Save Turtles - North Limón

location
2 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 17 - 50+

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

Highlights

  • Experience the thrill of watching and helping turtles in their natural habitat—moments you’ll treasure for a lifetime!
  • Immerse yourself in a world of adventure, conservation, and connection that you won’t find anywhere else.
  • Learn about these incredible creatures and their ecosystems, and become a part of their conservation journey.

Highlights

  • Experience the thrill of watching and helping turtles in their natural habitat—moments you’ll treasure for a lifetime!
  • Immerse yourself in a world of adventure, conservation, and connection that you won’t find anywhere else.
  • Learn about these incredible creatures and their ecosystems, and become a part of their conservation journey.
  • Embrace a back-to-basics lifestyle that rejuvenates your spirit and helps you appreciate life’s simple pleasures.
  • Enjoy the pura vida lifestyle on a breathtaking beach.


  • Especially good for

    Age 17+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups

    About the program

    Get in contact with one of the most fascinating turtle species – the giant leatherback turtles – and help improve the local inhabitants' living conditions.

    About the Program

    This program is located about 15 km north of Limón. You will reach this camp after a 30 min wonderful journey by boat through the mangroves. 

    Besides the effort of protecting turtles and the biodiversity of this area, here you are in demand for community work. 

    Together with the ...

    About the program

    About the Program

    This program is located about 15 km north of Limón. You will reach this camp after a 30 min wonderful journey by boat through the mangroves. 

    Besides the effort of protecting turtles and the biodiversity of this area, here you are in demand for community work. 

    Together with the people in the local community you will be working on programs to educate people of the importance of caring about the environment. You should have a willingness to help in a task that requires a lot attention and have a desire to leave a mark on a humble village. Here you will find an atmosphere where you feel like family. 

    You will be in a very remote camp and under very simple conditions. There is no standard electricity (there are solar panels), there are no grocery stores and no internet facilities. There are some spots on the beach where you might have a signal – but be prepared to be disconnected. 

    The Caribbean is very humid, so be prepared for demanding circumstances – you will see: once you meet a giant Leatherback turtle (between February and June) or, later in the year a Green turtle (between July and November): the experience of connecting with nature and these fascinating turtles pay off the hard work!

    Our Volunteers

    Our Volunteers should have a love for nature and fun with outdoor-living. They should be prepared for sometimes physically demanding work and work at unusual hours as most of the turtle nesting occurs at night. The volunteers should bring a sleeping bag, repellent, mosquito net, flashlight, batteries, rain protection (May - November), sun protection and a hat or cap. 



    Typical day

    Your Tasks

    You will walk on night patrols with local guides in which you will collect turtle eggs

    You will relocate the eggs to a turtle hatchery where they will be safe from poachers

    You will also volunteer to do community service work 

    You will help to maintain community facilities, local schools and ...

    Typical day

    Your Tasks

    You will walk on night patrols with local guides in which you will collect turtle eggs

    You will relocate the eggs to a turtle hatchery where they will be safe from poachers

    You will also volunteer to do community service work 

    You will help to maintain community facilities, local schools and sports fields

    You will do beach cleanup in conjunction with the Blue Flag committee

    We also help the local population with the construction of gardens


    Free-time activities

    You are living far from civilization, so ti's recommended to collect the free days and use them in the end for a trip! 

    You can travel down the coast to visit Cahuita, Puerto Viejo or our rainforest lodge. Or hop over to the pacific coast and visit us in Sámara! Also, there are many beautiful ...

    Free-time activities

    You are living far from civilization, so ti's recommended to collect the free days and use them in the end for a trip! 

    You can travel down the coast to visit Cahuita, Puerto Viejo or our rainforest lodge. Or hop over to the pacific coast and visit us in Sámara! Also, there are many beautiful National Parks to see: Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, Rincón de la Vieja ...  


    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 17 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 17 years old on the program start date.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (basic level)

    Required Documents

    Copy of health insurance and valid in Costa Rica

    Nationality Restrictions

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

    Other Skills

    If you are 17 years old, then you have to bring the written allowance of your parents - we provide a form for this!

    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

    We provide airport pickup, 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.

    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 (13-15 US$ (dorm) and 40 US$ (single/double room).

    You will be picked up from the bus by the camp coordinator and he will join you on the trip to the camp: you will take a ride to the harbour and than have a beautiful boattrip through the mangroves of 30 min to the camp. This boat trip costs 35 US$.


    Accommodation

    You will be living in rooms and dorm-like rooms under very simple conditions.

    Food & Beverages

    Your food - breakfast, lunch, dinner - will be prepared in the camp and consists of the typical costarican cuisine: 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 from mid February until November. 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) 808€
    3 weeks 1,037€
    4 weeks 1,267€
    8 weeks 2,185€
    12 weeks (max. stay) 3,102€
    Average fees 331€/week

    Program fees

    331€ per week 2 - 12 weeks Age 17 - 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

    Olivia J rating5

    2019 at Save Turtles - North Limón

    My name is Olivia, I did volunteer work for 2 weeks at a seaturtle conservation in Pacuare in Costa Rica. There I did many different tasks almost every day. During the night I went on patrols on the beach or was at the hatchery to look after the turtle eggs. And during the day we cleaned the beach, ...
    Leonie rating4.4

    2017 at Save Turtles - North Limón

    After three months I went to the turtle project and the only way to get there is really breathtaking. With a speedboat it goes through the river landscape to the beaches where the project is lodged. In the project life is really simple, no internet, no telephone reception, no warm water and only ...
    Christopher rating4.4

    2016 at Save Turtles - North Limón

    The project is actually as simple as it is described, but the intoxicating new impressions you gain there are simply worth everything. The cold showers were actually the biggest obstacle for me. We met many great, new, very friendly people. You are welcomed in the project with open arms, questions ...
    Susanne rating4.4

    2016 at Save Turtles - North Limón

    In the project I felt immediately at home. The beautiful boat trip through the mangroves is really a dream! Among others, faults, monkeys and toucans have accompanied me to the journey to my new place of residence. On the same evening we started with the turtles. Three of us patrolled on the beach ...
    Leon rating4.4

    2016 at Save Turtles - North Limón

    In addition to the many tasks in the field of environmental protection, which was the work with the largest and thus most impressive species of tortoise in the world, the turtles camp tortoise ... I have learned many new things about myself and my abilities. So I can guess from anyone who does not ...
    Stefanie rating4.4

    2015 at Save Turtles - North Limón

    Palm trees, black sand and the sea just outside the front door, so it looks like in the camp in Pacuare. The four-week short-term voluntary service in Costa Rica was simply one-of-a-kind, an adventure that I would always remember well for the rest of my life. The journey to the project worked ...

    Location


    You might also be interested in

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

    Most volunteers ask about


    Do you have any more questions? Send a message to Sofia
    Please don't share personal contact details for your privacy

    Book with Flex Option!

    Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs within 12 months.

    Enjoy our services for dedicated volunteers!

    Enjoy a Refund Guarantee, Free Flex Option, and Emergency Assistance. Our Price-Guarantee ensures unbeatable value, and our Support Team is ready to assist.