Turtle Conservation Project in Costa Rica

Minimum 2 weeks stay required



PROJECT OVERVIEW
  • Program: Volunteer in Costa Rica
  • Project:Turtle Conservation
  • Room and Board: Host family & 3 times a day local food
  • Work Hours:30-36 hours per week
  • Start Date:2nd and 4th Mondays of each month
  • Arrival and Departure: Juan Santa Maria International Airport, San Jose
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Project Summary

 

Turtles are incredibly fascinating, and they are also at-risk. They face many obstacles during their existence like habitat loss, predators, and poachers. Volunteers at this project concentrate on building and maintaining safe environments for the turtles. Volunteers will be working with local community members and conservation groups to protect the habitat and also educate others about these endangered species and their importance.


Skill/Qualification

There are no skills required to volunteer in the project. You should however be physically fit as the work can get physically demanding. If you understand Spanish, you'll be able to communicate with the locals and work more effectively, however, this is not a necessity. You can also take Spanish classes while volunteering.


Volunteer's Responsibilities

You will perform such duties like regular night patrols to check the eggs and turtles coming offshore to hatch. You'll work in the hatcheries and collect eggs and rescue turtles. You'll also take carapace and nest-dimension measurements and tag the rear flippers of the turtles.

 

Project Location

Turtle conservation project is situated in two locations: North Pacific Coast and Caribbean Coast. The North Pacific Coast is characterized by sunny days and stunning beaches and the climate is hot and dry. The area also has numerous rainforests and supports many interesting wildlife. It only takes about 2-3 hours to reach the Coast from San Jose.

 

The Caribbean Coastline contains many nature reserves and is very popular for nature seekers and adventure tourists. The Tortuguero National Park in Lemon Province, with biological diversity due to the existence within the reserve of eleven different habitats, including rainforest, mangrove forests, swamps, beaches, and lagoons, is one of the most famous region in the Caribbean Coast.