Turtle Conservation Project in Costa Rica

  Costa Rica

• San Jose: 
San Jose

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: 1st and 3rd Monday of each Month - all year

Description: Working with the turtles of Costa Rica is an unforgettable experience, and our local partner desperately needs volunteer help. These beautiful sea turtles may become extinct within the next 20 years if their rate of decline is not stopped. Conservation volunteers will work on a project intended to protect the Lora turtle's nesting population on the Ostional Beach. The program is designed to protect the nests from human poachers and, more recently, from the erosion of the beach. Volunteers may also work with the local community association to implement management strategies according to regulations proposed by Costa Rica's Environment Ministry. The nesting season of the Lora turtle runs primarily from May to December, peaking in December with well over 1 million turtles arriving on the beach to nest.

Highlights: Each season, the Volunteer Costa Rica turtle conservation project recruits volunteers to help in the research and conservation work, such as night patrolling, working in the hatcheries, collecting eggs, and rescuing turtles. During this time, the volunteer will have the opportunity to work directly with turtles, taking carapace and nest-dimension measurements, collecting eggs, and tagging the rear flippers of the turtles.

This project is available year-round, but it is best during Costa Rica's high season, from May to December.

Qualifications: No qualifications are needed but we expect our volunteers to be passionate about saving turtles and environmental conservation.

Cost in US$: 1st week: USD 799 to 12 weeks: 2401 *Please add USD 5 per day for Turtle Conservation project.

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18 or above

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Global Crossroad's Mission Statement: Global Crossroad offers many remarkable and challenging volunteer, internship, mini-adventure and cultural immersion programs to volunteers in fascinating countries like India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, China, Cambodia, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala and Peru. Our meaningful and unique programs engages our volunteers in projects that will uplift lives of poor children and women as well as allowing them plenty of opportunities to enjoy the historical, cultural and natural wonders of the host country.

Year Founded: 2002