Program Photos
Volunteer Sea Turtle Conservation in Costa Rica (Ostional)
Location: Costa Rica: Guanacaste
Program Duration: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months (includes high school academic semester abroad)
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Any day of the year
Tropical Adventures Foundation
http://www.tropicaladventures.com
Apartado 8-7100 Paraiso, Cartago 30201 Costa Rica
Call Us
Phone: Toll-Free from US/Canada 1-800-832-9419 or in Costa Rica at +506 2575-0410
Fax: 1-866-559-1592
Description
As a volunteer at the Ostional Sea Turtle Project in Costa Rica, you will be working to protect sea turtles on the beach in the National Wildlife Reserve of Ostional in the Province of Guanacaste.
Our main purpose is to protect the species of marine turtles nesting in this beach, which are: Olive Ridley, Hawksbill, Leatherback and Black turtles. Volunteers in this project will be heavily involved with the nesting and hatching of sea turtles.
You will be walking the beaches at night, seeking nesting mother turtles. When a turtle is found, you will tag and measure it, and carefully collect the eggs for transfer to the safety of a hatchery. During certain times of year, you will have the opportunity to participate in the release of hundreds of little hatchlings into the sea.
Ostional is one of the top choices worldwide for those looking to help sea turtles. This beautiful national park is currently short-handed despite being one of only 2 areas in Costa Rica where turtles arrive every day.
About once a month we see something called "arribata," which is when turtles arrive en masse - usually about 3,000 turtles (but at times as many as 10,000) in a matter of 3 nights. And, of course, 45 days after the turtles lay their eggs, all the adorable baby turtles hatch and make their way to the water. It's a sight to see!!
The lodging is very comfortable, there is Wireless Internet and even Satellite TV. The staff is friendly, professional and at least two of them speak English.
There is the option of staying with a local family, or in the volunteer house (up to 12 people living together divided between 2 rooms with bunk beds). The price is the same, and the food is really good too (not easy to find at lots of national parks!).
Ostional is very close to the beach towns of Nosara and Samara and will certainly provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Highlights
Though this projects are hard work, they are extremely rewarding. The turtles themselves are amazing, and the reserve is biologically very diverse. Life-changing experiences, unrestricted glimpses of the Costa Rica most visitors don't know, and a way to have a positive and lasting impact on these endangered species.
The vacation is not all work; plenty of play is available as well. Camoronal is known as a great surfing destination and is is a beautiful location surrounded by nature. We'll arrange any tours or activities you would like to do during your time in Costa Rica. It really is an experience of a lifetime!
Qualifications
We are seeking volunteers who have the ability to impact the project in a positive way, willing and able to work from 4-6 hours per shift (usually starting about Midnight). Prospective volunteers should also be physically fit, have a good work ethic, a friendly attitude and be willing to immerse themselves in another culture.
Languages
- English
Cost in US$:
2 Weeks: 1,395 USD
Cost Includes:
Cost Include Description:
- Volunteer Project Placement
- Lodging and Meals
- Country Information and Orientation
- Project Training and In-Country Support
- Assistance with Planning Excursions and Activities
- Reference letter or evidence of volunteer service hours
- 24 hour in-country emergency service
- Travel Insurance
Credit Available
no
Volunteer Types
- Animal Welfare
- Community Development
- Conservation
- Eco-tourism
- Environment
- Research
- Marine Conservation
- Water
- Wildlife Surveying
Typical Volunteer
The typical volunteer at Tropical Adventures is someone who wants to experience the rich bio-diversity of Costa Rica, while learning Spanish and sharing their time, skills and love. Our volunteers like to work hard and play hard. They work well with others and enjoy submersing themselves in a different culture. Typical volunteers are college students, families or retirees.Age Range
16+This Program is open to
Worldwide Participant. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.
Typical Living Arrangements
- Group living
- Home-stays
- Independent living
- Other
Participants Travel to Costa Rica
Independently or in Groups
Application Process Involves
- Online Application plus Application Assessment
Typically The Application Process Time is
24 hoursPost Services Include
- Alumni Network
- Exit Debriefing Abroad
Tropical Adventures Foundation's Mission Statement
The Tropical Adventures Foundation is a resource for empowering individuals and communities inside and outside of Costa Rica. Our goals are to: Support the inherent value of the individual, reduce poverty and injustice, help communities achieve sustainable growth, create safe environments, promote international learning and cooperation and foster personal and worldwide peace. Every community around the world faces the fundamental challenge to create social and economic systems that promote peace, human welfare and the sustainability of the environment on which life depends. We meet this challenge by supporting and encouraging initiatives by those living and working closest to where the problems are located. We promote collaboration among diverse individuals, nonprofit organizations, government and businesses from the local area and around the world, as well as from every level of society. Our experience shows such activities help build common understanding, bring forward and reinforce the inherent value of the individual, strengthen a sense of local and worldwide community, and ultimately enable people to improve their lives and reinforce their commitment to society.
Year Founded
2005
