Beach Cleaning & Nature Reserve

Non-profit
·
founded in 1989
Lauren
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Coordinator | Lauren
Coordinator | Lauren
Book with Flex Option! Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.

High­lights

Trail maintenance
Assist with ongoing research, orienting new research
Beach clean-up and day patrols
Light construction
Work offsite, and immerse yourself in the beautiful surroundings!
Help with beach clean up efforts, education in the community and maintaining trails at the local nature reserve. You will find all sorts of amazing animals here! This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 16+
Singles
Couples
Groups
50+

On this project you have the chance to work on a nature reserve and out in the natural environment, protecting Costa Rica’s beaches. Located on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, the nature reserve was the first national park of Costa Rica and is home to a variety of animals. These include seabirds, including pelicans, frigate birds & laughing gulls, white-tail deer, armadillos, howler monkeys, capuchin monkeys, as well as wild cats like ocelots and jaguarundis. Around 5% of this nature reserve is open to visitors, where they can walk around the numerous trails available.

There are 4 different areas you can get involved on this project: trail maintenance, beach conservation, research and education. Each of these areas has a vital role to play in keeping the environment clean and to also educating the local people on conservation issues and how to best take care of the precious ecosystem. You can also help with maintenance and the sustainability of the reserve.

Location
The nature reserve is situated on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, a beautiful region with an abundance of wildlife. The beach projects are situated offsite from the volunteer centre within the Nicoya Peninsua. These locations may not have reliable internet, but a phone is available in case of emergencies. Our local coordinators will check in with you by phone and in-person throughout your project. You will spend  the first 1-2 days in San Jose for orientation before your project starts.

Typical day

Sunday

 – Arrival / Welcome and Home Stay Introduction

Monday – Orientation day
Tuesday to Friday
Here is a rough guide on what to expect...
  • Breakfast at the accommodation
  • 5-7 hours of volunteer work either in the morning or afternoon
  • Your own lunch at the accommodation or project site
  • Free time
  • Dinner at the accommodation

Free-time activities

Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio

Close by the where a lot of our projects are, this National park is one of the most popular in Costa Rica. With beautiful beaches, rainforest walking trails and an abundance of wildlife, this is a must visit for any traveller!

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
Another stunning destination to visit and a lush oasis of green rainforest and misty fog and clouds sitting at the top of the canopy. There are around 420 different types of orchids, ferns mosses, as well as a large bird population- perfect for nature and wildlife lovers. There are also night time walking tours.

Corcovado National Park
A stunning national park with plenty of hiking trails, natural swimming holes, waterfalls, rainforest, wildlife, flora and fauna and camping. Here you will find more than 400 bird species, monkeys, sea turtles, over 40 frog species, 100 butterfly species and perhaps even a jaguar.

Adventure activities
Costa Rica has so much to do for those who like to live on the wild side! From ziplining, white water rafting, canyoning, surfing, snorkelling, diving, horse riding and paddle boarding. This is a nature and adventure lovers paradise!

Beach Hopping
There is no shortage of beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. From white sand, black sand, beaches that meet jungle and all with crystal clear, blue waters. Many of the beach town have cafes, restaurants, accommodation and places to grab a fresh coconut juice, the perfect way to chill out after a hot day!

Water Sports
Sightseeing
Shopping/
Souvenirs
Climbing
Hiking
Museum/
Opera

Require­ments

In order to join the program you need to be at least 16 years old on the program start date.
Language Skills
You need to speak English (basic level)
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 and Friday

What's Included

Services by Involvement Volunteers IVI

Airport pick-up

Host family accommodations
Breakfast and dinner, 7 days/week
1 day orientation
24/7 in-country support
Walking tour
Official certificate of volunteer service
Letter of recommendation
Spanish language tutoring table
Tandem Conversation Program
WiFi and computer lab
Salsa dance classes
Cooking classes
Free coffee and tea and on-site snack bar
Volunteer centre open 7 days/week

Airport Pickup at Juan Santamaria International Airport

We provide airport pick up for weekend arrivals. Extra night is charge is arriving Sat. Full info will be provided in the welcome pack, or feel free to contact us at any time. 

Accommodation

The majority of our volunteers will stay with a pre-approved middle-class Costa Rican family. You have the option of a shared or a private room. For shared rooms, you are placed with 1-3 other people of the same gender and age group. In San Jose, the host families live in the San Pedro area, which is around a 10 to 60-minute walk or bus ride (depending on where you’re placed) from the volunteer centre. You’ll be given a key to the house and are free to come and go as you please, but you must respect the house rules and practices of your host family


The host family can help you with washing laundry. There is a small charge of ₡2,500 or $5 per kilo (2.2 lbs) which is paid directly to the family. If you are staying at a student residence, hostel, hotel or apartment that does not have a laundry service available, you can use a nearby laundrette (lavanderia).

Guest Family
Food & Beverages

Breakfast and dinner will be served 7 days a week and will usually be local cuisine, cooked by your host family. The food in Costa Rica is a mix of African, Italian, French, Chinese, and Spanish cuisines. Common food are grains such as rice, corn, and beans and different meats mixed with spices like coriander, saffron, parsley, oregano, thyme and nutmeg. The food is usually mildly seasoned and has plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Internet Access
Limited access at the project site
What's NOT included?
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
Flight Tickets
The nearest airport is Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose. We assist you to find cheap flights to Costa Rica.
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 Costa Rica provides security and is a plus to have.
Vaccines
If you are intending to volunteer in Costa Rica you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Costa Rica.

Dates & Fees

NO CREDIT CARD FEES

Details on arrival

Program starts every Monday. Arrivals on Sat/ Sun. If arriving on Sat, an extra night is charged.

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Duration
2 - 12 weeks

Program fees

Costs: Prices in USD
2 weeks (min. stay)
$1,210
3 weeks
$1,550
4 weeks
$1,865
8 weeks
$2,865
12 weeks (max. stay)
$3,925
Average fees
$466 /week

Please note that the above shown program fees are estimated. Involvement Volunteers IVI will let you know about the final price during your application process.
Deposit (15%)
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 (85%)
Your final payment will be agreed with Involvement Volunteers IVI during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

Why book with Volunteer World

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Beach Cleaning & Nature Reserve

Help with beach clean up efforts, education in the community and maintaining trails at the local nature reserve. You will find all sorts of amazing animals here!

$466/week

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