Working in one of the amazing National Parks in Costa Rica is an unique opportunity to get to know the natural wonders off the beaten tracks!
Programs Abroad
COSTA RICA - Environmental Conservation at Biological Field Station 
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Booking Nº: CR105 Country: Costa Rica + Location: Monteverde Minimum Stay: 2 weeks Start dates: All year round Price: from 2 weeks, 430 USD |
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Task
- Maintaining field station and hiking trails
- Surveying species (birds, mammals & amphibians)
- Making and posting signs on hiking trails
- Building projects
- Greenhouse & Tree Nursery maintenance
- Guiding visitors through reserve
Working at the biological field stations involves lending a helping hand with nearly all types of conservation tasks. We ask that you be flexible to adapt to new tasks during your stay, though certain responsibilities and tasks vary depending on your personal strength and interest. If you are specialized in any particular field related to environmental work and would like to apply your knowledge in the field station, please let us know! We would be happy to check out the possibility of arranging a special project customized to your interests (e.g. energy systems, agriculture, forestry).
If you don't mind working physically demanding jobs there are always open spots on the trail building crew. Trail crews spend their days outside, surrounded by wildlife. At the end of the day when you look back and notice all the ground you´ve covered, you will walk back to the station feeling accomplished. You might even find puma tracks on your trail!
If your Spanish is good, you could help in the office or take care of the ticket desk at the station's entrance. Here, volunteers are trained to tell the history of the Biological Reserve so that visitors have a better understanding of this beautiful part of the Rainforest and just how fragile and unique the area truly is.
If you are an artist, you could work on exhibits for the nature center or design murals for the office at the field station. If you love plants, you could help with tree planting or work in the greenhouse in the Pro Native project.
Last but not least, any persons with knowledge about tropical biology would be greatly utilized as a naturalist guide at the natural reserve. Not only do you verbally demonstrate your biological insight, but you will also guide visitors through the trials giving them visuals about why it is important to protect and conserve not only the rainforests, but the planet as a whole.
Accommodation
- Accommodation with Costa Rican family
- Private bedroom
- Three meals per day
Requirements
Language:English and/or Spanish skills required (you can book your Spanish course in Costa Rica with us!)
Skills:
No professional skills or experiences required.
Age:
18+ years
Vaccination:
Not required. Please consult us and your doctor for specific recommendations
Insurance:
Full travel and medical insurance is required. You can purchase a full coverage, no deductible health and travel insurance at a special rate for our participants by contacting your South America Inside representative.
Visa:
Tourist visa valid for 90 days. For further information regarding visa requirements please contact us and the corresponding embassy or consulate in your home country.
Details
The Conservation Reserve is a non-profit civil organization, whose mission is "to conserve, preserve and rehabilitate tropical ecosystems and their biodiversity." Based upon these principles, the reserve has developed a series of programs and administrative structure. Programs include:- Reforestation
- Research
- Protection and Monitoring
- Maintenance
- Environmental Education
- Mega Fauna Park
- Global Climate Change
- Eco-Tourism
The organization was founded in 1986 by a group of local residents concerned for the preservation of local natural resources. Currently it is composed of sixty active members who hold yearly elections for the organization's board of directors. It is composed of diverse members in terms of nationalities, backgrounds and philosophical principles are, but they all have a common goal to conserve the forest.
Since its beginnings, the primary project was to acquire land in order to conserve it. With the support from hundreds of people from over forty-four different countries, the Eternal Rainforest was created. The reserve boasts over 55,600 acres and is the largest private reserve in Costa Rica. During the last twenty years they have received support from local and international researchers.
The main purpose of the staff is to care for all sectors that are open to the public. This includes trails, roads, signs and infrastructure. The maintenance staff also works to keep property boarders clearly marked and in good condition. They contribute to the protection program, environmental education and organized hikes for tourists and other groups. Under this program, they patrol and monitor the forest. The staff believe the best strategy to protecting Mother Nature is to cultivate seeds of consciousness early on and apply knowledge to our children. If we successfully pass on what we now know to our youth, we will have responsible and knowledgeable adults in the future who will love and protect the only earth we were given.
Biological Field Stations:
2. PS Biological Station is located in the region of Monte Verde in the province of Puntarenas. This very rainy area sits at an altitude of 2,400 feet above sea level. Annually rainfall ranges from 4,000 to 4,500 mm. However, temperatures are pleasant varying between 17 and 20 degrees Celsius throughout the year. The station has a capacity for twenty-four people, six miles of trails, mud pots, volcanic lava, a nine acre Laguna and a magnificent waterfall.
Source: Google Maps
Prices
| Duration | in USD |
|---|---|
| 2 weeks | 430.- |
| 3 weeks | 620.- |
| 4 weeks | 800.- |
| 5 weeks | 980.- |
| 6 weeks | 1,160.- |
| Additional week |
155.- |
One time registration fee 75 USD.
What’s included:
- Accommodation
- 3 meals / day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Orientation kit
- Local support
- 24h-Emergency Number
- Volunteer Work Placement
- Certificate of participation
What’s not included:
- Flight
- Airport pick-up
- Medical Insurance
- Visa (if necesary)
- Local Travels
Country
Country information Costa Rica |
 Costa Rica stands as one of the smallest countries in Central America with approximately 19,000 square miles and a coastline of 810 miles. The country borders Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the south and the Pacific and Caribbean Sea on either side. Costa Rica is home to 4.5 million people with upwards of 350,000 people living in the capital city of San Jose.
The Costa Rican climate is commonly humid and warm year round, although temperatures in the highlands are typically colder and cloudier. Incredibly, 23% of an already small amount of densely populated land remains protected territory by National Parks and/or private reserves. This protected land is home and host to a wide variety of exotic plants, animals, and social and environmental projects to ensure the protection and conservation of the tropical habitat. When walking the streets of Costa Rica, make sure to ask Costa Ricans, who typically know heaps, about their national treasures. Further, Costa Rica is the most politically stable country in Central America, with a disbanded army for more than sixty years and a relatively high standard of education. Tourism is one of the main economic income sources for Costa Rica. With over 2 million tourists exploring Costa Rica each year, the country stands as the most visited nation in the Central American region. Through eco-tourism programs, (which CR was one of the first countries offering this type of tourism), a variety of activities, and year round tropical weather, the country attracts tourists from all over the world. Aside from protected land, the true jewels of Costa Rica are the surrounding islands with serene beaches and breath-taking nature. This country offers beautiful landscapes for dream vacations of beach lounging, surfing, snorkeling, hiking volcanoes, zip-lining, rafting, bird watching, fishing, and exploring rain forests. The dry season of Costa Rica is between December and April, though like most Latin countries, schools are closed, beaches full and finding last minute hotels may be tricky. A second peak season arrives with the Europeans and North Americans during June and July. As the off-season arrives in May, so does the lush green vegetation with the rainy season. Lastly, Costa Rica encompasses year round possibilities for surfers, fishing enthusiasts and wildlife lovers alike. Depending on what coast you want to surf, what fish you want to catch and what bird you hope to see, there are variations on ideal months to further research. Finally, Costa Rica is a perfect place to learn Spanish, as the Spanish spoken here is typically slow without strong accents and layers of slang. The Costa Ricans are very friendly, energetic and always with a smile!
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