Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a biodiversity hotspot, home to over 5% of the world’s species despite covering only 0.03% of the Earth’s surface. With its lush rainforests, rich marine life, and iconic species like sloths, toucans, and jaguars, the country offers unique opportunities to actively contribute to wildlife conservation and the protection of endangered species.

Research Conservation Mission - In Water Turtle Conservation
Open To Anyone With A Passion For Conservation
14 Days of Incredible Adventure
Join a meaningful sea turtle conservation project in Costa Rica, where you’ll work alongside a qualified biologist at a beachside research site. You'll help collect vital data on population structure, genetic origin, and in-water habitats of endangered sea turtles. Full-board meals and accommodation are provided in a welcoming local community right on the beachfront. Your hands-on role includes participating in the rehabilitation of injured or ill turtles, and learning essential research methods such as restraint, measuring, weighing, microchipping, and collecting tissue and blood samples, while also checking for any injuries or abnormalities. You’ll also contribute to mangrove development and replanting efforts, which are crucial to supporting turtle foraging grounds. Take to the water for full-day passive turtle catching to support data analysis shared across conservation networks in Central and South America. Beyond the fieldwork, you'll engage with the local community's initiatives in recycling, education, and women’s empowerment. You may also have the chance to be involved in unique night-time water collection studies if scheduled. To complete your experience, enjoy included tours of Isla Tortuga by boat, a volcano and coffee farm, a family-run chocolate farm, Corcovado National Park, and a cultural tour of San José.
Available Trips: Available Year Round
Inclusions: Accommodation, Meals, Transport, Airport Transfers, Activities, Contribution to Conservation Efforts

Research Conservation Mission - On Land Turtle Conservation
Open To Anyone With A Passion For Conservation
14 Days of Incredible Adventure
Work alongside a dedicated team of experts at a beachside conservation site in Costa Rica, where you'll play a crucial role in protecting endangered sea turtles. Your responsibilities will include transferring sea turtle eggs to secure hatcheries to protect them from poaching and increase their chances of survival. You'll take part in wellness checks on nesting turtles, assessing body and shell condition, behavior, and providing basic rehabilitation if needed. You'll also help collect vital data, such as shell size, identification tagging, nest location, and egg counts. Participate in both day and night beach patrols to monitor nesting activity and support ongoing research. When hatchlings reach about 45 days old, you'll assist in their release back into the ocean after gathering important growth data. Beyond turtle conservation, you’ll engage in impactful community outreach programs, teaching local children about the environment, sea turtles, conservation, English, and recycling. Help clean the beaches and support local recycling initiatives to protect the fragile coastal ecosystem. During your downtime, fall asleep to the sound of the waves, visit nearby eco-lodges, or explore the renowned Corcovado National Park. Your experience also includes exciting tours to Isla Tortuga by boat, a volcano and coffee farm, a family-run chocolate farm, and a cultural tour of San José.
Available Trips: Available Year Round
Inclusions: Accommodation, Meals, Transport, Airport Transfers, Activities, Contribution to Conservation Efforts

Research Conservation Mission - Wildlife Sanctuary
Open To Anyone With A Passion For Conservation
7 + Days of Incredible Adventure
Immerse yourself in hands-on wildlife conservation by collecting behavioral data at Costa Rica’s premier wildlife rescue centre and sacntuary. Assist experienced caregivers with feeding, cleaning, and facility maintenance, and learn how to forage and collect wild food for patients such as baby sloths and howler monkeys in the Rehabilitation Center. Deepen your understanding through a series of educational lectures on wildlife care, rehabilitation, and conservation. You’ll also design and implement enrichment activities to support the physical and mental well-being of animals across the sanctuary, breeding, and rehab centers. Participate in clicker training sessions with non-releasable animals—such as Guapo, the resident jaguar—to aid in stress-free veterinary checks and daily management. For students and long-term interns, there’s an opportunity to develop and carry out your own research or personal project under expert supervision. Additionally, you can attend wet labs, roundtables, and lectures hosted by the wildlife and veterinary internship coordinators, covering a wide range of topics in biodiversity conservation.
Available Trips: Available Year Round
Inclusions: Accommodation, Meals, Transport, Airport Transfers, Activities, Contribution to Conservation Efforts

Research Conservation Mission - Wildlife Veterinary Medicine
Open To Anyone Studying or Qualified in Animal Care or Conservation
7 + Days of Incredible Adventure
Work alongside qualified veterinarians at one of Costa Rica’s premier wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centers, renowned for its specialized care protocols for primates, birds, and mammals. Gain hands-on experience in species-specific rehabilitation and medical care, while learning to analyze the anatomical and physiological differences among diverse wildlife. You may assist in identifying and preparing animals for release through methods such as ringing, tagging, and microchipping. Participate in medical procedures, including animal restraint, anesthetic monitoring, and radiograph interpretation. Help carry out routine health checks on the center’s 800 resident animals and perform intake assessments for newly rescued wildlife. You’ll also contribute to health checks for releasable birds and help form social flocks to promote bonding before release. Unique rehabilitation opportunities may include treating electrocution injuries—critical for species like sloths and monkeys. Throughout the program, attend lectures, wet labs, and roundtable discussions led by experienced veterinary and wildlife coordinators, covering key topics in biodiversity conservation. This is a rare chance to work closely with Costa Rica’s extraordinary wildlife, including sloths, armadillos, jaguars, ocelots, snakes, iguanas, raptors, and more.
Available Trips: Available Year Round
Inclusions: Accommodation, Meals, Transport, Airport Transfers, Activities, Contribution to Conservation Efforts

Research Conservation Mission - In Field
Open To Anyone With A Passion For Conservation & Relative Fitness
14 + Days of Incredible Adventure
Dive into the heart of tropical conservation as you explore lush rainforests, vibrant coastlines, and diverse ecosystems while conducting in-depth field research. You may analyze species interactions, biodiversity indicators, and ecosystem dynamics using both traditional observational methods and cutting-edge digital tools. Through citizen science platforms, your data could contribute to global conservation initiatives, making a real impact beyond the field. Build a strong foundation in tropical ecology and field safety, while gaining hands-on experience in research techniques that bring classroom knowledge to life. Collaborate with local communities on conservation and ecotourism projects, discovering how grassroots efforts fuel long-term environmental protection. You may help develop and implement sustainable strategies like eco-farming, habitat restoration, and coral reef monitoring—essential work that supports both wildlife and local livelihoods. Track the success of wildlife reintroductions in their natural habitats, and take part in ethical rehabilitation efforts by designing enclosures, managing nutrition, and using behavioral enrichment to prepare animals for release. From setting up camera traps deep in the forest to mapping GPS transects, every day offers the chance to contribute to meaningful, real-world conservation while experiencing the incredible biodiversity of Costa Rica firsthand.
Available Trips: Available Year Round
Inclusions: Accommodation, Meals, Transport, Airport Transfers, Activities, Contribution to Conservation Efforts

Research Conservation Mission - Field Ranger Training Course
Open To Anyone With A Passion For Conservation & Relative Fitness
14 - 30 Days of Incredible Adventure
Gain immersive, hands-on experience in wildlife conservation by collecting, recording, and analyzing ecological and behavioral data—using tools like ZooMonitor to support research and enhance animal welfare. You may work alongside expert teams to monitor, care for, and help release critically endangered and rescued wildlife, contributing directly to vital conservation efforts. You may conduct field observations, learning to identify behaviors, track animal movements, and assess health in both natural habitats and rehabilitation settings. There may also be opportunities to assist in preparing and managing wildlife diets, including sourcing natural foods and maintaining feeding stations to support a wide variety of species. You may help design and implement environmental enrichment strategies tailored to encourage natural behaviors and improve overall well-being. Throughout your time in the field, you may apply ethical conservation practices and wildlife tracking techniques, gaining valuable, real-world experience in sustainable fieldwork and responsible species management. By collaborating with seasoned professionals, you may become an integral part of meaningful, on-the-ground conservation projects in Costa Rica’s rich and biodiverse ecosystems.
Available Trips: Available Year Round For Private Groups
Inclusions: Accommodation, Meals, Transport, Airport Transfers, Activities, Contribution to Conservation Efforts