Costa Rica – Sea Turtle Volunteering & Adventure Tour for Teenagers

Now Open: July 2026 Dates!

Join a group of international volunteers aged 15–17 on a two-week program in Costa Rica, where conservation work is combined with cultural discovery and outdoor adventure. The journey begins in San José before continuing to Arenal and the Nicoya Peninsula, with activities ranging from sea turtle protection and reforestation projects to community initiatives in environmental education. Beyond volunteering, you’ll explore Costa Rica’s remarkable landscapes on river safaris and night walks, visit volcanoes and waterfalls. This carefully designed itinerary offers teens the chance to contribute to environmental efforts while experiencing the country’s biodiversity and culture in a fun and memorable way.

 

Program Highlights:

  • Take part in sea turtle protection, reforestation, and permaculture projects.
  • Visit Costa Rica’s natural highlights: Poás Volcano, La Paz Waterfalls, and Arenal.
  • Share dinner and stories with a local family.
  • Float along the Peñas Blancas River to spot monkeys, sloths, and birds.
  • Join a tortilla-making class and enjoy a home-cooked lunch.
  • Support environmental education and local community initiatives.
  • Join guided night walks to see Costa Rica’s iconic frogs and other nocturnal wildlife.
  • Stay in hotels and a coastal eco-station dedicated to sustainability

 

Your Schedule at a Glance (Two-week commitment):

  • Day 1, Wednesday (Arrival Day): Airport pick-up in San José and private group transfer to your hotel. Settle into your room, meet your tour leader, and enjoy a welcome dinner with the group.
  • Day 2, Thursday: Full-day excursion to Doka Coffee Estate, Poás Volcano, and La Paz Waterfalls. Learn about Costa Rica’s famous coffee, walk volcanic landscapes, and explore lush trails with waterfalls and wildlife.
  • Day 3, Friday: Transfer to the Arenal region in northern Costa Rica. In the evening, join a cultural night tour in La Tigra, with a guided walk through rainforest trails to see nocturnal wildlife, followed by a traditional dinner with a local family.
  • Day 4, Saturday: Morning river safari on the Peñas Blancas River to spot monkeys, sloths, and tropical birds. Visit a Costa Rican home for a tortilla-making class and a home-cooked lunch. Afternoon free to explore La Fortuna town.
  • Day 5, Sunday: Group transfer to the Nicoya Peninsula and arrival at the coastal conservation station. Settle into your shared dorm accommodation and enjoy a group dinner together.
  • Day 6 to 12, Monday–Sunday: Volunteer work at the conservation station. Mornings and afternoons are dedicated to tasks such as sea turtle protection, reforestation, permaculture, or community projects, depending on seasonal needs. Evenings include group dinners, free time, and night patrols during turtle nesting season.
  • Day 13, Monday: Private transfer back to San José with time to rest at the hotel. In the evening, gather with the group for a farewell dinner to celebrate your experience.
  • Day 14, Tuesday (Departure Day): Private transfer to San José International Airport for your flight home.

 

Note: The schedule is flexible, subject to weather conditions and local considerations, ensuring a dynamic and memorable experience.

Note for Parents: This itinerary is designed specifically for teenage volunteers, offering a higher level of supervision throughout the program. GoEco also offers the convenience of flight booking services to assist in coordinating participants’ travel arrangements after registration and approval.

 

Location icon Location of the Project: Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica

Project length Project length: 2 weeks (14 days / 13 nights)

Arrival Airport Arrival Airport: Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO)

Volunteer Work Volunteer Work: Sea turtle protection, reforestation, permaculture, environmental education, and community projects.

Age Age: Designed for teens aged 15-17

Number of Volunteers Number of Volunteers: Minimum 6 participants, accompanied by group leaders and chaperones.

 

What’s Included

Accommodations Accommodations: Various locations around Costa Rica. Includes hostels and volunteer houses. All destinations provide shared single-gender dorm rooms with other teen participants only.

Food Food: Three meals per day, except lunch on specific tour days or arrival and departure days.

Airport Transfers Airport Transfers: Round trip airport transfers are included on the arrival day and departure day.

Volunteer Work Tours: Tours, guides and transfers as stated in the itinerary.

Orientation  Orientation: Volunteers will receive an orientation of the area upon arrival and will receive a program orientation on their first day of volunteering.

Support Support: Teen groups have designated support staff to support and chaperone their itinerary, comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.

 

What’s not Included

  • Flights
  • Visas (if required)
  • Travel health insurance
  • Personal expenses (snacks, souvenirs)
  • Lunches on specific tour days, some meals on arrival and departure days.

Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, offering a unique mix of rainforests, volcanoes, and tropical beaches. The capital city, San José, blends tradition with modern life through markets, plazas, and local cuisine. In the Arenal region, you’ll find the dramatic Arenal Volcano, lush forests, and rivers rich with wildlife. The Nicoya Peninsula, where the conservation station is based, is known as one of the world’s Blue Zones, where people live longer, healthier lives. Here, coastal forests meet the Pacific Ocean, creating the perfect setting for conservation and learning. Volunteers live close to nature, surrounded by wildlife, and experience a slower rhythm of daily life. The area is also home to vibrant sunsets, small rural towns, and stunning beaches. This combination of natural wonders and cultural richness makes it an inspiring place to live and volunteer.

About the Program

This program partners with a conservation research station on the Nicoya Peninsula that focuses on biodiversity protection, sustainable living, and community engagement. The station runs projects in sea turtle protection, reforestation, permaculture, environmental education, and community development. Volunteers gain hands-on experience while contributing to meaningful environmental and social initiatives.

 

Your Role as a Volunteer

As a participant, you’ll join supervised activities that balance conservation, community service, and environmental learning. The tasks are designed for teens and are guided by experienced staff and project coordinators. The aim is to protect coastal ecosystems, support sustainable agriculture, and assist local communities while giving volunteers practical skills and insights into conservation.

 

Overview of Volunteer Tasks

  • Patrol beaches to monitor sea turtles at night and in the early morning.
  • Relocate turtle nests when needed and release hatchlings into the ocean.
  • Plant and care for native trees in reforestation and agroforestry projects.
  • Assist with trail maintenance and general upkeep at the conservation site.
  • Help with environmental education materials and bilingual guides.
  • Join biodiversity monitoring and ecological data collection.
  • Support community recycling, composting, and small improvement projects.

 

A Typical Day

A project day starts with breakfast at the station before heading out to the morning activity, which may include tree planting, trail work, or environmental workshops (8:00–11:30). Lunch is served at the station, followed by an afternoon session from 13:00–16:00 focused on either conservation tasks or community projects. Dinner is enjoyed as a group, with evenings reserved for free time, group reflections, or scheduled night patrols during turtle nesting season. Program coordinators and leaders are present throughout the day and overnight to ensure safety and guidance.

 

Important Note: The schedule is flexible and may vary depending on weather conditions, seasonal conservation priorities (such as turtle nesting), and community needs, ensuring that every volunteer experience is both meaningful and memorable.

Internet icon Internet: Wifi is provided, however, the connection is limited in remote areas. Parents are connected with our staff 24/7.

Laundry icon Laundry: Facilities are provided

Accommodations icon Accommodations: Volunteers stay in hotels in San José and Arenal, sharing double or triple rooms with fellow volunteers. On the Nicoya Peninsula, accommodations are in shared dorms, with separate spaces for each gender.

Food icon Food: Meals are based on local Costa Rican staples such as rice, beans, vegetables, and fresh fruits. During the volunteer portion, three meals a day are provided, and cultural highlights include family dinners and a farewell meal.

  • Age: between 15 and 17 years old.
  • Interview with GoEco Advisor, legal guardian must also join the interview.
  • Basic physical fitness (activities include walking, stairs, and outdoor labor).
  • Openness to group living and rustic conditions, challenging conditions and diverse cultures.
  • Ability to work well in a group setting.
  • Travel insurance covering any medical expenses.
  • Ability to adapt to limited internet access.
  • Vaccinations as advised by your doctor for travel to Costa Rica
  • Valid passport with at least 6 months validity.
  • Parental consent and program waivers signed by legal guardian
  • Two Character Reference Letters
  • Guided visit to Doka Coffee Estate.
  • Excursion to Poás Volcano National Park.
  • Walk through La Paz Waterfall Gardens and its wildlife exhibits.
  • Frog & Cultural Night Tour in La Tigra with guided rainforest walk and traditional dinner.
  • Safari float on the Peñas Blancas River with a nature guide.
  • Tortilla-making class and home-cooked lunch in a local home.

Volunteer Experiences

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