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Sea Turtle Conservation at Punta Mala Wildlife Refuge

The experience

We offer the opportunity to make a difference and actively participate in the conservation of endangered sea turtles in Costa Rica.

As a volunteer, you will take part in conservation, environmental education and ecotourism activities. You will meet new people and can immerse yourself in pristine wilderness and genuine Costa Rican culture.

Our successful strategy also gives local communities a viable socioeconomic alternative to egg poaching.

What you offer

30 hours of help per week

Painting & Decorating: Help with painting or decorating the property facilities.

Building & Repairing: Help with a wide range of repairs or building.

Animal Care: Help look after and take care of animals.

Additional fee required

Amount: US$ 40 Per day

Fee pays for: Materials for volunteer activities and Donation to project

Description: Volunteers contribute $40 USD per day, which covers coordination, materials, food and accommodation. The fee also helps to maintain the facilities at the field station which is used by Costa Rican park rangers.

What you get

1 day off per week

Shared Dorm: You will have a bed in a shared room, which means you will share the same room with other travelers.

Breakfast: You are entitled to a free breakfast, every day of your stay.

Lunch: You are entitled to a free lunch, every day of your stay.

Dinner: You are entitled to a free dinner, every day of your stay.

Free Laundry: You can use our laundry room freely.

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Requirements

Intermediate English or Intermediate Spanish

Over 18 years old

Welcomes solo volunteers, couples, and partners of volunteers

What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa

Program Details

We are incredibly pleased to announce that in 2024 we will continue to work, for the forth year, on the sea turtle project of the Playa Hermosa-Punta Mala Wildlife Refuge, in collaboration with the ACOPAC park rangers.

The refuge has 6 kilometers of beach, and is located in the Central Pacific of Costa Rica, south of Jacó and north of Manuel Antonio. The camp is located in Punta Mala facing the sea, with mixed rooms and shared bathrooms. The camp has several common areas where you can relax, and beautiful beach views. There is electricity at the station and cellphone reception.

The beach is a major nesting area for the Olive Ridley and Green sea turtles, and the project has a hatchery with space for over 200 nests.

Placements are available from July 2nd 2024. To optimize the orientation and training process volunteers are asked to arrive at the project on Tuesdays.

Activities & Shift

As a volunteer you will take part in sea turtle conservation activities, including night patrols, relocating nests, recording scientific data, tagging of turtles, nest exhumations and the liberation of hatchlings. You may also be required to work on eco-tourism, environmental education and construction activities.

This is high-quality placement where you get to have direct interaction with the sea turtles working alongside biologists and park rangers, and learn about cutting edge conservation methodology in a genuine national wildlife refuge.

Rules

Requirements:
Age: 18 years old or more
Minimum stay: 2 weeks
Good physical condition
Intermediate Spanish or English
You must be friendly and communicative, and able to work in extreme weather conditions for 4-6 hours per day.
You must have a medical travel insurance policy for the duration of your stay.