Sea Turtle and Environmental Conservation

We are passionate about helping our Planet and the more vulnerable life forms on it. It is no surprise by now that manmade destruction is wiping out the biodiversity on Earth - in the Oceans and the Forests especially, Nature is in need of assistance. We are dedicated to the conservation of the Sea Turtles that come to nest here in Playa Rincon (Olive Ridley, and on the rare occasion - Hawksbill and Green).

Our project is important because we are at the front lines of Sea Turtle Conservation, safely incubating baby turtles in a hatchery to be born (where they would otherwise not survive due to poaching, predators (dogs, coatis), unstable environmental changes, vehicular activity, and more.

We conduct nightly patrols in search of turtle activity (nests, nesting turtles), whereby we collect important biometric data to monitor their populations, and to also safely transfer the turtle eggs to the hatchery. When the hatchlings are born we conduct turtle liberations, safely monitoring their arrival into the ocean to begin their long lives.

Sea turtles are imperative to the ecosystems of the Ocean (and have for over 100 million years). One of the main roles they play is maintaining healthy seagrass beds and coral reef systems - helping to balance marine food chains and facilitate nutrient cycling from water to land. 

We also live a "back to the basics" philosophy, utilizing resources on the land as much as possible, and try to eat sustainably from the Earth. We are not self-sufficient (yet), but we are far away from a society of mindless consumption and immersed in the elements of the Costa Rican rainforest next to the Pacific Ocean. We are committed to making a minimal impact on the Nature, whilst also doing our best to regenerate it. We wish to (re)connect our volunteers with Nature, and inspire others to make lifestyle changes that can lead to a life more in harmony with the natural world.

"We are a young Tico-Canadian couple, passionate about animals and the environment. In 2020 we decided to start RASCAREY, a project for the Conservation of Sea Turtles and the Environment. We consider our team to be all of those who come here to make their mark. We have been blessed to have had support from many Local and International Volunteers and various organizations. We are just in the beginning phases of our project, and we have a long way to go - but we have big dreams for now and for the future. All we hope is that our dedication will make a real impact on the declining rates of our precious sea turtle friends, as well as the regeneration of our Earth. Our mission is to inspire people to make a lifestyle change in becoming more sustainable and conscious, and to be able to share the experience of fully connecting with yourselves and nature while here at the immersion programs."

Thus, RASCAREY is made up of all the people who have given their time and energy to the development of the project - but essentially was founded by Esteban and Brisa. Esteban was raised in the area of Drake Bay, always close to the jungle and the beach. For 15 years he has helped with the protection of the different species of turtles in Playa Rincon - mostly under the guidance of an esteemed friend and notary Ethnobotanist, Jonathon Miller Weisberger (who originally started the sea turtle conservation initiatives in the area). Brisa is a passionate Environmental Educator and Artist, and has been involved in many different Nature Programs and Holistic Schools in Canada and Costa Rica - focusing on leading / teaching mindfulness, Eco Literacy, Art, and Natural Sciences to young children.

What to Bring

For Night Patrols:

• long sleeved shirt and pants (dark in color, lightweight)
• light rain coat with hood (or poncho)
• rubber boots or rain resistant closed toed shoes
• long socks
• headlamp with red light
• reusable water bottle
• small backpack
• Clothing in general: swimming gear, towel (quick drying recommended), clothing for both cool and hot weather.
• Products: repellent, sun block (reef-friendly only), toiletries (bring your shampoos, soap, laundry detergent).

NOT mandatory but recommended for your enjoyment:

• food: snacks (nuts, dried fruits, etc.), home comforts
• mosquito net if you are sensitive to bugs
• retractable umbrella if you wish to walk with one in the daytime
• reading light for night time
• entertainment: books (e-reader best in the humid climate),
• snorkeling gear, yoga mat, games
• CASH - there are no banks or money machines in the entire Drake area (please familiarize yourself with the local currency and the exchange rate)
• Healthy snacks / vegetarian food is expensive/hard to come by here. Things like nuts, seeds and dried fruit are recommended
• Any items you might want to donate to the project (books, kitchen items, board games, etc. are hugely appreciated)

You will have lots of free time!

Often we will go out on hikes as a group. We are "experts" in the area so we can take you on a guided hike through the jungle, or to nearby secret spots. The area offers a multitude of free activities - discovering the nearby waterfalls, daytime hikes, swimming in the turquoise rivers, fishing, snorkeling, surfing, observing wildlife, etc.

You can arrange tours with local companies and they will pick you up by boat right outside the campsite.

There are lots of tours in the area: Caño Island (diving, snorkeling), night hikes, bird watching, whale and dolphin tours, and of course Corcovado National Park!

Corcovado National Park

We are on the border of Corcovado National Park, and by being at the camp and in the going out into surrounding hiking trails, you will encounter many of the same wildlife as you would on a tour.

The Corcovado National Park covers more than 41,000 hectares, protecting more than 140 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, 116 species of reptiles and amphibians, 40 species of fish and at least 500 species of trees.

It is the largest park in Costa Rica and is considered to be the crown jewel in the extensive system of national parks and biological reserves in the country.

National Geographic has called it "the most biologically intense place on Earth in terms of biodiversity".

The abundance in wildlife can in part be explained by the variety of vegetation types, such as montane forest, prairie forest, swamp forest, and mangrove. It is home to many animal species, including: humpback whale, spinner dolphin, bull shark, tayra, coati, tapir, Spider monkey, Capuchin monkey, Howler monkey, Jaguar, ocelot, puma, scarlet macaw, toucan, and more.

Isla del Caño

Isla del Caño is a small island that has been established as a protected national park as a part of the Osa Conservation Area. It is a popular tourist destination for ecotourism such as whale watching, attracting visitors for its beaches, coral beds, and sea life. Researchers currently use the coral beds to study the factors surrounding coral death and recolonization.

It is home to: sea turtles, dolphins, stingrays, manta rays, moray eels, barracudas, tuna, snapper and grouper swimming alongside a variety sharks and humpback or pilot whales, and more.

Evidence of pre-Columbian human activity on the island’s history is the incredible stone spheres that have been found here. All of which are hand carved and perfectly rounded, some of the most interesting artifacts evidently carved by early civilizations.