Costa Rica

Protecting Rainforest Wildlife

$5,595

Tuition

*Airfare for group flight from Miami additional

18 days

Trip duration

9th – 12th

Grades

18 days

Jun 25 - Jul 12, 2025

Miami, FL

Arrival & Departure

$5,595

Tuition

18 days

Trip duration

Jun 25 - Jul 12, 2025

9th – 12th

Grades

*Airfare for group flight from Miami additional

Overview

Explore an 18-day adventure in Costa Rica, a global leader in biodiversity, for high school students passionate about wildlife conservation. This program provides hands-on experience in one of the world’s most ecologically rich countries. Assist scientists at the Monteverde Institute, protect endangered sea turtles, and volunteer at a wildlife rehabilitation center. Explore the rainforest on a nocturnal hike, contribute to reforestation for migratory birds, and zipline through the cloud forest canopy. With 20 hours of service learning, this adventure blends environmental stewardship with cultural immersion, equipping you with skills in conservation and global citizenship. Dive into Costa Rica’s natural wonders and develop a deep, lasting connection to the environment.

Highlights

Protect Endangered Sea Turtle and Their Vulnerable Nesting Sites
Assist Scientists with Conservation Projects at the Renowned Monteverde Institute
Volunteer at a Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Helping Native Animals
Look For Rarely-Seen Nocturnal Animals During a Guided Rainforest Night Hike
Help with Reforestation Projects to Restore the Habitat of Migratory Tropical Birds
Interact With Unique Wildlife Like Sloths, Monkeys, Toucans, Lizards and More
Zipline Through the Rainforest on a Cloud Forest Canopy Tour
20 Hours of Conservation Service Learning

Get the itinerary

Want to learn more about traveling with ARCC or have more questions about this program?

Schedule a Call with Brent Anderson

Protect Endangered Sea Turtles

Join dedicated conservationists in protecting endangered sea turtles by monitoring nesting sites and assisting with the care of newly hatched turtles. We actively participate in tracking and safeguarding nests, ensuring that these vulnerable creatures have the best chance of survival. Working alongside experts, we gain practical experience in marine conservation and make a significant impact on the preservation of sea turtles. This hands-on involvement not only contributes to crucial conservation efforts but also offers a deep, meaningful connection to the protection of these incredible species.

Sea Turtles

Monteverde Research Institute

Dive into hands-on conservation work at the Monteverde Institute, a leading center for environmental research and education. Assist scientists with critical projects aimed at preserving Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity. Activities may include field research, data collection, and habitat monitoring, providing you with valuable experience in conservation science. Working alongside experts, we gain insights into innovative approaches to environmental protection and contribute directly to efforts that sustain the region’s unique ecosystems. This opportunity offers an immersive experience in conservation and fosters a deeper understanding of the scientific efforts behind preserving Costa Rica’s natural treasures.

Wildlife

Service

Zipline Through the Cloud Forest

Feel the rush of excitement as you zipline through Costa Rica’s breathtaking cloud forest canopy. Soar above the lush rainforest, taking in stunning aerial views of the vibrant ecosystem below. This thrilling adventure provides a unique perspective on the forest’s rich biodiversity and dramatic landscapes. As you glide from platform to platform, we experience the exhilarating beauty of the cloud forest, making unforgettable memories while appreciating the ecological wonders of one of Costa Rica’s most iconic natural environments.

Adventure

Rainforest

Common Questions

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Is the cost of airfare separate from program tuition?

All food, lodging, transportation, and activities are paid for with your trip tuition. Group airfare is additional and the cost depends on the program.

In order to be sure there are enough seats available on international group flights, ARCC books the international tickets in advance and families are invoiced for the cost of the international airfare.

Families are also responsible for booking flights or arranging transportation for students to meet their leaders and other group members at the program’s arrival airport. The leaders and students then fly internationally together as a group.

What should I pack?

Each program has a specific packing list that has been designed to fit the program’s activities, length, climate, and cultural differences. You will receive this packing list in the comprehensive Welcome Packet that is sent to all students after they enroll in a program.

What is the weather like in Costa Rica?

In Costa Rica, the weather is a lot like Florida in the summer time. During the day it can be hot, sunny, and humid in the 80’s-90’s (26.6°-32.2°C). Late afternoons often bring showers, which will cool us off. Some days you will go to bed with only a simple cover as it is often warm enough to sleep without your sleeping bag. When we ascend into the high-elevation rainforest and cloud forest, the temperature cools to the 50’s (10°C) at night.

What kind of health precautions should I take before traveling on this program?

Costa Rica is a relatively clean and safe place to travel. However, ARCC does recommend that you take some health precautions before your program. When you enroll in the program, you will receive more complete information on pertinent travel vaccinations and immunizations. Please also refer to the Traveler’s Health section of the CDC website. Our leaders carry a full first-aid kit and are all certified Wilderness First Responders (WFR).

Where will we sleep?

During this program, we sleep in a variety of accommodations: small hotels, community houses, and jungle ecolodges.

What is the transportation like once we are in Costa Rica?

Typically we will take a private 20-person shuttle from place to place. We also take a short ferry ride during the turtle project portion of our program.

What is the food like?

On this program, you will experience typical Costa Rican fare – rice and beans. This staple is supplemented with a delicious assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables. The group will also be creating the menu and preparing the meals during some sections of the program.

Vegetarians and medical dietary requirements (i.e. allergies) are catered for. Students should inform ARCC of any dietary needs before the start of the program.

How much spending money should I bring?

We suggest you bring about $75 per week on your program. This is for souvenirs, laundry, and other incidentals. ARCC pays for all meals, lodging, transportation, and activities. There is some time to shop for souvenirs in San Jose and elsewhere during the program. We recommend you bring some of your money in cash and the rest on an ATM card.

In Costa Rica, the official currency is the colón, but US dollars are widely accepted. We suggest that you carry about $25 of your money in small denominations (1’s and 5’s). Visa and MasterCard are also widely accepted. We do not recommend Traveler’s checks. ATM’s are found in San Jose, but are limited outside the city.

As with any international program, we strongly recommend talking to your bank about its international withdrawal policies to avoid any surprise fees or card cancellations.

Do I need a passport?

Yes, all students traveling to Costa Rica need to have a valid passport. Please make sure the passport expiration date is at least six months after your program start date.

Be sure to make a photocopy of your passport and keep it in a separate place. If you lose your passport and you have a photocopy, it is much easier to replace.

Do I need a visa?

No. US and Canadian Citizens do not need a visa for this program.

What is the time difference between Costa Rica and the USA?

During the summer, Costa Rica is on Central Standard Time (Mountain Time during DST). Therefore, on your program the time will be 2 hours earlier than the US East Coast, 1 hour earlier than Central, and 1 hour later than the US West Coast.

How often can we take showers and do laundry?

Students are taught how to hand wash their clothes by their leaders, and will have the opportunity to do so throughout the program. Due to the remote locations we travel to, students do as the locals do, and use the warm Costa Rican sun to line dry their clothes. For ease of travel, quick dry clothes are recommended on the packing list.

Do I really need to bring a backpack, or can I bring a rolling suitcase on this program?

You will want to bring two pieces of luggage: your main bag and a daypack. Your main bag should be a backpack, travel backpack or large duffel bag. This larger piece of luggage should be able to hold everything on your Clothing & Equipment List. The daypack should be large enough to hold an extra layer of clothing, a water bottle, sunscreen, some snacks, etc. Some travel backpacks come with an attached daypack that you can zip off and use. Otherwise, your school backpack is a good option. When you travel, you should plan to check your large piece of luggage and bring the daypack on the plane as your carry-on. Please keep in mind that while you will not be doing traditional backpacking on this program, the group will be navigating through airports, on and off buses, up and down stairways, and taking short hikes on unpaved paths. The group will be able to move much more efficiently if everyone is carrying their belongings on their back.