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Volunteer in Costa Rica at Wildlife & Animal Rescue Center
Volunteer in Costa Rica at Wildlife & Animal Rescue Center

Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

Volunteer in Costa Rica at Wildlife & Animal Rescue Center

Trip Highlights

  • Meaningful volunteer work for conserving the wildlife in Costa Rica
  • Explore the rich biodiversity of Costa Rica and explore its eco-reserves
  • Make the most of the opportunity to live with the wildlife and work for their welfare and development
  • Responsibilities include food preparation for the animals, getting to know about endangered wildlife species
  • First-hand learning opportunity while working with a team of experts

Overview

Overview

Costa Rica is home to a rich variety of plants and animals. Even though the country has only about 0.25% of the world's landmass it contains 5% of the world's biodiversity. Both tropical plant and animal species abound in Costa Rica. The country is home to more than 200 species of mammals and more than 800 species of birds. 

Volunteers joining this program will be working at an animal rescue center, a temporary or permanent home for the ill, injured, and orphaned animals. A perfect program for wildlife enthusiasts, this month-long volunteering project will enhance your ability to be interactive with the animals while working closely with an experienced team. With a focus on monkeys, sloths, other mammals, birds, and reptiles; the center provides veterinary services, round-the-clock care, and comfort to animals that would otherwise be unable to survive in the rainforest of the Caribbean.

This animal rescue center covers an area of 49 hectares of primary forest; this untouched property is the ideal place to locally release many of the animals as it gives them the best chance of a clean and naturally safe environment with little chance of interaction with humans in the future.

The project is located 4km away from Puerto Viejo and 220km from San Jose, Costa Rica’s capital. By shuttle/bus it takes around 4 hours from San Jose to reach Puerto Viejo and from here around 10 minutes to head to the project.


Program Requirements

Program Requirements

Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the time of joining the project, and must be ready to commit at least 4 weeks for this program. 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. Tuberculosis test is mandatory for joining this program.


Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Volunteer tasks can vary on a daily basis and volunteers need to be flexible and open-minded. Volunteers should also be proactive and bring in new initiatives and ideas to the project.

• Cleaning and preparation of the facilities and different areas
• Maintenance of pathways and areas around animals
• Diet Preparation and assistance to the keepers
• Attending to visitors, guiding them
• Training and Observation
• Help caring for animals


Volunteer Work Schedule

Volunteer Work Schedule

Given below is a suggested plan, and might change according to circumstances.

Day 1, Saturday : Arrival day in San Jose, pickup from airport and transfer to hostel accommodation for the night.

Day 2, Sunday: Arrival day in Puerto Viejo. Volunteers are dropped to the bus station from where they take shuttle to Puerto Viejo.

Day 3, Monday: Volunteer training begins every Monday at 11:00 am. On this day, you will be introduced to the other volunteers, join a tour of the Center, and get all the information you need to fully start your volunteering the next day.

Days 4 to Day 23, Tuesday-Sunday: You'll be working at the project site on all weekdays. The work can include a broad range of tasks, from doing the dishes and cleaning up after the animals, to building and remodeling enclosures, or baby-sitting a new arrival to ease the stress of their new environment.

Weekends are not necessarily off as it varies depending on the work you have been assigned to do; in your free time, you can enjoy the beautiful beaches of Puerto Viejo.

Days 24 to Day 30, Monday-Sunday: In the last week, you will stay at the release center where you will be assisting with the necessities of the day, many of them will be accompanying animals into their reintroduction process, visual tracking, and making written comments for a final report on the state of the reintroduction.

Day 31, Monday: End of the program. From the release center, you will travel back to the Rescue Center.


Living

Living

Being an International Organization, we try to make sure that our volunteers are given the kind of comfort and flexibility they seek. In terms of airport pick up, stay, local travel or work and even city tour, we help our volunteers and facilitate everything for them.

Airport Transfer

Volunteers are picked up from the San Jose International Airport by the local coordinator or representative. Those volunteers who are arriving overland or are already in Costa Rica will be picked up at a meeting point decided beforehand in San Jose. 

Accommodation

Upon arrival in San Jose, participants are picked up from the airport and provided accommodation for a night in a hostel. Upon arrival in Puerto Viejo, volunteers will spend the first 3 weeks living in the rescue dorms at the project site and the last week at the release site. Those participants doing the program for more than 4 weeks, will continue to stay at the rescue center for the subsequent weeks.

There are shared dorms at the rescue site and each room offers 4 single beds with quality mattresses, mosquito nets, individual reading light and plugs to charge electronic devices and a large capacity lock. Every room has an attached bathroom as well as a hot water shower. WiFi is available and there's a common area where volunteers can relax.

At the release site, there are shared dorms with shared bathrooms and hot showers. Volunteers will be in charge of daily cleaning, and preparing their meals. Communal kitchen is there with all basic facilities. No phone signal/ internet facilities will be available. 

Orientation

All volunteers are given an orientation before starting the program by the project coordinator.Orientation is conducted by the local staff and covers topics such as Volunteer Roles and Responsibilities,  Rules and Expectations, Safety and Introduction to your project and placement.

Meals

Meals are not included but there's a fully equipped shared kitchen (cutlery and utensils, stove, oven, microwaves). Volunteers can store their food and drinks in the fridges. Lunch can be taken to the centre, where there is a fridge and microwave.

During your Free Time

On your free days, you are free to discover the magical places around Puerto Viejo, like the breathtaking beaches, the Cahuita Natural Park hike and waterfall, canopy tours and many others.


Dates

Dates

2024

2025

January

06

20

February

03

17

March

02

16

April

06

20

May

04

18

June

01

15

July

06

20

August

03

17

September

07

21

October

05

19

November

02

16

December

07

21

January

04

18

February

01

15

March

01

15

April

05

19

May

03

17

June

07

21

July

05

19

August

02

16

September

06

20

October

04

18

November

01

15

December

06

20

Past Date

Available

Unavailable

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Costs

Costs

4 Weeks $1350
5 Weeks $1549
6 Weeks $1699

Please Note: -An application fee of $229 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment. (A 5% international banking fee is charged at the time of 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 accommodation in San Jose
  • Shuttle Transfer from San Jose to Puerto Viejo
  • Orientation 
  • Accommodation in dorms at the project and release center
  • Certificate Of Completion (Upon 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 Airport Drop

Reviews

Reviews

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Frequently asked questions

FAQ's Application and Program Details

Flights and Visa

Health and Safety

Connect with Past Volunteers

Accommodation and Living

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