Save the Sea Turtles in Costa Rica

  Costa Rica

• North Western Region: 
Guanacaste
• Eastern Lowlands: 
Gandoca

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Any day of the year

Description:
We have several sea turtle projects throughout Costa Rica, running at different times of the year:

Cahuita Nesting Project (Caribbean Coast) - May 1st - Oct 31st
Gandoca (Caribbean Coast) - Feb 15th - Aug 15th
Corcovado (Southern Pacific) - Aug 15th - Dec 30th
Cahuita In-Water Project (Caribbean Coast) - Sept 1st - Oct 31st
Camaronal (Northern Pacfic) - all year round

Gandoca, Cahuita (nesting) and Corcovado:

The main objective of the Gandoca, Cahuita (nesting) and Corcovado turtle projects is to protect the nests from human poachers and more recently from the erosion of the beach. Before the projects begun, the poaching rate was over 95% but with the presence of our night patrols and the hatcheries on the beach, the survival rate has increased to over 90% last season.

Volunteers in these projects will be heavily involved with the nesting and hatching of sea turtles. You will be walking the beaches at night, seeking nesting mother turtles. When a turtle is found, you will tag and measure it, and carefully collect the eggs for transfer to the safety of a hatchery. During certain times of year, you will have the opportunity to participate in the release of hundreds of little hatchlings into the sea.

Corcovado is a magical destination that not many people get to see. It's very remote, but full of the wildest animals, flowers and jungle sounds you'll ever see and hear. Gandoca is less remote, situated in a town of about 50 families, whereas Cahuita is closest to a major tourist town, Puerto Viejo de Limon.

Cahuita In-Water project:

As a volunteer with our In-Water Sea Turtle Project you will be capturing, tagging and measuring sea turtles under water in the Puerto Vargas area of the Cahuita National Park.

The main activity of this project is an in-water survey of the foraging population found at the Cahuita coral reef. Individual sea turtles are captured for studying and tagging using entanglement nets, while the reef is surveyed using different techniques. Turtles are tagged, their size measured, tissue samples for DNA analysis are taken and reproductive status is determined. Your role as a volunteer is crucial in assisting us in various aspects of data collection. Whether participating in night patrols looking for nesting females, or in-water surveys, you will have lots of hands on participation including tagging and measuring turtles. Volunteers spend at least 4 hours per day in the water.

The project's objective is to build on existing knowledge of the population demographics of marine turtles in the South Caribbean region. There has been no previous in-water study about the resident sea turtle populations in the area, although observations by local fisherman and Park rangers suggest that the reef at Cahuita National Park may be a significant foraging site for different species of sea turtle species. Previous research conducted by Asociación ANAI on the nesting beach demonstrates that Cahuita National Park is the most important nesting site in the country for the critically endangered Hawksbill sea turtle. The project will determine population trends and threats to the populations to develop sound conservation management strategies, from both a regional and international perspective.

Camaronal:

As a volunteer at the Camaronal Sea Turtle Project in Costa Rica, you will be working to protect sea turtles on the beach in the National Wildlife Reserve of Camaronal in the Province of Guanacaste.

Our main purpose is to protect the our species of marine turtles nesting in this beach, which are: Olive Ridley, Hawksbill, Leatherback and Black turtles. Volunteers in this project will be heavily involved with the nesting and hatching of sea turtles. You will be walking the beaches at night, seeking nesting mother turtles. When a turtle is found, you will tag and measure it, and carefully collect the eggs for transfer to the safety of a hatchery. During certain times of year, you will have the opportunity to participate in the release of hundreds of little hatchlings into the sea.

This project is different from our other sea turtle projects as it receives much less funding and support and is in much greater need of help. Another advantage of this project is that volunteers can spend some of their time helping in a nearby elementary school (with only 5 students), as well as in environmental education.

This is a great project for families, and is our only sea turtle project that allows children under the age of 17.

Highlights:
Though these projects are hard work, they are extremely rewarding. The turtles themselves are amazing, and all these places are some of the richest biological areas in the world. Life-changing experiences, unrestricted glimpses of the Costa Rica most visitors don't know, and a way to have a positive and lasting impact on this endangered species.

The vacation is not all work; plenty of play is available as well. Some of these places are great surfing destinations and there are many activities that you can take part in nearby. It'll certainly be an experience of a lifetime and one you'll not likely forget soon!

Qualifications:
We are seeking volunteers who have the ability to impact the community in a positive way, willing and able to work 2 shifts per day, from 4-6 hours per shift, sometimes at night. Prospective volunteers should also be physically fit, have a good work ethic, a friendly attitude and be willing to immerse themselves in another culture.

Cost in US$: 1 week - $699, 2 weeks - $1395, each additional week - $245

Spanish language lessons, excursions and cellphone rental are available at an extra cost.

Children 5 and under are charged $250 for two weeks. Children aged 6-12 are charged $500 for two weeks. We offer a family discount of 10% off total base price.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: The typical volunteer at Tropical Adventures is someone who wants to experience the rich bio-diversity of Costa Rica, while learning Spanish and sharing their time, skills and love. Our volunteers like to work hard and play hard. They work well with others and enjoy submersing themselves in a different culture. Typical volunteers are college students, families or retirees.

Age Range: 16+ unless with guardian.

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad

Tropical Adventures's Mission Statement: The Tropical Adventures Foundation is a resource for empowering individuals and communities inside and outside of Costa Rica. Our goals are to: Support the inherent value of the individual, reduce poverty and injustice, help communities achieve sustainable growth, create safe environments, promote international learning and cooperation and foster personal and worldwide peace. Every community around the world faces the fundamental challenge to create social and economic systems that promote peace, human welfare and the sustainability of the environment on which life depends. We meet this challenge by supporting and encouraging initiatives by those living and working closest to where the problems are located. We promote collaboration among diverse individuals, nonprofit organizations, government and businesses from the local area and around the world, as well as from every level of society. Our experience shows such activities help build common understanding, bring forward and reinforce the inherent value of the individual, strengthen a sense of local and worldwide community, and ultimately enable people to improve their lives and reinforce their commitment to society.

Year Founded: 2005