National Geographic Student Expeditions - Costa Rica - High School Student Travel and Community Service Programs

The Expedition

Costa Rica has protected more than a quarter of its land from development, creating a refuge for countless species and ensuring that its cloud forests, steaming volcanoes, and pristine beaches will be around for generations to come. From rain forest to cloud forests to coastal flatlands, discover Costa Rica's incredible biodiversity—and the pioneering ecotourism efforts that help preserve it. Through an On Assignment project of your choice—Photography or Wildlife & Conservation — set out to further investigate and document Costa Rica's stewardship of its diverse ecosystems.

CENTRAL VALLEY
4 days. Our adventure begins in the hills surrounding Costa Rica's capital city of San José with an introduction to the country, its customs, and its ecosystems. Start your day with rice and beans, fresh pineapple, and organic Costa Rican coffee. Stroll through an artisan market and practice your Spanish with locals. Step into a cloud of bright, fluttering wings at the Butterfly Garden, and raft the white-water rapids of the Pacuare River through untouched rain forest. Your next three weeks will be spent in some of the most remote and protected ecosystems of Costa Rica, far from the hustle and bustle of city life.

TORTUGUERO
7 days. The next seven days will find us in the quiet village of Tortuguero, set on the Caribbean coast. Here, participate as a volunteer for the Caribbean Conservation Corporation, the world's longest ongoing sea turtle conservation project. Monitor sea turtle nesting patterns during night hikes on Tortuguero's isolated beaches. Work with local schoolchildren on turtle conservation awareness projects. Explore mangroves on the research station's launch, and keep an eye out for crocodiles and manatees. Kayak through the maze of lagoons and winding rivers that traverse Tortuguero National Park, spotting sloths and monkeys in the trees along the shore.

ARENAL
4 days. Regroup near San José, then head north to Arenal volcano. Stay at the Arenal Observatory Lodge, perched on a ridge that offers a spectacular view of one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Visit the research center, and study volcanology as you hike over old lava flows. Climb Arenal's dormant partner, Cerro Chato. Crawl through caves, bathe in naturally heated hot springs, and cool off under a waterfall's refreshing spray. At night, sit back and watch the eruptions from the deck of the observatory lodge.

SAN LUIS
6 days. Although only 25 kilometers away as the crow flies, the drive from Arenal to San Luis takes three hours. You may opt for the drive, or turn it into an adventure, traveling by boat and horse instead. San Luis is a beautiful, self-sustaining town located on the southern edge of the famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Once a tropical biology research station, the San Luis Ecolodge has now opened its doors to ecotourists eager to explore the cloud forest environment. In-residence naturalists lead us on horseback rides over the rolling hills and on night hikes into the enchanting forests. Researchers share with us their discoveries and help us better understand the cloud forest ecosystem. Visit a local coffee cooperative, and play soccer with the local schoolchildren. Hike to the breathtaking San Luis waterfall. Learn to cook traditional Costa Rican staples such as gallo pinto, tamales, and tortillas. End your stay with a zip-line adventure in the Monteverde Cloud Forest.

Conclude your trip back in the central valley with presentations of each team's On Assignment projects.

GREG MARSHALL is a biologist and filmmaker, and an executive producer for National Geographic Television. Greg invented the Crittercam, a camera that is attached to an animal to capture images of the world through the animal's eyes. The devices have provided valuable insight into the behavior and daily life of more than 40 species, including blue whales, black turtles, and manta rays. The Crittercam has enabled Greg to study and document marine and terrestrial life around the world—from Costa Rica and Kenya to Antarctica. Greg will join us in Tortuguero.

Choose one of these On Assignment projects. Throughout your expedition, break into teams to delve further into your selected area of focus.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Explore Costa Rica's many ecosystems, camera in hand, and create a photo-essay on a theme of your choice. Shoot portraits of local coffee farmers in their fields. Capture images of the majestic sea turtles of Tortuguero or the lava formations of Arenal volcano.

WILDLIFE & CONSERVATION: Investigate the complex interactions of Costa Rica's ecosystems. Study the questions you find most intriguing, such as how climate change affects the types of species found in cloud forests. Work alongside scientists studying breeding populations of the endangered sea turtles, and learn how their efforts are making a difference.

Your participation in a National Geographic Student Expedition provides support to National Geographic's mission of increasing global understanding through exploration, geography education, and research.