Quick Facts
Program code
CR-WN104
Category
Volunteer Work, Animal Welfare
Country
Costa Rica
Location
Camaronal, Nicoya Peninsula, close to Samara
Program start
year round. Arrival to San José ideally is on a Saturday since your onward travel to the project is on a Monday.
Minimum duration
2 weeks
Minimum age
18 years
Contact us
Happy to help you
(+1) 954 762 7607
(+56) 23245 9801
(+49) 7735 425 339
skype: chileinside
8 am - 4 pm EST
Project details
During this volunteer work project, you will support a Sea Turtle Protection Project in the Camaronal National Wildlife Refuge on the beautiful Nicoya Peninsula. The refuge is situated in the province of Guanacaste, in the north western part of Costa Rica. The area, which became a National Wildlife Refuge in 1994, extends over 243 hectares (600 acres) of land and spans 3 kilometers (2 miles) along the coast. The region is the most prominent area for sea turtle nests in Costa Rica.
In addition to the turtles, you will find numerous species of plants, mammals, birds, and reptiles, which make this one of the most biologically diverse regions on our planet. The large number of species attracts many volunteers from all over the world. As one of them, you will support a team of biologists with observing sea turtles that are laying eggs, watching over the turtles' nests, excavating eggs, and keeping the eggs safe in incubators.
In addition to observing the animals, you will also monitor the environmental conditions in order to record the temperatures and the amount of precipitation. The work in this project is extremely exciting.
Witnessing and studying sea turtles that can reach a weight of up to 1,650 pounds with shells up to 100 inches long is a very unique experience. You will watch them dig holes incredibly fast, despite their huge size, and deposit up to 60 eggs in the sand!
Tasks
At the beginning of the project, you will be warmly welcomed and given an introduction that covers the most important issues about your time as a volunteer at the sea turtle project. There are numerous exciting tasks involved in the project, all of which offer a great insight into the work of environmentalists in Costa Rica! During your volunteer work, you will provide support to the ongoing effort to protect different species of threatened sea turtles, their eggs, and hatchlings in the province of Guanacaste. The region where you will be living and working is part of the Camaronal National Park, which is located on the beautiful Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.
As a volunteer for this project, you will patrol approximately 3 kilometers (2 miles) of beautiful beaches during the night, where you can observe and study the actions of the rare Leatherback sea turtles and other sea turtle species in their natural habits. Volunteers never patrol alone; they go always in groups. Turtles are present throughout the year, however, August to January is the peak season when turtles lay their eggs. During this time, volunteers can observe up to 30 turtle nests every night! During the remaining months, only a handful of sea turtles can be seen per night to make their nests on the beach. During either season, you will have the unique opportunity to view the sea turtles up close and become involved with their protection. While in the field at night, it is extremely important to collect data on the turtles in order to be able to evaluate and analyse the sea turtle population in the Pacific Ocean.
You will have the special opportunity to approach these wonderful animals, which are threatened with extinction. In this region, the rare and endangered Leatherback Turtles are present. Their incredibly enormous shells can grow up to 100 inches long and they can weigh up to 1,650 pounds. Since the project aims is to protect the eggs and hatchlings from threatening predators that eat or trample the eggs, you will collect turtle eggs and store them in incubators in order to observe them until they hatch after 45 to 60 days. You will then participate in their release into the wild.
Through your help with this project, you are directly supporting the sea turtle's population growth in the Pacific Ocean.
We would like to point out that nature is unpredictable and we cannot guarantee the number of sea turtles for a certain period of participation.
Note: The tasks may vary. They depend on factors such as number of volunteers, weather, season, current needs of the project, as well as self-motivation. Not every volunteer may be fully involved in all these tasks.
Accommodation
Volunteers are accommodated in volunteer houses close to the administrative building, located slightly higher than the beach. This offers an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean. The houses are simple and fulfil local standards.
There is also an equipped kitchen, a large common terrace, as well as bathrooms with showers. Volunteers usually cook their meals together. Ingredients are provided by the project.
Note: In Latin America, especially in remote areas where many of our volunteer projects take place, the cellular or internet connection is not always reliable and fast.
Location
The sea turtle project is located about 5 hours southwest of the country’s capital San Jose. The next largest town is the beautiful seaside resort of Sámara, which is about 20 minutes away by car. Sámara is located directly on the Pacific coast on the Nicoya Peninsula, in the province of Guanacaste. It is a small, sunny town with gorgeous beaches as far as the eye can see. Sámara is a tourist town and therefore has a good infrastructure of supermarkets, restaurants, shops and a distinctive nightlife.
This region and its surroundings offer the ideal place to relax and enjoy. Here you will find a variety of flora and fauna, impressive coral reef near the coast, evergreen landscape in the hinterland, various wonderful national parks, as well as a lot of options for outdoor and adventure sports.
Language skills
In our Wildlife & Nature projects, our volunteers get along well with English language skills.
For optimal program preparation and cultural integration in the destination country, we recommend participating in a Spanish course in Costa Rica (optional).
You can book your Spanish course in Costa Rica directly with us!
Requirements
- English skills. Basic Spanish skills (book your Spanish course in Costa Rica!)
- Minimum age 18 years
- Application at least 4 weeks before the desired start of the program. Read more about our application process here.
- Completion of a foreign travel health insurance (get your travel insurance here!)
Pre-departure and in-country support
Before arrival, our experienced team will be at your disposal to assist you throughout the booking process and travel planning. With the booking confirmation you will receive our 24-hour emergency number, so that you can reach us 24/7 in case of emergency.
In addition to the assistance given by our office staff you will be supported by our partner organization in Costa Rica located in San José, as well as the volunteer coordinator on-site.
Depending on the day of arrival in Costa Rica, the program includes one to three nights in San José in a single room with a host family (including breakfast).
Before you leave for the project site, you will take part in an orientation talk with our colleagues in San José.
Costs & Services
Our volunteer project in Sea Turtle Protection at the Pacific Coast in Costa Rica includes:
- Shared room in Volunteer House
- Full board
- Airport pick-up in San José with 2 overnight stays in San José
- Transfer from San José accommodation to bus terminal for journey to project site *
- Professional English-speaking advice
- Translation of your application documents
- Volunteer Work Placement in Costa Rica
- English-speaking in-country support
- Welcome meeting in San José
- Handbook Costa Rica
- Intercultural guideline
- 24/7 emergency number
- Information about suitable travel insurance
- Certificate of participation
*the costs for the bus ticket to the project site are not included.
Costs
Application fee: US$ 150
Program fee: US$ 795 (minimum stay 2 weeks)
Each additional week: US$ 265
Additionally, you can book:
Our tips (experience more + see more = save $$)
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All our stay abroad programs can be combined with each other: So, you can combine different volunteer projects in the same country or in different countries, or you mix Working Holiday with volunteer work or Farm Stay with Working Holiday ...and so on …
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Note: Language courses are excluded from this promotion. These discounts can not be combined with other promotions.
If you need assistance in putting together your personal experience abroad, then please contact us. Our experienced staff will help you to set up your tailor-made stay abroad.
Volunteer Guide
Find valuable information about volunteering abroad in our program guides. Find out about all the benefits, possibilities and challenges, that a stay abroad offers you. Read more about the great opportunities that South America Inside has at your disposal.
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