Macaw & Animal Reserve Supporter

location
2 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Fantastic 4.5  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Highlights

  • Work alongside dedicated professionals and passionate volunteers in a sanctuary recognized for its commitment to environmental education and conservation.
  • Engage in reforestation efforts and discover the vibrant ecosystems of Costa Rica while making a meaningful impact on local wildlife.
  • Live and work in a breathtaking natural setting while connecting with nature and wildlife like never before.

Highlights

  • Work alongside dedicated professionals and passionate volunteers in a sanctuary recognized for its commitment to environmental education and conservation.
  • Engage in reforestation efforts and discover the vibrant ecosystems of Costa Rica while making a meaningful impact on local wildlife.
  • Live and work in a breathtaking natural setting while connecting with nature and wildlife like never before.
  • Get ready for an active volunteer experience that not only supports wildlife conservation but also enriches your life with unforgettable moments.


  • Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Groups

    About the program

    Take care of rescued animals - especially macaws -, to rehabilitate and reintroduce them into the wild.

    About the Program

    The Macaw Reserve was created in the year 1994 by two Costa Ricans for their grand admiration for the parrots. In addition, the reserve began as a result of their preoccupation with the constant threat that these emblematic birds face, the loss of their natural habitat and their ...

    About the program

    About the Program

    The Macaw Reserve was created in the year 1994 by two Costa Ricans for their grand admiration for the parrots. In addition, the reserve began as a result of their preoccupation with the constant threat that these emblematic birds face, the loss of their natural habitat and their extraction from the forest as pets. For these reasons there has been an incredible reduction in the population of native, wild macaws in Costa Rica, further highlighting the importance of such a sanctuary of conservation. 

    The Macaw Reserve has the primary purpose to conserve native, wild macaws of Costa Rica and develop a captive management and breeding program to rescue, rehabilitate and reintroduce them into the wild, with support from the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE), the National Police and volunteers from civil society. 

    Additionally, the Sanctuary facilitates programs of reforestation, environmental education and ecotourism. For this reason, the proyect was declared by the Central Municipality of Puntarenas, a place of educational, scientific and touristic interest, by motion created on July 13th 2015.

    Our Volunteers

    Things to bring:

    • Love for animals and nature 
    • Being prepared for sometimes physically demanding work 
    • Ability to integrate and adapt to the center's rules 
    • Enjoy to communicate with the guests of the center
    • Good knowledge of Spanish or English


    Typical day

    Your Tasks

    • Assisting with care for animals
    • Preparing food and helping the keeper distribute the portions for each animal 
    • Cleaning and repairs of the facility and viewing areas
    • Maintainance of pathways and areas around animal pens
    • Helping in discussions and workshops with schools and visitors
    • Attending ...

    Typical day

    Your Tasks

    • Assisting with care for animals
    • Preparing food and helping the keeper distribute the portions for each animal 
    • Cleaning and repairs of the facility and viewing areas
    • Maintainance of pathways and areas around animal pens
    • Helping in discussions and workshops with schools and visitors
    • Attending visitors

    The day begins at 6 am cutting fruit und vegetables. You will bring the fresh cut food to the animals and clean their bowls. At 8:30 am you'll have a typical breakfast - rice and beans, fruit and vegetable. The works continues until lunch at 12:00 md and after lunch your work continues according to the special works that have to done. Be prepared for hard work and a lot of dirt!


    Free-time activities

    The Reserve is in a remote area - be prepared to chill after work and make friends with the workers and their daily life. There is an Airport for Ultralight Airplanes and Gyrocopter in footwalk distance - if you ever wanted to make this incredible experience to fly with such an airplane ... here you ...

    Free-time activities

    The Reserve is in a remote area - be prepared to chill after work and make friends with the workers and their daily life. There is an Airport for Ultralight Airplanes and Gyrocopter in footwalk distance - if you ever wanted to make this incredible experience to fly with such an airplane ... here you have the opportunity! It's not cheap, but it is unique! (See the picture.)

    Puntarenas is close it's a rather big city - cruise ships land here - and you can go to the beach here ... although there are much nicer beaches on the pacific coast! ;-)

    You can use your free days for excursions and there are so many lovely places to go in Costa Rica ... National Park Monteverde, Volcano Arenal, meet us in Sámara and enjoy surfing for some days, visit the caribbean coast and/or our rainforest lodge ...


    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (fluently) or Spanish (basic level)

    Required Documents

    Medical insurance valid in Costa Rica (bring a copy)

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Other Skills

    You should bring some experience with birds and animals.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Services by first hand Costa Rica

    The fee includes accomodation and three meals a day.


    We organize the journey to the project and we also do hostel reservations in San José if needed (mostly it is needed!) - and, if you will combine projects, we will also organize the transportation between the projects. You will have to pay the cost for the pickup and the transport. From the airport to the Animal Reserve the cost is aprox. 70 US$

    Airport Pickup at Juan Santamaria International Airport

    You will be picked up at the airport by our driver with a sign with your name and you will directly get in contact with your german, english, spanish speaking coordinator via phone. The driver will drive you to the reserved hostel (if necessary), give you the bus ticket (he will buy a ticket in advance to reserve you a seat in the bus), pick you up at the hostel the day of your journey to the project and bring you to the bus.
    The cost will be around 70 US$ plus the hostel night (around 13 US$ (dorm) and 40 US$ (single/double room).

    Accommodation

    It is a volunteer house (cabina) that is very simple and you share it with other volunteers.

    Food & Beverages

    You'll have breakfast, lunch and dinner with the other volunteers and workers based on the tipical Costarican diet, for example rice, beans, vegetables, meat and fruit.

    Internet Access

    Limited access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose. We assist you to find cheap flights to Costa Rica. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Costa Rica provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Costa Rica you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Costa Rica. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    This program is available all year. It starts every Monday. Please arrive at least one day before the programs starts. 

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    2 weeks (min. stay) 948€
    3 weeks 1,197€
    4 weeks 1,446€
    12 weeks (max. stay) 3,441€
    Average fees 380€/week

    Program fees

    380€ per week 2 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    2 - 12 weeks

    Deposit

    The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


    Final Payment

    Your final payment will be agreed with first hand Costa Rica during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


    Meet your organization

    first hand Costa Rica

    Fantastic 4.5 rating (100 reviews)

    Agency - founded in 2006

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Very high response rate

    Coordinated by

    Sofia

    Spoken languages: French, Spanish, German, English

    About the project

    We offer you to immerse in the daily life of costarican families and work routines of teaching and conservation projects. These new found knowledges teach you a lot.

    Meet your organization

    In 1994 we at first hand moved to Costa Rica and everything started when my son went to a little elementary school near Sámara: 11 children, 6 degrees, one classroom and one teacher. We started bringing volunteers to this little school and 'poco a poco' other schools addressed us with interest of having volunteers and families offered themselves for having volunteers in their house.

    Since then a lot has changed and developed at first hand – we started many new teaching programs and conservation projects all over the country – but one thing is still the same: we have a very personal and very close contact to all of our schools, guestfamilies and projects. We live in Costa Rica and we will be there when you need us!

    First hand offers volunteer opportunities in schools, kindergarten, music schools, turtle camps, animal reserves, macaw stations, farms and in the rainforest.

    We, the agency for volunteer work first hand, are in direct contact with schools and environmental conservation projects planning, organizing and joining our volunteers during this unforgettable and worthy experience!

    We have 20 years experience of living in Costa Rica and feel commited to the people, comunitary help and sustainable ecological development. Through the 'Asociación Intercambio Cultural ALEGRIA - AICA', a non-profit organization, we have been promoting intercultural exchange in all areas of artistic expression and organizing festivals and benefit events. 

    First hand offers projects almost everywhere in Costa Rica. San Jose, Islita, Buena Vista, Manzanillo, Drake Bay, Mata Palo...just to name a few!

    Our Vision

    first hand wants to contribute to a sustainable development and mutual respect by intercultural exchange and learning from each other.

    Why volunteering with first hand?

    Your contribution makes the difference in educating children, preserving marine turtles or other animals and protecting the rainforests of Costa Rica. You live and work with locals and you get to learn the real life of Costaricans. Every day you deal directly with opinions, lifestyles and routines of a different culture. These new found knowledges teach you more about yourself! You learn or improve your spanish skills. Language is the key to understanding the values of a different culture. Work experiences in foreign countries are indispensable in times of globalization. A volunteer based commitment will open many doors for you.

    About Costa Rica

    Costa Rica is a little tropical paradise between two oceans. Hardly any other country has such an abundance of plants and animals on such a small terrain. 25% of it's area is protected by national parks. Active volcanos, hot springs, rain and cloud forests, mountain rivers, spectacular waterfalls, subterranean caves, coral reefs, mangroves, amazing caribbean and pacific beaches and a fascinating animal world invite you to discover and enjoy.

    Costa Rica has the oldest democracy in Latin America, a working social system, responsable environmental laws and is the only country in the world that has no army. The relaxed 'pura vida' lifestyle of the 'ticos' and their hospitality towards visitors make it one of the safest top destinations in Latin America.

    100 reviews · rating4.5

    Inès Verdier rating3.2

    2022 at Macaw & Animal Reserve Supporter

    J’ai effectué un bénévolat à Natuwa, en partie en tant que volontaire puis j’ai demandé à être transférée sur le programme véto de la réserve. Je déplore la lenteur du transfert, cela a pris en totalité presque une semaine pour changer de programme ! Rien à dire sur la partie ...
    Alixandra rating5

    2020 at Macaw & Animal Reserve Supporter

    My experience with First Hand was incredible. I was nervous about traveling to another country alone at first but Angie made me completely comfortable with the process. I was greeted at the airport and didn’t have to worry about any of my transport to the location. When I moved from one project to ...
    Beate Flatjord rating4.8

    2024 at Animal Rescue & Release Center

    Working with animals at the rescue center. Get to work close with the animals. Cleaning enclosures, feding and a lot of other differente tasks. Really fun to get to see the animals up close and work with them. Also a lot of nice and fun people. Fun activities and things to see on your free ...
    Laurence Bouchayer rating4.4

    2024 at Save Turtles in Montezuma

    I had a great time in ASVO. Such an experience. You should communicate more about the conditions there, night shifts and very basics conditions of staying in the house. ..
    Lynn Moeller rating3.6

    2024 at Save Turtles and Sloths

    Die 2 Wochen waren wirklich sehr schön! Die Schildkröten sind so süß und es richtig spannend das alles so mitzuerleben! Was meine 2 Wochen aber vorallem so toll gemacht hat sind all die Menschen die man dort trifft! Der staff war sehr nett und es sind super viele Volunteers aus der ganzen Welt ...
    Bianca Reis rating4.6

    2023 at Animal Rescue & Release Center

    I had a great time at the Animal Rescue Center in Puerto Viejo. I worked five days per week and had two days off. Every day there are three different tasks you can do, such as cleaning the enclosure, feeding the animals etc. You will work with many animals like sloths, baby monkeys, birds, macaws. ..

    Location


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    Contact Sofia
      Very high response rate
    French, Spanish, German, English

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