Conservation in Costa Rica School Trips
Projects Abroad
Join our Conservation Programme in Costa Rica and contribute to the maintenance of Camaquiri Conservation Initiative (CCI) and the Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge. This programme is a hands-on introduction to wildlife research in Costa Rica's most biodiverse areas.Work alongside experienced researchers to:
> Plant native trees to combat climate change and restore habitats.
> Collect data on animals with forest patrols and camera traps.
> Monitor wildlife, including monkeys and birds.
Your group will then travel to the Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge, where the focus shifts to sea turtle conservation. Head out on night fieldwork patrols along the beach, contribute to beach cleanups, and help researchers collect vital data on species like the Green Sea Turtle. Your help is crucial for protecting local wildlife and fragile ecosystems.
When not volunteering, your group will head out into Costa Rica to:
> Visit the Irazú volcano and national park.
> Explore the natural beauty of La Fortuna with a rainforest hike, waterfall visit, and relaxing in volcanic hot springs.
> Become immersed in Costa Rican culture by learning to salsa dance and playing football with community members.
While on this programme, you'll develop a range of key skills and learning outcomes, including:
> Intercultural competence (through cultural immersion)
> Leadership development (building confidence and resilience)
> Global citizenship (engaging with real-world challenges)
> Hands-on research skills (data collection, surveys, camera trapping)
In addition to these valuable attributes, you will also be making a large impact on local wildlife, ecosystems, and communities through your volunteer work. This will help you broaden your perspectives and leave with a sense of pride, knowing you have directly contributed to preserving Costa Rica's rich natural heritage.
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Example Itineraries for our 2026 trips
Day 1
On arrival day, a Projects Abroad staff member will be waiting to collect your group from Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO). As you walk through the airport, you'll be met by a Projects Abroad staff member. Our staff members are easy to spot because they are located by the airport exit, holding a sign.
You will then travel by bus to Cartago, where you will spend your first night. Round off your first day in Costa Rica with a delicious meal.
Day 2
Day two is an opportunity to explore before getting started on your conservation work. Explore the ruins of Cartago before travelling for 45 minutes to Irazú. Here you will head to the summit of Irazú volcano, the highest volcano in Costa Rica, at 3,423 metres, and take a one-kilometre walk to view four of its five craters.
After lunch at a local restaurant, you'll make your way to Camaquiri Conservation Initiative (CCI), a sustainable field station in Costa Rica with a focus on conservation, education, research, and community.
Days 3 to 6
The first part of the trip is dedicated to rainforest conservation at CCI, where you will gain hands-on experience in wildlife research. Key activities your group will participate in here include:
> Conducting wildlife surveys and setting up camera traps to collect and analyse data.
> Monitoring monkeys and birds.
> Learning about biodiversity, data collection methods, and primate behaviour and ecology.
> Join a guided natural history hike to explore CCI's trail system.
There will also be plenty of opportunities to grow your knowledge and skills through activities such as:
> A lecture about community ecology, using camera traps, and the presentation of recent wildlife findings from CCI's camera trap programme.
> A lecture about the primate behaviour and ecology, with a special focus on the diverse primate species found in Costa Rica.
Days 7 to 11
Your second week will be spent at Barra del Colorado, just two hours away, where you will focus on sea turtles. While here, you will participate in activities such as:
> Night patrols to locate nesting sites and collect vital data on species like the Green Sea Turtle.
> Reforestation and beach cleanups to contribute to environmental health.
> Exploring the natural beauty of La Fortuna, including visiting a waterfall and relaxing in volcanic hot springs, before departure.
> Gardening
> Beach clean-ups
> Hatchery duties
> Night patrols
Days 12 to 13
Depart from Barra Del Colorado and journey through the lush Costa Rican countryside toward La Fortuna, a vibrant town known for its views of the Arenal Volcano. The travel time is approximately 3.5 hours.
Take a short walking tour of La Fortuna town. Learn about local life, culture, and the area's connection to ecotourism and sustainability. Relax in the region's famous thermal waters, naturally heated by the nearby Arenal Volcano.
You'll also have the opportunity to go on a guided hike through tropical rainforest trails to one of La Fortuna's breathtaking waterfalls before shopping for souvenirs on the three-hour journey back to San Jose.
Day 14
Before heading to the airport, you'll take a trip to Heredia to visit a famous coffee plantation. Embark on a 1.5-hour tour to discover the local coffee production process.
As you head to the airport and wave goodbye to the Projects Abroad staff, you'll have a moment to reflect on everything you've achieved during your time in Costa Rica.
From developing your knowledge of conservation work to building connections with the local community, your experiences here will stay with you forever!
We wish you the best of luck with whatever you go on to do next.
On arrival day, a Projects Abroad staff member will be waiting to collect your group from Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO). As you walk through the airport, you'll be met by a Projects Abroad staff member. Our staff members are easy to spot because they are located by the airport exit, holding a sign.
You will then travel by bus to Cartago, where you will spend your first night. Round off your first day in Costa Rica with a delicious meal.
Day 2
Day two is an opportunity to explore before getting started on your conservation work. Explore the ruins of Cartago before travelling for 45 minutes to Irazú. Here you will head to the summit of Irazú volcano, the highest volcano in Costa Rica, at 3,423 metres, and take a one-kilometre walk to view four of its five craters.
After lunch at a local restaurant, you'll make your way to Camaquiri Conservation Initiative (CCI), a sustainable field station in Costa Rica with a focus on conservation, education, research, and community.
Days 3 to 6
The first part of the trip is dedicated to rainforest conservation at CCI, where you will gain hands-on experience in wildlife research. Key activities your group will participate in here include:
> Conducting wildlife surveys and setting up camera traps to collect and analyse data.
> Monitoring monkeys and birds.
> Learning about biodiversity, data collection methods, and primate behaviour and ecology.
> Join a guided natural history hike to explore CCI's trail system.
There will also be plenty of opportunities to grow your knowledge and skills through activities such as:
> A lecture about community ecology, using camera traps, and the presentation of recent wildlife findings from CCI's camera trap programme.
> A lecture about the primate behaviour and ecology, with a special focus on the diverse primate species found in Costa Rica.
Days 7 to 11
Your second week will be spent at Barra del Colorado, just two hours away, where you will focus on sea turtles. While here, you will participate in activities such as:
> Night patrols to locate nesting sites and collect vital data on species like the Green Sea Turtle.
> Reforestation and beach cleanups to contribute to environmental health.
> Exploring the natural beauty of La Fortuna, including visiting a waterfall and relaxing in volcanic hot springs, before departure.
> Gardening
> Beach clean-ups
> Hatchery duties
> Night patrols
Days 12 to 13
Depart from Barra Del Colorado and journey through the lush Costa Rican countryside toward La Fortuna, a vibrant town known for its views of the Arenal Volcano. The travel time is approximately 3.5 hours.
Take a short walking tour of La Fortuna town. Learn about local life, culture, and the area's connection to ecotourism and sustainability. Relax in the region's famous thermal waters, naturally heated by the nearby Arenal Volcano.
You'll also have the opportunity to go on a guided hike through tropical rainforest trails to one of La Fortuna's breathtaking waterfalls before shopping for souvenirs on the three-hour journey back to San Jose.
Day 14
Before heading to the airport, you'll take a trip to Heredia to visit a famous coffee plantation. Embark on a 1.5-hour tour to discover the local coffee production process.
As you head to the airport and wave goodbye to the Projects Abroad staff, you'll have a moment to reflect on everything you've achieved during your time in Costa Rica.
From developing your knowledge of conservation work to building connections with the local community, your experiences here will stay with you forever!
We wish you the best of luck with whatever you go on to do next.
Which Curriculum Subjects do we cater for?
Conservation Wildlife Animal Care
Community Projects
What size groups do we cater for?
All group sizes of 5 or more. Free staff place with every 9 students.
Access for visitors with disabilities?
Disabled facilities can be offered on request.
Visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)?
Visitors with special educational needs can be catered for on request.
Anything else?
Projects Abroad provide an individualised service and schedule planning which is backed up by excellent pre-departure preparation and by a dedicated and highly experienced local team in each destination.
We aim to provide a challenging and rewarding experience for every student which promotes self-belief, resilience, leadership, teamwork, reflection, and a new perspective on the world.
Please contact us so we can support you with your trip planning.
We aim to provide a challenging and rewarding experience for every student which promotes self-belief, resilience, leadership, teamwork, reflection, and a new perspective on the world.
Please contact us so we can support you with your trip planning.
Who are Projects Abroad?
Projects Abroad arrange challenging, meaningful, educational, and safe overseas service and internship programmes.
We have been taking students overseas since 1992 and work in over 20 developing and emerging countries across Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Key to our work is the dedicated in-country staff whose diverse skill sets, local knowledge and love of their community allow us to develop relevant, immersive and worthwhile schedules for school trips which give the students responsibility and teach them to see the world through a different lens.
We offer programmes in community development, conservation, construction, education, sports, empowerment, human rights, and healthcare, among many others. These projects are designed to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, broadening the student experience to see the contribution of a few to a movement for global change.
All school trips are individualised. We realise that each school has its own goals and interests, and the students have their own passions. We work with the school to develop a tailored itinerary that reflects their values and allows the students to make a connection with the community in which they serve.
Teacher Checklist
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