Tails, Trails & Tropical Tales: A Veterinary Trip to Costa Rica
Euthabag hosted its second veterinary trip to Costa Rica in February of 2025, bringing along two veterinary technicians who won our annual contest. The trip was eight incredible days filled with fun and adventure, so let’s break down our experience day by day!
Arrival and a Warm Welcome in San José
Day 1 - Feb. 23rd
Everyone flew from the US and into the San Jose airport on February 23rd, and we were picked up by a local veterinarian named Dr. Alejandra. Ale is a close friend of our Euthabag founder, and she has worked with us in the past to host spay days and outreach veterinary work.
“Dr. Alejandra was amazing during our first two days in San Jose. After picking us up at the airport, she took us to an amazing place for lunch.” - Tina
We were all tired from our travels, so we called it an early night, with plans to wake up early the next day.
Wildlife Encounters and Volcanic Adventures
Day 2 - Feb. 24th
After a good night's sleep, we were ready for our first full day in Alajuela, Costa Rica. We first enjoyed a local breakfast provided by our hostel and some delicious coffee, and then Dr. Alejandra picked us up to start the day.
Our first stop was at Refugio Animal de Costa Rica, a wildlife rescue. The animals in their care were there due to injuries from wildlife trafficking, malnutrition from improper diets, injuries from power lines, road traffic accidents, and more.
“They knew every story about each animal. I loved the fact that if they could be rehabbed to be released back into the wild, they did that. If they couldn't be released back into the wild, they kept them there.” - Tina
After the wildlife rescue, we set off to see the incredible Poas Volcano. We had to drive high up into the mountains and walk to the volcano's opening, but it was well worth the effort!
“It was unfortunately very foggy that day, but the fog lifted for a brief moment, allowing us to see the volcano for a precious instant.” - Tina
Even though the volcano was foggy and hard to see, you could still feel the power beneath your feet. Sitting there quietly, you could hear the volcano rumble in the distance. It was incredible!
Road Trip Surprises on the Way to the Osa Peninsula
Day 3 - Feb. 25th
Day three involved a surprise-filled ride to the Osa Peninsula! We were driven by a taxi driver named Carlos, who was so kind and helpful. He pointed out special sights along the drive and showed us around a great souvenir shop and buffet to ensure we got everything we needed for lunch.
As for the surprises, we could never have guessed what this ride had in store!
Carlos stopped at a bridge that overlooked a beautiful river and lush mountains, only to find dozens of massive crocodiles resting in the river. One of the crocodiles was over 21 feet long and estimated to be over 70 years old. It was such an incredible sight.
“There were tons of crocodiles in the river and cows up on the shore, CRAZY!!! Then we stopped in Jaco at a scenic area and headed to our casita in the Osa Peninsula, where we met Dr. Celine and her wonderful family. We couldn't have asked for nicer people to be hosting us.” - Tina
Upon our arrival, a home-cooked meal and drinks were waiting for us, and we settled in for the night after a great meal.
Exploring Euthabag’s Reforestation Project
Day 4 - Feb. 26th
We spent our first day on the Osa Peninsula exploring the Euthabag reforestation project. The Euthabag founder, Celine, has planted over 10,000 trees with her family on the property, creating a beautiful space where animal and plant life can thrive!
We encountered a diverse range of trees and flowers, along with many wild animals in their natural habitats. We spotted Scarlet Macaws, Squirrel monkeys, Howler monkeys, alligators, frogs, Toucans, and much more.
“It was amazing to see the once-farmland property turned into a reforestation plantation. It was absolutely beautiful!” - Tina
After touring the reforestation project, we enjoyed a dip in a river on the property. The water was calm and cool, and fish were swimming all around us. We wrapped up the day with a trip to a nearby beach, where we watched the sunset over the water. What a day!
Alligators, Tattoos, and Homemade Chocolate
Day 5 - Feb. 27th
Day five was another day spent exploring the Euthabag Reforestation Project, but with some fun activities squeezed in. We started the day by walking down to a small pond on the property to say hello to an alligator named Luciano. He has lived happily on the property for the last few years and often pops his head out of the water when called. He gave us a beautiful show and even made some sounds.
We then collected a fruit called Jagua, which, when shredded and milked, creates ink for temporary tattoos. We took our fruits back to Celine’s house to prepare the ink, and while waiting, we made some homemade chocolate with cacao beans!
“We made homemade chocolate, starting with getting the beans out of the shells and grinding them. We added sugar and milk to taste and rolled them into small pieces.” - Tina
Our temporary tattoos were beautiful and vibrant, and our chocolate was incredible! We ate our chocolate with pieces of fresh pineapple, and it was the best combination.
Community Impact: Euthabag Spay Day in the Osa
Day 6 - Feb. 28th
After a day filled with crafting and chocolate preparation, we were ready for the Euthabag spay day! Our founder partnered with a local veterinary team to sterilize local animals, and our contest winners, Tina and Ashley, were able to jump in and utilize their veterinary technician skills.
We worked with a local vet named Dr. David and his veterinary assistant, Alejandro. They were so welcoming and patient as we learned their process, but we all worked together beautifully once we did!
“Our spay/neuter day was an experience for sure. What a wonderful community! Someone offers their home, and all the people bring their dogs and cats to be spayed or neutered.
We did the surgeries in a bedroom with a couple of fans, and it was toasty. Then, when they were done in surgery, we took them out to the recovery area we had set up, gave them an antibiotic injection, and watched them until they woke up. It was a very rewarding experience.” - Tina
That day, we sterilized 19 pets! What an accomplishment! It was an honour to help this beautiful community.
Marine Encounters and Bioluminescent Wonders
Day 7 - March 1st
Our last day in Costa Rica was a special one! Celine and her family definitely saved the best for last, as our day out on the Golfo Dulce is one we will never forget. We went on a boat tour with a group called Changing Tide, a science-driven tour company that actively participates in marine life research.
They told us all about how special the Golfo Dulce is and how it serves as a sanctuary for marine life, thanks to its calm waters and abundant food sources. We quickly stumbled upon a small pod of bottlenose dolphins, and it was such a special moment. It was as if they were swimming with us alongside the boat—they were so close!
After our first dolphin sighting, we took a quick snorkelling break. They took us to a reef filled with tropical fish and coral, which we explored for about 30 minutes.
“Our last day was very fun; we did an ocean day with marine biologists. How cool is that? We also got to go snorkelling, which was a lot of fun. Saw many beautiful fish and coral.“- Tina
After we were done snorkelling, our tour guide heard of a pod of Pan Tropical Spotted dolphins nearby. We made our way to the area and were greeted by a breathtaking sight—hundreds of dolphins!
The dolphins were swimming alongside our boat, jumping out of the water, and even flipping. We couldn’t believe our eyes. The guide also placed an underwater microphone in the water so we could hear them communicating with each other. It was incredible!
After we rested from our morning boat tour and ate dinner, we returned to the beach at nightfall to try to see bioluminescent plankton. The conditions had to be just right to see them, and it was our lucky day! As you moved your hands through the dark water, you’d see little sparks glow around your movements. The further you moved away from any streetlights on the shore, the brighter they got. It was truly breathtaking!
As you can see, this was the trip of a lifetime! We are thrilled to have shared this experience with Tina and Ashley, and we look forward to hosting even more incredible veterinary professionals in the years to come.
Thank you so much to everyone who made this trip happen: Celine Leheurteux and family, Jorgensen's Laboratories, Dr. Alejandra, Carlos, and more.
We’re looking forward to Costa Rica, 2026!