Reptile & Amphibian Diversity Research
Coordinator | Natalie
Coordinator | Natalie
Book with Flex Option!
Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
Highlights
Observe unique Costa Rican amphibians and reptiles in their natural habitat.
Visit an incredibly jaguar-dense area and one of the only locations in the world where jaguars are known to prey on adult sea turtles.
Explore the rainforest by canoe and walk the pristine Caribbean beaches.
Learn biodiversity survey techniques and gain real field experience.
Undertake turtle nesting surveys and monitor nesting sites during turtle nesting season.
Hike through the Costa Rican rainforest identifying reptile and amphibian species.
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Travel to the heart of Tortuguero National Park, to assist the Costa Rican Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Telecommunications, MINAET by conducting biodiversity surveys of the area. Record sightings of reptiles and amphibians, as well as mammals and birds, identified as significant indicators of health and of importance for further research by MINAET. Some of these significant reptiles include the gorgeous eyelash palm pitviper and the always popular red-eyed tree frog.
From April to October, you can also get involved in research projects, concerning the main reptile we study at this GVI base, sea turtles. In partnership with MINAET and the Sea Turtle Conservancy, you will join GVI staff and participants from around the world to conduct nightly beach surveys recording evidence of mother sea turtles and morning walks recording turtle nests.
Depending on the needs of our partners at the time, you might also have the opportunity to conduct jaguar research, monitoring camera traps and tracks on the beach, and bird research, traveling down the canals of Tortuguero National Park identifying aquatic birds on the river banks and in the caponies.
Due to the fact you will work in a national park, you will need special scientific permit to approve you for conducting research. Further permits are required for turtle and jaguar research. The permit for turtle research takes about one month to process, while the permit for conducting jaguar research takes about 2 to 3 months to process.
From April to October, you can also get involved in research projects, concerning the main reptile we study at this GVI base, sea turtles. In partnership with MINAET and the Sea Turtle Conservancy, you will join GVI staff and participants from around the world to conduct nightly beach surveys recording evidence of mother sea turtles and morning walks recording turtle nests.
Depending on the needs of our partners at the time, you might also have the opportunity to conduct jaguar research, monitoring camera traps and tracks on the beach, and bird research, traveling down the canals of Tortuguero National Park identifying aquatic birds on the river banks and in the caponies.
Due to the fact you will work in a national park, you will need special scientific permit to approve you for conducting research. Further permits are required for turtle and jaguar research. The permit for turtle research takes about one month to process, while the permit for conducting jaguar research takes about 2 to 3 months to process.
Manatee Conservation
Bird Conservation
#Hotspots
Sloth Sanctuary
Jaguar Conservation
Monkey Conservation
Sea Turtle Conservation
Manatee
Toucan
San Jose
Two-toed Sloth
National Park
Peruvian Jaguar
Howler Monkey
Pantanal Jaguar
Three-toed Sloth
Flatback Turtle
Green Sea Turtle
Hawksbill Turtle
Typical day
You will be waking up at about 5 or 6 AM with the first survey running from 6 AM until 10 AM. After this you will be having lunch and then your second survey for the day runs from about 1 PM until 4 PM. Then you will be having dinner together and are off to bed by about 9 PM. However, if you are participating in one of our nighttime turtle patrols, you will be busy until about 2 AM (during the Leatherback season) and until 1 AM during the green turtle season - of course then you will have the morning off on the next day.
You will be going out on two surveys a day, except for Friday afternoons and Saturdays which is your free time. Once a week you will be on kitchen duty and cook a delicious meal for the other participants.
You will be getting training on all species and surveys! We have four general projects that you will get training in:
1. Forest Biodiversity: Tropical species surveying and identification techniques which will be comprised of surveys in the forest focusing on the whole biodiversity of the area (amphibians, birds, mammals and reptiles). Data recording and Input, volunteers will assist in inputting the data collected on surveys into the projects databases (all year, during turtle season less surveys on this)
2. Canal Birds: Canal bird population and distribution studies carried out on a canal.
3.Jaguars feeding behaviour and population studies including a 15 mile survey on the beach (once a week) to monitor the number of predated sea turtles and the use of camera traps to ID jaguars and monitor their feeding patterns. Seasonal Feb to Nov. Also scats (faeces) gathering in order to study and genetic studies.
4.Marine turtle (seasonal end of march to October) conservation using a international protocol to ID nesting greens, leatherbacks (March to June) and some hawksbills.
Free-time activities
You will be based at the research station within the National Park, located 1 hour by motorboat from the nearest town of Tortuguero, and working on the surrounding canals, rivers, forest, beaches and in the nearby communities. Travel around the local area is limited and dependent on expedition staff and water taxi services. Due to the remoteness of base, we offer a long weekend (3 free days) every 4 weeks, so people can travel around Costa Rica at the start of project or once a month, be sure to budget for it if you would like to visit more places in Costa Rica. Likewise, there is a close by restaurant, and volunteers have the option of ordering fried chicken and sodas every Friday at your own expense, cost is between 6 to 10USD. Before and after your program you could explore the rest of Costa Rica, or travel onwards throughout Latin America. Buses are cheap but basic, and regional flights are relatively affordable. With so much culture and adventure it's sometimes hard to know where to start – the possibilities are endless! Travelling around the region is possible by bus with connecting services from Caño Blanco to cities across the country. It is useful to know that street addresses are not really used or known in Costa Rica - landmarks are used instead. For example, to get to Hostel Casa Colon ask to go “En contraesquina de Torre Mercedes” (translated: "across the street from Torre Mercedes).
Sightseeing
Hiking
Sports
Requirements
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.
You need to speak English (basic level)
required
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
What's Included
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 24-hour emergency phone
- 24-hour in-country support
- Access to Alumni Services and Discounts
- Airport pick-up (unless otherwise stated)
- All necessary project equipment and materials
- All necessary project training by experienced staff
- Location orientation
- Long term experienced staff
- Meals while on project (except on work placements for long term internships)
- Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
- Welcome meeting
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- Additional drinks and gratuities
- Extra local excursions
- Flights
- International and domestic airport taxes
- Medical and travel insurance
- Personal items and toiletries
- Police or background check
- Visa costs (where necessary)
Most volunteers arrange international flights to arrive at Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose (IATA code:
SJO) at least one day before the expedition starts. Airport pick-ups can be arranged from 06:00 PM - 10:00 PM the day before your program start date, please request this
from the GVI office.
If you arrive outside of the pick-up time or arriving in San Jose by other means, will be responsible for their own
transportation. Official airport taxis are orange, and cost approx US$22 to the hostel. Alternatively, you can get a bus from
outside the airport (approx. US$1, every 20-30mins).
Accommodation is in shared (mixed sex) dorms with shared bathroom facilities at the field station. There is running water
available for washing and cooking, with suitable water for drinking and brushing teeth. Supplies are limited and usage may
be restricted when necessary. Bucket-flush toilet facilities are available, and participants share responsibility for base
duties, including cooking, cleaning, and other chores.
Dorm Room
Volunteers take it in turns to prepare meals for the group. Food is very basic and mostly vegetarian, with meat rarely
available. Breakfast could be porridge or occasionally pancakes, typical lunches and evening meals may include lentils,
chicpeas, pasta, beans, or rice, with vegetables. Fresh fruit is provided each afternoon.
Limited access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
The nearest airport is Tobias Bolaños International (SYQ) in San Jose. We assist you to find cheap flights to Costa Rica.
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.
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
Due to the current situation you have the flexibility of changing the destination and start dates for this program at no extra cost. This added flexibility can be utilised until 31 December 2020.
Set start dates:
2020
- 27 Jun 2020
- 11 Jul 2020
- 25 Jul 2020
- 08 Aug 2020
- 22 Aug 2020
- 05 Sep 2020
- 19 Sep 2020
- 03 Oct 2020
- 17 Oct 2020
- 31 Oct 2020
- 14 Nov 2020
- 28 Nov 2020
2021
- 09 Jan 2021
- 23 Jan 2021
- 06 Feb 2021
- 20 Feb 2021
- 06 Mar 2021
- 20 Mar 2021
- 03 Apr 2021
- 17 Apr 2021
- 01 May 2021
- 15 May 2021
- 29 May 2021
- 12 Jun 2021
- 26 Jun 2021
- 10 Jul 2021
- 24 Jul 2021
- 07 Aug 2021
- 21 Aug 2021
- 04 Sep 2021
- 18 Sep 2021
- 02 Oct 2021
- 16 Oct 2021
- 30 Oct 2021
- 13 Nov 2021
- 27 Nov 2021
This program is paused due to COVID-19 and reopens August 2020. Apply Now!
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
2 - 12 weeks
Program fees
2 weeks
(min. stay)
$2,198
4 weeks
$2,932
6 weeks
$3,701
8 weeks
$4,469
10 weeks
$5,238
12 weeks
(max. stay)
$6,006
Average fees
$800
/week
The organization charges its fees in EUR. The price table in USD is subject to currency fluctuation.
Global Vision International (GVI)
will let you know about the final price during your application process.
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.
Your final payment will be agreed with Global Vision International (GVI) during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
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Reptile & Amphibian Diversity Research
Hike through the Costa Rican rainforest identifying reptile and amphibian species.
$708/week
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