Reptile & Amphibian Diversity Research
Coordinator | Graeme
Coordinator | Graeme
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.
Travel to the Cahuita National park in Costa Rica and work on projects aimed at identifying reptile and amphibian species.
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups
50+
Join this conservation program based in the heart of the Tortuguero National park, home to endangered sea turtles; jaguars and a plethora of fauna and flora.
As a volunteer you will be given the opportunity to work alongside highly esteemed conservation organizations such as Costa Rican Ministry of Environment, Panthera, Coastal Jaguar Conservation and the Sea Turtle Conservancy. You will be working on a diverse range of projects dependent on season, you could be recording data on the gender and breeding behaviors of birds, working on biodiversity surveys; tracking and camera trapping of Jaguars and beach walks to record data on nesting turtles.
A large part of the research conducted is focused on collecting data on the 30 target bird species within the national park in order to gain a greater understanding of their migration patterns and submitting this data onto a database.
This program includes an optional Wildlife Conservation online courses which must be completed in order to obtain a certificate offered in partnership with the University of Richmond in the United States.
Sloth Sanctuary
Hotspots
Jaguar Conservation
Sea Turtle Conservation
Monkey Conservation
Two-toed Sloth
National Park
Peruvian Jaguar
Pantanal Jaguar
Flatback Turtle
Green Sea Turtle
Hawksbill Turtle
Howler Monkeys
Typical day
Some patrols are conducted in the morning or at night meaning you have the opportunity to encounter breathtaking sunrises and sunsets in the Caribbean.
Participants are expected to remain flexible as project work changes based on weather as well as needs of our project partners.
Estimated Schedule:
- 5 or 6am: Wake up call
- 6 - 10 am: First Survey
- 12pm: Lunch
- 1pm - 4pm: Second Survey
- 6pm: Dinner
- 9pm: Bed Time
Unless you are scheduled on a Night Time turtle patrol which are from 9pm - 2am.
Free-time activities
By participating in this program, you are not only offered an opportunity to work toward conserving ecosystems but also the opportunity to see local sites! Our dedicated field staff are the best resource when researching local trips, they have compiled this list of activities.
These side trips are not included in the program fee but are highly recommended:
- Puerto Viejo (most popular beach in Costa Rica)
- White Water Rafting
- Cahuita National Park (opportunity to snorkel)
- Zipline Rainforest Canopy Tour
- Tortuguero Village (1 hour away by boat)
- Water Sports
- Coffee and chocolate farms
- Talamanca Mountains (UNESCO protected)
- Other National Parks: Corcovado, Monteverde, Cloud Forest, Braulio, Carillo
The possibilities are endless!
We also now include cultural/local experiences. These experiences will take place once every 4 weeks.
These activities may include:
- Learn to pick and husk a coconut
- Visit the world's oldest sea turtle research group
- Meditate on the beach at sunrise
- Take a jungle night walk and frog watch
- Canoe along jungle river canals at dawn
- Stargaze and learn the northern constellations
- Hike an extinct volcano, Cerro Tortuguero
- Visit a sustainable chocolate farm
Water Sports
Swimming
Sightseeing
Diving/
Snorkling
Snorkling
Shopping/
Souvenirs
Souvenirs
Climbing
Safari/
Zoo
Zoo
Hiking
Museum/
Opera
Opera
Sports
Riding
Yoga/
Meditation
Meditation
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
CV translated into Spanish, 2 passport sized photos, passport copy and Medical form (on this program we need to apply for a scientific permit)
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
No specific skills required, all training is provided online 8 weeks prior to program start through self paced training materials.
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday
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
- Camera trap use
- First Aid & CPR training
- GPS training
- Location orientation
- Long term experienced staff
- Meals while on project (except on work placements for long term internships)
- Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
- Scientific techniques in collection of biometric data, transect work, incidental observation, tourist and human impact surveys, camera trapping and, track identification
- Transfer to rainforest location
- Tropical forest ecology
- Welcome meeting
- Wildlife identification skills
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)
Airport pick ups are provided at Juan Santamaria International Airport, these are within a specified time period.
Our program is based in the center of the Tortugeuro National Park which is a key conservation area for endangered sea turtles and jaguars.
Our base is basic, being a research station and has been created to be sustainable and have as little impact on the environment as possible.
Accommodation facilities are shared dormitories and can be considered basic.
Our base has an organic garden which supplies fresh food ingredients, meals are mostly vegetarian.
Volunteers take it turn to prepare meals for the team.
Limited access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
The nearest airport is Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) 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
2022
- 08 Jan 2022
- 22 Jan 2022
- 05 Feb 2022
- 19 Feb 2022
- 05 Mar 2022
- 19 Mar 2022
- 02 Apr 2022
- 16 Apr 2022
- 30 Apr 2022
- 14 May 2022
- 28 May 2022
- 11 Jun 2022
- 25 Jun 2022
- 09 Jul 2022
- 23 Jul 2022
- 06 Aug 2022
- 20 Aug 2022
- 03 Sep 2022
- 17 Sep 2022
- 01 Oct 2022
- 15 Oct 2022
- 29 Oct 2022
- 12 Nov 2022
- 26 Nov 2022
- 10 Dec 2022
2023
- 07 Jan 2023
- 21 Jan 2023
- 04 Feb 2023
- 18 Feb 2023
- 04 Mar 2023
- 18 Mar 2023
- 01 Apr 2023
- 15 Apr 2023
- 29 Apr 2023
- 13 May 2023
- 27 May 2023
- 10 Jun 2023
- 24 Jun 2023
- 08 Jul 2023
- 22 Jul 2023
- 05 Aug 2023
- 19 Aug 2023
- 02 Sep 2023
- 16 Sep 2023
- 30 Sep 2023
- 14 Oct 2023
- 28 Oct 2023
- 11 Nov 2023
- 25 Nov 2023
- 09 Dec 2023
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
2 - 12 weeks
Program fees
2 weeks
(min. stay)
$3,554
4 weeks
$4,401
6 weeks
$5,305
8 weeks
$6,379
10 weeks
$7,283
12 weeks
(max. stay)
$8,130
Average fees
$1,227
/week
The organization charges its fees in EUR. The price table in USD is subject to currency fluctuation.
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 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
Travel to the Cahuita National park in Costa Rica and work on projects aimed at identifying reptile and amphibian species.
$1086/week
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