Culture and Conservation Group Tour in Costa Rica
Experience the true Pura Vida in Costa Rica through a unique blend of community volunteering, rainforest adventures, sea turtle conservation, and cultural immersion. Support local initiatives, explore stunning biodiversity, and enjoy unforgettable moments in one of the world’s most vibrant and eco-rich destinations.
10-Day Adventure
Experience the very best of Costa Rica in just 10 days. Journey from coast to coast and discover:
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Genuine cultural encounters, with insight into the challenges faced by Indigenous peoples and local communities
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Exhilarating ziplining through the rainforest canopy
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An authentic look at vital conservation projects
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Encounters with Costa Rica’s extraordinary wildlife
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A hands-on introduction to traditional farming practices
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Visits to two thriving mangrove ecosystems
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Exploration of three unique habitats: lowland rainforest, highland rainforest, and tropical dry forest
14-Day Discovery
Build on the 10-day adventure with even more unforgettable experiences, including:
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A Whale & Dolphin tour, with a focus on maritime conservation
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Community volunteering, offering a meaningful glimpse into daily life in Costa Rica
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An awe-inspiring visit to the fumeroles of an active volcano
21-Day Immersion
Go deeper into Costa Rica’s landscapes and culture with this extended adventure. In addition to everything above, you’ll enjoy:
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Exploration of the magical cloud forest habitat
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A deeper, more personal connection with local communities
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The thrill of white-water rafting
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An in-depth look at sustainable farming
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An interactive day at a wildlife sanctuary, supporting local conservation efforts
Costa Rica Adventure: Volunteer, Explore, and Connect
We require a minimum of 10 people to join this tour. We can also provide tailormade itineraries, so please get in touch.
Embark on a journey that goes beyond typical tourism—a powerful blend of cultural immersion, community service, conservation work, and unforgettable adventure across Costa Rica’s diverse landscapes. Designed for groups seeking meaningful travel, this flexible experience offers 10-, 14-, or 21-day options, each providing a rich and responsible way to explore one of the world’s most biodiverse countries.
The program begins in the welcoming community of Esparza, where you’ll be introduced to the local culture and your fellow travelers. From day one, the emphasis is on connection—both with people and with place. You’ll participate in grassroots volunteer projects that support local schools and communities. Activities may include helping with light renovation work, teaching English, organizing games and sports with youth, beach cleaning, or contributing to sustainable gardening efforts. These hands-on projects offer a real opportunity to learn about Costa Rican life and to contribute in ways that are respectful and meaningful.
All journeys will include both coasts of Costa Rica, continuing to the Caribbean coast, where you’ll engage in vital sea turtle conservation efforts. Depending on the season, tasks may include beach cleanups, monitoring nests, supporting hatcheries, and conducting night patrols to protect nesting turtles. This immersive experience not only deepens your understanding of wildlife protection, but also brings you closer to nature in one of its most intimate forms.
Adventure is woven throughout the experience. Zipline through rainforest canopies, hike through cloud forests in Monteverde, swim beneath waterfalls, and explore coastal towns like Uvita and Manuel Antonio—home to stunning beaches and a rich array of wildlife, from sloths to scarlet macaws. For those on the full 21-day program, further highlights include mangrove kayaking, a whale and dolphin tour (seasonal), whitewater rafting near Arenal Volcano, and a crocodile river safari.
Cultural learning is also a key part of the program. From participating in an indigenous cultural tour to exploring local markets and sharing group reflections, you’ll gain insight into Costa Rica’s diverse heritage and values. Each evening offers time to relax, connect, and unwind—whether it’s around a shared meal, at a beach hostel, or by the pool at your eco-accommodation.
No matter the length of your stay, this journey is designed to leave you feeling inspired, connected, and empowered. You’ll build friendships, support meaningful causes, and experience the real Costa Rica—its people, its wildlife, its culture, and its deep commitment to Pura Vida, the country’s joyful and life-affirming philosophy.
Whether you choose the 10-day introduction, the deeper 14-day dive, or the full 21-day adventure, this is a chance to travel with purpose—and return home transformed
Morning/Afternoon: Arrive in Costa Rica and transfer to Las Palmas. Settle into your accommodation.
- Evening: Welcome briefing and orientation, getting to know your group.
Overnight: Las Palmas Accommodation
Lunch while travelling to the project is not included.
- Full Day: Immersive participation in a Sea Turtle Conservation Project. Activities can include beach cleanups, nest protection, data collection, and possibly hatchery work.
- Evening: Night patrols along the beach to look for nesting turtles or emerging hatchlings – a truly unique and vital experience.
- Accommodation is at the project, by the beach, surrounded by nature. The setting is ecologoically friendly, so there is limited solar electricity. Interenet via mobile phone. This is a unique experience, focused on authentic conservation.
Back to the Pacific, driving through Braulio Carrillo National Park. Lunch at Rainforest Adventures, followed by: Aerial Tram above the jungle, guided nature tour (butterfly garden, terrarium (snakes, frogs, turtles), orchid garden, hummingbirds)
Rain gear, good closed shoes, hat, water bottle, sun lotion and after-sun.
Carara – Crocodile boat tour on River Tarcoles and the mangroves. See crocodiles, birds and monkeys up close. Lunch. ZIP LINING IN JACO.
Journey to Cascada Verde Hostel in Uvita.
Visit to an ecotourism farm that seeks to conserve and protect nature, by promoting a cultural & environmental exchange among adventure tourism, local communities, agricultural activities and diversity of natural ecosystems. Farm tour and mangrove beach tour.
Cascada Verde Hostel in Uvita.
Learn about indigenous culture, their medicine, history, socio-political situation etc. Eat a traditional lunch in the Boruca town. Learn about mask making and cloth making in their workshop. This is grassroots sustainable tourism in the heart of the Boruca community.
Cascada Verde Hostel
Playa Uvita Marino Ballena National Park to search for humpback whales and 2 species of resident dolphins, visit the coral and rock reefs and snorkel to observe the wonderful marine wildlife and view the caverns of Ventanas Beach.
Rain gear, good closed shoes, hat, water bottle, sun lotion and after-sun. Bathing costume under clothes. Towel. It is necessary to wade to the launch.
Return to Las Palmas.
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERING. Could be painting, light construction, sports or education with local kids, beach cleaning. Depends on day of the week and weather, as well as need in the community.
Rough clothes, rain gear, good closed shoes, hat, water bottle, sun lotion and aftersun.
Las Hornillas, Miravalles Volcano. Morning tour – 4 Waterfalls tour (2hrs). Tractor ride and walk that passes 4 waterfalls, crosses 3 hanging bridges and traverses primary forest where you can see birds and reptiles. Lunch. Fumaroles and hot springs. The active crater of Volcan Miravalles. Mud baths, 3 pools and sauna. Waterslide.
Swimming costume, rain gear, good closed shoes, hat, water bottle, sun lotion and aftersun.
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve – La Ventana, views of Pacific and Atlantic. Natural History Tour. Visit to Hummingbird Cafe to see hummingbirds feed.
Rain gear, good closed shoes, hat, water bottle, sun lotion and aftersun.
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERING. Could be painting, light construction, sports or education with local kids, beach cleaning. Depends on day of the week and weather, as well as need in the community.
Rough clothes, rain gear, good closed shoes, hat, water bottle, sun lotion and after-sun.
INTERACTIVE DAY LEARNING ABOUT THE ENRICHMENT OF ANIMAL ENVIRONMENTS. AN EXCELLENT EXPERIENCE.
• 8:00 – 8:15 a.m. → Welcome and Introduction
• The group is welcomed by a Natuwa staff member and the person responsible for the visit.
• Brief introduction about Natuwa and the importance of environmental enrichment.
• 8:15 – 9:35 a.m. → Guided Tour of Natuwa (1 hour and 20 minutes)
• Explanation of why the animals live at Natuwa and why they cannot be released into the wild.
• Understanding the challenges faced by rescued wildlife and how human actions affect their survival.
• Introduction to the concept of environmental enrichment and why it is essential for animals in captivity.
• Real-life examples of how enrichment activities help animals stay active, engaged, and mentally stimulated.
• 9:35 – 10:30 a.m. → Environmental Enrichment – Part 1
• Creating toys and stimuli for parrots and tapirs (animals may vary).
• Hands-on work assembling materials that will be placed in the animals’ enclosures.
• 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. → Snack Break (Fruits)
• Time to recharge with fresh fruit.
• 11:00 – 12:00 p.m. → Environmental Enrichment – Part 2
• Creating toys and stimuli for tayras and emus (animals may vary).
• Learning how different enrichment techniques are adapted to each species’ needs.
• 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. → Lunch Break
• 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. → Enrichment Delivery and Animal Observation
• Take their enrichment items to the enclosures under staff supervision.
• Observing how the animals interact with the new stimuli and recognizing the benefits first-hand.
• 2:30 – 2:45 p.m. → Group Reflection
• Sharing experiences and key learnings from the day.
• Discussion on how enrichment contributes to animal well-being in captivity.
• 2:45 – 3:00 p.m. → Farewell and Closing
• Thanking participants and providing a small souvenir from Natuwa.
Rain gear, good closed shoes, hat, water bottle, sun lotion and after sun.
This white-water rafting trip takes you through the middle of the Costa Rican rainforest while providing unbeatable adventure. Spike your adrenaline paddling down class II and III rapids, stopping to swim in secluded waters, and admire tropical scenery along the way. The tour includes all equipment, safety training, and lunch. The tour is aimed at beginner to intermediate level to be accesible to all.
This immersive experience takes you deep into the world of sustainable, largely organic coffee, from seed to cup. Explore the fields, meet the farmers behind the beans, and discover how a cooperative—founded and run by local producers—works together to cultivate coffee in an environmentally responsible way. Step behind the scenes of a real working farm and see how community, tradition, and sustainability come together in every cup.
- Guided walk through our coffee farm
- Coffee picking and processing (seasonal October – March)
- Roastery visit
- Guided tasting of five types of coffee
- Lunch
We run group tours all year around and can customise dates to suit your requirements.
Please get in touch to discuss your itinerary and preferences.
Accommodation
Dorm room style with between 2 and 10 in a room (unless special request for private rooms)
Food
Three meals a day (cereals and toast for breakfast, a packed lunch to take on placement and a cooked evening meal)
All Tour Itinerary Transport
Including transfers to and from the airport, transport to and from placement activities and tourist activities
Group Excursions
A number of free group excursions or tourist activities (dependent on agreed itinerary)
Support
24 hour in country support – our local team of knowledgeable staff to look after you and guide you during placements and available 24 hours a day
Flights; Travel Insurance; Spending money; Laundry service; Extra activities not on itinerary; Airport transfers from your home country.
Please note that airlines release flights 11 months ahead of departure.
Suitable for ages 13 to 65
Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a teacher or responsible adult
Yes, one of our team will be waiting at arrivals with a board with your name on it. From there we will transport you to our accommodation to settle in and receive a warm welcome, Costa Rica style!