Quick Facts
Program code
CR-WN101
Category
Volunteer Work, Nature Protection, Animal Welfare
Country
Costa Rica
Location
Nicoya Peninsula
Program start
flexible start and end dates, year round
Minimum duration
2 weeks
Minimum age
18 years
Contact us
Happy to help you
(+1) 954 762 7607
(+56) 9 7516 9816
(+49) 7735 425 339
skype: chileinside
8 am - 4 pm EST
Project details
This volunteer work in Costa Rica takes place in one of the country’s national parks. Although Costa Rica is a very small country, the vegetation and wildlife are extremely diverse. The national parks system was established to protect the country's unique nature and biodiversity since the beginning of the environmental conservation movement. Costa Rica is known for its extensive eco-tourism industry, making the country's national parks world-famous travel destinations. The parks are dispersed throughout the country and offer a huge range of attractions, such as beautiful beaches, volcanoes, mountain ranges, rain and cloud forests, lagoons, rivers, waterfalls, and many different exotic animals.
Most parks have a very diverse eco-system and unique flora and fauna. They are important refuges for endangered species. The species that make up Costa Rica's wildlife include a variety of mammals, beautiful birds, fish, and reptiles. Among the wild animals there are howler monkeys, capuchin monkeys, tapirs, jaguars, pumas, deer, squirrels, coati, peccary, marvellous butterflies, frogs, iguanas, toucans, and parrots. Furthermore, you can find a vast variety of water birds and about 70 different types of reptiles, like snakes and lizards. Sea turtles are the main attraction of many of the coastal national parks.
In the areas that are open for day visitors, the parks offer outdoor activities like hiking, horseback riding, rafting, kayaking, canopying, and more.
The volunteer project is carried out in one of the first nature reserves created in Costa Rica back in 1963. It is a true symbol of environmental conservation. It is located in Puntarenas province, right on the edge of the Nicoya Peninsula. The project is dedicated to protecting and preserving Costa Rican wildlife, native forest, and the marine ecosystem. It consists of 1,373 hectares of wild and marine conservation areas. The Reserve only has the 5% of the total territory open for tourists. Their contributions represent the main way to sustain the Park financially.
This reserve protects semi dry tropical forest. About 140 different species of trees have been identified inside the park. There is also a considerable variety of mammals in the park. Predominant among these and very easily spotted by visitors are the howler monkey and the white-face monkeys. Very abundant and easily seen are the white-nosed coati and the white-tailed deer. Also present, but harder to spot are the margay and the coyote. The greatest wealth in fauna is in the abundant marine birds, marine mammals including orcas, different kinds of fish, crabs and mollusks found in the shore waters of the offshore islands. Worth mentioning is the healthy population of brown boobies and pelicans found in the island, and the plentiful conch found on the park's waters.
Tasks
The weekly schedule will be posted each week on the board of the Volunteer House so the volunteers are notified ahead of time. Activities vary each week. The following schedule is general.
Breakfast: 6.30 am
The morning shift goes from 8.00 - 11.45 am
Lunch: 12.00 pm
The afternoon shift goes normally from 1.30 - 3.45 pm
Afternoon tea: 3.45 pm
Dinner: 6.30 pm
The weekends are off for volunteers to enjoy the beaches, explore the breathtaking nature and rich culture of Costa Rica, visit Montezuma or Santa Teresa, go surfing or just chill with a book.
The main interest of the volunteer program is to involve volunteers in conservation and protection of natural resources, carrying out maintenance work, eco tourism, monitoring, environmental education, labeling, and the like to ensure perpetuity for future generations.
Beach clean-up and Recycling
Two of the most important activities are the “Beach Clean-up and recycling" because of the positive impact that these have on our oceans. To protect the oceans and its animals from plastic, it is critical to at least contribute to maintaining the reserve as clean as possible. The activities are focused on recovering both the beaches from the reserve and also the ones in the surrounding areas. After collecting the trash, volunteers head to the recycle Station where they learn about the classification of solid waste. This represents a key contribution to the local town.
Environmental education and community
There is an environmental and community program, where volunteers have the opportunity to teach sustainability at the community school to co-create awareness with the local population of the nearest towns. Moreover, the program involves other activities like workshops, research, and community activities.
Construction and Maintenance
These activities are related to the necessities of the park, trails, and public areas, as well as the volunteer house. This kind of work is one of the most important within the reserve. Its objective is to repair those places on the trail that are in poor condition due to erosion, landslides, fallen trees, branches, etc. It includes working in all green areas such as the tourism office, the ranger’s house, the volunteer house, workshops, and main roads.
Monitoring and Research
The park has a monitoring and research area where the volunteers have the opportunity to watch wildlife in the forest and learn about their behavior and specificities. Volunteers will have the chance to visit the second station that is of great interest for researching species that are at risk of extinction.
Note: The tasks may vary. They depend on factors such as number of volunteers, weather, season, current needs of the project, as well as self-motivation. Not every volunteer may be fully involved in all these tasks.
Accommodation
The accommodation in the national parks in Costa Rica is set in shared dormitories in the so-called volunteer house. The volunteer house is also the place where volunteers get to know each other, can chill and relax together and just spend a good time.
There are shared bathrooms available and a kitchen and common area. Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner per day) is provided. Meals are prepared by our friendly local cooks. Any dietary restrictions such as allergies and vegetarian/vegan diets can be accommodated for.
The library has books in various languages and there is a take-a-book leave-abook system. A lookout treehouse is available for the volunteer’s relaxation.
The project site has WIFI Internet.
Note: In Latin America, especially in remote areas where many of our volunteer projects take place, the cellular or internet connection is not always reliable and fast.
Location
The National Park where you will be doing your Eco Volunteering is located at the southern tip of the beautiful Nicoya peninsula. This is one of the most fascinating areas of Costa Rica. Dense forests with lush vegetation, a rich flora & fauna, dream beaches and small, idyllic fishing villages characterize the landscape.
San José, the country's capital is about 300 km, but due to the road conditions this will take at least a 5-hour drive. In any case, the long drive it worth it!
Within the park itself, you will have plenty of possibilities to walk and hike. It is a rewarding feeling to see and hear the wildlife, be it different kinds of monkeys, exotic birds or other animals.
Not only is the park is a real paradise but also the nearby beaches. Some of the beaches include Montezuma, Mal Pais, or even Santa Teresa. All three attract tourists from all over the world for their great surfing spots or just relaxing. In Montezuma and Santa Teresa, you can find restaurants, bars, as well as tour operators offering different kinds of outdoor activities.
The people in Costa Rica are friendly and relaxed, and live according to the motto "Pura Vida" - "pure life". In Costa Rica you can learn to enjoy life to the fullest! In addition, the "Ticos" speak a clear and slow Spanish, so that it is easy to understand them.
Language skills
In our Wildlife & Nature projects, our volunteers get along well with English language skills.
For optimal program preparation and cultural integration in the destination country, we recommend participating in a Spanish course in Costa Rica (optional).
You can book your Spanish course in Costa Rica directly with us!
Requirements
- English skills. Basic Spanish skills (book your Spanish course in Costa Rica!)
- Minimum age 18 years
- Application at least 4 weeks before the desired start of the program. Read more about our application process here.
- Completion of a foreign travel health insurance (get your travel insurance here!)
Pre-departure and in-country support
Before arrival, our experienced team will be at your disposal to assist you throughout the booking process and travel planning. With the booking confirmation you will receive our 24-hour emergency number, so that you can reach us in case of emergency on 7 days a week around the clock.
In addition to the assistance given by our office staff you will be supported by our partner organization in Costa Rica located in San José as well as the volunteer coordinator on-site.
Depending on the day of arrival in Costa Rica, the program includes one or two overnight stays in San José in a single room in a local homestay including breakfast and dinner.
Before you continue your journey to the project site, you will take part in an orientation talk with our staff in San José.
Costs & Services
The volunteer project in the National Park in Costa Rica includes:
- Shared room in Volunteer House
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Airport pick-up in San José with 2 overnight stays in San José (single room, breakfast & dinner)
- Transfer from San José homestay to the bus terminal for the onward journey to the project site *
- Advice from our experienced staff
- On-going support via WhatsApp, phone or mail
- Elaboration of your application profile in Spanish
- Your placement in the volunteer project
- Pre-departure information
- Packing list
- Country handbook
- Intercultural guide
- Welcome meeting in San José
- On-site volunteer coordinator
- 24/7 emergency number
- Advice on travel insurance
- Certificate of participation
*the costs for the bus ticket to the project site are not included.
Costs
Application fee: US$ 150
Program fee: US$ 915 (minimum stay 2 weeks)
Each additional week: US$ 290
Additionally, you can book:
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Volunteer Guide
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