Turtle Conservation at the Pacific Coast

location
2 - 4 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Perfect 4.6  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Highlights

  • Learn about the amazing marine ecosystem
  • Meet other volunteers from around the world.
  • Improve your Spanish

Highlights

  • Learn about the amazing marine ecosystem
  • Meet other volunteers from around the world.
  • Improve your Spanish
  • Explore de rich Guatemalan Culture
  • Live at the beach!


  • Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    Work to grow the number of endangered sea turtle species, iguanas and work in mangrove conservation. Turtle Season is from July-December.

    Volunteers working in the turtle and marine conservation program work alongside a team of dedicated people who strive to protect various species of marine turtles, other marine species, and their habitat. Turtles are especially at risk in Guatemala, as their eggs are seen as a precious commodity by ...

    About the program

    Volunteers working in the turtle and marine conservation program work alongside a team of dedicated people who strive to protect various species of marine turtles, other marine species, and their habitat. Turtles are especially at risk in Guatemala, as their eggs are seen as a precious commodity by many locals who illegally raid these animal’s nests. The turtle conservation project works to collect eggs before poachers get to them and incubate them in hatcheries where they will be safe. Another tactic used by the project is to buy the eggs from poachers, so the baby turtles end up back in the ocean rather than in the black market. Due to the nature of this program, hours vary quite a bit and volunteers need to be flexible to start very early in the morning sometimes.

    Possible tasks:

    • Collecting and reburying eggs in hatcheries.
    • Monitoring the temperature of hatcheries.
    • Beach clean-up.
    • Releasing newly hatched turtles into the ocean.
    • General maintenance of the hatchery and monitoring.
    • Painting murals and creating educational material for environmental awareness.
    • Assisting in conservation workshops at local schools and community centers.
    • Misc administrative tasks.
    • Availability: Turtle season runs from July to December, other conservation tasks are available year-long such as work in mangroves.

    Program Duration: 2-4 weeks
    Location: Various towns on the Guatemalan Pacific coast.
    Schedule: Varies depending on the turtle’s nesting and hatching, but work is usually around 20 hours per week, Monday to Friday.



    Typical day

    • 7 am: breakfast with host family
    • 7:30 am: walk to project
    • 8 am: meet with project staff to oversee daily tasks
    • 1 pm: lunch time
    • 4 pm: Project work time ends
    • 7 pm: Dinner with host family

    Typical day

    • 7 am: breakfast with host family
    • 7:30 am: walk to project
    • 8 am: meet with project staff to oversee daily tasks
    • 1 pm: lunch time
    • 4 pm: Project work time ends
    • 7 pm: Dinner with host family


    Free-time activities

    Beach sports and surfing is usually available .

    Free-time activities

    Beach sports and surfing is usually available .


    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)

    Required Documents

    CV, Travel health insurance and copy of passport

    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 and Saturday from 06:00 - 13:00

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Services by Integrated Learning Experience

    • Host family,  with two meals per day or volunteer guesthouse with three meals per day
    • Participation in cultural activities.
    • On call support throughout the service.
    • Coordination with the host country organization of volunteer service.
    • Orientation to volunteer work or intern placement
    • Welcome at airport with transport.
    • Certificate of program completion.

    Airport Pickup at La Aurora International Airport

    Airport pickup is provided  to the host community about 1.5 hours away.

    Accommodation

    Host family, with two meals per day or volunteer guesthouse in shared accommodation with three meals per day.

    Food & Beverages

    Host family,  with two meals per day or Volunteer guesthouse with three meals per day.
    Vegetarian diets can be accommodated.

    Internet Access

    Limited access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City. We assist you to find cheap flights to Guatemala. 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 Guatemala provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Guatemala you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Guatemala. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    Arrival days are every Sunday except the last two Sundays of December.

    Orientation is held on Mondays.

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

    Program fees

    2 weeks (min. stay) 874€
    3 weeks 1,148€
    4 weeks (max. stay) 1,438€
    Average fees 398€/week

    Program fees

    398€ per week 2 - 4 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    2 - 4 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 Integrated Learning Experience during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


    Meet your organization

    Integrated Learning Experience

    Perfect 4.6 rating (48 reviews)

    Agency - founded in 2005

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Very high response rate

    Coordinated by

    Diego

    Spoken languages: English, Spanish

    About the project

    Integrated Learning Experiences was founded in 2005 by former Peace Corps staff that wanted to provide flexible volunteer programs with a positive impact.

    Meet your organization

    Integrated Learning Experiences’ (INLEX) mission is to strengthen human resources in Central America and South America through volunteer programs, educational travel and internship opportunities.

    In addition to this, INLEX provides opportunities for students and professionals to further gain experience in their field of choice by matching participants with the best opening available.

    We work towards:

    • Sustainability in the projects and communities that we work in.
    • Programs that promote cultural exchange.
    • Safe and affordable programs.
    • Strengthening and empowering communities.
    • Authentic experiences for our participants.
    • Facilitating education.

    INLEX was set founded by former Peace Corps staff in Guatemala in 2005 who wanted to provide flexible programs for volunteers in Central America. This flexibility allows our participants the option to commit for as long as they want in the area they are best suited to support; creating a positive impact and a rewarding experience. We do this because we believe in the principle that every volunteer can make a difference.

    Many years and happy people later, we continue working with key partner projects to develop communities in the Latin American region.

    48 reviews · rating4.6

    Max Gierth rating4.8

    2024 at Environmental Preservation

    I stayed in Costa Rica for a rather short time but even in two weeks I had the chance to learn a lot and to dive a bit into tico culture. My work was dealing with butterflies, the rearing and handling of caterpillars and planting tasks for the host plants of the caterpillars. The work was very ...
    Laura rating5

    2023 at Medical Clinic Supporter

    I spent one month in Antigua with Inlex, working in a medical clinic in the mornings and undertaking Spanish lessons in the afternoons. Alex and Diego made sure I felt comfortable and integrated into the community and my host family from the very start, and continued to check in throughout my ...
    Lowie rating5

    2023 at Microfinance Internship

    I worked at a company that specialises in constructing social housing. It's a family-owned business where the father is a lawyer, one son is an architect responsible for designing houses and overseeing construction sites, and the other son and daughter handle administrative tasks and interact with ...
    Laura O'Grady rating5

    2023 at Medical Clinic Supporter

    I spent one month in Antigua with Inlex, working in a medical clinic in the mornings and undertaking Spanish lessons in the afternoons. Alex and Diego made sure I felt comfortable and integrated into the community and my host family from the very start, and continued to check in throughout my ...
    Emmerson rating5

    2023 at Environmental Preservation

    i feel it could have been more environmental conservation, some times it just felt like i was helping with the tourism instead of the environment. the host family was wonderful and i made friends that i know will last a life time but for the actual position itself i struggled to find meaning and ...
    Isabelle ERNY rating5

    2022 at Wildlife & Sea Turtle Conservation

    The work in preservation and protection programs of marine wildlife in Monterrico (Guatemala's Pacific's coast) was amazing: I did exactly the same work as my Guatemalan colleagues. The work itself was completely adapted, carried out with seriousness but always in a very good mood! :) I had chosen ...

    Location


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