WildeHatch
Sea Turtle Conservation Experience in Costa Rica
Join a Wilde Tracks Collaboration mission on the remote shores of Costa Rica, where conservation, community and incredible biodiversity come together. Spend 7 days or longer alongside a passionate team working to protect endangered sea turtles and support local conservation initiatives.
See what it is like to join this conservation mission! --> VIDEO
Based next to the world-renowned Corcovado National Park, you’ll live at a research base surrounded by rainforest, beaches and abundant wildlife. From waking to the calls of howler monkeys to spotting tropical birds and even the occasional tapir, every day brings you closer to Costa Rica’s remarkable natural environment.
Your time will focus on sea turtle conservation, including beach patrols, nesting turtle monitoring, protected hatchery work, data collection and hatchling releases. You’ll also have the opportunity to support local communities through environmental education, beach clean-ups and recycling initiatives.
Life at the research base is communal and hands-on. You’ll stay in shared same-sex accommodation and contribute to the day-to-day running of the base, including helping with cooking, cleaning and general upkeep.
This is a genuine conservation mission for those who want to get involved, learn from local teams and contribute to meaningful work in one of Costa Rica’s most biodiverse regions.
Location
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a country of incredible wildlife, vibrant culture and breathtaking landscapes, from lush rainforests and misty cloud forests to tropical beaches and volcanic mountains. Home to an extraordinary variety of species, including sloths, monkeys, toucans, sea turtles, tapirs and hundreds of bird species, it is one of the world’s leading destinations for wildlife and conservation. With a tropical climate, rich traditions and a strong commitment to environmental protection, Costa Rica offers a unique combination of nature, conservation, culture and adventure. From the protected wilderness of Corcovado National Park to its diverse marine and rainforest ecosystems, there is something remarkable around every corner.
conservation activities
Take part in meaningful conservation work focused on protecting Costa Rica’s endangered sea turtles and the ecosystems they depend on. Working alongside the local conservation team, activities may include:
Sea turtle monitoring - Join day and night beach patrols to monitor nesting activity and identify nesting turtles.
Nest protection - Assist with the careful transfer of vulnerable sea turtle eggs to a protected hatchery.
Turtle health checks - Support basic wellness assessments, including recording body condition, identification and other observations.
Data collection - Record nesting activity, egg numbers, turtle measurements and other important information that contributes to ongoing research.
Hatchling releases - Assist with the release of young turtles and collect growth and size data to support conservation monitoring.
Beach conservation - Participate in beach clean-ups and local recycling initiatives to help protect important coastal habitat.
Community education - Support environmental education activities with local children, focusing on sea turtles, conservation, recycling and the importance of protecting Costa Rica’s natural environment.
your costa rican home
Accommodation
Stay on site in shared accommodation, just down from the beach where conservation patrols take place day and night. The relaxed, communal setting gives you the chance to slow down, enjoy time in the garden or on the beach, and experience daily life alongside the local community.
Bordering the incredible Corcovado National Park, the area is surrounded by nature and wildlife. Monkeys, colourful birds, tapirs and other wildlife can be regular visitors, making the natural environment part of everyday life.
Accommodation has a genuine back-to-nature feel, with shared spaces and a strong communal atmosphere. Everyone contributes to the running of the base, helping with everyday responsibilities and creating a friendly, team-focused environment.
Available Missions
We Can't Wait To Welcome You
Next Mission
Available July to April (turtle season)
Begins Mondays with 1 week minimum stay
Longer stays encouraged!
Who Can Join
Open to anyone 18 years and older with a passion for conservation, no qualifications required
Open to any gender
Open to young conservationists 12 years and older with an accompanying guardian
Inclusions + exclusions
What's included
Accommodation
Shared accommodation at the research base on the beach
Full Board
All meals and non alcoholic drinks
Transfers
Including airport pick-up and drop-off from Puerto Jiminez Airport
Conservation Work
Monitoring nesting sites, relocating eggs to hatcheries, conducting nest inventories, tagging nesting females, guiding hatchlings to the sea, maintaining hatcheries, and educating local communities
All Activities
Relocating eggs to hatcheries, monitoring nesting females, tagging turtles, night & morning beach patrols for nests, conducting nest inventories, guiding hatchlings to sea.
Guides
Qualified English-speaking professionals
What's not included
Flights
International flight to San Jose Airport (SJO) and domestic flight or transport to the Osa Peninsula
Health/Travel Insurance
Mandatory
Tourist Visa
If applicable
Alcohol & Souvenirs
Conservation Contribution
Ready to Join Us?
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.
Find Out More
Want to learn more before booking your Wilde Tracks mission?
📧 Email us: info@wildetracks.com
📸 See the experience in action: Follow @wildetracks on Instagram for footage from past missions, conservation work and behind-the-scenes moments.
💬 Have a question? Send us an email or DM on Instagram, or use the “Ask a Question” button at the top of this page - our team is happy to help.
Real Experiences. Real Travellers. Real Reviews.
Don’t just take our word for it - hear directly from the travellers who have joined Wilde Tracks missions around the world.
From hands-on conservation work and unforgettable wildlife encounters to meaningful connections with local communities, our guests share what it’s really like to travel with purpose.
⭐ 5.0/5 on Tripadvisor
⭐ 34 five-star reviews
⭐ Travellers’ Choice recognised
Read their stories, see what they experienced and discover why so many of our guests are already planning their next Wilde Tracks adventure.
Photo gallery
Wilde Tracks
Wilde Tracks is a conservation organisation with a different approach to funding wildlife protection: our conservation work is funded through travel.
We work alongside wildlife veterinarians, conservation organisations, reserves, researchers and local communities around the world, helping fund vital work including veterinary interventions, wildlife monitoring and tracking, anti-poaching initiatives, research, habitat protection and community-led conservation.
Rather than relying on donations or traditional fundraising, the people who travel with Wilde Tracks help make this work possible. The money generated through our trips directly contributes to the conservation projects our guests may be part of, while also supporting important work continuing behind the scenes.