

COSTA RICA
JAGUAR CONSERVATION PROJECT
A 21-Day Wildlife Conservation Program






Costa Rica

Program Details
Dates: | June 19 – July 9, 2021 Current Waitlist |
Duration: | 21 days |
Tuition: | $4,395 |
Arrive: | San Jose, CR* |
Depart: | San Jose, CR* |
Grade: | 9th, 10th, 11th & 12th (Students Grouped According to Age) |
*Optional Leader Escorted Flight from Miami
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Program Highlights
- Assist Scientists with Jaguar Research in the Rainforests of the Osa Peninsula
- Zipline Through the Treetops of the Monteverde Cloud Forest
- Work Alongside Biologists Patrolling Beaches During a Sea Turtle Conservation Project
- Explore the Beautiful Manuel Antonio National Park
- Help Cloud Forest Researchers Tag and Release Tropical Songbirds
- Snorkel Through Vibrant Coral Reefs and Watch for Humpback Whales at Isla del Caño
- Look For Rarely-Seen Nocturnal Animals During a Guided Rainforest Night Hike
- 30 Hours of Community Service
Spotlight Community Service Project
Jaguar Monitoring and Research in Corcovado National Park
Costa Rica is home to many beautiful national parks, but Corcovado on the Osa Peninsula is one of the country’s most pristine. Barely disturbed by human presence, Cocorvado is home to many endangered animals, including jaguars, ocelots, and tapirs. Here we work on a wildlife monitoring project led by local researchers who are committed to protecting jaguars and their rainforest home. We meet with a former hunter who shows us the tracking skills he now uses to find rare animals for conservation purposes instead of for food. During our time here we learn how to monitor and estimate jaguar populations and we help biologists set up and check motion cameras for footage of these iconic felines. The data we collect will help scientists create better conservation and management practices that benefit the unique animals that call this jungle home.
Program Overview
Wildlife Conservation and Research
Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world; in fact, you can find nearly five percent of all known plant and animal species in its world-famous national parks and wildlife refuges. This three-week program is perfect for students who want to learn more about the environment and interact with the marine and land animals of this eco-friendly nation. During this wildlife adventure, we visit some of Costa Rica’s most iconic regions, ranging from breathtaking cloud forests to pristine beaches to lush rainforests. We assist local park rangers, scientists, and conservation experts who are committed to protecting the wildlife of this beautiful country and enjoy adventures such as ziplining, snorkeling, and waterfall hikes.
Photo Gallery
Program Details
San Jose and Poás Volcano
Our Costa Rican wildlife adventure begins in the capital city of San Jose with an engaging orientation to Costa Rican culture. Here we adjust to “Tico time” and taste our first local fare, before venturing off on a day trip to the active Poás Volcano, one of the country’s hottest spots (literally).
Monteverde Cloud Forest
The higher elevations and cooler temperatures of the northern mountains create Costa Rica’s famed cloud forests, home to thousands of animals and plants found nowhere else in the world. We visit the Monteverde Institute to learn about local conservation projects in the area, before taking to the skies to get a bird’s-eye view of the rainforest canopy through a series of suspension bridges and ziplines. We make sure to keep our eyes peeled for Howler monkeys, toucans, blue morpho butterflies, and resplendent quetzals as we soar over the misty forests below.
Nicoya Peninsula
Work with a local non-profit organization to help protect endangered sea turtles. By day we learn about sea turtle ecology, help monitor the turtle nursery, and enjoy plentiful beach time with our group. At night we patrol the nesting beach to collect monitoring data on sea turtles and protect recently-laid eggs; the turtles only nest at night so we work on their schedule. Though the numbers of sea turtles are dwindling, we may be lucky enough to see turtles nesting along the beach or help newborn hatchlings safely reach the ocean.
Manuel Antonio National Park
The Pacific coast hosts many vibrant surf towns, including Quepos and Manuel Antonio, and Manuel Antonio National Park, where the jungle meets the sea. This park is one of the country’s best places to see capuchin and squirrel monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and parrots, and the calm waters around the park are full of colorful coral reefs rich with marine life.
Osa Peninsula and Corcovado National Park
Our spotlight project takes us south to the Osa Peninsula, where we find the country’s most breathtaking scenery and most abundant wildlife. We settle into our new home at a biological research station and meet the local staff of researchers and local guides. Over the next week our days are packed with exciting activities: jaguar and bat research, humpback whale watching tours, jungle night hikes, snorkeling among manta rays and sea turtles at Cano Island, and hikes to refreshing hidden waterfalls! We even have an opportunity to try our hand at creating traditional Costa Rican dishes in a tropical cooking class.
San Jose Closing Celebration
After three weeks of working, playing, learning and laughing, we conclude our program in San Jose with a final celebratory meal. We reflect on our time together and all that we have experienced as we depart this beautiful country, ready to share our experiences with family and friends back home.
Program Reviews
“My son came home feeling more empowered, and that he had really contributed to something worthwhile. He loved the teaching, and helping the family dig the trench. He was very impressed with their work ethic, and I think he learned a lot from that. Thank you for being the highlight of my son’s summer.”
— Parent of Wesley M., San Rafael, CA“It was a very positive growth experience for Laura! I/we feel that the has become more confident and independent; the sense of accomplishment from having done the trip is something that I think makes her proud. When she stepped off the plane, she already seemed older!”
— Parent of Laura V., S. Burlington, VT“She had an amazing trip and it helped her see how fortunate she is and recognized the needs of others. She formed close friendships with the group.”
— Parent of Margaret M., Atlanta, GA“You can tell ARCC has been around for years by how well I was prepared for my trip and how well my guides knew the area.”
— Andrew C., Greenbrae, CA, ARCC Student“Tristan thrived during his first experience away from home. He felt comfortable and safe with the leaders and the group. He was challenged and stimulated by the program. He learned a lot about Costa Rican culture, enjoyed meeting Costa Rican people, felt good about helping with the community service projects, and had a lot of fun rafting and surfing.”
— Parent of Tristan S., Germantown, NY
Common Questions
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. Please click here to view the Costa Rica: Wildlife Conservation packing list.
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 (80’s-90’s). 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 becomes cooler (in the 50’s at night).
What are the service projects like?
The specific service projects that each group will work on depend on the needs of the organizations at the time that the groups are there. Possibilities include: constructing and making improvements to wildlife habitats; environmental education and village clean-up; and assisting in a sea-turtle recovery project.
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 simple hotels, rustic lodges.
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. It does help if we are informed of this prior to departure date.
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 Colon, 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 Mountain Time. Therefore, on your program the time will be 2 hours earlier than in New York (Eastern Time) and 1 hour later than in San Francisco (Pacific Time).
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 approximately 4,500-5,000 cubic inches or 70-75 liters, and 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.
You will also need to pack an EMPTY small duffel bag inside your main piece of luggage. When you get to Costa Rica, you will use this duffel bag to store certain items that you will not use during specific sections of your program.
Do I need to speak Spanish to join this program?
No. English is widely spoken in Costa Rica and your leaders and local guides will speak both English and Spanish.
What kinds of goods and supplies can we bring to donate for the people we meet?
We have the chance to live amongst some needy people who have the very basics for survival. With education being a tool to better their lives, basic school supplies are welcomed with open arms. Pens, pencils, notepads, calculators and books are widely accepted. Soccer balls are also an incredible way to cross the cultural border and share smiles. Because of limited space on our vehicles ARCC would ask that every person to bring no more than a gym of bag of goods to donate.
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19800 Village Office Ct.
Suite 200
Bend, OR 97702
(415) 332-5075
Email ARCC
Contact Us
19800 Village Office Ct.
Suite 200
Bend, Oregon 97702
(415) 332-5075
Email ARCC