General Info
Turtle lovers needed
You will be working with a Costa Rican non-profit marine and research organisation in small village communities, helping them to protect nesting turtles and their eggs, and ensuring that the baby turtles make it safely to the sea.
You can volunteer to work with turtles at four beach sites along the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Locations are in or close to small villages in basic but comfortable accommodation, set on or near the beach, in close vicinity of the mountains and rainforests.
What will I do in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is home to stretches of lush turtle nesting beaches all along its coastline. Due to natural predation from animals and severe human interference such as turtle egg poaching, industrial fishing and selling turtle shell products, all turtle species from the Pacific Coast are, to some degree, in danger of becoming extinct. There are four project sites in which you can volunteer, each with its own charm and beauty. You can choose to volunteer at as few or as many sites as you please.
* The community project: A small beach in the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica, it boasts high numbers of turtles throughout the season. There is an excellent community spirit here, and you can really get involved with many other community based activities other than turtles.
* The paradise beach project: A buzzing community of both Costa Ricans and American expats, this project site has a stunning white sand beach and plenty to keep you busy, with excellent surfing and other outdoor activites, a few bars and restaurants, and lots to explore.
* The rustic project: A remote camp on an uninhabited stretch of beach 9km from the closest civilisation will be your home, with an outdoor toilet, showers from a bucket and incredible sunsets. This is a beautiful, rustic and simple camp, not for the fainthearted!
* The tropical project: Breathtaking black sand beach shadowed by mountainous rainforests provides the setting for this project site near Panama. The next village boasts the longest wave in the world, offering amazing surfing. The surf in this village is pretty impressive too, and you will never be a loss for things to do, between the rainforest to explore and the beach to enjoy.
What about my free time?
Costa Rica is a stunning country, offering plenty of opportunities for surfing, horse riding along the beaches, exploring the mountains, rainforests and waterfalls, swimming, helping out in the community and seeing some amazing wildlife on your doorstep, from monkeys to toucans, from whales to macaws.
How will I get there?
You will fly in to San José, where you will be met by a member of the team. You will be put up in the capital for a night before making your way out to your project location the next
Benefits:
1 week = £670 (excluding flights)
Additional weeks = £215 per week up to 1 month, £100 thereafter
We offer full support throughout including a UK preparation course. The price includes transport to and from the airport to the project sites, food during your stay with the turtles and accomodation - with the first and last night spent in a hotel in the capital San Jose.
