Volunteering in Costa Rica - FULL

Volunteer work in Costa Rica offers you the chance to make a real difference in an incredible country not far from some of Central America's best beaches and where voluntary assistance is appreciated.

By volunteering overseas in Costa Rica at a sea turtles project you will get the best of both worlds, sun, sea and somethng worthwhile to do. The volunteer projects in Costa Rica are located in various areas around the country according to the sea turtle season at each and all volunteers are placed together. Additional projects are available for longer stay volunteers which can be arranged after arrival and the preferred two areas are: assisting at a girl's refuge and assisting at a day nursery. Volunteering in Costa Rica can therefore also throw up new opportunities once settled in and see you move from your initial base on the beach to social projects elsewhere.

Volunteers usually spend their free time between duties getting into town to contact home, stock up on supplies but most often enjoying the exotic beach and surf. Costa Rica is a small country and most tourist sights are easily accessible, tourists are well catered for and transport links are pretty good between the main towns. Our Volunteer work in Costa Rica is the best choice for anyone wanting to create a unique volunteer experience entirely of their own.

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What's included in this programme

Pick-up from San Jose airport and transfer to hostel/gueathouse or family home stay for one or two nights before travelling onto to the coast. On arrival orientation and briefing is provided on all the projects currently available. Volunteers live together in a variety of accommodation types from on site volunteer accommodation to sharing with families. The volunteer's work covers three main stages of vital conservation work; night patrols and taking vulnerable eggs to the hatchery, taking care of the eggs in the hatchery and the final stage; and often the highlight of any placement, releasing the baby sea turtles into the sea.

Most projects offer on site accommodation and although the work is usually 7 days a week, usually volunteers will get 2 days off to relax, swim, shop or explore the local area. If not living on site you will make your own way although off site accommodation is usually within walking distance. Time off however can sometimes be dictated by the sea turtles' activities! When the local sea turtle population is quiet (i.e. not hatching or coming ashore and laying eggs) volunteers may help with clearing the beaches, local education programmes (or general maintenance or repair work around the project. Sometimes volunteers help out with other local areas of need, perhaps at the local school or painting local homes.

Costa Rica is well known as one of the most straightforward and modern Latin Americas for the first time backpacker. When free or after your volunteering, explore this small but diverse tropical country either on your own or meet up with the many backpackers in the busy hostels that Costa Rica attracts.

We consider this project ideal if you...

Enjoy the outdoors and the elements!
Want to work in an exotic coastal location with plenty of time to enjoy it between helping on the project
Want to get to know the people and the way of life a little before travelling in the region
You already know some Spanish and would like further practice.

Costa Rica at a glance

Costa Rica is a tiny Central American country straddling two seas: the Caribbean and the Pacific. There is a sophisticated, conservation-minded tourist infrastructure with a well-developed network of national parks.

Active travellers can surf, hike, snorkel and spot wildlife for starters. The incredibly varied topography means you can cruise the cloud forest one day, visit an active volcano the next, and finish relaxing on a hot sandy beach. Trees laden with orchids are home to quetzals and over fifty species of hummingbird. Peaceful, democratic Costa Rica is the ideal destination for independent travellers looking for a spot of adventure.

Climate: Sub-tropical (Warm all year round, hottest month November).
Time difference from UK: GMT -6hrs