Family volunteering with turtles in Costa Rica
Description of Family volunteering with turtles in Costa Rica
Family Sea Turtle Conservation Volunteering in Costa Rica
Take your family on a unique, off-the-beaten-path adventure with our family-friendly turtle conservation volunteering trip in Costa Rica. Work alongside dedicated teams on some of Costa Rica’s most beautiful and untouched Pacific Coast beaches to protect endangered sea turtles and contribute to vital conservation efforts.
Why Choose This Family Volunteering Experience?
This hands-on family volunteering trip allows you and your kids to play an essential role in saving hundreds of sea turtles each nesting season, from July to mid-December. You'll join a team protecting both nesting and hatching turtles, helping ensure baby turtles make it to the sea safely. One season alone saw 15,000 turtles released back into the ocean, and your family can be part of this life-saving mission.
Night time Beach Patrols and Turtle Monitoring
Much of the conservation work happens at night, as turtles come to nest under the cover of darkness. While it may disrupt regular sleep patterns, many kids find it exciting and eagerly anticipate nighttime patrols. We’ll ensure your family’s schedule works best for the kids, allowing plenty of daytime rest and naps.
Key Activities Include:
Beach Patrols: Search for nesting turtles under the stars and assist in protecting nests.
Nest Monitoring & Hatchling Protection: Safeguard turtle eggs and help baby turtles reach the ocean.
Research & Data Recording: Record observations to support crucial conservation research used in campaigns to protect endangered species in Costa Rica.
Immerse in Remote Communities and Costa Rica's Natural Beauty
The remote communities we work with are far from touristy areas, offering an authentic Costa Rican experience. These areas are unspoiled and rich in natural beauty, allowing you to immerse yourself in local culture while enjoying the country’s incredible landscapes.
Your family will have plenty of free time to enjoy activities like:
Swimming in lagoons
Horse riding and surfing lessons
Exploring butterfly farms
Relaxing on the beach or in hammocks
Kids especially love interacting with local children, making new friends, and learning about the Costa Rican lifestyle—language barriers simply fade away in this environment.
Private, Comfortable Accommodation and Transfers
We provide traditional, comfortable family accommodations close to the beach. You’ll be just 20 meters from the sea at our main project house! Private transfers from major airports and tourist destinations to the project site can be arranged for your convenience. Or upgrade to luxury accommodation with pool!
Ready for an Unforgettable Family Adventure?
Join us for an incredible family volunteering experience that combines conservation with fun, adventure, and the opportunity to make a real difference. Help protect sea turtles and create lasting memories on Costa Rica’s stunning Pacific Coast.
Itinerary
| Friday | If you are opting for an airport and hotel transfer package you must arrive Friday to San Jose (SJO). Transfer packages are £198 per way so £395 for a return - per person. Children under 12 go free! |
| Saturday | An early start for your transfer down to the project site. You will be collected at about 5am and will arrive at your project site in time for lunch. You will receive an orientation and then will probably want to nap. The volunteer work starts the next day. If you are arriving independently, the arrival to project day is Saturday |
| Day 3-8 | Volunteer project runs with several hours of volunteering during the day and nightly beach patrols of up to 4 hours. |
| Friday | If you are just staying for a week, you will transfer back to San Jose on the Friday (if you are opting for the overnight in a hotel and return to the airport). If you are travelling independently, you will leave the project Friday as well. |
| Saturday | Saturday departure from San Jose (SJO). Transfer to the airport on this Saturday included with transfer package. |
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Suitable for kids 5+
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Reviews
13 Reviews of Family volunteering with turtles in Costa Rica
In depth story review
Reviewed on 11 Oct 2023 by Cindy Fung
Superb. Highly recommended for people of all ages. Project staff were wonderful and very well organised. Read full reviewReviewed on 12 Dec 2019 by Lawrie Drinkaus-Arias
The most memorable part of the holiday was the people who we worked along side, and seeing the mama turtles and the baby turtles.. Read full reviewReviewed on 06 Dec 2019 by Molly Bull
Five stars - one of the best holidays I've ever had! We had fun with the other people who were working there at the same time, and there was plenty to do to keep us busy, both working and playing. Read full reviewReviewed on 08 Oct 2019 by Debbie Young
One night we were walking along the length of the beach in the dead of night and could clearly see the Milky Way illuminated and lots of shooting stars, whilst holding the hands of my three little girls and my husband - it was the most magical experience we had and an overwhelming sense of peace and happiness. Read full reviewReviewed on 27 Aug 2019 by Anneri Winter
We were super blessed to have witnessed every part of the life cycle of the Olive Ridley turtle and even had the chance to see a green turtle! Read full reviewReviewed on 13 Jan 2019 by Andreas Riedhauser
The whole family had a really great time with lovely people, very helpful and friendly and with much contact with turtles, adults and hatchlings. Read full reviewReviewed on 02 Nov 2018 by Angelique Winston
Most memorable? - The friendliness of the people, the beautiful surroundings, we were on the beach surrounded by lush green. The musical cacophony of all the surrounding wildlife...It really was a fantastic holiday. Read full reviewReviewed on 12 Oct 2018 by Steve Halsey
Absolutely to be recommended. An amazing experience for all of us. Our daughters (age 14 and 9) enjoyed every minute. It's a holiday we will always remember. Read full reviewReviewed on 05 Oct 2018 by Antonio Cucchiara
Going out on patrol late in the evening, with clear skies and being able to see the whole Milky Way and shooting stars, following by finding a turtle and rescuing the eggs as the turtle was laying them...were the most memorable parts of the holiday. Read full reviewReviewed on 16 Sep 2017 by Helen Parker
The whole holidays was an amazing experience, from seeing the turtles and collecting the eggs to visiting the school for a celebration day and learning to surf. Read full reviewReviewed on 19 Oct 2015 by Simon Wrench
Amazing, so humbling, incredible to think we could do a little bit to help and have fun at the same time. Read full reviewResponsible Travel
Planet
WildlifeThe threat of extinction for sea turtles is very real. Projects such as this are playing an important role in stemming this decline. You will be working with a well-respected marine conservation and research organization, staffed by biologists and enthusiastic volunteers. Turtle protection is an important aspect of its work, but it also campaigns against pollution, unsustainable and inhumane fishing practices too.
Protecting the world
We are passionate about encouraging our travellers to be kind to the environment as they travel. Each participant receives advice about how to care for the environment whilst they are away. This includes water usage, how to avoid single use plastic, and electricity usage.
We insist that all participants bring their own water bottles when they travel with us, and clean free water is always available. We have even created a water bottle that can be purchased before departure and encourage people to use it at all stages of their journey including at the airport, on flights and whilst on their project. We are striving for all of our projects to be free of single use plastic.
Transport
We use public transport as our main means of transportation to the project sites. This reduces emissions and invests in the local economy and infrastructure.
People
Meeting local needsMany in the local community rely on the marine environment for their livelihood (whether through fishing or tourism). The work of charities such as this is essential to safeguard their future. The organisation provides some paid work locally, but has to rely on extra help from volunteers to be able to protect the turtles effectively. As well as protecting the turtles, you will also contribute directly to the local economy, eating, shopping and using leisure facilities in the surrounding area.
Cultural sensitivity
We emphasise the importance of showing respect for local people and their customs in our briefing material. Participants will work alongside permanent staff, forming close bonds and getting an insight into real life in Costa Rica’s rural communities. One of our greatest achievements on this project is for local residents to have chosen to help volunteer on this project to protect their environment. This has been a huge change, as traditionally they would use the turtle eggs for cooking or for aphrodisiac purposes.
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