Sea Turtles Conservation Experience

Agency
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founded in 2003
Valy
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Coordinator | Valy
Coordinator | Valy
Book with Flex Option! Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
We need your help to preserve the sea turtles: these majestic creatures are vital to the marine ecosystems and their extinction will have severe consequences! This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
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

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.
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, Friday and Saturday

What's Included

Services by Maximo Nivel
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 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 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.

Dorm Room
Food & Beverages
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.
Internet Access
Limited access at the project site
What's NOT included?
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
Flight Tickets
The nearest airport is Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose. We assist you to find cheap flights to Costa Rica.
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.
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.

Dates & Fees

NO CREDIT CARD FEES

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 turtle 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
Duration
2 - 50 weeks

Program fees

Costs: Prices in USD
2 weeks (min. stay)
$1,225
3 weeks
$1,600
4 weeks
$1,945
5 weeks
$2,225
6 weeks
$2,505
7 weeks
$2,785
8 weeks
$3,065
9 weeks
$3,345
10 weeks
$3,625
11 weeks
$3,905
12 weeks
$4,185
13 weeks
$4,465
14 weeks
$4,745
15 weeks
$5,025
16 weeks
$5,305
17 weeks
$5,585
18 weeks
$5,865
19 weeks
$6,145
20 weeks
$6,425
21 weeks
$6,705
22 weeks
$6,985
23 weeks
$7,265
24 weeks
$7,545
25 weeks
$7,825
26 weeks
$8,105
27 weeks
$8,385
28 weeks
$8,665
29 weeks
$8,945
30 weeks
$9,225
31 weeks
$9,505
32 weeks
$9,785
33 weeks
$10,065
34 weeks
$10,345
35 weeks
$10,625
36 weeks
$10,905
37 weeks
$11,185
38 weeks
$11,465
39 weeks
$11,745
40 weeks
$12,025
41 weeks
$12,305
42 weeks
$12,585
43 weeks
$12,865
44 weeks
$13,145
45 weeks
$13,425
46 weeks
$13,705
47 weeks
$13,985
48 weeks
$14,265
49 weeks
$14,545
50 weeks (max. stay)
$14,825
Average fees
$455 /week

Please note that the above shown program fees are estimated. Maximo Nivel will let you know about the final price during your application process.
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.

Why book with Volunteer World

Extra security layer by 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.

What are people saying about Volunteer World?

Sea Turtles Conservation Experience

We need your help to preserve the sea turtles: these majestic creatures are vital to the marine ecosystems and their extinction will have severe consequences!

$455/week

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