Turtles, Rivers & Mountains

Turtle Conservation 

You'll stay at the Pacuare Reserve near Tortuguero and help monitor and protect the habitat for the endangered leatherback turtle. Accommodation is really basic, similar to camping with shared facilities. You'll share with other like minded helpers and researchers. 

Under the supervision of a marine biologist, the beach is patrolled every night by small groups of volunteers, a guide and our beach guards. Each turtle we meet is tagged (if not already tagged), measured and examined for any special features or signs of injury. 

If the turtle has already laid, we try to disguise the nest from poachers. If she has still to lay, we may collect the eggs in a bag while she lays and then place them in an artificial nest which we dig nearby and which can be more easily camouflaged from poachers. We also do this when the turtle has chosen to lay too near the sea as seawater will kill the eggs by making the shell non-porous.

Leatherbacks nest around seven times during the nesting season at intervals of about 10 days. They lay about 80 fertile eggs in each nest. 

River Rafting

World renowned for white water rafting, Costa Rica has many beautiful locations for this kind of excitement. Among the best is the Pacuare River where you enjoy the thrill of rafting whilst travelling through dense, tropical rainforest.