Volunteer with turtles in Costa Rica
Description of Volunteer with turtles in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is the ultimate destination for glorious beaches and adventure activities, as well as volunteering with turtles. Join a project that gives you the chance to enjoy areas of unspoilt coastline whilst helping to protect the precious marine environment and its magnificent shelled inhabitants.
About the project
Turtle populations are under threat from natural predation and human interference and your help is needed to ensure their survival. Join a non-profit marine research organisation working hard to protect turtle populations where they are in steep decline. You will become an important member of the team by protecting turtles during the crucial nesting and hatching stages, and even ensuring the baby turtles successfully reach the sea.
What will I be doing?
Get a daily dose of vitamin D and feel the sand under your toes as you spend your time on some of Costa Rica’s most beautiful beaches taking part in the following activities:
• Patrolling the beaches in search of nesting turtles (night time activity under the Milky Way!)
• Monitoring turtle nests
• Protecting new hatchlings
• Recording observations for the charity’s research project that will be used to help form campaigns to change regulations that endanger the species in Costa Rica
The wildlife and scenery in Costa Rica is quite literally breath taking, so it’s no wonder it’s a dream destination for animal lovers and eco-tourism enthusiasts. On this project you are likely to regularly spot not only turtles, but whales, dolphins, crocodiles, macaws, toucans, monkeys, butterflies and more, all in their natural habitats.
Accommodation and food
Volunteers stay in dorm accommodation, with up to 6 people sharing an en-suite room. Toilets are western and showers are heated by the sun.
Two delicious meals per day are provided by the local community. Lunch and dinner can involve rice and beans (the Costa Rican staple), meat, fish, vegetables, salad and potatoes. Breakfast is a DIY buffet of toast, fruit and eggs.
Itinerary
| Day 1: | Monday arrival to San Jose (SJO). Airport collection and transfer to a hotel for overnight. Food not included. |
| Day 2: | 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. |
| Day 3 - 8: | Volunteer project runs with several hours of volunteering during the day and nightly beach patrols of up to 4 hours. |
| Day 9: | If you are just staying for a week, you will transfer back to San Jose on the Tuesday. Overnight in a hotel. Food not included. If you are staying for longer (most people do), your volunteering will continue. |
| Day 10: | Wednesday departure from San Jose (SJO). Transfer to the airport included or time for independent travel. |
Map
Price information
Your trip can then be extended at a cost of £660 per week.
Departure information
Travel guides
Holiday information
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Reviews
5 Reviews of Volunteer with turtles in Costa Rica
Reviewed on 09 Jan 2019 by Jonah Cedar
It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had and I can’t wait for a chance to go back and to share the trip with others who would enjoy it! Read full reviewReviewed on 21 Aug 2018 by Julie Clark
I enjoyed the night patrols, walking by moonlight, seeing the constellations, milky way, shooting stars & some of the lightening storms were spectacular. Read full reviewReviewed on 03 Dec 2014 by Katie Wilkinson
This is a really sound conservation project with some clear tangible benefits and as a volunteer you really fee like you're making a difference. Would highly recommend this project to anyone. Read full reviewReviewed on 02 Sep 2014 by Ellie Hall
I would give the holiday 7/10. It was a very relaxing an beautiful beach and I learnt so much about the culture and turtles. Read full reviewReviewed on 25 Sep 2013 by Mark Fletcher
The whole trip was one of our favourite lifetime experiences....We were a good 20 years older than anyone else, but don't get me wrong we can rough it with the best of them! Read full reviewResponsible Travel
Planet
Our projects are designed to immerse you in a different culture, living and working with local people. There’s plenty to gain personally from this - but we make sure that the project directly benefits local people and wildlife too.Animal welfare
The 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.
People
Meeting local needsMany in the local community rely on the marine environment for their livelihood (whether through fishing or tourism). This project aims to conserve the natural environment which they depend upon. 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 rural Borneo. Volunteers are briefed on the local cultures and customs. Our policy is to send people in small groups, which minimises the environmental and social impact that the participants have on the destination and helps them to integrate into the local community.
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