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Costa Rica

Turtle & Sloth Conservation Program

Join the exciting Sea Turtle and Sloth Conservation Volunteer Program in Costa Rica and work to help conserve their habitat and their receding population.

Highlights

  • Get to spend some amazing time by the beaches and save the sea turtle from extinction
  • Work with experts to improve the environment for turtle nest and make the hatchlings' journey to the Pacific Ocean safer
  • Contribute towards monitoring and protecting the local sloth populations
  • A chance to interact with the locals and soak in the Costa Rican lifestyle
  • Meet a bunch of like minded travelers from across the world
Programma voor het elimineren van Tartarughe en Bradipi

Overview

Being a volunteer for the Turtle & Sloth Conservation Program in Costa Rica, you'll be working alongside the local staff who are already engaged in saving the lives of these animals. Over the last few years, there has been a massive decline in the number of turtles and now, they are on the endangered species list. If we don't act now, we might lose these animals forever.

This incredible project is located at a distance of about 30mins south of the small town of Quepos on Costa Rica's central Pacific coastline, roughly 1 hour south of Playa Hermosa and Playa Jaco and 2 and a half hours from San Jose.  Offering a relatively remote expanse of beach, largely unpolluted by noise and light, this is a popular nesting ground for thousands of sea turtles each year.  The most common species include Olive Ridley, Pacific Green, Leatherback, and Hawksbill. 

Volunteers will be protecting and nurturing the turtle eggs laid across the beach during the nesting season - which is from August to February. Apart from that, volunteers will get to support the research and conservation work which involves counting turtles, measuring nests, collecting scientific information, and going for night beach patrols. They will also help protect turtle nests from human poachers, assist in the egg-harvesting programs, and help in the hatcheries. Volunteers may also get the fantastic opportunity to participate in the subsequent release of hatchlings to the sea!

Additionally, volunteers will also get to monitor local sloth populations to protect and conserve this species. Needless to say, it'll be an amazing opportunity to gain unique experience on conservation projects, learn more about the Costa Rican people and culture and travel to beautiful locations.


Volunteer Work Schedule

Volunteer Work Schedule

Volunteers will have to take a flight to San Jose, from where they will be taken to host family accommodation in Santa Barbara de Heredia, 40mins north of San Jose. (Arrival is on Saturday)

On Sunday the local team will arrange your pickup from host family and transfer to the project location by public bus. A representative from the local project team will meet you on arrival at the bus station and take you to the accommodations to settle in. 

Monday: You will be taken to your project site and introduced to the project leader who will provide specific information about your role. 

Volunteers need to be flexible to work in this program, as the schedules are largely dependent on the season and breeding activities that take place. However, a general day would look something like this:

4:30 am - Beach Patrol

This is a year-round activity, even in the low season (March to July). Volunteers have to go for an early morning patrol of the beach to monitor and protect turtle breeding grounds.

8:00 am - Breakfast at the accommodation

Volunteers are usually free post-breakfast and can utilize this time by reading, exploring the local area, swimming or chilling on the beach.

1:00 pm - Lunch at the accommodation

Afternoon Volunteering duties Post-lunch, volunteers will be assigned various duties that mostly vary depending on the season. Usually, volunteers can expect to work for 2 - 3 hours each weekday afternoon completing tasks to monitor, preserve and care for sea turtles and wildlife (such as sloths, parrots, macaws, alligators and more) in the local area.

Evenings/Nights Free time/Night patrols

During the nesting period (from August through February) volunteers will be involved in night-time beach patrols to protect turtles, collect eggs and generally monitor the breeding grounds.


Volunteer Role & Responsibilities

Volunteer Role & Responsibilities

As a volunteer for the conservation program in Costa Rica, your major tasks would be:

  • Beach cleaning, night patrolling, monitoring the turtle eggs

  • Preparing and maintaining the turtle hatcheries

  • Assist the local staff and work on projects to improve the environment for nests and to make the hatchlings journey to the Pacific Ocean safer

  • Reforestation activities and maintaining the natural habitat for the sloths

  • Educate the local people about turtle trafficking and its consequences


Project Requirement

Project Requirement

Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the time of joining the project. You need to have an open mind and a flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference. Participants must be fit and healthy at the time of joining the program and should be prepared to work outdoors and get their hands dirty. Participants in the program should have a keen interest and love for animal conservation work. Participants should have no criminal convictions and should provide a clean criminal background check report.

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Living

Living

Airport Transfer
Volunteers are picked up from the San Jose International Airport by the local coordinator or representative and transferred to the host family accommodation in Santa Barbara de Heredia for the first night.

Accommodation
Upon arrival in Costa Rica accommodation is provided in a host family for a night.At the project site, participants stay at the volunteer house in Matapalo, where the rooms are dorm-style, shared among four volunteers. The house has all the basic amenities including western-style bathrooms, electricity, cold water showers, wifi, communal areas, and a well-equipped kitchen. Bedding is provided so volunteers need only bring toiletries and a towel.

Orientation
All volunteers are given an Orientation beginning on their project start date. Orientation is conducted by the local staff at the project and covers topics such as  Project Overview, Rules and Expectations, Safety and Introduction to your project and placement.

Meals
At the host family, two meals a day are provided. While at the project, Breakfast and lunch are provided daily in the program. Dinner can also be arranged with the project site for a small fee or volunteers may enjoy dining out in the local area along with other participants.

During your Free Time
Volunteers are free to visit and see places during their free time or weekends The country offers unparalleled natural beauty, active volcanoes, rainforests, and a wide range of national parks and eco-tourism. In addition, Costa Rica has over 1,000 miles of gorgeous white-and-black sand beaches. 


Dates

Dates

November

18

December

02

Available

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Booked Out


Costs

Duration
Program Fee
Choose your currency
2 Weeks $945
3 Weeks $1315
4 Weeks $1650
5 Weeks $2040
6 Weeks $2410
7 Weeks $2790
8 Weeks $3180
Extra Week $395

Please Note: An application fee of is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.

What are you Paying for?

  • 24 hrs Assistance and support from VS Staff
  • Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
  • Pickup from San Jose International Airport and transfer to accommodation
  • Bus transfer to Playa Matapolo and pickup from bus station
  • Orientation on arrival at Project
  • Dorm style accommodation at the project
  • Meals
  • Certificate of Participation(On Request)

What's NOT included?

  • Airfare 
  • Visa  
  • Vaccinations
  • Weekend trips and excursions
  • Any personal expenses
  • Travel insurance (available at nominal cost)
  • Post project stay in San Jose
  • Return travel back to San Jose

FAQ's

Application and Program Details

When should I apply for the volunteer programs in Costa Rica?

I haven’t traveled or volunteered abroad before. Can I still be a part of VolSol?

How long will it take to process my application? Will my application be accepted?

Does VolSol provide with a reference or a certificate after program completion?

Are there any necessary requirements to participate in the Costa Rica volunteer programs?

When do I need to arrive in Costa Rica for my program? What will happen once I arrive in Costa Rica?

Can I volunteer as part of a group?

What are the Program locations in Costa Rica?

Flights and Visa

Does Volunteering Solutions help with Visa?

What are the recommended airlines to fly to Costa Rica?

Accommodation and Living

What if I have my own accommodation. Can I still volunteer for the project?

For how many hours do I have to volunteer in a day?

Can vegetarians be accommodated?

Where can I change my money in Costa Rica? Are there ATMs in the city?

Would I have free time during my program? Can I do sightseeing during my program?

Are there more expenses once I arrive in Costa Rica?

Can I know more about accommodation and food arrangements?

Health and Safety

How safe is Costa Rica in general?

Do I need to buy health insurance?

What immunizations/vaccinations will I need?

Connect with Past Volunteers

How can I connect with past Volunteering Solutions Costa Rica alumni as well as other former and current volunteers?


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