Programs Abroad

COSTA RICA - Field studies at Wildlife Refuge Center

	Project: Wildlife and Nature Booking Nº: CR107 Country: Costa Rica + Location: Heredia Minimum Stay: 2 weeks Start dates: Year round Price: 2 weeks, from 590 USD
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Task

Research local wildlife and plants
Data collection through observation
Trail maintenance
Garden maintenance
Supporting guides on tours

There are many ways for a volunteer to apply themselves at the Wildlife Refuge, though duties may vary according to weather conditions, climate, work load as well as total number of volunteers at a given moment. Of course the Refuge will be considering your personal interests and skills, when assigning responsibilities and tasks to volunteers.

During your stay at the Wildlife Refuge your main task load will take place outdoors in the Costa Rican Cloud Forest. You will be collecting field data while receiving information related to the investigation in which the refuge is participating. At the same time, volunteers will be developing their own personal abilities in fieldwork, data collection and analysis. These direct experiences with the forest will be a personally and professionally enriching experience.

While collecting date and learning about this fragile ecosystem, volunteers will also experience first-hand the grass-roots beginning of a succeeding model of conservation. This model is what feed further scientific research, environmental education program and ecotourism activities offered to the refuge´s visitors.

Other projects where extra hands are greatly utilized at the refuge are basic grounds maintenance and facility infrastructure updates. Further, you might be asked to support local staff by attending guests and answering questions on tours.

The Refuge offers a wide range outdoor activities like hiking, bird watching, tree climbing and holds many beautiful waterfalls. So, not all is about work! During spare time, volunteers invited to explore the exotic Cloud Forest wildlife, find secret swimming holes and participate in any adventure or eco-activity offered by the refuge.

Accommodation

Volunteer House
Shared bedrooms
Three meals per day

Located at the Wildlife Refuge Center rests a cozy volunteer house. The refuge can bed up to thirty-six people in the main bedroom quarters, with six bedrooms, three bunk beds each. Most likely, volunteers will have an international roommate to share their room with. There are three bathrooms and three showers all western style with running water at all times. The volunteer house as well as the next-door administration house has electricity 24/7. Laundry services are available for a small fee or hand washing basins are also available.

Furthermore the refuge has a large, fully equipped kitchen area for up to fifty people. This is used for visitors and serves as dining room for volunteers who live at the refuge. Volunteers will be hosted with three typical Costa Rican meals per day and will get an additional afternoon snack as well.

Candies, chocolate and personal items can be bought at local shops in the nearest town. However, it takes about forty-five minutes first walking and a short taxi ride at the end to get into town. Vegetarians are very welcome as well and special diet arrangements can be done upon request.

Please remember that the Refuge Center is a place where people from all over the world have the opportunity to contribute and work for the conservation of our planet. The ability to communicate in Spanish is essential for the project as it is the primary language used by local staff and other volunteers. However, we place people of all nationalities so you may have the chance to practice other languages too! There is also the opportunity to enhance your Spanish with people from the local Indigenous community.

Requirements

Language:
Project is Spanish-spoken. You might want to participate at a Spanish course prior to work to prepare yourself for the volunteer tasks.

Skills:
No specific skills are required.

Age:
18+ years

Vaccination:
Tetanus. Additionally, ask for medical advice in your home country.

Insurance:
Full travel & medical insurance for Costa Rica.

Visa:
Usually, tourist visa is fine. However, we recommend consulting the Costa Rican Embassy of your home country about visa requirements.

Details

The Wildlife Refuge Center is located close to the city of Heredia, near the Braulio Carrillo National Park. With 140 acres, the Refuge Center is hosted by secondary and primary cloud forests, with the topographical area consisting of rolling hills, steep cliffs, diverse types of trees, orchids, birds, springs and waterfalls. The Wildlife Refuge’s staff happily welcomes respectful visitors taking adventure of hiking this beautiful area. Declared a Wildlife Refuge in February 1998, it's mission is to help conserve and maintain the natural resources and environment of our planet, especially the uniqueness of Costa Rican nature.

To help create awareness about the importance of environmental protection, an introduction of strategic educational programs to schools and visitors related to the investigations and research held by researchers at the Refuge has been developed. The aim of this development is to generate education in Costa Rica so that future generations understand why and what they will be expected to protect one day.

The refuge offers several programs and workshops to approach visitors with the beauty and particularities of the Cloud Forest in this region. Visitors and volunteers can participate in guided tours through the center and admire waterfalls, local wildlife and rare plants. Additionally, the Refuge Center facilitates natural history workshops, local art projects with themes like conservation, as well as free classes about biodiversity, ecosystems, etc. Further, scientists from all over the world come to the center to perform landmark studies on local plants and animals.

Prices

Duration	in USD
2 weeks	590.-
3 weeks	890.-
4 weeks	1,180.-
5 weeks	1,470.-
6 weeks	1,770.-
7 weeks	2,060.-
8 weeks	2,360.-
Additional week	300.-

One time registration fee 75 USD.

What’s included:

Accommodation
3 meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Orientation kit
Local support
24h-Emergency Number

What’s not included:

Flight
Airport Pick-up
Medical Insurance
Visa (if necesary)
Personal expenses

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/environmental projects to ensure the protection and conservation of the tropical habitat. When walking the streets of Costa Rica, make sure to ask Costa Rican natives, 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 programming), range 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/or exploring rain forests.

The dry season of Costa Rica is between December through April, though like most Latin countries, schools are closed, beaches full and finding hotels may be tricky at last minute notice. 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 green with the rainy season. Lastly, Costa Rica encompasses year round possibilities for surfers, fishing enthusiasts and wildlife lovers alike. Depending what coast you want to surf, what fish you want to catch and what bird you hope to see, there are some 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 people and rarely without a smile!