Why am I travelling to Costa Rica?

In June 2019 I will be travelling to Costa Rica for 28 days with my school to work on a conservation project with ‘Turtle Trax’ - an organisation which helps to monitor and protect the sea turtles around the coastline of the southern part of the Nicoya Peninsula.

Where will I be working?

I will be working with ‘Turtle Trax’ on Playa Caletas. This beautiful sandy beach is a nesting site for mainly olive ridley turtles but also green turtles and leatherbacks. Hopefully I will be lucky enough to see a turtle laying and possibly even baby turtles hatching from their nests while I am there!

About the conservation project:

During my time at the project I will learn how to monitor the turtles and collect eggs to put in the turtle hatchery, safe from predators. I will be able to help staff with evening patrols of the beach on the lookout for turtles. There is also maintenance work that can be done at the camp. Hopefully, my time spent on the project will make a real impact in the fight to preserve the habitat of these amazing creatures.

Treks:

During my time in Costa Rica I will also conquer the impressive Cerro Chirripo (3819m) - the highest peak in Costa Rica! I will begin my trek mostly uphill, staying overnight in mountain lodges. After a long hike, I will arrive at the summit where, if skies are clear, the views reach from the Caribbean to the Pacific coasts!

I will also spend a few days trekking through the various landscapes of la Rincon de la Vieja National Park. I will be able to see a variety of volcanic activity such as bubbling mud pools and bathe in thermal pools and tropical waterfalls.