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Welcome to your program
Get ready for an incredible experience in Costa Rica! For two weeks, you’ll take part in clinical labs and shadow wildlife veterinarians at the on-site clinic. In your free time, your group will explore some of the country’s most stunning spots, including Manuel Antonio. Then one week you'll spend studying small animal medicine at a famous dog sanctuary and one week on the boat researching dolphins! On your weekends you'll visit a Starbucks coffee farm and Costa Rica's beautiful beaches! Then prepare for two exciting weeks with the Osa In Water project in Costa Rica! You'll dedicate your days to working studying wild sea turtles and the mangrove reforestation project.
This page will take you through everything you need to know about your program. You should READ every section. We've linked additional information under each topic as needed.
Program announcements:
All students are required to have an up-to-date tetanus shot. Tetanus vaccines are considered up to date within a 10-year period.
Housing
During your two weeks at Rescue Center Costa Rica, you'll stay in shared rooms with multiple bunk beds and ensuite bathrooms, though there is no central AC. For Shelter Med Week, housing is typically at a local hostel like Cypresal, with shared rooms, bunk beds, no AC, and shared bathrooms—only Loop students will share your space. Dolphin Week takes place at El Chontal, where you'll stay in rustic bungalows with two bunk beds, fans, mosquito nets, and a private bathroom. For Turtle Conservation Week, you'll be in rooms with up to ten beds, central AC, and ensuite bathrooms; mosquito nets are not provided but are recommended.
Food
For breakfast and lunch, there is a variety of fruits like mangos and pineapple, pancakes, typical Costa Rican rice, and beans. For dinner, there is more American-style food like pizza, burgers, and fries. For your next four weeks, breakfast at both locations is a mix of Costa Rica and American food. You'll have gallo pinto (rice and beans) with scrambled eggs and plantains, french toast, lots of fruits, and more. Lunch will be a mix of burritos, empanadas, salad, pasta, sandwiches, and more. Dinner will also be pasta, rice, and beans and meat, fish, lasagna, veggies, and meat with mashed potatoes, chicken wings, burgers, and seafood rice.
Flights
At the start of your program, our group shuttle from the airport on arrival Sunday will leave the airport at 4pm. Therefore, you should plan to arrive on a flight that arrives at SJO by 3pm on Sunday.
At the end of your program, our group shuttle to the airport on departure Saturday will arrive at the airport at 11am. Therefore, you should plan to depart on a flight that departs SJO after 1pm on Saturday.
Packing
The only items you are required to bring are those on the “required” lists. General required items (like your passport) are found on the ALL PROGRAMS packing list above. Program specific required items are found below under the REQUIRED section. For the rest of the items, you are welcome to use your discretion. There may be items missing from this list that you’d like to bring, and there may be items on this list that you don’t want to bring. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!
Required for this program
3 bottles of mosquito repellant
Adequate supply of reef safe (without oxybenzone, octinoxate, or nano-minerals) and regular sunscreen (high SPF recommended). Reef safe sunscreen is required to enter the ocean.
3-5 scrub tops or pairs of scrubs
Pants: mix of lightweight pants for hot days, waterproof or quick-dry hiking pants for rainy/cold periods. Shorts or lightweight pants for hot afternoons and excursions
Closed-toe shoes: sneakers or hiking shoes for clinic/work (waterproof recommended)
Hiking boots (required for walks with the dogs)
1 box of exam gloves
1 box surgical face masks
A waterproof, insulated jacket or fleece for cold mornings
A rainproof, lightweight jacket (and anything else you need to work in the rain, such as rain pants and/or travel umbrella). You will definitely want a sturdy rain jacket suitable for heavy rain in tropical weather.
Water shoes or strap sandals (similar to Teva, Chaco or Keen)
2 towels (quick dry towels recommended) and a washcloth if you prefer to use one.
Water resistant wrist watch with second hand
Long sleeve rash guard or other sun-protecting shirt for marine work
Hat or cap (for sun) - you will be happy to have something that covers your face and neck when on the boat and in the sun!
Motion sickness medication (If you experience motion sickness on windy roads in vans or on boats, you'll definitely want to have enough for your trip)
Electrolytes (necessary after long days in the sun)
Suggested for this program
Pop up bug net like this one to help protect you from mosquitoes and other flying insects at night.
Longer style shorts (for free time but please note we suggest lightweight pants due to bugs). Short shorts are not permitted to be worn on some parts on the program.
Bathing suit (any style is fine- you may want to pack more than one for the sea turtle program)
Tee shirts that can get dirty
Stethoscope (Not required and there will be several on site for you to share, but you may prefer to have your own and it will come in handy in your future with vet med.)
Dry bag (waterproof bag)
Baby wipes (large pack or several packs) – there can be water outages and dirty chores, so this is a helpful way to stay clean and fresh
Aloe Vera, in case you don't apply enough sunscreen
Snorkel, mask and fins (there is clear, calm water for snorkeling walkable from the turtle project and you will be really happy to have these!)
Socks that you can wear with your water shoes too in case you get blisters.
Money belt to keep your valuables safe while traveling
Earplugs to help you sleep more comfortably in shared accommodations or when there’s noise from animals outside
Warm clothes for night time and cooler mornings. At some locations the temperature is significantly cooler or drops drastically in the evenings.
FAQ
Most days, you will get dirty and sweaty and gross. A few extra socks and tee shirts can make you much more comfortable. We STRONGLY suggest hiking boots and socks that are comfortable with your boots. At other times, you can wear what you like, including shorts and tank-tops. For your week at the dolphin research site and two weeks at the turtle research site, strapped sandals, shorts and tank tops are acceptable, although pants and closed-toed shoes are recommended at night to protect from bugs. On research sites, it can be hot with strong sun or rainy. You should bring some hanging-out-on-the-beach clothes, but also some clothes in which you can get wet but still comfortably and safely work: water shoes, a rash guard, a hat to block the sun, and shorts or pants you can wear in the water if you like.
*Students are allowed ONE large suitcase with a 40 lbs weight limit. You are able to wash clothes on this program.
WIFI: Students will have WiFi at all the housing locations but the WiFi at all locations is not reliable. If you are interested in a travel phone plan, please talk to your phone provider before your program starts.
Bedding: We will provide you with sheets, pillow and blankets.
Towels: Small towels are provided but not wash rags. Students have suggested bringing your own towel for better coverage.
Laundry: Laundry varies depending on your housing location. You will get coupons for 4 kilograms of laundry and you can walk to the laundry facility about 400 m away during your two weeks at Tucan Resuce Ranch. They will wash and dry it for you and it may take several days. If you have more than four kilos, additional laundry is about $2 a kilo. You can also bring laundry detergent (detergent sheets work best for packing) and do small items in the sink or in a wash bucket. Laundry facilities are available during your dolphin week but limited as we always want to conserve water. Students are responsible for the cost and bringing their own detergent.
Outlets: You will not need an adapter- outlets will be the same as in the US.
Dress Code: For working hours at Toucan Rescue Ranch and the dog shelter, there is a dress code of no short shorts or tank tops. You should plan to wear longer shorts or pants, and a tee shirt or scrub top during volunteer hours. For your week at the dolphin research site and turtle research site, strapped sandals, shorts, and tank tops are acceptable, although pants and closed-toed shoes are recommended at night to protect from bugs. We STRONGLY suggest hiking boots and socks that are comfortable with your boots. At other times, you can wear what you like, including shorts and tank tops. The weather is typically hot and humid, please check the weather and pack accordingly. BRING ADEQUATE RAIN GEAR. Expect to get wet. Plan to get dirty on this program! You will need at least two sets of sturdy shoes so that you always have a dry pair. This can be closed-toe shoes (like sneakers) or hiking boots. We highly suggest bringing a lightweight jacket for the evenings.
Money: Most students spend around $200 USD on a two-week program. You’ll likely want to buy things like souvenirs, laundry, snacks or drinks. So you don’t NEED any money, but you’ll want to bring enough that you can buy some things to bring home. We HIGHLY recommend contacting your bank and ordering Colones before leaving for the program. There will be an ATM where students can withdraw money, and there is an ATM transaction fee each time.
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