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Costa Rica Turtle Conservation Pacific Coast
During the nesting season the turtles tend to arrive in large groups - known as “arribadas”, (a Spanish word meaning 'mass arrivals') every three or four weeks, usually before each full moon. The season attains its peak in December (in December 2002, 1, 200 000 turtles arrived on the beach to nest), which is why it is so important that volunteers are involved.
Volunteer RoleYou will be involved in a variety of different activities depending on the time of year and which location you choose. For example, during peak nesting phase, volunteers spend a greater part of their time on egg collection and monitoring the behavior of the turtles. However, typical daily activities include:
- Patrolling the beach at night to record turtle numbers and turtle behaviour etc
- Work with the local community during the egg harvest
- Tagging the rear flippers of turtles and taking nest dimension measurements
- Assist the baby turtles get to the ocean – to avoid predators such as birds
- Help to clean the beach to ensure litter does not interfere with the turtles
- Collect the turtle eggs to store in the “man-made beaches ” and hatcheries
LocationWe work at three different sites along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, and you are free to choose between: Matapalo (Puntarenas), Buenavista and Playa Hermosa (Guanacaste).
Accommodation and mealsAccommodation can vary according to which site you choose to volunteer at. The following types of accommodation are:
- Matapalo turtle conservation project
You will stay in a rustic house with electricity and shared bathrooms. At the project, you will get a meal four times a day (breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack)
- Buenavista turtle conservation project
At this time the project has a camping site equipped with tents, a kitchen and a dining room. For your basic needs it has a toilet and space to shower (although occasionally you will have to do it in the Buenavista River!)
- Playa Hermosa - Punta Mala National Wild Life Refuge
There are two simple, rustic houses: one for volunteers, the other for park employees. The house of volunteers has 2 levels, with a balcony in the higher one
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Programme OverviewDuration & Prices:
2 weeks only $929/€649,
4 weeks only $1479/€1099,
6 weeks only $2039/€1499,
2 weeks language & 2 weeks volunteering $1669/€1199,
4 weeks language & 2 weeks volunteering $2219/€1649,
2 weeks language & 4 weeks volunteering $2039/€1499,
4 weeks language & 4 weeks volunteering $2589/€1899
How to book & pay:
Secure with $339/€259 deposit. The balance is due 10 wks before departure.
What is included?
Airport transfers
All project related transport
All accommodation
Two meals a day
24/7 emergency assistance
Full onsite support
Extra activities |
What is not included?
Flights
Travel insurance
Alcohol beverages
Personal expenditure
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Programme Summary:
Help protect turtles, by night patrols, collecting eggs, rescuing and tagging turtles and helping the baby turtles get to sea!
Arrival dates:
Playa Hermosa, Buena Vista & Matapalo: Peak months to see turtles are August, September and October.
Any Monday of above months (please aim to arrive the Sunday before) |
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