Sloth Monitoring and Turtle Conservation
Coordinator | Luis
Coordinator | Luis
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Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
Highlights
Work in one of the most biodiverse countries in the world!
Beach and wildlife on the same program, a perfect combination!
Live in an exotic place surrounded by nature, where the magical songs of the animals and the waves are combined!
Experience in the authentic Caribbean!
Be part in the conservation of our environment and help us to preserve our treasure!
Sloths, as ambassadors of our Costa Rican nature, are a very important part of our program. For this reason, we are passionate about monitoring their population.
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+
The project
Begin your volunteer adventure and head to the rainforests of Costa Rica near to one of the most important national park like Manuel Antonio, where you can take part in the vital conservation of some of the country's most vulnerable wildlife. You will help to care of the many animals you will find during monitoring.
In the same camp, we care for sea turtles, rescue their eggs and take them to a safe place where we protect them until they hatch. Then we will release them into the sea. In addition to turtle monitoring, we take scientific information like the measurements of their size and we check if they have a wound that needs to be treated.
What is the importance of our program?
Costa Rica is one of the countries with the most biodiversity in the world. However, due to the exploitation of natural resources and buildings, the habitat of many wild animals is threatened, especially of animals as vulnerable as sloth and turtles. They have difficulties to adaptation to new environments, so we often find these beautiful animals injured or orphaned. This project is about research and protection of these adorable friends.
The location
The project is located near the Manuel Antonio National Park, the beach, forest and mountains. Our volunteers work directly in the data collection and will be involved in all the recovery processes of the species that are rescued. They will be in constant contact with our biologist who will take all the information and give them the necessary training for the field work.
What do we expect from our volunteers?
That they are lovers of nature and animals, willing to learn, with a good attitude and desire to help.
What can you expect of our team?
People with a great love for our animals and all the nature around us. We're friendly people and ready to make you feel at home and are professional people with knowledge and experience at work.
Sea Turtle Conservation
Activities
Sloth Sanctuary
Leatherback Turtle
Yoga
Two-toed Sloth
Three-toed Sloth
Green Sea Turtle
Typical day
The day starts at 5 am with morning monitoring. We go to different points previously marked where there is more activity of these animals. We monitor not only the two species of the sloth, but we also do it with the associated species. In addition to their diet, we collect data scientists and field samples that are then analyzed.
After a monitoring patrol we return to our house where we have breakfast at 8:30 a rest time where it is possible to enjoy an extensive beach of volcanic sand, in the paradisiacal Pacific of Costa Rica.
12 pm is half day lunch time. At 1 pm we go to our next monitoring until 3 pm. 6 pm is dinner time. The next monitoring is at 7 pm until 9 pm.
Turtle patrolling depends of the tide. This tasks starts at 6 pm. We go looking for turtles at the beach. When the turtles are found laying eggs, we rescue the nest and take it to a safe place which we call hatchery. Here we protect them until the turtles are born and release them in the sea.
The tasks in the hatchery consist of watching the nests in 6-hour shifts. Here, we have a small cabin to protect us from the sun or rain,
The written works can vary every day as well as the schedules. This means that depending on the season, we will be more focused in one or another area. It will also depend on the number of volunteers
In addition, the activities could vary depending on the circumstances, such as finding injured animals, helping them and taking them to the rescue center for recovery depending on the severity. If their recovery is prompt, there is also the opportunity to release them into their environment again. This does not mean that you will be in daily contact with these adorable animals. Most of the work will be monitoring and collecting scientific data in order to study their population and in which state of risk is this kind of species.
In the task of turtle conservation, when we find one on the beach, we take measurements and scientific data. Also when the turtle babies are born, we take data before releasing it. During these processes, the volunteers will have the opportunity to touch these beautiful and mystical creatures of the sea.
Free-time activities
The town of Matapalo is located in a very special place. Because we have extensive beach of more than 10km, volunteers take on sport activities such surfing. If you do not know how to surf, here you will find a school where you can learn to do it .
You can also explore one of the most important parks in Costa Rica called Manuel Antonio. It is where you can find one of the most beautiful beaches. You can also ride horses, play football, walk in the jungle, visit innumerable waterfalls in the nearby mountains and do countless number of activities that this place offers.
Water Sports
Swimming
Diving/
Snorkling
Snorkling
Hiking
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)
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
What's Included
Fees are used to provide food and accommodation for you, as well as the maintainability of the house, equipment for the work, salaries for the staff and for the educational environment program.
We live in a 2 story house only 200 meters from the beach. It has 2 rooms with bunk beds for 8 people each. Our house has two showers and two bathrooms. The view from our rooms is towards the mountains and Matapalo beach.
We offer vegetarian and vegan food.
Breakfast: pancakes, omelet, Gallo pinto, empanadas, tortillas con huevo, and many different tropical fruits.
Lunch and dinner: different kinds of picadillos with rice and beans, tortilla de papa, spaghetti with coconut milk sauce, focaccia, pizza, bread, patacones with beans paste, and many variable and Caribbean food.
Limited access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.
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
Arrival it's available any day except Sundays.
From San Jose take the bus in TRACOPA at 6:00. The bus is going to Uvita. Ask to the bus driver you need to get off the bus in Matapalo town. After you apply we provide to you more detailed your arrival.
Ask for our option of transportation from the airport to the project.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
2 - 28 weeks
Program fees
2 weeks
(min. stay)
$500
3 weeks
$750
4 weeks
$1,000
5 weeks
$1,250
9 weeks
$2,250
17 weeks
$4,250
28 weeks
(max. stay)
$7,000
Average fees
$250
/week
Please note that the above shown program fees are estimated.
Tortugas de Pacuare
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 Tortugas de Pacuare during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
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Sloth Monitoring and Turtle Conservation
Sloths, as ambassadors of our Costa Rican nature, are a very important part of our program. For this reason, we are passionate about monitoring their population.
$250/week
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