Volunteer Sea Turtle Conservation in Costa Rica

  Costa Rica

• North Western Region: 
Guanacaste

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: 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 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 receives little outside funding and support and is in much need of help.

Volunteers on this project can also spend some of their time helping in a nearby elementary school (with only 5 students), as well as in giving environmental education to local community members.

This is a great project for families and groups as well as individual travellers.

Please visit our website photo gallery to see photos of our projects and read what past volunteers have said about their experiences in our volunteer blog.

Highlights: Though this projects are hard work, they are extremely rewarding. The turtles themselves are amazing, and the reserve is biologically very diverse. 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 these endangered species.

The vacation is not all work; plenty of play is available as well. Camoronal is known as a great surfing destination and is is a beautiful location surrounded by nature. We'll arrange any tours or activities you would like to do during your time in Costa Rica. It really is an experience of a lifetime!

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 - USD 995; 2 weeks - USD 1895; each additional week - USD 399

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

* Accommodation in guesthouses and hotels can be arranged at extra charge.

Children 12 and under are charged 799 USD for 1 week and 999 USD for two weeks.

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 Worldwide 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-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad

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