Happy News from Origen Escapes

We have some good news! It’s been a banner high season for us in Costa Rica despite the pandemic.

Origen Escapes safely hosted more than 20 guests from over six countries, who directly donated more than $75,000 to conservancy projects and contributed more than half a million dollars to the local economy, benefitting over 65 different local service providers, their staff, and their families.

It was a privilege to take guests on adventures that not only support causes we care about, but gave them once-in-a-lifetime memories to take home. They dove undersea in piloted submersibles to log coral and fish species, tagged hammerhead sharks, tracked wild tapirs in the rainforest and released turtles back into the wild, all in the name of science! Take a look below for further details.

For us, it’s an honor to do what we do in a country we love and call home and our deepest hope is that our work will have a meaningful impact on our neighbors, our guests, and the world as a whole.

Please stay well and if there is anything we can do to support you during these challenging times, please do not hesitate to reach out. 

Pura Vida,
Felipe, Ofer and Team

• Submersible Experience: Our clients dive at Caño Island with submersible pilots and scientists from Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR) to collect data on coral and fish species, which is used to support sustainability initiatives. 
• Turtle Conservancy: Guests join biologists and other volunteers from Osa Conservation to count turtle nests, help relocate eggs, and support the release of Olive Ridley and Green Sea Turtle hatchlings back into the wild. 
• Shark Tagging: Clients help non-profit organization Misión Tiburón identify and tag newly born hammerhead sharks in the mangroves near Golfo Dulce using satellite devices. Researchers study the species throughout their lifespan and help prevent illegal fishing by educating local communities. 
• Land & Sea Conservancy Expedition + Biologist for a Day: Our guests accompany evolutionary ecologist and biologist Daniel Janzen to UNESCO-listed Bat Islands and Santa Rosa National Park to collect caterpillars, butterflies and cocoons for scientific research and DNA testing to discover species.
• Encounters of the Wild - Tapir: Clients hike deep into rain and cloud forests between the Tenorio and Miravalles volcanoes to support Nai Conservation in tracking the Baird’s tapir, an endangered species and the largest mammal in the tropics, by deploying and retrieving trap cameras, and working with local farmers to protect tapir habitats.

• During high season, our clients donated over $75,000 to conservation initiatives in Costa Rica. 
• From December 15, 2020 to January 15, 2021, Origen Escapes paid out over $500,000 in invoices to 68 different Costa Rican service providers, supporting their staff and families. 
• Our service providers include local travel guides, scientists, chefs, food vendors, boat operators, family-owned transportation companies, and more.
• Origen Escapes provides clients with the opportunity to offset their trip’s carbon footprint.