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2019
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Sea Turtles Conservation Experience
Coordinator | Stefania
Coordinator | Stefania
Help us protect the sea turtles: these majestic creatures play a key role in ocean ecosystems and their extinction would be a tragedy.
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 17+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+
Volunteers help us protect the environment of the sea turtles and their ocean ecosystems. They provide support to biologists and locals who are involved in managing the turtle nesting grounds.
These projects normally include sustainable egg harvesting programs that feed or provide income to the local communities. These programs are designed to prevent over-harvesting and poaching, and are overseen by the Costa Rican government. Volunteers take part in nightly beach patrols, tagging turtles, relocating nests into hatcheries, counting eggs and turtles, contributing to beach reforestation efforts, community outreach programs, project upkeep and maintenance.
During this project volunteers work with very impoverished communities in a rural setting. That said, the turtle conservation projects are located on gorgeous beaches where swimming, surfing and local culture are easy to find nearby. Beach patrols require a lot of walking and volunteers should be physically fit and prepared for this.
We strongly encourage to bring work gloves, and long-sleeved shirts and pants that they do not mind getting dirty or even ruining. Participants should bring a set of dark clothes for nighttime beach patrols. Closed-toed shoes are required and water shoes, hiking boots, or crocs make beach patrols much more comfortable.
They need a flashlight, extra batteries, insect repellent, and sun screen. A flashlight with a red light is preferred, but red cellophane will be provided in-country if they do not have this.
We recommend to use pack-style luggage. Traditional suitcases with wheels are strongly discouraged due to the difficult terrain and frequent walking.
Typical day
Working hours vary according to the needs of the project, but volunteers can expect to work 6-8 hours per day, Monday to Saturday. Working hours are split into shifts, and volunteers should be prepared to have late night or very early morning shifts patrolling the beach as well as daytime working hours.
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.
Water Sports
Swimming
Sightseeing
Diving/
Snorkling
Snorkling
Program Requirements
In order to join the program you need to be at least 17 years old on the program start date.
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, Thursday, Friday and Saturday
Included Services
Our fees include:
- Airport pick-up
- Host family / Dorm accommodations (shared room with half board in San José and full board at the project site)
- Program and safety orientation
- Walking tour
- Official certificate of volunteer service
- Emergency contact number 24/7
- Program management
While in San José:
- Free Tandem Conversation Program
- Free office-wide WIFI and computer lounge
- Free social activities
- Free coffee and tea and on-site snack bar
- Maximo Nivel Institute open 7 days/week
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.
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 turtle project, they are housed in either a family-stay or dorm-style accommodations where they are provided with three meals a day. There are no laundry facilities available at the turtle projects. They should be prepared to hand-wash their clothes and dry them in the sun.
The first 2 days in San José volunteers have 2 meals included (breakfast and dinner), while at the turtles project they have full board with 3 meals/day.
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
Projects start every Monday, all year round. Volunteers arrive on Saturday 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 turtle project, they are housed in either a family-stay or dorm-style accommodations where they are provided with three meals a day.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
2 - 50 weeks
Program fees
2 weeks
(min. stay)
$ 1,105
3 weeks
$ 1,450
4 weeks
$ 1,755
5 weeks
$ 2,005
50 weeks
(max. stay)
$ 13,255
Average fees
$ 409
/week
Please note that the above shown program fees are estimated and subject to exchange rate fluctuations.
Maximo Nivel
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 Maximo Nivel during the application process.
Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
Why book with Volunteer World
Volunteer World is the world's leading comparison platform for international volunteer opportunities. We guide you through a safe and easy
application process
- including all necessary payments. Planning your next meaningful trip with Volunteer World gives you free access to our:
Quality Assurance
High ethical standards & transparent social impact
Flex Option
Change your reservation at no extra costs
Refund Guarantee
We refund your fees if Maximo Nivel cancels your trip
Support & Mediation
We cover your back no matter what happens
Our services are free of charge!
All program fees are charged directly by Maximo Nivel.
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