Sea Turtle conservation project

  Costa Rica

• Central Pacific Coast: 
Osa Peninsula

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks

Description: This is your opportunity to be part of sea turtle conservation and experience Costa Rican culture.
If you are interested in working with sea turtles directly in the field, you can be part of our sea turtle protection program in the Osa peninsula in Costa Ricas south pacific region.
The project consists in patrolling the beaches at night for endangered nesting females and releasing baby turtle hatchlings, into the sea 6 weeks later.
There you have the unique opportunity to combine this professional guided experience with a nature experience as you will be right in Costa Rica's most exciting eco-system. The Osa Peninsula is famous for its untamed natural beauty, where the rainforest meets the ocean and scarlet macaws above our heads. This is the habitat of jaguars, sea turtles and dolphins. Humpback whales can be seen year round on their migration to the south and to the north.
Furthermore, you will work side by side with the easy going Ticos and Ticas and experience local cultures. Participate now in our project located on the South Pacific coast of Costa Rica in a place that is called El Progreso on the Osa Peninsula.
The sea turtle monitoring and conservation season at this site runs from June through December. Participants are invited to stay from 1 to 7 months.

Highlights: You will take part in our research team and all their activities. This includes beach cleaning activities, night watch, searching the beach for turtle eggs (mostly at night), taking scientific data, learning about sea turtle habits and population, taking care of the nesting area, construction activities, environmental education activities and the liberation of hatchlings.
You will stay directly at our Research Station in one of the newly built rustic cabins or in tents that are located under a roof to protect you from heat and rain. The Station is located directly at the beach but has all facilities you need like an outside kitchen, shared bathrooms and a large communal space with hammocks. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided in the community kitchen, served at 9:00 am, 1:00 pm and 6:00 pm, respectively.
Homestay: If you would like to add a more intense cultural feature to your experience you may be interested in staying with a host family close by. Locals like to open up their homes for our international volunteers and give you an inside view in Costa Rican culture and an opportunity to learn the language. Your host family will provide breakfast, as well as lunch and dinner.

Qualifications: The ability to speak Basic Spanish would be helpful but is not a requirement.

Cost in US$: $ 15 or $ 24 USD per day

Both include Room and board, Basic Insurance.

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18 years old and up

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and World Wide Participants.

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Corcovado Foundation's Mission Statement: To support and improve the existing conservation efforts made for the Osa Peninsula and other conservation areas in Costa Rica . We will accomplish this by assisting the national park system, supporting and empowering the local communities and promoting sustainability among the local businesses.

Year Founded: 2005