Costa Rica

Depart for Costa Rica and arrive in Liberia, the gateway to Guanacaste. Meet your program facilitator for an orientation, overview of themes, and preparation for the days ahead.

Explore Santa Rosa National Park, one of Costa Rica’s oldest protected areas. Learn about the 1856 Battle of Santa Rosa, connecting national identity to land protection and sovereignty.

Visit a nearby farm engaged in reforestation and conservation, participating in tree planting and learning how farmers balance productivity with environmental stewardship.

Spend the day in a community known for women’s entrepreneurship and creativity. Support improvements to a community work hall where local women gather daily to sew and craft textiles that support their families.

Work alongside community members and local children on ongoing community initiatives such as cleaning, painting, and improving shared spaces, followed by a community lunch celebrating collaboration, service, and connection.

Travel from the Guanacaste interior to the Pacific coast and arrive in the Junquillal region, an important nesting area for marine turtles.

Spend the day working alongside a local conservation organization dedicated to marine turtle protection and environmental education. Participate in hands-on activities such as beach monitoring, habitat restoration, and site maintenance, learning how conservation efforts protect nesting sites and support long-term species recovery.

Discussions focus on the relationship between coastal communities, tourism, and ocean stewardship. Settle into accommodations near the coast and take in a Pacific sunset.

Continue marine conservation work along the coast, deepening engagement with turtle protection efforts. Activities may include beach cleanups, data collection support, and educational outreach focused on plastic pollution and human impact on marine ecosystems.

Time is also built in for reflection and connection to place, with space to enjoy the beach and understand why protecting coastal environments requires both science and community involvement.

Travel inland toward La Fortuna, passing through changing landscapes from dry forest to rainforest. Explore the Mistico Hanging Bridges, walking canopy-level trails and suspension bridges to observe biodiversity from above.

Arrive in La Fortuna and settle beneath the slopes of Arenal Volcano.

Spend the morning at a local high school, engaging with students enrolled in a technical tourism program. Participate in cultural exchange and learn how Costa Rica prepares youth for careers in sustainable development.

In the afternoon, visit a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center. Learn about threats to regional wildlife and participate in preparing food according to each of the animals’ diets and creating toys that support mental stimulation.

Hike in the El Silencio Reserve, exploring trails shaped by volcanic activity with views of Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal.

Later, participate in a farm-to-table cooking experience, learning about Costa Rican food traditions, agriculture, and the role of local ingredients in sustainable food systems.

Travel into the Children’s Eternal Rainforest, one of the largest private reserves in Costa Rica and a globally recognized model for conservation funded by youth and communities around the world.

Engage in guided learning focused on rainforest ecology, biodiversity corridors, and the long-term vision behind protecting land for future generations. Participate in tree planting and restoration efforts, contributing directly to reforestation projects that support habitat connectivity and climate resilience.

Return to Liberia and begin the journey home.