from 1,197€

Brilliant 4.7rating (106)

Beach Conservation Experience

location
444€ per week  ·  2 - 50 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate
Contact Coordinator

Highlights

  • Give back to the local communities by providing them with much needed help.
  • Gain Spanish practice by living with a host family and sharing daily life with locals.
  • Make memories you'll never forget during your time abroad.
  • Learn more about the Latin American ways, customs and habits.

Especially suitable

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+

About the program

We need your help to preserve the Costa Rican beaches and support the local community in the process!

Our Beach Conservation volunteer project is located on the extreme southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. ​

This nature reserve was Costa Rica’s first protected area for nature conservation and later became the first official National Park in 1963. Shortly ...

About the program

Our Beach Conservation volunteer project is located on the extreme southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. ​

This nature reserve was Costa Rica’s first protected area for nature conservation and later became the first official National Park in 1963. Shortly thereafter, the National Park Service was created in order to preserve and protect these lands. The size of the reserve includes both land and ocean areas totaling around 3 million hectares, only 5% of which is open to visitors by way of the trail system. The remaining 95% is an “absolute reserve” allowing for the complete protection and preservation of the flora and fauna.

The Natural Reserve’s mission is to protect, manage, and research the park’s ecosystems as part of
Costa Rica's cultural and historical heritage. Through this work they aim to include members of the surrounding communities and to benefit the region through sustainable development. Ongoing research, study and volunteer efforts are key in carrying out this mission. 

Volunteers at Beach Conservation projects may be asked to:

  • Do trail cleaning and maintenance
  • Help clean up the beach
  • Update park signage by making new signs and also making sure the existing ones are in good shape and readable
  • Reviewing footage and do general maintenance on trap cameras
  • Track beds (Set up, monitoring and analysis)
  • Complete direct observation of wildlife on the park's trails
  • Receive and orient visitors to the park
  • Teach visitors about the history of the park and what trails they can go on
  • Assist local ranger in daily tasks
  • Facilitate school groups and researchers (day camps, conferences)
  • Prepare educational materials for school visits or special activities
  • Assist with general maintenance and preservation of the reserve

You are always supported by Maximo Nivel’s in-country coordinators but they are not on site at your project. You work directly with the Spanish-speaking project director and staff.



Typical day

The Beach Conservation program begins with a mandatory 2 day orientation session in San Jose, where you receive vital information about your project and trip to the project site.

Working hours vary according to the needs of the project, but you can expect to work 5-7 hours per day, Monday-Friday. 

Pre

Typical day

The Beach Conservation program begins with a mandatory 2 day orientation session in San Jose, where you receive vital information about your project and trip to the project site.

Working hours vary according to the needs of the project, but you can expect to work 5-7 hours per day, Monday-Friday. 

Presently, work at the Beach Conservation site is organized using a station based model. Volunteers should follow this structure consistently. These activities have been specifically selected and agreed upon with the project director. We ask you to follow the station/program model described during your orientation.​


Free-time activities

Along the beaches, volunteers will find SCUBA, surfing, snorkelling, body boarding, and more or they can do land excursions with hiking, horseback riding or adventure tours and zip-lining that are also easily found. Opportunities to tour other parts of Costa Rica are also available if they want to ...

Free-time activities

Along the beaches, volunteers will find SCUBA, surfing, snorkelling, body boarding, and more or they can do land excursions with hiking, horseback riding or adventure tours and zip-lining that are also easily found. Opportunities to tour other parts of Costa Rica are also available if they want to explore outside of the area they will be staying in. Tours and trips can be easily booked through our on-site travel partner.


Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level)

Criminal Background Check

required

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

What's Included

Airport Pickup at Juan Santamaria International Airport

Airport pick up in San José and public bus transportation to and from the project and San José at the beginning and end of the program are included.

Accommodation

The first two days in San José volunteers stay in a local Costa Rican family with a shared room and breakfast and dinner included. At the project, they are housed in either a family-stay or dorm-style accommodations where they are provided with three meals a day.

Food & Beverages

The first 2 days in San José volunteers have 2 meals included (breakfast and dinner), while at the project they have full board with 3 meals/day.

Internet Access

Limited access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose. We assist you to find cheap flights to Costa Rica. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

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. GET A QUOTE

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. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

Projects start every Monday, all year round. Volunteers arrive on Sunday and spend the first couple of days in San José, where they receive the orientation. In San José, they stay in a local Costa Rican family with a shared room and breakfast and dinner included. At the conservation project, they are housed in either a family-stay or dorm-style accommodations where they are provided with three meals a day. 

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

2 weeks (min. stay) 1,197€
3 weeks 1,564€
4 weeks 1,901€
5 weeks 2,174€
6 weeks 2,448€
7 weeks 2,722€
8 weeks 2,995€
9 weeks 3,269€
10 weeks 3,543€
11 weeks 3,816€
12 weeks 4,090€
13 weeks 4,364€
14 weeks 4,637€
15 weeks 4,911€
16 weeks 5,185€
17 weeks 5,458€
18 weeks 5,732€
19 weeks 6,005€
20 weeks 6,279€
21 weeks 6,553€
22 weeks 6,826€
23 weeks 7,100€
24 weeks 7,374€
25 weeks 7,647€
26 weeks 7,921€
27 weeks 8,195€
28 weeks 8,468€
29 weeks 8,742€
30 weeks 9,015€
31 weeks 9,289€
32 weeks 9,563€
33 weeks 9,836€
34 weeks 10,110€
35 weeks 10,384€
36 weeks 10,657€
37 weeks 10,931€
38 weeks 11,205€
39 weeks 11,478€
40 weeks 11,752€
41 weeks 12,026€
42 weeks 12,299€
43 weeks 12,573€
44 weeks 12,846€
45 weeks 13,120€
46 weeks 13,394€
47 weeks 13,667€
48 weeks 13,941€
49 weeks 14,215€
50 weeks (max. stay) 14,488€
Average fees 444€/week

Program fees

444€ per week 2 - 50 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

2 - 50 weeks

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 Maximo Nivel during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your host

Maximo Nivel

Brilliant 4.7 rating (106 reviews)

Agency - founded in 2003

Verified by Volunteer World

  Excellent response rate

Coordinated by

Valy

Spoken languages: Spanish, English

About the project

Maximo Nivel offers volunteer programs in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru.
Contact Coordinator

Meet your host

Who we are? 

Maximo Nivel is a family-owned organization that has been offering volunteer abroad programs since 2003. We are a locally-based organization in Costa Rica, Guatemala and Peru, where we also own and run 4 Spanish schools in San José, Manuel Antonio, La Antigua and Cusco. 

What we do? 

We offer a wide range of study, work, and travel abroad programs, from Spanish Immersion to Volunteering and Internships.

Where we work? 

Maximo Nivel’s volunteer abroad programs take place in Antigua, Guatemala; Cusco, Peru; Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica; and San José, Costa Rica. We also have off-site programs on the Pacific and Caribbean coasts of Costa Rica and Guatemala, and in the Amazon Jungle and Sacred Valley of Peru. 

Our mission/vision: 

Maximo Nivel is a professional, ethical, and hard-working organization that is completely dedicated to providing a great experience to every student, volunteer, and client.

Our goals: 

  • Deliver high-quality, safe, affordable programs 
  • Provide the best Spanish language immersion in all of Latin America 
  • Improve impact at every volunteer project site where we work 
  • Train and certify world-class ESL teachers 
  • Organize excellent internships and other opportunities for international work experience 
  • Help people experience the world through education, adventure, and cultural travel.

Who are we looking for? 

Adventurous and hard-working volunteers and travelers.

Why choose us? 

Our program fees are affordable and transparent and we offer great client service.

106 reviews · rating4.7

Daniel White rating5

2023 at Sea Turtles Conservation Experience

Experiencing an arribada in Costa Rica was truly a once-in-a-lifetime event. Thousands of turtles arriving simultaneously to lay their eggs was a remarkable sight to behold. As a volunteer, I felt privileged to contribute to the conservation of these endangered ...
Aisha Rahman rating5

2023 at Sea Turtles Conservation Experience

Observing the hatching of baby sea turtles in Costa Rica was an unparalleled experience. Everyone made me feel welcome and supported. It was great to be able to explore Tamarindo and other beach towns during the weekends and I met so many great people I still keep in touch today. Thank you for the ...
Allegra Martin Campo rating2.6

2023 at Help Local Animal Rescue Centers

I wish I would've had more information about the project. There was almost no information about the transportation (duration, costs). The project was super far away and for a longer stay than 1 week it's a lot of money just for this. When I wanted to change to another animal project they only ...
Kathleen Nordstrom rating5

2023 at Community Childcare Supporter

I would recommend Máximo Nivel a million times over. The warm, engaging staff and volunteer/student community make you feel welcome from the moment you step in the door, and I met several lifelong friends. There are lots of opportunities to explore, including around the city and the country as a ...
Erin Taylor rating4.6

2023 at Sea Turtles Conservation Experience

I had the best experience with Maximo Nivel, the turtle conservation program is amazing! Maximo Nivel is a very well prepared organization, they are very helpful, they care for you and want you to have the best experience. Thank you so much! Costa Rica and the turtles have my ...
Javier Jiménez rating5

2023 at Sea Turtles Conservation Experience

The project that I was in was the turtle conservation in Junquillal and it was for 3 months. I didn't know what to expect at all but I fell in love with the little town and the wonderful locals that were so loving and caring towards me. When we had to release the baby turtles into the wild I really ...

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