Home • Costa Rica • Sea Turtle Ecology Program

You will collaborate with sea turtle biologists and local Costa Rican communities to monitor a population of critically endangered leatherback sea turtles on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. This course is an amazing opportunity to assist with authentic research and be active in international conservation efforts.

The 12-day course includes over 50 hours of coursework and instruction with 20 hours of field research. Coursework includes sea turtle ecology, journal writing, rainforest ecology, scientific method, Spanish, and art.

Students may earn college credit for their work! Contact us for details.

How to Apply

Send in an EPI application and $250 deposit. Applications can be downloaded by clicking on the Application icon to the right.

· Day 1: Arrival in San Jose, Costa Rica. You are met at the airport with a warm welcome from your Ecology Project International instructors.

· Days 2-6: Sea Turtles and Tropical Ecology. Pacuare Nature Reserve, with four miles of beach and a 2,000-acre forest, will be our home for nearly a week. At the Reserve, students design a research project and head onto the beach each night to patrol for sea turtles. Each day, you'll review the data you've helped collect at night, and explore the forest in search of leaf cutter ants, toucans, tree frogs and monkeys. You'll also work on the beach to restore nesting habitat and other projects to assist with the Reserve's research and protection efforts.

· Day 7: From the Beach to the Rainforest. A private rainforest reserve is our ecological paradise for the next three days. We'll work with their friendly staff on reforestation and biodiversity projects, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings, fresh food, and maybe a soccer game with people from a nearby town.

· Days 8-9: Rainforest Reserve. We'll spend much of our time exploring the old-growth rainforest, which teems with tropical wildlife−monkeys, lizards, butterflies, and colorful birds abound, and learn about ecological systems and process in this spectacular classroom. We'll also help to reforest migratory corridors for tropical wildlife. Along with planting saplings, we head into the forest to search for seeds from a few of the 200-foot tall trees.

· Day 10: Rafting the Pacuare River. Today is always a highlight: we're rafting the spectacular class III-IV rapids of the Pacuare River. The river cuts through vibrant jungle canyons and past spectacular waterfalls. We'll learn about the watershed and impacts to the sea turtles that nest adjacent to the river mouth while enjoying rapids, waterfalls and wildlife.

· Day 11: Costa Rican High School Visit. Several Costa Rican schools are working with us at the Pacuare Reserve, and today we'll meet with students at one of these high schools. This is a wonderful opportunity to practice Spanish and get to know the locals who are collaborating with you to protect the turtles.

· Day 12: Morning Departure. After an evening in the mountains surrounding San Jose reflecting on our journey, we depart for the airport and look forward to the next adventure!

Course dates

March - July; contact us for the specific course date that best fits your schedule.

Age

This program is specifically designed for high school students who are seeking a learning experience outside of the classroom that is scientifically authentic, academically rigorous, and culturally appropriate. We occasionally work with middle school groups.  This program is physically and academically challenging, and middle school students coming to Costa Rica with EPI must be mature for their age and prepared for a difficult (and wonderful) environment. 

Group Size

Our minimum group size is 10, maximum 20. Please contact us to discuss options if you have a smaller or larger group.

Accommodations

Each of the destinations you will be visiting was chosen for its quiet simplicity and sustainable design. At these private reserves, EPI participants and reserve staff are often the only visitors during your stay. You will sleep in dormitory style cabins and share a room with 2-3 other students. The lodges and hotels supply sheets, pillows, and other bedding. There is running water at each of the places we stay, but no electricity at the sea turtle reserve, where you'll enjoy candlelit dinners and spectacular starry nights.

Tuition

Contact us for pricing.