Costa Rica
Conservation & Ecology
About the Program
Explore Costa Rica’s natural wonders through immersive experiences at a cloud forest research station, where students work side by side with biological researchers. An overnight rafting adventure is a unique and exciting opportunity to learn more about Costa Rica’s flora and fauna. Visit a wildlife refuge to support local conservation efforts and learn about the protection of native species. For an unforgettable adventure, students will also soar through the rainforest canopy on a thrilling zip-line excursion, offering a unique perspective on Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity and commitment to sustainability.
Itinerary
Discover the exciting adventures and impactful moments that await each day on this itinerary!
- Group flight arrival to San Jose (SJO). Go through customs, pick up luggage, and meet your stellar Global Works leader team
- Transfer via private bus to hotel
- Arrival to hotel, safety briefing and snacks. Settle into rooms
- Early morning pick up for our white water adventure – transfer toward the province of Limón and have breakfast at the rafting base
- Rafting adventure begins! Navigate class I, II, and III rapids, with lots of unique plant and animal sighting along the way – our rafting guides are also our nature guides!
- Dock the rafts at a peaceful river camp for the night. Relax in a hammock, eat dinner riverside, and complete Costa Rica orientation
- Overnight at river camp
- Wake up to the sound of the river
- Back on the river today! We know the ropes now, and continue to navigate rapids as a team. Stop for a short waterfall hike along the river
- Back at the rafting base, riverside lunch to recharge
- Afternoon transfer via private bus to San Carlos
- Settle into our nature lodge for the evening for a much-needed rest
- Transfer to a renowned, locally-run wildlife rehabilitation center. A knowledgable guide will walk us through the property and a discussion on wildlife trafficking, rehabilitation, and species protection
- Engage in a small volunteer project on site – past projects have included preparing food, feeding animals, building toys for the animals to engage with, and enclosure upkeep
- Tour of Finca Cespedes, the family home and farm of Global Works Director, Crisley Cespedes. Learn about the farm’s origins and sustainable practices, and try your hand at cheese making
- Afternoon review of the permaculture practices on the farm. Lots of opportunities for flora/fauna sightings!
- Settle into our lodge for the evening
- Service project discussion and preparation
- Transfer via private bus to a biological research station
- Settle into a comfortable ecolodge within one of Costa Rica’s most alluring and biodiverse cloud forests
- Meet the rangers and get familiar with our projects for the next couple of days – projects include trail maintenance, bridge repair, and reforestation efforts
- Home cooked dinner at the lodge
- Following dinner, learn about La Bandera Azúl Ecológica with park rangers and understand Costa Rica’s global role in conservation, biodiversity, ecotourism, and sustainable development through am interactive presentation
- Guided night hike – the forest comes alive with different bugs, reptiles, and birds once the sun goes down
- Projects pick up momentum today! Jump back in on the work we started yesterday
- After lunch, wrap up projects alongside the rangers
- Later this afternoon, spot monkeys, anteaters, parrots, coatimundis, and dart frogs on a hike to a local waterfall!
- Bus transfer from the cloud forest to Arenal Volcano National Park; incredible zip-line tour with Sky Trek Adventures
- Lunch and souvenir shopping in the town of La Fortuna
- Board bus for travel back to San Jose
- Closing ceremony and final celebratory dinner
- Have breakfast at the hotel and head to the airport according to your flight schedule. Although it is hard to part from this marvelous place, the memories of Costa Rica will last a lifetime!
Educational Focus & Highlights
Harvest & Hands-On Learning
Experience sustainable farming firsthand at an family-run Finca, where students learn about organic practices and engage in the rewarding process of cheese-making.
Conservation in Action
Join environmental projects at a biological research station, participating in trail restoration and reforestation efforts while gaining a deeper understanding of Costa Rica’s conservation leadership.
Care for Costa Rica’s Creatures
Volunteer at a wildlife rehabilitation center, assisting with feeding and creating enrichment activities for native animals, while gaining valuable insights into local conservation efforts.
Soar Through the Canopy
Experience the excitement of a zip-line tour through the treetops of Arenal Volcano National Park. Students enjoy stunning views of the forest while engaging in a thrilling adventure.
Gallery
Lodging
Participants
Participants stay in comfortable, dorm-style rooms that typically accommodate 4-6 students per room. These accommodations are carefully selected and often include locally run hotels or eco-lodges that reflect the culture of the area. Each location is selected to have private meeting spaces for group activities, ensuring both a supportive and appropriate environment for our programs.
Chaperones
Chaperones can expect to stay in private rooms, unless otherwise noted by the Global Works operations team. These rooms are located in the same facility as the student accommodations, allowing for a peaceful environment to relax and recharge without compromising proximity to the group. During homestays, chaperones typically have a choice to either stay with a homestay family or in a nearby hotel (location dependent).
Bring Your Classroom to the World
Collaborate with Global Works on an impactful service-learning travel program for your students.
