Save Turtles - South Tortuguero

location
2 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 17 - 50+

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

Highlights

  • Witness the magic of marine turtles in their natural habitat and be part of their journey—an experience you'll cherish forever!
  • Discover the fascinating world of marine turtles and gain invaluable insights into their behavior and habitats while making a positive impact.
  • Embrace a back-to-basics lifestyle that reconnects you with what truly matters and rejuvenates your spirit in nature.

Highlights

  • Witness the magic of marine turtles in their natural habitat and be part of their journey—an experience you'll cherish forever!
  • Discover the fascinating world of marine turtles and gain invaluable insights into their behavior and habitats while making a positive impact.
  • Embrace a back-to-basics lifestyle that reconnects you with what truly matters and rejuvenates your spirit in nature.
  • Relax and unwind on breathtaking beaches, soaking in the tranquility and vibrant culture that Costa Rica has to offer.


  • Especially good for

    Age 17+
    Singles
    Couples

    About the program

    Help to monitor the habits of marine turtles and work with injured turtles in our rescue center.

    About the Program

    On breathtaking beaches you and other volunteers protect the marine turtles that are in danger of extinction. Volunteers play a crucial role in conservation efforts!

    The program is located on a remote Caribbean beach, about 30 km south of Tortuguero. Fresh water canals and the ...

    About the program

    About the Program

    On breathtaking beaches you and other volunteers protect the marine turtles that are in danger of extinction. Volunteers play a crucial role in conservation efforts!

    The program is located on a remote Caribbean beach, about 30 km south of Tortuguero. Fresh water canals and the tropical vegetation provide habitat for not only an abundant quantity of birds and mammals such as monkeys, tamanduas, raccoons, coati, sloths, but also for manatees and fresh water dolphins, turtles, crocodiles and iguanas. The area is not only unique in every way, but is also a famous nesting site for many Leatherback, Hawksbill and Green sea turtles that come ashore to lay their eggs. 

    Illegal egg poaching and hunting for sea turtles, pollution and beach erosion are threatening the survival of the already critically endangered animals. This has caused an alarming decline in turtles being born on this beach. 

    This program is a very established camp with rather comfortable facilities – compared to other programs. They have a rescue center for taking care of injured sea turtles. The program site can be only reached by boat.

    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. 

    The program is available from mid February until November. Until June there will be many Leatherback turtles and from then on it's time for the Green sea turtles. 



    Typical day

    Your Tasks

    Together with local research assistants of the community you will patrol the beach in three sectors (2.4 km each) and two shifts from 8 pm to 12 am and 12 am to 4 am. It takes at least 4 hours to patrol the beach effectively.

    If a nesting turtle is found, the eggs are collected and ...

    Typical day

    Your Tasks

    Together with local research assistants of the community you will patrol the beach in three sectors (2.4 km each) and two shifts from 8 pm to 12 am and 12 am to 4 am. It takes at least 4 hours to patrol the beach effectively.

    If a nesting turtle is found, the eggs are collected and relocated into a hatchery. The turtle work is done following an official protocol and involves tagging, taking biometry and other important data of the turtle. Additionally, you help maintaining the rescue center and take care for injured sea turtles. You will also build new breeding grounds and maybe help building up new camps. Additionally you clean and mark the beaches.


    Free-time activities

    Your camp is in a very remote area - save your free days to go on a longer trip at the end of your Project!

    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 ...

    Free-time activities

    Your camp is in a very remote area - save your free days to go on a longer trip at the end of your Project!

    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)

    Education Requirements

    at level

    Required Documents

    Copy of health insurance (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

    Accommodation and meals are included.

    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.

    Accommodation

    You will be living an cabinas – shared with other volunteers.
    The remoteness of the beach and the basic living conditions at the project site offer an exclusive condition. The lack of phone signal, cars, shops, and other modern life facilities enriches the quality of an extraordinary experience and allows a connection between people and nature, creating the best environment for making a difference in the life of these amazing creatures – the marine turtles.

    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?

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

    You can only leave this project on Monday or on Thursday.

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

    Program fees

    2 weeks (min. stay) 998€
    3 weeks 1,297€
    4 weeks 1,596€
    12 weeks (max. stay) 3,990€
    Average fees 415€/week

    Program fees

    415€ 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

    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. ..
    Mélina Valloir Cherki rating4.4

    2023 at Support Children in Schools in Beach Villages

    This has been the best trip of my life. This experience was incredible on all levels. First of all the family that hosted me were very kind, very welcoming and very present when I needed help. Secondly, in regards to the school that I helped out in, everyone there was extremely nice to me and made ...
    Julia Roth rating4.8

    2022 at Save Turtles and Sloths

    It really was an unforgettable time, lots fun and I met many nice people there. What we experienced while working was incredibly interesting and exiting. In our free time, too, we visited many different, great places or went to the sea. A wonderful ...

    Location


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    French, Spanish, German, English

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