from 758€

Outstanding 4.9rating (34)

National Park Ranger

location
2 - 20 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Outstanding 4.9  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Highlights

  • Contribute to the beautiful nature and help to preserve the most biologically diverse places on earth.
  • Gain Spanish fluency by speaking daily with the rangers and local tourists. Maybe even set up a small language exchange with the rangers!
  • Get real hands-on experience in the nature conservation field by stepping in the life of a Wildlife Ranger!
  • Go diving or snorkeling around Caño Island, surrounded by the largest concentration of coral-building organisms in the Pacific Ocean.
  • Experience a different life in a completely remote and rural area.

Especially good for

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups

About the program

Are you an active person and would you like to help out in the most incredible conservation areas and nature reserves of Costa Rica? Then this project is perfect for you!

The project

As a volunteer on this project, you will help the rangers at Ranger Stations around Corcovado National Park and Caño Island (a protected marine area and PRIME dive and snorkel spot in Costa Rica). The rangers need your help because there is not enough staff to cover all shifts and ...

About the program

The project

As a volunteer on this project, you will help the rangers at Ranger Stations around Corcovado National Park and Caño Island (a protected marine area and PRIME dive and snorkel spot in Costa Rica). The rangers need your help because there is not enough staff to cover all shifts and for safety reasons it’s best to have always 2-3 people on the site.

Often staff or rangers are alone on the island / ranger station which can potentially be very dangerous if something happens. There is not enough resources form the Ministry of Environment (MINAET) to cover extra rangers.

Green Life Volunteers wants to contribute to the beautiful nature of these sites by helping with the daily tasks of the rangers. During your stay you can also improve your Spanish because the rangers speak and understand little to no English. They really want to learn English, so you can teach each other your languages during your volunteer time.


The locations

The locations for the National Park Volunteer project are San Pedrillo Ranger Station in Corcovado National Park, La Sirena Ranger Station in Corcovado N.P., La Leona Ranger Station in Corcovado N.P. and Isla de Cano just offshore from Corcovado N.P.

Corcovado National park boasts 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity, and is an extremely untouched and pristine jungle. It’s an extraordinary experience to be living in the park as a ranger – since normally no one is allowed to reside in the park.

La Sirena Ranger station is the only station that allows tourists to stay overnight in the park. Hence it’s also the most popular volunteering station, but often there is limited availability.

Isla de Cano is also absolutely protected and the only structure on the island is the Ranger Station. The island is a marine park, and many tourists go snorkeling and diving there everyday. Marine species that can be seen are white-tipped reef sharks, manta rays, whale sharks, turtles, sting-rays, and all sorts of tropical fish. It’s absolutely paradise !

Unfortunately volunteers CAN NOT choose their ranger station – you’ll be placed depending on what time of year you apply and where the National Park needs most help. We can not guarantee that you can go to a certain station of your choice, but you can let us know during your sign up process which station you’d like to go to!


Volunteers

An ideal volunteer on this project has a passion for nature and also really wants to work with nature and conservation. Furthermore, the volunteer has to enjoy physical labor and being outside.

Volunteers need to be flexible and proactive who do not mind to get their hands dirty and put their own ideas into practice. The volunteer needs to be motivated to help the rangers with their daily duties.

You do not need a degree for this project. You can volunteer on this project if you are 18+ years old.

Please note that you need to be OK with being “out of touch” for a while – there is no cell phone signal in the park, and there is no wifi at most stations.



Typical day

You’ll be working for around 6 days a week. The daily working time is around 6 hours. Your usual workday schedule is a bit more flexible, you can choose to work in the morning and get free time in the afternoon.

Normally breakfast is around 7 am, then lunchtime is around 12 o’clock and around 6 ...

Typical day

You’ll be working for around 6 days a week. The daily working time is around 6 hours. Your usual workday schedule is a bit more flexible, you can choose to work in the morning and get free time in the afternoon.

Normally breakfast is around 7 am, then lunchtime is around 12 o’clock and around 6 pm it is dinnertime. You will help with preparing meals and cleaning up which is part of your tasks at this project. The rangers are not there to “cook for you”.

Day-to-day activities include:
  • Beach clean-ups Patrol on the beach and station
  • Volunteer has to help with maintenance work, for example, painting, housekeeping
  • Help with tourists arriving at the station (sign-up process)
  • Help with constructing building
  • Help with cooking meals, cleaning, daily tasks at the station
  • Teaching English to Ranger Station staff (they usually speak very little English)

Free-time activities

There is plenty to do around the Osa Peninsula, and we can help you organize activities around Puerto Jimenez during your project time. Unfortunately, any extra-curricular activities are not covered by the Green Life Volunteers project fee.

Activities may be surfing, paddle boarding, Corcovado ...

Free-time activities

There is plenty to do around the Osa Peninsula, and we can help you organize activities around Puerto Jimenez during your project time. Unfortunately, any extra-curricular activities are not covered by the Green Life Volunteers project fee.

Activities may be surfing, paddle boarding, Corcovado National Park hikes, Bird watching, Mangrove and Sunset kayaking, Dolphin Tours, Zip-lining and much more. During your volunteering time you can do amazing outdoor activities on your project site. On Caño Island you can snorkel and even go on a dive tour. You can organize this together with the help of the park rangers. You have to bring your own snorkel mask though! There is plenty of hiking trails that you can use, and you can go on hikes. Keep in mind that if anything happens while you are hiking by yourself, it is your responsibility/ liability. If there are several volunteers in Puerto Jimenez or Osa Peninsula at the same time, often they form groups to do some weekend activities together. Or you may decide that you would like to venture off on your own – either way, we will be there to help you to get things set up! Just ask us during or before your volunteer time!

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 Spanish (intermediate level)

Nationality Restrictions

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

Time Commitment

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

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Green Life Volunteers

An organizational fee is included in the first week’s fee and covers the “behind the scenes costs”, such as staff salaries, office space rental, transaction and bank fees, and more. Our weekly fee for additional weeks covers the costs of your host family or project accommodation and food, the local staff on your project, and a donation to help with the daily running costs of the program you will help on.

Not included in our fee are:
  • Your first and last night in San Jose in a hostel
  • Travel to and from the international airport (airport shuttles are around 30$ each way to San Jose - We can set this up for you, just ask us during sign-up)
  • Travel to the project site (usually by public buses, which are from around 10-16$ one way)
  • National/ International flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Visa costs
  • Any additional food or snacks beside the meals provided
  • Extra-curricular activities

Accommodation

The project offers shared mixed-gender volunteer rooms with bunk-beds. It is very basic, and there are only mattresses provided, no pillows. If you need a cushion you need to bring your own. There is also no mosquito net, or bedding. Those items need to be brought by the volunteer as well.

You will have access to a place where you can wash your own laundry. Most ranger stations do not
have washing machines or dryers. Normally laundry is done by hand and hung to dry


Food & Beverages

Food is made by you – together with the park rangers. They’re not there to cook for you. You’ll help with meals as part of your job duties. Meals at the ranger stations often include rice and beans; other common items include tortillas, salads, chicken, fish, pork, beef, pastas, soups, cereals, sandwiches, cheese, fruits, veggies and fresh- squeezed juices. You will help prepare meals with the other rangers, and you will experience a whole new way of cooking and preparing food.

You will be offered three meals a day usually breakfast is early, around 7am, lunch is around 12 o’clock; and dinner is around 6 p.m.

It is important to let us know about any dietary needs in advance so the ranger station is notified and they can prepare accordingly and purchase food for you. The food/ produce is brought to the ranger stations frequently.

Internet Access

Limited access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Airport Pickup at Juan Santamaria International Airport

An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.

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 runs year around except in the month of October (because some reserves close down that month).

International flights to Costa Rica arrive in San Jose, at the Santa Juan Maria International Airport (SJO). After that, you will have to travel to the largest town on the Osa Peninsula, in Puerto Jimenez. There are two ways to travel from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez. You can go either by airplane, on a domestic flight, or by bus.

You’ll receive your orientation in Puerto Jimenez. You’ll then be taken by the MINAET (Ministry of Environment) to your project location.

We will help you during your sign-up process to arrange your transport and arrival in San Jose.

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

Program fees

2 weeks (min. stay) 758€
3 weeks 982€
4 weeks 1,205€
5 weeks 1,428€
7 weeks 1,874€
9 weeks 2,321€
20 weeks (max. stay) 4,776€
Average fees 309€/week

Program fees

309€ per week 2 - 20 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

2 - 20 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 Green Life Volunteers during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

Green Life Volunteers

Outstanding 4.9 rating (34 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 2012

Verified by Volunteer World

  Very high response rate

Coordinated by

Janina

About the project

A small non-profit organization aims at providing affordable volunteering programs and improving the living standard of local peoples in Costa Rica

Meet your organization

Our goal is to provide power to small rural elementary schools around the Osa that are off-grid and without power. Furthermore we educate the local community about solar.

Who we are? 

Green Life Volunteers (GLV) is a small registered non-profit organization in Costa Rica, run by Janina Schan, the founder and manager, and dedicated Interns and volunteers. Janina founded GLV in 2012, after working already in the volunteer industry in Costa Rica for around a year. Our interns are students from Universities that need the internship to graduate, to conduct research, or they really just want to gain experience.

What we do?

Green Life Volunteers is a volunteer service organization placing volunteers in projects around Costa Rica. Some of the projects are created by GLV such as the Solar Power Project, and others are projects offered by other non-profit organisations, such as our Turtle Conservation. The projects we collaborate with are in need of help and have experience working with volunteers – which guarantees you to have a great time and an awesome experience. The projects are always run by local members of the community, non-profit, and with a benefit for people, nature, or animals.

Where we work?

We offer our volunteer placements in Costa Rica. Upon entering Costa Rica you will be granted a 90 day Tourist Visa* if you wish to stay longer  than the 90 days you will need to leave the country for 72 hours – offering a good excuse to  jump across the border and see neighbouring countries Panama or Nicaragua! This is an easy process and we will provide you with all the information you need on how to do this. Residents of USA, Canada, the EU, Australia and New Zealand are given 90 days Visa. For all other countries check with your embassy.

If you are travelling to Costa Rica from South America or Saharan Africa you will be required to have the Yellow Fever vaccination.  

Costa Rica is the most developed country in Central America and attracts over 2 million tourists each year! With tourism being its highest source of income Costa Rica has been sculpted to welcome and make life easier and safer for tourists. Families, youngsters and solo travellers are most welcome. As a country Costa Rica is a stable democracy. Medical care is modern and the tab-water is safe to drink.

Our mission/vision

We are a volunteer service organization placing volunteers in local non-profit organizations which are run by members of the local community and most importantly are in real need of help. GLV makes sure that every project has a positive impact on the local people, on the community, and the local animals and nature.

Our goals / Objective

Green Life Volunteers  provides non-profit organizations with volunteers who bring the man-power and know-how needed for their conservation or social development efforts. GLV makes sure that every project has a positive impact on the local people, on the community, and the local wildlife and nature.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for open minded individuals who love animals, conservation and social development. For us you’re not just a number - every volunteer has specific wishes, needs, and expectations, and we work hard to find the right volunteer work for you!

Why choose us?

We work with projects which are in need of actual help! Most organizations in Costa Rica make up “fake” projects which are entirely run by foreigners, make no actual difference and have no impact on the surrounding communities. You’ll spend large sums of money that go directly into foreigners pockets – no income and no benefit is made to any local community member.

We make sure and GUARANTEE that our projects are: local, grassroot, non-profit organizations, run by members of the local community, registered and licensed, and most importantly – IN ACTUAL NEED OF HELP!

34 reviews · rating4.9

Paul rating5

2024 at National Park Ranger

I spent the first morning with a staff member building a steel bed frame so I would have a bed. They did outfit the bed very nicely for me with bed sheets and a proper mosquito netting. Most of the accommodation is under a roof in open air setting. My last three nights they moved me to a cabin ...
Joe rating5

2019 at National Park Ranger

We had an amazing time at Piers Blancas National Park working with the park rangers, helping them with various jobs. Janina was very helpful and quickly responded to help us whenever we contacted her, as well as sorting the experience and logistics of the trip for us (which was difficult for us due ...
Lila rating5

2019 at National Park Ranger

We spent 2 weeks volunteering in Piedras Blancas National Park in March 2019, based at El Bonito ranger station. We were doing things like clearing trails through the park, putting up new signs and installing trap cameras. We were surrounded by incredible wildlife the entire time; toucans, macaws, ...
Mariana rating4.6

2018 at National Park Ranger

I was a volunteer for one month in Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica. Every day I got the chance to see so many different animals not only in trails but in base too, such as birds, monkeys, crocodiles, coatis, baby turtles, whales, snakes, sloths and tapir. The days passed I was more amazed by ...
Rozelijn rating5

2024 at Work in Turtle Conservation

I volunteered for two weeks at the Mariposa camp in Carate for turtle conservation, and these were absolutely two of the most special weeks of my life. I would recommend the COPROT camps to anyone who wants to experience this beautiful life in one of the most rural and biologically diverse places on ...
Fred Baron rating4.6

2024 at Wildlife Sanctuary and Rescue Center

We sent our 18 year old son to the Wildlife Sanctuary and Rescue center for a week stay. Once past the little home sickness, he had a blast taking care of the various animals, preparing the food and feeding them, cleaning, etc. The center is also organizing many activities to keep the teenagers ...

Location

Americas > Central America > Costa Rica > Puerto Jimenez

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