, sloths and monkeys, and even the elusive tapirs, this 14-day expedition in Costa Rica will give you invaluable hands-on experience of wildlife conservation and culture, including the chance to explore waterfalls and lagoons, and even go surfing.
Explore the stunning Osa Peninsula - home to 50% of Costa Rica’s biodiversity! During your immersive jungle experience, looking at conservation, sustainability and biodiversity, you’ll have the chance to venture where rainforest meets the sea and discover all things tropical. Plus, you’ll further your knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals that align with this project, as well as gain a deeper understanding of your own social and environmental impact.
“It has been on our list for so long! Finally we can give you...Costa Rica”
Whether you’re keen to start a career in conservation or not, this Costa Rican adventure will be an eye-opening experience.
You’ll gain incredible hands-on conservation experience in this fantastically diverse landscape. From turtle hatchery construction to rewilding the peninsula, and learning about camera trapping apex predators, this trip immerses you in the jungle environment. Whilst doing all this amazing work, you’ll also develop important personal attributes and gain transferable skills necessary for any career path.
ITINERARY OVERVIEW:
Day 1: Arrive in San Jose
Day 2: Monteverde cloud forest
Day 3: Adventure trekking, zipline and surfing
Day 4: Marino Ballena National Park and transfer to Osa
Day 5-12: Osa Conservation Center
Day 13: Transfer back to San Jose
Day 14: Departure
From monitoring birds and amphibians, apex predator and prey workshops, sustainable agriculture and turtle patrols, you’ll gain invaluable experience and leave with memories that will last a lifetime.
Head to the Monteverde Biological Reserve - home to 2.5% of the worlds biodiversity - and zipline, hike and climb through the incredible landscape.
This truly is a jam-packed adventure, with a wonderful balance of learning and exploring. You’ll leave with a better and deeper understanding of the importance of both terrestrial and marine conservation and a true love for tropical ecosystems.
Our trips are designed to help you develop a wide range of life skills and a deeper understanding of how you can help us work towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. Learn more ⟶
“One of the best experiences I have ever had! ”
Costa Rica Conservation Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in San Jose
After landing in San Jose, settle into your hotel and have a delicious, traditional welcome dinner and a relaxing evening before the busy weeks ahead. Get prepped for the awesome adventure that awaits you.
Meals: D
Day 2
Monteverde cloud forest and coffee plantation
Today, you will make your way to the Monteverde Biological Reserve, a 30,000 ha protected area of Cloud Forest. See incredible views as you make your way up into the Tilaran Mountains! Heading into the Monteverde Cloud Forest, you will discover a place which holds 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity, making it one of the most important private reserves in Costa Rica! While in the mountains, you visit a coffee plantation, and see how sugar, bananas and more are grown in this stunning environment, with the chance to taste fresh produce from the plantations.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 3
Zipline, canopy adventure and surfing
Take an open-air gondola ride through the rainforest, offering spectacular views as you ascend up the mountain. Then ride the zip line circuit back down through canyons and treetops in a thrilling way to see nature up-close in a natural environment. Look out for all the species you have discovered during your expedition as you zoom through the forest! Take part in a surfing lesson on Costa Rica’s stunning West Coast after a delicious lunch.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4
Marino Ballena National Park
Visit Marino Ballena National Park, located on Costa Rica's stunning South Pacific coast in Uvita. Established in 1990 to protect the rich marine biodiversity of the Costa Ballena region, this beautiful park serves as a vital habitat for various marine species, including humpback, false orca, and pilot whales, providing essential breeding and nurturing grounds for their calves. Additionally, the park boasts a distinctive geographic formation where two beaches converge, creating a sandbar shaped like a whale's tail.
Meals: B, L, D
Days 5-12
Transfer to Osa Peninsula
Transfer to the Osa Peninsula where you will be introduced to the research stations you will call home for the next week. Gaining awesome first-hand insight into the running of sea turtle hatcheries as well as morning and night beach patrols. Help rewilding efforts by planting saplings and monitoring tree nurseries. Maintain and grow local farms through animal husbandry, tending to crop fields and maintaining greenhouses. You will also take part in biodiversity monitoring, using indicator species to observe change and learn what to observe and why. Day 12 ends with a horse ride along the beach to relax after all your hard work!
Meals: B, L, D
Day 13
San Jose
After 2 weeks of hiking, ziplining, surfing, canopy trekking, surveying, monitoring, and discovering all things conservation and sustainability, take a 45-minute domestic flight. Enjoy breathtaking views of the jungle and beaches, mountains and valleys of the region. Arrive back in San Jose and get one last chance to buy souvenirs and enjoy paradise.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 14
Depart
After sifting through all your photos and videos it’s time to say goodbye and head home. Your final private transfer will pick you up after breakfast (departure time pending) and take you back to the airport.
Meals: B
What’s included
NOTE:
Personal insurance, visas, vaccinations, personal expenditure, tips for leaders, guides and drivers and any other services not listed above are not included.
Important notes
Once you’ve confirmed your place, you will be sent a kit list specifically for your trip. You will also receive further information about the adventure itself and the daily activities as well as further detail around what you can expect to learn. This includes your pre-departure conservation and sustainability workshops, as well as your impact surveys and reports. If you have any questions about the trip please get in touch.
VACCINATIONS
For this particular trip, please see details below.
Please check with your local GP to find out which vaccinations you require for any adventure that you decide to book. These are a guide; a full consultation is necessary to establish individual risk and suitability of vaccines. There may be instances where more than one appointment is required to assess whether a vaccine can be offered.
Recommended vaccinations:
Hepatitis A
Vaccinations to be considered:
Tetanus
Typhoid Fever
Hepatitis B
Rabies
Costa Rica is a malaria-infected country.
Please check with your GP prior to departure.
INSURANCE
Please check if your school provides insurance and if not we will require your policy number and details 8 weeks before departure.
Flooglebinder has public liability cover of £5million but participants must arrange their own travel insurance for all other levels of cover (e.g. cancellation, curtailment, loss of personal belongings etc.). Please feel free to contact us for any advice or recommendations.
Your safety is our number one priority on all of our educational adventures. All of your finances are protected through our Financial Failure Insurance and each programme adheres to British Standards (BS8848). If you have any questions about our safety and security measures, please do get in touch.
See what life is like on tour
