Costa Rica Sea Turtle Studies 

Map

If only we could navigate around like sea turtles, using the Earth’s magnetic field to determine longitude and latitude. Fortunately for you, we’ve created this map to make getting around Costa Rica a little easier. Follow it to Tortuguero, a remote beach on northern coast, to discover the largest green turtle nesting site in the Western Hemisphere. But first, head north from San Jose for an adrenaline-soaked rafting trip on the Sarapiqui River.

Now guide your eyes south across the map. Look past the lush mountains and volcanoes in the center range, past tropical Turrialba and 12,000-foot Mt. Chiripó, and zero in on Drake Bay and Corcovado National Park in the Osa Peninsula. This area, which looks like a hangnail on the southern Pacific coast, is quite possibly Costa Rica’s most bountiful and diverse. Spend 6 days exploring, snorkeling and hiking. Listen for howler monkeys and keep your eyes peeled for red macaw.

Plant
“This trip was an epic quest of nature conservation and friends who share the same interests as you.” — Margo Ward, Lake Forest, IL

Before you navigate back to the airport in San Jose and ultimately back home, take a moment to reflect upon how much you’ve learned about sea turtles and how far your work here will go toward ensuring their future survival. The weight of your contributions will guide you forward.

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Costa Rica

Get to the core of Costa Rica and yourself, one sea turtle at-a-time.

Here’s the lay of the land: a big city in the middle, national parks all around, nesting sea turtles, beaches, mountains, volcanoes and more.

Marine science sea turtle academic camp in Costa Rica

Drake Bay
Discover tide pools, waterfalls, and lush rainforest, as well as pods of dolphins and breaching whales just offshore.

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San Jose
In Costa Rica’s bustling capital, experience foodie haunts, museums, colorful markets and fully alive Tico culture.

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Sarapiqui
Running from the Central Mountain Range to the Nicaragua border, this scenic river is a popular rafting spot.

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Tortuguero
The green turtle, hawksbill, loggerhead and leatherback all make nests here. Make yours on the beach and dig in.

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