Service Learning Costa Rica

19/10/2025

October might be called the “quiet season” in Costa Rica, but for those of us on the beaches and in the forests, it’s anything but.
Three nests a night. Hatchlings crossing the sand. Warblers overhead on their way south.

I wrote about what this month really looks like for those of us who stay—busy nights on turtle patrol, bright mornings with migrating birds, and the sense of connection that comes from watching both.

Read the full story here:

October in Costa Rica — A Month of Change

16/10/2025

Turtle nesting season continues. With over 1000 nests saved and over 5000 hatchlings released across 3 area beaches (so far this year) the vigilant efforts of local and visiting volunteers are having a positive impact.

21/09/2025

The first full round of content in our Learning Through Service Costa Rica Learning Portal is now live.

This guide was built for travelers who want to go deeper—who are curious not just about where to go, but how to connect more meaningfully with the ecosystems, people, and communities they encounter.

So far, the portal includes 11 educational pages, covering:

➤ Costa Rica’s geography, wildlife, and national parks
➤ Food, culture, microclimates, and biodiversity
➤ Tips for ethical volunteering and Spanish for visitors
➤ And foundational ideas like our educational approach and global citizenship

We’ll keep building from here. If there’s a topic you’d like us to cover next, let us know.

We’re also available to answer questions or help you start planning a purpose-driven trip.
Explore the portal here:
[https://learningthroughservicecostarica.com/learning-portal

29/08/2025

🌿 Exciting Updates from Learning Through Service Costa Rica!

We’ve just refreshed our website with new ways to explore and connect with Costa Rica:

✨ New Sample Itineraries → See ideas for Winter Break, Spring Break, Turtle Nesting Season, and Endless Summer Learning.

✨ Costa Rica Turtles 2026 → Our first featured trip is now open for booking! Join us for an 8-day turtle conservation eco-adventure during peak nesting season.

✨ Group Organizer Opportunities → Share the journey! Organize a group of travelers and earn discounted travel.

Take a look at what’s new, and imagine yourself making memories while giving back to Costa Rica’s incredible ecosystems and communities. 🌎💚

Discover the best of Costa Rica with itineraries designed for you. From eco-tours to adventure travel enjoy wildlife, culture, and learning opportunities.

25/06/2025

Rainy season means fewer tourists, cooler temperatures… and baby turtles.Yesterday we released hatchlings in the rain. Not exactly postcard weather—but it’s the real Costa Rica. And honestly, it was kind of perfect.If you’re thinking about visiting this time of year, come ready for a little rain—and moments like this.

12/06/2025

Yesterday I learned some new tricks in Google Maps.
Today I used those same skills to help with a mapping project for my local community—small steps, but it feels good to apply what I’m learning in real time.

While practicing, I also created this map of 12 of my favorite national parks in Costa Rica. It’s not official, just something I’m using to explore travel and learning through service.

Here’s the map if you’d like to check it out:

National Parks of Costa Rica

04/06/2025

Rainy season in Costa Rica isn’t a reason to stay away—it’s the reason to come.

This is turtle season.

From May to November, endangered sea turtles return to nest on Costa Rica’s Pacific beaches. And travelers like you can be part of protecting them—whether you're here for a few days or a few weeks.

We just published a post on how to travel with purpose during turtle season, with ideas for every type of traveler.

Read the full story here:
https://learningthroughservicecostarica.com/blog/f/costa-rica-summer-travel-help-protect-sea-turtles

05/10/2024

Happy find this morning. These are the tracks of 90 baby turtles that were relocated in August and hatched overnight. We discovered their trail this morning while on patrol.

16/06/2024

In addition to be being fathers day it is also World Sea Turtle day. if you get a chance, check out this video.

After sea turtle hatchlings emerge from their nests, they vanish into the sea. Until recently, their journey was largely shrouded in mystery. Now, as technol...

12/05/2024

This weekend, I participated in a community effort to clean up our local roads in Costa Rica. It was a productive day—we collected six bags of trash and made our neighborhood a little cleaner. It felt great to be active and to spend time talking in Spanish with my neighbors.

I also had the opportunity to show some of the local children and their parents the nesting birds in our area. It's always a pleasure to share the natural beauty around us and see the excitement it brings.

Participating in events like this is a simple yet effective way to contribute to our community and stay connected. Every small action adds up to significant change, and I encourage everyone to find ways to be active in their communities or our larger world community.

For those interested in integrating service learning into your travel plans, send me a message or visit our website at https://learningthroughservicecostarica.com/