Most travel experiences are learning experiences, and in Costa Rica, much of tourism markets itself as ecotourism. Yet, only a handful of programs stand out as both ecological and educational. For tourists looking to complement their beach time with something more impactful, Costa Rica offers opportunities to protect turtle eggs in national parks or study volcanoes alongside university professors.
Various nonprofit environmental organizations have prioritized educating the public, including tourists. The Organization for Tropical Studies ( ) has, for decades, provided scientists from around the globe with research and knowledge-sharing opportunities at its three field stations. In recent years, they have expanded their offerings to include undergraduate and graduate programs emphasizing ecological and environmental issues, language study, and tropical culture.
These programs range from day hikes and workshops to semester-long courses. The goal is to make Costa Rica’s biodiversity accessible to everyone, regardless of scientific background. “Our programs are designed to provide hands-on, mentored-research experiences to undergraduate students from groups most underrepresented in the sciences,” explained an OTS representative.
“As soon as you arrive at our field stations, you’re immersed in a scientific community dedicated to tropical ecology research.” OTS has expanded its reach beyond Costa Rica, now offering programs in South Africa as well. Day hikes and worksho.