Sea Turtle Observation Supporter

location
1 - 24 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Good 4.2  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Highlights

  • Feel like a part of a family at our small, local project!
  • Enjoy an amazing wild place with deserted beach, river and jungle!
  • Help our team saving and monitoring endangered animals!

Highlights

  • Feel like a part of a family at our small, local project!
  • Enjoy an amazing wild place with deserted beach, river and jungle!
  • Help our team saving and monitoring endangered animals!
  • Help and learn about the local community and biodiversity!
  • Live the real adventure in the heart of Costa Rica's Caribbean nature, while meeting like-minded people!


  • Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    NEXT SEASON STARTS MARCH, 2025! Take the opportunity of volunteering abroad in an amazing place! Our ecological goal is to observe and protect wildlife.

    Come and join us for an unforgettable experience, the only requirement is adventurous blood!


    The project Naturaleza Pacuare was founded in 2019 by local people and is also managed by them. Our goal is to preserve the ecosystem in a sustainable way, to support the biodiversity in our country. With the ...

    About the program

    Come and join us for an unforgettable experience, the only requirement is adventurous blood!


    The project Naturaleza Pacuare was founded in 2019 by local people and is also managed by them. Our goal is to preserve the ecosystem in a sustainable way, to support the biodiversity in our country. With the help and cooperation of the local population, we have succeeded in creating an atmosphere in which everyone feels comfortable and welcome. 


    Our program offers a remarkable opportunity for volunteers to immerse themselves in the vibrant culture of Costa Rica. By participating in our program, you will have the chance to engage with locals, explore their traditions firsthand, and develop a deeper understanding of their way of life. Additionally, you will have the incredible chance to savor delicious local cuisine. Our program offers an invaluable opportunity to gain knowledge about the abundant wildlife that thrives in Costa Rica. Through hands-on experiences you will be able to closely observe and appreciate the rich biodiversity that defines this beautiful country. 


    This program observes sea turtles, more specifically leatherback turtles, green sea turtles, and hawksbill turtles. We patrol the beach during the night to make sure the turtles lay their eggs without problems. The eggs then are taken to a hatchery where they stay until they hatch. It is important to patrol the beach during the night to make sure the poachers can’t steal the eggs. Green sea turtles and hawksbill turtles are also in danger themselves, we have to make sure to stay with the from the moment they come to the shore to the moment they have safely entered the sea again. Walking on sand is hard and our beach is 7 kms long, which means the length of a patrol is 4 hours minimum. In case of spotting a nesting turtle, a patrol can last up to 5-6 hours, hence we’re looking for volunteers for this position with good physical condition.


    You will need to bring a flashlight for the evenings. Make sure you also pack your preferred items to fight the heat and sun during the day. Pack a mosquito net for above the bed and mosquito spray. We provide bedsheets, but you will have to bring your towel.

    For the turtle patrols you will need to bring long black trousers, a black T-shirt and a pair of closed, black shoes or crocs alongside with a flashlight or headlamp that provides red light.

    To have internet access - as we live on an island with limited signal - you will need to buy yourself a Kolbi SIM card. Worldwide data plans paid at your own provider won’t work, only the Kolbi Costa Rican line gets signal on the beach. You can buy and activate at the airport or bus station and it costs about $5. Make sure you recharge it another $5-$10 to make sure you have enough data for your time being here.


    Typical day

    At 8:30 AM, you will have breakfast.

    After breakfast the first activity of the day starts which could vary from cleaning our beaches, maintaining our garden, to helping out locals with collecting and peeling coconuts, to name a few.

    1 PM is lunchtime.

    In the afternoon, depending on the mornings’ ...

    Typical day

    At 8:30 AM, you will have breakfast.

    After breakfast the first activity of the day starts which could vary from cleaning our beaches, maintaining our garden, to helping out locals with collecting and peeling coconuts, to name a few.

    1 PM is lunchtime.

    In the afternoon, depending on the mornings’ workload, we either do a second activity or enjoy free time on the beach playing games, reading, napping and on days when the sea is safe, we even enjoy a nice swim together! Our volunteers who are joining our turtle monitoring program we always advise to take the afternoon off and relax, so they are ready for the night’s walk.

    At 7 PM we have dinner.

    Before going to bed or patrol, we like to play some card games or maybe light a bonfire on the beach when we’re not in turtle season.


    Free-time activities

    In your free time you will be able to enjoy jungle walks, playing sports and cards with other volunteers, fishing, kayaking and even make bonfires on the beach, when we’re not in turtle season. You can learn the local cuisine while helping out locals and try out the typical dance types of Costa ...

    Free-time activities

    In your free time you will be able to enjoy jungle walks, playing sports and cards with other volunteers, fishing, kayaking and even make bonfires on the beach, when we’re not in turtle season. You can learn the local cuisine while helping out locals and try out the typical dance types of Costa Rica.

    You can also organize trips to some of the touristic cities of Costa Rica, e.g. La Fortuna, Puerto Viejo, Monte Verde. The project also organizes day-tours to Tortuguero to go see the national park.


    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 (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 and Friday

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Services by Naturaleza de Pacuare

    The fees are used to maintain the camp, buy food and materials for our day-to-day work.

    Accommodation

    Our volunteer accommodation features a range of basic amenities to make your stay comfortable. Constructed primarily from wood, it boasts two dorm rooms that can accommodate several volunteers. The house also includes a private bathroom that features a shower and toilet with the essential amenities provided. A kitchen is attached to the house from the outside where we prepare volunteers' meals.

    Food & Beverages

    We provide three meals a day.

    We will be preparing a mixture of local and internationals meals to give a chance to our volunteers to get to know as much about cuisine as possible. We always have some cookies and fruits if you feel snackish during the day! There’s always water available but if you feel up for something special, you can treat yourself to some cold drinks at the local minibar, where you can also get some other kinds of snacks.

    For breakfast we normally prepare e.g. sandwiches, pancake, or the local options, gallo pinto and empanadas. For lunch we like to go a bit light and have some veggies with some rice and fruits on the side. In the evening, we like making meals with rice and beans or potatoes, a meal with meat or fish for the carnivores, a veggie option for vegetarians/vegans, a salad or some pasta.

    We are generally a vegetarian camp, meat is only served 2-3 times a week maximum. 

    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

    La mejor y más barata forma de llegar es tomando el autobús desde San José a Bataan. Puedes tomarlo en la Grand Terminal del Caribe en el centro de San José y comprar los billetes directamente allí. El autobús sale a las 2, 4 o 6 de la tarde. Cuesta unos 4000 colones costarricenses. Luego, tomas un taxi desde la estación de autobuses de Bataan (que ya está preorganizada y esperándote) hasta el muelle de barcos por 10 000 colones. Para terminar tu viaje, un increíble viaje de 25 minutos en barco por el río que cuesta 25 000 colones, incluido el viaje de ida. El viaje completo dura aproximadamente 4,5 horas.

    Si prefieres una opción más rápida y cómoda, podemos organizar un taxi privado desde San José hasta el muelle del barco, tiene un costo de $150. En auto (dependiendo del tráfico), puedes llegar a Bataan en aproximadamente 3 horas.

    Puedes unirte a nosotros durante todo el año, cualquier día de la semana.

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

    Program fees

    1 week (min. stay) 279€
    2 weeks 559€
    24 weeks (max. stay) 6,703€
    Average fees 279€/week

    Program fees

    279€ per week 1 - 24 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    1 - 24 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 Naturaleza de Pacuare during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


    Meet your organization

    Naturaleza de Pacuare

    Good 4.2 rating (32 reviews)

    Agency - founded in 2019

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Very high response rate

    Coordinated by

    Victor Alexander

    Spoken languages: Spanish, English

    About the project

    Naturaleza de Pacuare, a local organization in love with nature works on biodiversity protection in the Carribean coast, to offer eco international volunteering.

    Meet your organization

    The project Naturaleza Pacuare was founded to 100% by local people from Costa Rica and is also managed by them. Our goal is to preserve the ecosystem in a sustainable way, to support the biodiversity in our country and to protect the sea turtles and others animals, some of which are highly endangered. With the help and cooperation of the local population, we have succeeded in creating an atmosphere in which everyone feels comfortable and welcome. With the knowledge of doing something good and valuable, everyone should have the opportunity to leave a lasting impression on the world. We offer slow and eco tourism and international volunteering. Volunteering abroad and especially in Costa Rica is an opportunity to enjoy nature and wildlife and participate to animals rescue.

    32 reviews · rating4.2

    I was really excited to volunteer to help protect the turtles, however the living conditions of the project is disappointing. The food was very nice and we had 3 cooked meals a day, which were very filling and it was nice to sit together and chat. The area itself is beautiful and we loved the range ...
    Everyone was really welcoming and it was on a really cool spot with lots of lovely wildlife that felt like a desert island, however we did feel deserted. The internet access is actually a pole on the beach that you have to hold your phone in the sky to make it work, so if you fancy contacting your ...
    Lisa Henfling rating4.6

    2023 at Sea Turtle Observation Supporter

    Wir waren als Pärchen dort und es wurde sehr auf unsere Wünsche eingegangen. Man bewegt sich dort nur zu Fuß oder mit dem Boot voran, dass jeden Ausflug zum Abenteuer macht. Wir haben täglich tolle Tiere gesehen und die Zeit dort sehr genossen. Das Essen war immer sehr lecker und reichlich, die ...
    Marlen Gabriel rating4.6

    2023 at Sea Turtle Observation Supporter

    Wir haben eine Woche Mitte Juli an dem Projekt teilgenommen und hatten eine schöne Zeit! Schon unsere Ankunft hat sehr gut funktioniert und war perfekt organisiert. Wir wurden sehr nett empfangen, alle waren sehr freundlich und wir wurden immer ausreichend und gut bekocht. Im Camp gibt es wie in ...
    Tore Haaland rating2.6

    2023 at Sea Turtle Observation Supporter

    On one hand, many, very many, nice, beautiful and memorable nature experiences. Unlimited access to coconuts from the palmtrees on the beach being a superb bonus. I emptied a dozen a day.... On the other hand, an extremely lonely experience. I only speak limited spanish, and only on a couple of ...
    Baptiste Liscouët rating1

    2023 at Sea Turtle Observation Supporter

    ***** Statement from the organization below ***** A Disastrous Experience at Naturaleza de Pacuare We feel compelled to share our recent experience with Naturaleza de Pacuare, an organization we had high hopes for. Our week-long stay from July 11th to July 18th, 2023, turned into a ...

    Location


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