Costa Rica: Conservation & Ecology

Upon arrival in San Jose, your group transfers via private bus to a comfortable hotel. After a good night of sleep, we visit a local family owned, organic dairy farm to learn about sustainability and make some cheese! We use this unique opportunity as a backdrop for orientation and safety activities, all while practicing our Spanish (of course!). 

Your group transfers to a renowned, locally-run wildlife rehabilitation center where we will volunteer on various projects that may include preparing food, feeding animals, or creating and building toys for the animals to engage with. After a busy day, we head back to the hotel for a siesta, and maybe even a short yet stunning rainforest hike near our lodging!

The group transfers to a biological research station within one of Costa Rica’s most alluring and biodiverse cloud forests. We will spend time on a combination of environmental projects such as trail maintenance, bridge repair, and reforestation efforts. We will participate in an interactive talk on La Bandera Azúl Ecológica with park rangers and Global Works trip leaders on Costa Rica’s global role in conservation, biodiversity, ecotourism, and sustainable development. Throughout our stay, we have the unique opportunity to spot monkeys, anteaters, parrots, coatimundis, and dart frogs! We’ll take a break from work to enjoy a hike to a waterfall and maybe even wildlife-viewing night hike!

After saying goodbye to our new friends in the cloud forest, we get pumped up for an amazing zip line tour through the canopy in Arenal Volcano National Park! We continue our day of adventure in La Fortuna where we have the opportunity to shop for unique souvenirs. Before heading back to San Jose, we hike to a beautiful waterfall near La Fortuna and enjoy a cooling swim! In San Jose, we hold a final dinner, reflection, and celebration for our time spent together.