Sea Turtle Conservation Experience in Costa Rica

Protect, Learn, Explore - Join For 7 Days or Longer!

Join a Wilde Tracks Collaboration passionate team of conservation experts on the stunning shores of Costa Rica and take part in meaningful efforts to protect endangered sea turtles and support local communities.

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You’ll be staying in shared same-sex rooms and contributing to the community atmosphere of the research base, where daily life is as much a part of the experience as the conservation work. Everyone pitches in—you’ll help with shared cooking (once a week when the local cook takes a well-earned day off), as well as cleaning, tidying, and general upkeep of the space. Take pride in your Costa Rican home-away-from-home and be part of a team that truly lives its mission.

Nestled in nature right next to the world-renowned Corcovado National Park, you'll be surrounded by wildlife every day. It’s not uncommon to wake up to the calls of howler monkeys, spot multiple species of birds from your doorstep, or even catch a glimpse of a tapir wandering nearby. This unique location offers daily encounters with the incredible biodiversity that makes Costa Rica a conservation hotspot.

🐢 Turtle Conservation Work

• Assist in the transfer of sea turtle eggs to a protected hatchery, safeguarding them from poaching and giving hatchlings the best chance of survival.

• Conduct wellness checks on nesting turtles—monitoring their shell and body condition, behavior, and providing basic aid when needed.

• Help with data collection including identification tagging, nest documentation, egg counts, and more to support long-term research.

• Take part in day and night patrols along the beach, monitoring for nesting activity and ensuring turtle safety.

• Assist in the release of hatchlings—about 45 days after hatching—while recording important growth and size data.

🌍 Community Engagement

• Join educational outreach programs, teaching local children about sea turtles, environmental conservation, English, and recycling.

• Participate in beach clean-ups and support local recycling initiatives to help preserve the region’s natural beauty.

🐾 Open To

• Anyone With A Passion For Conservation

🔍 Available Trips

• Available July to April

• Start date depends on trip length - Turtle Conservation portion begins Mondays

• Longer weeks encouraged!

📩 Booking Information

If “Book Now” is available:

• Click the Book Now button to secure your place on the mission. Select the departure date and the applicable package.

• A deposit is required to confirm your spot - spaces are limited and cannot be held without payment

• The remaining balance is split into three instalments, with final payment due 90 days prior to departure

• If booking within 90 days of departure, full payment is required at the time of booking

• Once your deposit (or full payment) is received, you’ll be sent a detailed information pack covering everything you need to know - including program details, travel guidance, what to expect, and a packing list

If “Book Now” is not available:

• This mission may have specific requirements, offers multiple departure dates, or has alternative mission lengths available

• Click Ask A Question and complete your details to register your interest

• A Wilde Tracks team member will contact you via email

• If you don’t hear from us within 3 business days, please email info@wildetracks.com

• No payment is required to register your interest

• Our team will help guide you through the best options available for you

Some of our trips require a minimum number of participants to run. In the unlikely event the minimum isn’t met, we’ll let you know no later than 60 days before departure. If you haven’t heard from us by then, your trip is good to go. To keep things flexible, we recommend booking your flight after this point or choosing a flexible ticket.

📧 Questions & Private Groups

• Email info@wildetracks.com with any questions

• Private group bookings available on request

We can’t wait for you to be part of this mission. If you have any questions at all, just reach out — we’re here to help every step of the way.

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Arrive at Puerto Jiménez Airport on the Osa Peninsula and you'll be met by your local program coordinator and transferred by 4x4 along rugged jungle roads to the conservation site at Playa Carate, a remote beach nestled between the rainforest and the Pacific Ocean.

Upon arrival, you'll settle into your eco-accommodation, meet the rest of the team, and enjoy a welcome dinner while getting your first taste of life by the sea.

As the sun sets, the sound of crashing waves and calls of howler monkeys will mark the beginning of your unforgettable conservation adventure.

Your first full day begins with an orientation session where you’ll learn about the goals of the conservation project, daily responsibilities, and safety protocols.

You'll receive training on proper turtle handling, data collection methods, and hatchery operations.

Over the following days, you’ll dive into hands-on conservation work. Morning shifts often include beach clean-ups, hatchery maintenance, and wellness checks on nesting turtles - monitoring shell condition, behavior, and providing basic care when needed. In the afternoons, you may take part in educational outreach programs with local children, teaching them about environmental stewardship, English, and recycling.

As the sun sets, you’ll prepare for night patrols along the beach, walking beneath the stars to monitor nesting activity, collect data, relocate eggs to the hatchery, and, if you're lucky, witness a mother turtle laying her eggs.

When hatchlings are ready - usually around 45 days old - you’ll help measure and record their size before releasing them into the ocean at dawn.

In between conservation tasks, there’s time to relax on the beach, visit nearby eco-lodges, and connect with fellow volunteers.

Each day offers a balance of meaningful work, cultural exchange, and immersion in the natural rhythms of Costa Rica’s wild coast.

As your final day begins, take a moment to soak in the sights and sounds of Playa Carate one last time - the gentle rhythm of the waves, the calls of scarlet macaws overhead, and the footprints of hatchlings in the sand.

After breakfast, you’ll say goodbye to the conservation team and the beach that has become your temporary home. A 4x4 transfer will take you back through the lush rainforest to Puerto Jiménez.

Though your journey ends here, you leave with unforgettable memories, hands-on conservation experience, and a lasting connection to the sea turtles and the vibrant Costa Rican community you helped protect.