Corcovado Eco Community Development

location
2 - 50 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Fantastic 4.5  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • Live a rural and authentic experience. By becoming a volunteer, you can understand the PURA VIDA essence
  • Combine nature and culture near to the most biologically intense place on earth due to its exuberant biodiversity
  • Our volunteers enjoy a lot our traditional gastronomy.

Highlights

  • Live a rural and authentic experience. By becoming a volunteer, you can understand the PURA VIDA essence
  • Combine nature and culture near to the most biologically intense place on earth due to its exuberant biodiversity
  • Our volunteers enjoy a lot our traditional gastronomy.
  • As a volunteer, you will be working with the local families. You will have the experience of sustainable practices promoted by the leaders prevail as part of this product.
  • Improve your spanish and teach others your language


  • Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Groups

    About the program

    Ecosystem restoration, regenerative agriculture and support local community are our action-based initiatives.

    The Corcovado Foundation's Environmental Education Program started in 2003 due to the need to educate the population of the Osa Peninsula about the importance of protecting its natural resources.

    One of our focuses is on children's education, so we attend schools and work with groups of children in ...

    About the program

    The Corcovado Foundation's Environmental Education Program started in 2003 due to the need to educate the population of the Osa Peninsula about the importance of protecting its natural resources.

    One of our focuses is on children's education, so we attend schools and work with groups of children in the afternoons. In addition, we are always looking for sustainable rural development in the area. For this reason, the Corcovado Foundation has helped coordinate many related projects, recycling, animal welfare, women's artisan groups and support for schools and organized groups, promotion of responsible marine tourism, and rural community tourism.

    By becoming a volunteer, you will be helping local families to use their land more sustainably. You will promote food independence, carbon sequestration and support a group of educators who promote sustainable development through environmental education in Osa Peninsula.


    Typical day

    As an itinerary example:

    • 7:00 a.m Breakfast
    • 7:45 a.m – 12:00 p.m Work in Regenerative agriculture with local families.
    • 12:00 p.m Lunch
    • 13:00 p.m Activity with the children of the community school in their organic garden
    • 3:00 – 6:00 p.m Free time or trails maintenance
    • 7:00 p.m Dinner

    Typical day

    As an itinerary example:

    • 7:00 a.m Breakfast
    • 7:45 a.m – 12:00 p.m Work in Regenerative agriculture with local families.
    • 12:00 p.m Lunch
    • 13:00 p.m Activity with the children of the community school in their organic garden
    • 3:00 – 6:00 p.m Free time or trails maintenance
    • 7:00 p.m Dinner

    Free-time activities

    As a volunteer, you will be assigned 2 free days each week, during which you may choose to take advantage of the facilities at the Center, our non-profit hostel, which offers tours (you have to pay for them), local activities, and the chance to socialize with other volunteers and travelers.


    There are ...

    Free-time activities

    As a volunteer, you will be assigned 2 free days each week, during which you may choose to take advantage of the facilities at the Center, our non-profit hostel, which offers tours (you have to pay for them), local activities, and the chance to socialize with other volunteers and travelers.


    There are some activities such as:
    Snorkeling
    Diving
    Kayak
    Hiking


    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 (basic level) or English (intermediate level)

    Required Documents

    Passport photo, medical travel insurance policy and volunteer registration form

    Nationality Restrictions

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

    Other Skills

    Good physical condition. Respectful with communities and staff. Volunteers must be friendly and communicative Be empathic and able to work in a team

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 06:00 - 13:00

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Services by Corcovado Foundation

    This cost covers accommodation, three meals per day, internet access and training. It does not cover snack food, spending money nor arrival and departure transportation costs.

    Accommodation

    You will be staying in a mixed dorm with single beds and a shared bathroom. Note that the accommodation is standard. You will have a semi-private room, hot water, a shared bathroom and a kitchen.

    Food & Beverages

    You will receive three meals per day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you wish, you can bring your snacks if you require more meals a day.

    Internet Access

    Limited access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Airport Pickup at Drake Bay

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

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Drake Bay (DRK) in Drake Bay. 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

    The program runs from 15th January to 20th December each year. It is better if you arrive on Tuesday and Thursday. There are two ways to arrive:

    Option #1:

    Take the bus from Tracopa (Bus station in San José) to Sierpe at 8:30 a.m. The duration of the trip is approximately 6 hours.

    It has an approximate cost of ₵ 7500 ($16 approximately)

    Then you take the boat from Sierpe to Agujitas at 4:00 p.m. with an approximate cost of $20 per person.

    Once you arrive at Agujitas, our staff will pick you up and take you to the Corcovado Foundation Biohostel.

    Total cost option # 1 per person is: $ 36

     

    Option #2:

    One company flies from San José to Drake Bay. To check rates and schedules, visit its web page:

    • Sansa: https://flysansa.com/ 

    The flight lasts approximately 45 min. Once you arrive at the airport, our staff will pick you up and take you to the Corcovado Foundation Biohostel.

    Total cost option # 2 per person is: The cost of the plane ticket 

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

    Program fees

    2 weeks (min. stay) 349€
    3 weeks 524€
    4 weeks 698€
    5 weeks 873€
    9 weeks 1,571€
    17 weeks 2,968€
    50 weeks (max. stay) 8,728€
    Average fees 175€/week

    Program fees

    175€ per week 2 - 50 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    2 - 50 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 Corcovado Foundation during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


    Meet your organization

    Corcovado Foundation

    Fantastic 4.5 rating (7 reviews)

    Non-profit - founded in 1998

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Excellent response rate

    Coordinated by

    Zoraida

    About the project

    We are a nonprofit organization fighting to protect Costa Rica´s natural heritage for future generations by uplifting communities through education and engagement

    Meet your organization

    The Corcovado Foundation was established in 1996 by concerned neighbors of Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula. Our founding project involved working with ACOSA to establish patrols and rangers stations in the biodiverse area surrounding the national park, greatly reducing illegal hunting and logging. We are a hands-on, down to earth local leader in conservation, with an excellent reputation for our volunteering programs and our commitment to a practical and community led approach to environmental protection.

    The Corcovado Foundation currently has four main areas of work in the Osa Peninsula: -Sea Turtle Conservation – Environmental Education – Sustainable Tourism – Community Development.

    We work on the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica, that is one of the most biologically intense places on earth. The area contains 25-30 different eco-systems and is home to a staggering variety of wildlife and plant life, many of which are endangered. It has one of the most significant populations of large endangered mammals in Central America, including predators

    such as Jaguars and Pumas and is also home to many endemic species of birds and trees. The harpy eagle, believed to be locally extinct since 1989, was discovered in small numbers in Corcovado National Park and there are important calving sites for humpback whales in the waters surrounding Caño Island and Gulfo Dulce.

    In short, The Osa Peninsula represents one of the world’s most important sources for future knowledge about rainforest ecosystems and the conservation of biological diversity on earth.

    7 reviews · rating4.5

    Cathrin Kuesters rating4

    2023 at Corcovado Eco Community Development

    My time in the Biohostel, Corcovado Foundation was nice. People have been really nice and the food was amazing. The volunteer work was ok, but I expected to learn more and I did expect to have more volunteers there. I can recommend it for two weeks, but not longer, because it is super remote and not ...
    Siana Marie Ungemach rating3.4

    2023 at Corcovado Eco Community Development

    I was in the project for 2 weeks in march 2023 and spendet a good and changeable time there. It was really important that I can speak good basics in Spanish, as the most of the people there just speak Spanish. The hostel that belongs to the project was very tidy and the food really good. The ...
    The turtle project work the Foundation does is amazing. The accommodations are basic, but safe and clean and the opportunities they give volunteers to make a difference are a once in a lifetime ...
    Erica rating5

    2020 at Rural Community Tourism

    This is an excellent nonprofit that works with and involves the community in conservation efforts and leadership. I had a wonderful experience both summers I went back in 2011 and 2012. I still keep in contact with my host family to this day and miss them a ...
    Norma Jean Profitt rating4.8

    2020 at Local Sea Turtle Conservation Program

    Wonderful experience helping out turtle conservation I very much enjoyed my volunteer experience, particularly patrolling the beach at night. I also liked participating in the exhumations and beach cleanup. I liked learning about turtle conservation and what changes need to take place to ensure ...
    I joined this project with the expectation of learning a lot and getting some hands on practical field experience in something that I am very passionate about, but I got out so much more than that. The 12 weeks that I spent on Rincon with all the volunteers that came through and the amazing ...

    Location

    Americas > Central America > Costa Rica > Puntarenas, Osa Península

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