Sea Turtle Project - Punta Banco - Costa Rica

  Costa Rica

• Central Pacific Coast: 
Punta Banco

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks and 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: inquire for more info.

Description: This small town of approximately 200 inhabitants is located on the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica, nestled between virgin rain forest and beautiful black sand beaches. This is a rustic, tropical environment, much different than what most volunteers are used to. Although Punta Banco is isolated, it has two small mini-marts ("pulperias") and two simple restaurants ("sodas"), as well as potable water, electricity and one or two television sets. The closest telephone and computer are in the small surf town of Pavones, 7km north of Punta Banco.

Living conditions are simple and volunteers should be prepared to live under these same conditions. Participants should also be aware that people in these communities have different cultures and standards of living than those one might be used to, it is important to have an open mind, be adaptable and bring a positive attitude.

The area is home to an extraordinary array of natural beauty and has become quite a desired destination for nature lovers. One can enjoy hiking through the rainforest or exploring the various nearby waterfalls. Local wildlife includes monkeys (howler, white face capuchin, squirrel), birds (tangara, scarlet macaw, toucan, woodpecker, white falcon and more), lizards (green iguana, jesus christ lizard), frogs (poison dart frog). Just a few of the activities available include visiting tide pools, hanging in a hammock, walking on impressive rainforest trails, horseback riding, and surfing.

The Team

Two interns, who are usually advanced students or recent graduates of biology or a related field, coordinate research activities. Local community member, who probably know the beaches and the turtles better than anyone, are trained as "local monitors" and participate with night patrols and data collection. The local monitors and volunteers provide sufficient personnel to patrol the beach and ensure protection for the greatest number of nests possible.

Participants come from all over the world to assist with PRETOMA's conservation efforts and stay in Punta Banco anywhere from one week to five months. We recommend a minimum stay of 2 weeks to really get to know the project and community members of Punta Banco. Working in such a tight knit and unique situation, team members often forge strong bonds with one another, leading to friendships that last a lifetime!

Highlights: Since the project was initiated in 1996, international and local participants have tagged, measured, and protected hundreds of turtles. As a result, more than 65,000 hatchlings have been protected and released to the sea, and the poaching rates in Punta Banco have dropped from almost 100% to around 10%! Furthermore, the project benefits the small economy of Punta Banco. The few shops and restaurants welcome the influx of participants during the nesting season.

Qualifications: All are welcome. Volunteers learn techniques on site and thus needn't be biologists or turtle experts. Volunteers should have an interest in protecting endangered sea turtles, living and working with other volunteers from around the world, and getting to know the people, the surroundings and culture in a small coastal village in Costa Rica.

Cost in US$: From $310 for 1 week. $550 for 2 weeks. Travel assistance offered at an additional price.

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

PRETOMA (Programa Restauracion de Tortugas Marinas)'s Mission Statement: PRETOMA (Programa Restauración de Tortugas Marinas) is a Costa Rican non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to the protection of sea turtles, sharks and the marine environment. Our sea turtle nesting beach projects on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica have been around for over a decade and have protected hundreds of thousands of adult and hatchling turtles, while generating important scientific information.

Year Founded: 1997