TURTLE CONSERVATION PROJECT - High School Summer Programs (800) 321-4353

Living and working on the spectacular Punta Judas beach, Rustic Pathways students contribute to the protection and survival of the endangered Lora Sea Turtles. A Window Into China

Prepare by Day for Turtles at Night
During the morning, Rustic Pathways students work on the beach, clearing away plants so that turtles have a place to lay their eggs. Students also help design and construct a hatchery for the eggs and build environmentally friendly containment units for the baby turtles. The construction of the hatchery consists of fencing off an area, digging and sifting through the sand, clearing out driftwood, and making grids for the new turtle nests. On some mornings, students visit a nearby town and contribute to upgrading facilities at a local elementary school. At night, students patrol for turtle nests, and sometimes find huge 140- pound mother turtles in the midst of laying their eggs. Upon locating a nest, students carefully transport the eggs to the hatchery where they learn to mark the location and establishment time of the nest. With the help and protection provided by our volunteers, 95% of these eggs hatch into healthy baby turtles and head out to sea.

Beyond the Turtles
In addition to working on the turtle project, students can play Frisbee, volleyball, soccer, swim in the warm waters of a nearby protected lagoon, and relax with a book in one of the many hammocks at the bunk house. There is a day of exciting optional activities, including a zip-line canopy tour through the rainforest and a surf lesson in the Pacific Ocean.

Living on the Beach
The accommodation is a large, rustic bunkhouse that stands only a few steps away from the beach. With an open-air lounge and plenty of hammocks, it is the perfect place to hang out after a night of turtle patrolling. Each student has their own bunk on the top floor of the house. Students and park rangers share meals in the adjoining kitchen and lounge area – the perfect spot to take in brilliant Pacific sunsets and cool ocean breezes!

Turtle Students
This program is designed for students with an interest in animal and marine research who are not afraid to get their hands dirty and work hard while living in a rustic environment. The program is a unique summer travel experience that offers participants the chance to contribute to a worthwhile conservation initiative. Full participation in this program will earn students up to 32 community service hours.

Special Note for Turtle Students
Though this program runs through the height of the turtle season at Punta Judas, we cannot guarantee that every student will see a Lora Sea Turtle. However, we can ensure that every participant will make a significant contribution to the conservation of this endangered species.

Day 1 (Tuesday) Depart United States for San Jose, Costa Rica
Upon arrival at the San Jose airport you will be greeted by your Rustic Pathways Staff. From here you will head over to the hostel rented out by Rustic Pathways where you will meet the other students on your trip and spend your first night. Good luck and enjoy your stay in beautiful Costa Rica!

Day 2 (Wednesday) Welcome to Punta Judas!
Wake up at 6:30 am for a light breakfast before departing for Punta Judas beach and National Wildlife Refuge. Get settled into the rustic and beautiful volunteer quarters situated right on the beach. This afternoon, students will begin to get to know each other and prepare for the week’s community service projects with the support and assistance of the National Park rangers. Be ready to start your experience with a night patrol along the beach looking for turtles

Day 3-7 (Thursday-Monday) Service and Fun with the Turtles
Days at the service project involve waking up early for breakfast at the base house on the beach, and setting off for one of the day’s service projects which could include work in the turtle hatcheries or beach clean ups (both physically demanding tasks). Occasionally, students will visit the nearby town and help upgrade the facilities at the local elementary school. In the afternoon, play soccer on the beach, go on a zipline adventure, or take surf lessons on the world famous beach of Jaco. At night, students will patrol the beach for turtle nests and transport eggs to the hatchery, aiding in the conservation of this beautiful species.

Day 8 (Tuesday) Back to San Jose
Wake up for your last morning at the base. Say good bye to the park rangers and depart for San Jose for a final dinner with your group and a good night’s rest.

Day 9 (Wednesday) Homeward bound or off to new adventures
It’s time to say ‘Adios’ to Costa Rica and head home or on to another exciting Rustic Pathways adventure!

*** SPECIAL NOTE 1: The National Park we will visit does experience substantial rainfall due to the rainy season. The rain does not slow us down so please come prepared. This program involves working hard and getting dirty – one of the more gratifying aspects of the trip for most students. We expect everyone to arrive excited to work and play in this beautiful location while at the same time learning about the turtle conservation projects that are taking place in Costa Rica.***

*** SPECIAL NOTE 2: The itinerary described above is typical but not set in stone. Work and optional activities vary depending upon the needs of the National Parks we work with. This itinerary is designed to give you a good, general idea of the day to day schedule and activities on this program but may be changed during the summer as staff see fit.***

1 - How long is the flight to this country?
1A – Direct flight from Newark to San Jose takes approximately 5.5 hours.
Direct flight from Houston to San Jose takes approximately 3.5 to 4 hours.

2 - Will there be a flight leader to this country?
2A – Yes. All flights between Costa Rica and the USA will have a flight leader starting in both Newark and Houston. Return flights to the USA will also have a flight leader as far as Newark and Houston. Flights between Costa Rica and Peru will not be escorted.

3 - Do we need to get visas for this program?
3A – Students from the United States and Canada will be issued a 90 day tourist visa on entry into Costa Rica. Students from other countries should check with their consulate.

4 - What immunizations do we need to get for this trip?
4A – See CDC or WHO websites.

5 – What Costa Rican province(s) does this program pass through?
5A – Students will remain in the Puntarenas region and will stay in San Jose for a very short period of time.

6 - How does this program connect to other programs?
6A – On Tuesday afternoon students will depart from Punta Judas for San Jose. They will have a final dinner en route then sleep in a hostel rented out for Rustic Pathways students in San Jose. Wednesday morning students will take off with their new group for their new program.

7 – How long is the drive from San Jose to this program?
7A – The national park base where the students will stay during their program is located a 2 hour drive away from San Jose 20 minutes south of the town of Jaco.

8 - Is this a good program for students interested in practicing their Spanish?
8A – This program focuses on the conservation of the turtles and there will not be a significant amount of immersion into a Spanish speaking environment. However, students will get a chance to work with local communities and Tico park rangers where they will be able to practice their Spanish skills.

9 - What costs are not included on this trip?
9A – Optional adventure activities will be offered during this program. These activities are as follows: surf lessons ($45), mountain biking ($35-$45), zip-lining ($55).

10 - What kind of food will we be eating? Where?
10A – Students and park staff share meals in the adjoined kitchen and lounge area. Most meals are prepared by a local cook, who prepares traditional Costa Rican meals which consist primarily of rice, beans and meat dishes. Breakfast normally consists of fruits, toast or “gallo pinto” the typical rice and beans breakfast mixture. During their day trip to Jaco students will get the chance to savor the cuisine of a popular eatery in the center of town.

11 - Will the kids be drinking bottled water?
11A – While at the ranger station students will drink bottled water provided by the park rangers. Students will be able to refill their water bottles when necessary. When in towns students will be able to drink the tap water.

12 - What will the accommodation on this trip be like?
12A – Students will be staying in a large, rustic bunkhouse that stands only a few steps away from the beach. Each student has their own bunk and is provided with sheets, pillows, covers and a mosquito net. It is important to note that occasionally there are non-Rustic Pathways volunteers that work with the park rangers and stay in the house as well. However, guides ensure that this does not affect the quality of the program.

13 - How many girls and boys are usually on this trip?
13A – There are typically more girls than boys however the exact numbers vary from week to week.

14 - How often (if at all) will students be able to do laundry on this program and what will it cost?
14A – Students will not be able to do laundry on this program so they should pack sufficient clothes for 1 week. Many students avoid over-packing by designating work/play clothes and rest clothes. At the end of their program those that will be connecting to another program will have access to another laundry service in San Jose which costs $5-$10 per load.