A toucan perched on a branch in the rainforest of Costa Rica

Sea Turtle, Monkey & Wildlife Conservation in Costa Rica for Teenagers - Image 2

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Sea Turtle, Monkey & Wildlife Conservation in Costa Rica for Teenagers

Destination

Costa Rica

Age

15-18 y/o

Minimum Stay

2 weeks

Start Date

During school holidays

Accommodation

Lodge

Service Hours

What’s Included

24/7 Support

Full supervision from arrival to departure, and 24/7 back up from our global teams.

Accommodation & Amenities

Clean, safe, and welcoming accommodation. A home away from home with comfortable amenities.

Activities, Training & Equipment

All programme activities and equipment, including training and workshops from experienced professionals.

Certification

Certified record of service hours, workshops, and activities for your CV.

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Starting at £2,260 for 2 weeks

Flexible 0% Interest payments

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Trip Overview

Support rainforest wildlife

Contribute directly to wildlife conservation through hands-on primate surveys, camera trapping, and sea turtle monitoring.

Live and work in the jungle

Experience diverse Costa Rican ecosystems at a sustainable field station and a remote wildlife refuge, including a visit to the Irazu Volcano.

Immerse in Costa Rica

Engage with the local ‘Pura Vida’ (good life) culture through activities like folk dances, a friendly football game, and community presentations.

Develop your skills

Travel around the world with full supervision and develop your practical skills, confidence, communication, and even your Spanish.

Forge global friendships

Meet and work alongside teenagers from across the world, share stories, and build connections that last a lifetime.

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What you need to know

Overview

Perfect for teenagers looking for exposure to the conservation field, this Teen Programme gives you the chance to wake up surrounded by the sounds of nature. Embark on a Latin American rainforest retreat where you can contribute to real conservation efforts.

Monitor monkeys, sea turtles, and other wildlife in various locations across Costa Rica, including the Camaquiri Conservation Initiative (CCI) and the Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge. You’ll also get to see the famous Irazu Volcano, Costa Rica’s tallest active volcano.

Whether you are pursuing a career in conservation, want to develop lifelong skills, or simply crave a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, this project is perfect for you. Leave your comfort zone behind while fully supported by our staff.

Activities

As a conservation volunteer, you’ll work with expert conservationists in the Costa Rican rainforest and stunning coastline. Get up close with monkeys, sea turtles, and other incredible creatures.

Here are some of the tasks you can expect to do during your placement, depending on the needs at the time:

Wildlife monitoring

Collaborate with experts to participate in essential primate and sea turtle surveys and data collection, monitoring population size and behaviour. This may include tracking animals, recognising “spoor” (tracks), and identifying different species.

Camera trapping

Learn how to set up and operate camera traps, providing researchers with valuable insights into animal behaviour when they are unable to observe directly. Record animal movement, feeding habits, and family groupings in their natural habitats.

Beach clean-ups

Feel warm sand between your toes as you patrol scenic beaches to collect discarded and washed up waste, plastic, fishing nets, and more. All of these can pose a serious threat to marine life and ecosystems.

Reforestation

Contribute to reforestation efforts by planting native trees to restore degraded habitats and combat climate change. Get involved with the local community to raise awareness about these issues.

Anti-poaching patrols

Embark on nighttime walks to locate turtle nests and collect their eggs before poachers can, allowing them to be safely hatched and released later. Also enjoy guided hikes to see the local wildlife on nearby trail systems.

Conservation volunteering is all about supporting the protection of our natural world. Your work will help protect the unique rainforest and coastal ecosystems of Costa Rica and the species that live there. You’ll also support and inform future conservation efforts.

Join a conservation volunteering project to create a world in which people and planet can thrive!

Aims & Impact

The main aim of this project is to benefit local ecosystems through reforestation efforts, beach cleanups, and data collection. Your work in these fields will support conservation experts and inform protection strategies for endangered species like sea turtles.

You’ll gain valuable hands-on experience in real-world ecological studies, learning practical techniques for primate surveys, camera trapping, sea turtle monitoring, and data analysis.

This work will get you and other teenagers directly involved in critical wildlife conservation and research, fostering a new generation of environmental stewards. Your direct involvement will deepen your understanding of biodiversity, ecosystem health, and the urgent need for conservation.

Furthermore, by engaging in cultural exchange activities, you will foster an understanding of global citizenship and the importance of cross-cultural communication. You will also see how conservation intersects with local communities, helping you build relationships and promote sustainable development.

Your work also enables communities living in vulnerable environments to make a living from nature without exploiting it. In fact, they are incentivised to protect it. Join us to support the protection of biodiversity in the Costa Rican rainforest.

Map & Location

Thought to be one of the safest countries in Latin America, Costa Rica is a pioneer of sustainable tourism with a gorgeous coastline, incredible active volcanoes, and up-close wildlife encounters. Here, “Pura Vida” is more than just a saying — it’s a way of life.

More than one-quarter of Costa Rica is protected national parks or reserves and about half of it is covered in rainforest. It is also one of only a handful of countries with no army! It’s the perfect place for adventurers and nature lovers alike.

Barra del Colorado

Tucked away on Costa Rica’s northeastern coast, Barra del Colorado is a remote fishing village and one of the country’s largest wildlife refuges. The area is rich in rivers, lagoons, and mangroves, with a tropical climate that stays warm year-round.

Despite its seclusion, it’s easily reached by boat or car on dirt roads and rivers. Barra del Colorado is famous for its sea turtles, wetlands, and marine life, making it a core destination for marine conservation efforts.

Camaquiri

The Camaquiri Conservation Initiative is a rainforest conservation hub surrounded by incredible biodiversity. Just a few hours from San José, it offers direct access to pristine ecosystems full of birds, amphibians, reptiles, and countless plants.

Camaquiri is known as a centre for conservation and research due to its remote location, but also has comfortable amenities. With its warm tropical climate and abundant wildlife, it’s the perfect setting for important rainforest exploration year-round.

Food & Accommodation

Stay at a comfortable, private conservation lodge nestled in the Costa Rican rainforest, providing a stunning, safe, and secure base for your exciting adventure. Wake to the calls of exotic birds, rustling leaves, and animal calls in the tranquil and picturesque wilds.

Share simple, homely rooms with other volunteers of the same gender and approximate age, and enjoy traditional meals cooked at the lodge. You’ll foster new connections with fellow participants and our dedicated local staff, who will be there for you 24/7.

We make sure that you’ll have all the essential amenities, like running water, electricity, and basic Wi-Fi, even though the locations are remote.

Your Arrival Made Easy

When volunteering in Costa Rica, you will be met at the airport by a Projects Abroad staff member. You can find more detailed information on flights, arrival airports, orientation, and visas, on our Costa Rica Arrival Procedures page.