Home • Costa Rica

Course Overview

This tropical hotspot and travel destination contains an amazing 5% of the world's biodiversity. Costa Rica's Caribbean coast − where Ecology Project International's program site is located − is the fourth most important nesting beach in the world for Leatherback sea turtles, a critically endangered species. Through our Sea Turtle Ecology Program, youth from Costa Rica and around the world work in partnership with the Pacuare Nature Reserve to conserve and protect these sea turtles from extinction.

Ecology Project International students are a critical part of the conservation effort for Leatherbacks at Pacuare Reserve. Their hands-on learning about research, service and cultural exchange benefits everyone involved.

Conservation Impact

Data collected by Ecology Project International students are utilized by scientists to improve conservation efforts for Leatherback sea turtles. Every night of the Leatherback nesting season, Ecology Project International students walk the beach in search of sea turtles and their nests, to study population trends and protect the nests from tides, poachers, and other threats.

Academics and Education

During their time in the field, Ecology Project International students serve as volunteers for Latin American conservation institutions. Under the leadership of our outstanding instructors, every student conceives, develops, analyses, and presents a field-based research project and attends biology, tropical ecology, art, and journaling classes.

Cultural Exchange

More than half of our participants at this project site are Costa Rican. Ecology Project International's commitment to local communities provides a unique cultural exchange opportunity for international students who participate in our study abroad programs. After each group completes the Leatherback research, students meet their international peers and share their experiences and academic projects at a local school.

Partners

U.S. students join their Costa Rican peers, the Pacuare Reserve, foundations, and government agencies in an international effort to ensure the survival of this species. Our partners and supporters for this project include:

Testimonials

“It was definitely a life changing experience…I loved every second of it.”
Ike Wallace, Hellgate High School CR '08 - Click here to watch video.

"The Costa Rica trip was by far the best experience of my college career."
Anne-Marie D'Onofrio, CR '06 - Coastal Carolina University student

"This was by far the best experience of my life...I made so many new friends, and had experiences I will never forget."
Melanie Browning, CR '05 - Polson H.S. student

"This was a most rewarding experience and one that I believe will live on in each of our lives."
Lee Coble, CR '05 teacher