Photo Credit- ecology project international
Explore: Pacuare reserve
Costa Rican caribbean coast
THE POWER OF PARTNERS:
Looking for a way to dip your toes into conservation work without committing to a full expedition? This four-day experience offers a relaxed, comfortable taste of field research at Pacuare Reserve. It’s designed for travelers who are curious about wildlife science and want to learn alongside conservationists, but who prefer a gentler pace, a shorter time commitment, or greater comfort than a traditional field course. You’ll explore wild spaces, meet the species that make this place extraordinary, and get an authentic glimpse of hands-on conservation in action, all while enjoying an easygoing, welcoming environment.
Pacuare Reserve is a protected stretch of Caribbean coastline and lowland rainforest stewarded by Ecology Project International, a nonprofit and AZA Conservation Partner recognized around the world for its work with youth, communities, and wildlife. The Reserve is a sanctuary for sea turtles, primates, wild cats, and hundreds of bird species, and it offers visitors a front row seat to real conservation efforts. It’s a place where science and nature meet in a setting that feels both inspiring and accessible, making it a great fit for travelers who want to support meaningful work while enjoying the beauty and calm of the Costa Rican coast.
HIGHLIGHTS
✔ 3 nights lodging at the EcoLodge
✔ Boat transfers Dock-Reserve-Dock.
✔ Meals while on the reserve
✔ Work with leatherback sea turtle hatchlings
✔ Boat tour through the canals to find rare wildlife
✔ Hike in the rainforest trails and learn about tropical ecology
✔ Night census to watch the sea turtles nesting
✔ Birdwatching in hopes to find Agami Herons, sightings depend on climate conditions
Let's gO!
Location
Cost
Pacuare Reserve, Costa Rica
Dates
July 3rd - 6th, 2026
Inclusions
Ground transportation from Hotel Bouganvilla to Pacuare Reserve, accommodations, and meals while on the reserve.
EcoLodge- Four rooms with double occupancy available
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$1,352 for a single occupancy room
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Deposit $696
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$1,997 for a double occupancy room
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Deposit $998
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The remaining balance is due 60 days before the check-in date.
Refund and Cancellation Policy provided before checkout.
Exclusions
International flights, personal travel insurance, day 1 breakfast, day 4 lunch and dinner & personal purchases
Group Size
6 Participants Minimum
8 Participants Maximum
description
If you want more than the average tour, but less planning, Pacuare Reserve is the best option for you. Logistics are usually the most stressful parts of traveling, especially when making plans for groups. Your stay at Pacuare Reserve includes an all-inclusive trip package so you can skip the extensive planning. The 3-day package includes several of the most iconic activities in the authentic area of the Northern Caribbean, including exploring the tropical rainforest, admiring the beautiful Agami Heron, one of the most impressive and beautiful heron species in existence; touring the extensive network of natural canals that form part of the famous Tortuguero canals, and watching sea turtles, including the Leatherback, which finds one of its favorite nesting sites in Barra de Pacuare.
Flight requirements
If you want more than the average tour, but less planning, Pacuare Reserve is the best option for you. Logistics are usually the most stressful parts of traveling, especially when making plans for groups. Your stay at Pacuare Reserve includes an all-inclusive trip package so you can skip the extensive planning. The 3-day package includes several of the most iconic activities in the authentic area of the Northern Caribbean, including exploring the tropical rainforest, admiring the beautiful Agami Heron, one of the most impressive and beautiful heron species in existence; touring the extensive network of natural canals that form part of the famous Tortuguero canals, and watching sea turtles, including the Leatherback, which finds one of its favorite nesting sites in Barra de Pacuare.
itinerary
Day 1 Pickup at the dock: We will pick you up by boat. The trip takes approximately 25 minutes. Enjoy the journey to admire the landscapes and the biodiversity of the rainforest canals. Lunch: Enjoy your lunch in our dining room, together with our staff and other visitors of Pacuare Reserve Welcome to Pacuare Reserve and beach Protocol: Our staff will welcome you and explain Pacuare Reserve's mission, vision, and objectives. As well as its history, research projects, community outreach, and the species that inhabit the ecosystems found in the protected area. Training on the monitoring program protocol allows the visitor to learn the process for collecting biometric data and the location of the nests, as well as the behavior required during the activity. Visit to the hatchery: You will learn about the importance of the hatchery for marine turtle research. You could watch hatchlings emerge or an exhumation, a process in which the nest is opened (once the days of incubation have been completed) to find hatchlings or unhatched eggs, which are analyzed to determine their embryo development stage and other data. This is an important activity for measuring hatching success. Dinner: Enjoy a traditional meal; it will give you the energy to participate in the census. Night census to watch marine turtles: This walk is also known as a night census, it consists of walking a large part of the beach of the Pacuare Reserve during the night, which is when the sea turtles come to nest. Participate in a sea turtle census with field assistants and you will learn about sea turtle ecology, the nesting process, collecting the eggs, and help collect biometric data. Day 2 Breakfast: Enjoy a delicious traditional Costa Rican breakfast Walk in the forest and visit Agami Sanctuary: Led by a staff member, you will have the opportunity to explore and learn about the biodiversity that Reserva Pacuare protects. You will have the opportunity to walk the path through the forest to reach the Agami Sanctuary, a small island within our freshwater lagoon, which provides a nesting area for the Agami heron, which is considered one of the few accessible nesting sites in the world. Alongside a researcher who will share with you about its natural history and collect valuable data for research on this species. Lunch: Enjoy a traditional Costa Rican lunch Boat tour: Get ready to live a unique experience from the moment you board the boat. You will be surrounded by an evergreen landscape and a vast ecosystem of tropical rainforest canals, where you will spot and learn about different species of flora and fauna. such as the howler monkey, spider monkey, white-faced monkey, alligators, herons, crocodiles, turtles, among others. Dinner Night census to watch marine turtles Day 3 Breakfast Birdwatching in the forest Visit to the hatchery and turtle release Night exploration to watch flora and fauna Day 4: Breakfast Departure
Lodging & meals
At Casa Grande EcoLodge, you’ll stay in simple, comfortable accommodations designed to keep your footprint light while bringing you closer to the rainforest. Each room includes a private bathroom and shower, solar-powered lighting, fresh bedding, towels, and mosquito nets for easy, restful nights. WiFi is available in limited capacity on the Reserve, just enough to stay connected when needed. To keep the lodge aligned with conservation goals, there are a few things we do not provide. You will not find hot water, fans, air conditioning, or personal toiletries, so plan to bring along the items you need for your stay. Most visitors find that this unplugged, low-impact style lets them fully enjoy the coast, wildlife, and night skies while supporting the reserve’s sustainability efforts.
