Turtle Tour Costa Rica

Turtle tour through Costa Rica and Panama

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Tour information
With its bustling cities, pristine coastlines and a vast array of wildlife, Costa Rica has developed a reputation as a first-class travel destination and this tour will show you why. Starting in San Jose, the country's bustling capital, you will just have time to enjoy the vast array of entertainments including restaurants, theatres, bars and nightclubs before being whisked off to Gandoca where you will begin work at one of the country's world-renowned turtle conservation projects. Needless to say, you will find yourself surrounded by pristine beaches and stunning coastal views for the entirety of your stay. Then it's off to the beautiful coasts of Panama where you will have time to relax and enjoy the tropical climate. Next you'll be whisked off to San San Pond, one of the country's most important marine environments, where you will start work at a local turtle and manatee project. Both of these extraordinary marine creatures are in serious danger of extinction and without the help of conservation programs across the world would probably have passed into memory long before now. Finally you will leave for Puerto Viejo where you will have a chance to enjoy the local music scene in true style.

Why go on this placement:
This trip enables you to combine volunteering with a bit of sight seeing. Over the 21 day trip you will get a chance to try your hand at two important turtle conservation projects. You will also have the opportunity to enjoy "la pura vida" (the pure life) in the very relaxed and laid back Caribbean coast of Costa Rica and Panama.

What kind of skills you need to go on this type of placement:
You need to be physically fit to walk long distances (about 6km per turtle patrol) and the ability to swim, but above all you need the desire to help and get involved with conservation work.

Your role as a volunteer:
You will get involved in a number of different volunteer activities during the trip. Your role will be to get as involved as possible, helping the projects to protect leatherback turtles and manatees. Your volunteering will be for the majority of time to give you a good insight into conservation work protecting a turtle species that is almost extinct, as well as the unique opportunity to work in a manatee monitoring program.

Where the placement is based:
This tour moves around the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica and Panama. Staying in Gandoca (CR) and San San Pond (Panama) and visiting Bocas del Toro (Panama) and Puerto Viejo(Costa Rica).

This is a small group tour with a minimum of 4 and maximum of 15 individuals on each date. Note: This itinerary is subject to changes due to circumstances beyond our control.

Please book your flight to arrive into San Jose Costa Rica (airport code SJO) on the advertised arrival date to ensure your airport pickup. Please note that you should book your return flight to leave from San Jose as well.

What's included / not included:

Included:

Airport pickup / Orientation
3 weeks accommodation
All meals while at project
Other meals as per itinerary
Tour transport as per destinations on the itinerary
Tour guide and tours / excursions as per the itinerary

Not included:

Flights, visas and departure tax
Excursions not described as included above
Meals not included above
Vaccinations and travel insurance
Tipping
Items of a personal nature (drinks, gifts, photos etc.)
Return transfer to the airport

• Beautiful coasts of Panama.
• Gandoca Turtle Conservation Project
• San San Pond - Marine Park
• Bustling City of Costa Rica.

Day 1 Sunday: Alajuela Airport pickup / Hostel

Day 2 Alajuela and San Jose - Orientation and Sightseeing in San Jose

Day 3 to 9 Gandoca - Volunteer at project working with leatherback turtles.

Day 10 to 11 Bocas del Toroa - Travel to Panama and stay in Bocas del Toro at a hostel for two nights. Accommodation and breakfast included, additional tours and meals not included.

Day 12 to19 Volunteer at project working with leatherback turtles and manatees.

Day 20 Travel back to Costa Rica and stay in Puerto Viejo at a hostel for one night. Visit a local bar for Reggae Night. Accommodation and breakfast included, additional tours and meals not included.

Day 21 Final Day. Arrive back in Alajuela. Accommodation and farewell dinner organized at the hostel