from 732€

Great 4.4rating (205)

Wildlife Conservation and Surfing

location
1 - 8 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Great 4.4  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Complete your reservation as soon as possible. This project fills up quickly and is already booked on certain dates.


Highlights

  • One of the best beaches in Costa Rica to do surfing
  • Near to biologist reserve
  • Only 1.5 hours to the airport
  • 15 minutes to Jaco beach one of the most popular beaches in Costa Rica
  • Many beaches around to visit in your time off

Especially suitable

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups
50+

About the program

Learn surfing and enjoy one of the best beaches with perfect waves while being part of the wildlife conservation programs in a paradisiacal place full of nature.

The conservation of natural resources such as sea turtles, sloths, monkeys and hundreds of animal species is our main objective. Located in a suitable place for surfing, we have looked for the balance between the protection of the environment while enjoying one of the most exciting sports on the ...

About the program

The conservation of natural resources such as sea turtles, sloths, monkeys and hundreds of animal species is our main objective. Located in a suitable place for surfing, we have looked for the balance between the protection of the environment while enjoying one of the most exciting sports on the waves. Here you can learn surfing with a professional, who is also a person dedicated 100% to sea turtles conservation since many years ago.

We work day by day in union with different sectors, such as the blue flag committee that is dedicated to the cleanup of our beach which has certification of excellence for this work. We collaborate with the community school in environmental education programs, with the association of volunteers of Costa Rica ASVPA in the protection of sea turtles and with this same association in a mammals monitoring  program.
Make your contribution to conservation in one of the most biodiverse areas in the world and live a real experience with us. 


Typical day

The day starts at 8:00 a.m. with breakfast, at 9:00 a.m. We start surfing lessons for one hour a day. A professional will teach you how to practice this sport. Classes are taught 5 days a week and if you want to continue practicing we provide you with a surfboard so you can continue practicing in ...

Typical day

The day starts at 8:00 a.m. with breakfast, at 9:00 a.m. We start surfing lessons for one hour a day. A professional will teach you how to practice this sport. Classes are taught 5 days a week and if you want to continue practicing we provide you with a surfboard so you can continue practicing in your spare time. After the practice we continue with the daily tasks such as collection and classification of plastic for recycling, wildlife monitoring and working with turtles.

Meals
  • Breakfast – 8:00 am 
  • Lunch – 12:00 pm
  • Dinner – 6:00 pm 
Volunteer Obligations
Communal Work Shifts
9:30 – 11:00 am
3:00 – 5:00 pm

Sea turtle conservation – As a volunteer with us, you’ll have the opportunity to be involved in the entire turtle hatching process. This includes taking shifts patrolling the beach in the evenings to locate female turtles who have come ashore to lay their nests. Nests are then transported to a hatchery, where they can be monitored 24/7 to protect them from poachers and predatory animals. You will take one shift every few days to keep watch of the hatchery. Finally, upon hatching, you will assist the baby sea turtles in reaching the ocean safely to ensure maximum survival rates. You may also help in the general maintenance of the hatchery. 
Other tasks – Volunteers will also participate in sloth walks to monitoring and record the migration patterns of local sloth populations. Additionally, you’ll assist us in gathering beach litter once per week. You can expect to help with cleaning the kitchen and bedrooms once per week. You’ll also have the opportunity to take part in community service work with local schools and community facilities. 


Free-time activities

Here you'll have many different activities to do. 
A surfing school in the camp (100 meters), our beach offers the best chance to go surfing, the waves are awesome. 
An amazing waterfalls
Manuel Antonio National Park is one hour south by bus. 
Dominical beach is 1.20 minutes south by bus. Here you ...

Free-time activities

Here you'll have many different activities to do. 
A surfing school in the camp (100 meters), our beach offers the best chance to go surfing, the waves are awesome. 
An amazing waterfalls
Manuel Antonio National Park is one hour south by bus. 
Dominical beach is 1.20 minutes south by bus. Here you can also do sports, snorkeling, fishing or recreational fishing. 
Jaco beach 15 minutes north by bus 
The beach is just in front of our house, so sunbathe, enjoy the beach and live in a tropical and nice place.

Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

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)

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 from 10:00 - 16:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Tortugas de Pacuare

Our program includes: accommodation on site, 3 meals a day as well as the support of 2 Volunteer coordinators who will be attentive to coordinate anything you need before during and even once the program is over.

We also offer the opportunity to our volunteers to combine programs, even if you only applied for one program and wish to divide your stay in any of our programs, we will take care of coordinating your reservation and transfer to the other camp (the change of programs is subject to availability of space in the programs)

Airport Pickup at Juan Santamaria International Airport

Our driver will pick you up at the airport duly identified with the logo of our organization, he will get in touch with our coordinator infirming your arrival then will take you to the car where he will provide you with Wi-Fi

In this way you can be in contact with your family, friends and with our coordinators, who will be attentive to your needs.
Our driver will take you to the reserved hostel (In case your arrival in Costa Rica does not coincide with the departure of the buses to the location where the program is located) give you the bus ticket (buy a ticket in advance to reserve a seat for you on the bus), pick you up at the hostel on the day of your trip to the project and take you to the bus .
The cost will be US$80 plus the hostel night (US$20 (dormitory) and US$40 (single/double room).

 A taxi (ordered from the camp) will pick you up from the bus and wait for you to take you to the project.


Accommodation

You will live in hostel-style accommodations with fellow volunteers. There are mixed rooms with bunk beds and an attached bathroom. The site has a personal chef that will prepare three meals per day. There is also a restaurant and convenience store located directly beside the site if you would like to purchase additional food, beverages, or toiletries.

Food & Beverages

Costa Rican food.We provide 3 meals a day: Rice and beans, spaghetti, empanada, picadillo, and many more typical local foods. 
Drinks will be always tropical flavors.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose. We assist you to find cheap flights to Costa Rica. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

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. GET A QUOTE

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. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

You can arrive any day of the week except for Sunday. From the TRACOPA bus stop near the San Jose airport, take the bus going to Quepos. You should stop on Esterillos este. There, a member of the staff will pick up you to the camp.
After you apply for our program we will get in touch with more information regarding your arrival. We provide options for transportation from the airport to the site at an additional cost.  
Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

1 week (min. stay) 732€
2 weeks 1,465€
3 weeks 2,197€
4 weeks 2,929€
8 weeks (max. stay) 5,723€
Average fees 724€/week

Program fees

724€ per week 1 - 8 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

1 - 8 weeks

Deposit

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

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.


Meet your organization

Tortugas de Pacuare

Great 4.4 rating (205 reviews)

Agency - founded in 2012

Verified by Volunteer World

  Excellent response rate

Coordinated by

Luis

Spoken languages: Spanish, English

About the project

Tortugas de Pacuare is an organization created to protect the most endangered turtles in the world, supported 100% by volunteers.

Meet your organization

Why coming as a volunteer to save sea turtles in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica has many of the most important beaches in the world for turtle nesting. The government protects some areas, especially national parks, but many important beaches for turtles are unprotected. For this reason we started our project Tortugas de Pacuare and with the help of volunteers around the world. We have been working and saving turtles for more than 12 years now! Without the help of the volunteers, protecting these wonderful animals wouldn't be possible.

The protection of the turtles and the biodiversity of this area is our goal. In order to achieve it, we need the help of international volunteers. You, as a volunteer, should have the willingness to help with tasks that require a close attention. To support our diligent helpers, we create an atmosphere at the Tortugas de Pacuare project that makes them feel like at home. You should have a desire of leaving a mark in a humble village as well as the desire to succeed in the fight for a good cause. 

Our project Tortugas de Pacuare is located 40 km South of Tortuguero in a small town called Barra de Pacuare, an island in the middle of the Caribbean. This makes us one of the most strategic destinations for leatherback turtles, green turtles, and hawksbill turtles, which are some of the most threatened species and are in serious danger of extinction. On the island are living a few people, there are several bars; the closest one is called "Las Machas". There, the volunteers can also buy what they need like shampoo, gel shower etc. or biscuits, cookies, cigarettes, beers etc.

Our vision is to save these turtles by hard work and making a change, not only for the animals, but also for the people, starting with the education of the children of our community.

A lot of reasons can steer a volunteer to take part in a humanitarian project: a cheaper way of travelling or a new experience and a different way of living. The volunteers come to learn about turtles, to improve their Spanish, to live a new experience, to isolate themselves and disconnect themselves from the reality.

We want to make your stay with us as enjoyable as possible, excited to share with you. Your help is necessary to maintain the preservation of sea turtles. Without our patrols, the beach will be vulnerable. We want you to enjoy your experience with us as much as possible.


What does a volunteer need to bring to Pacuare? (packing)

In the following list, you will find objects that you should take with you in order to make your stay in Pacuare more comfortable. This list is also helpful for travelling around Costa Rica.

  • During some hours a day, the wifi is available. However, if you want to assure you an internet access whenever you want, it is better if you by a Costa Rican phone card. Kolbi is the more effective operator on the island, you can recharge it on the island but its efficiency depends on the climatic conditions and the number of devices connected.
  • There are no banks on the island, you need cash (colones).       
  • Put your stuff in plastic bags and remove the air with a straw, it is useful to organize them and if it rains, they will not get wet.
  • Black Crocs with socks (comfortable and appropriate for night patrols).
  • A soap-dish if you use bars of soap (for hygienic reasons).-    
  • Mosquito bed net and mosquito repellent (Off or Relec) in the form of spray, bracelet and patch.
  • A lot of underwear
  • A coat and pants, especially if you come during the rainy season; because, it can be colder.
  • First Aid Kit
  • Cap      
  • Padlock
  • They do not sell hand rolling tobacco in Costa Rica
  • Make a photocopy of your passport and laminate it. Take it with you instead of your passport when you go for a walk or go shopping.
  • Also, you cannot stay more than 90 days in the country without a visa. If you want to stay longer, you will have to leave the country during at least 72 hours.

  Essential:

  • Sunblock
  • Dark clothes for night patrols (lght)
  • Headlamp with red light (you can put a translucent red paper on it)
  • A watch if you are an assistant

Day work

The type of work depends on the period of the year, the number of volunteers and the night work. Sometimes, you will work during a certain amount of hours and sometimes till the end of the task

We try to make the day work as relax as possible because night patrols are tiring. But if a volunteer wants to work on a particular task, which is very important to him, the volunteer must feel free to do it without waiting for staff members’ instructions

  • Clean up the beach: remove organic materials and rubbish which hobble the sea turtles on their way to the beach or hobble the babies to reach the sea
  • Breeding pond: construction of the breeding pond, clean it up, check its condition, take data and watch it during the night
  • Construction of shelter to protect oneself from the rain during the night patrols
  • Night patrols: walking on the beach at night to find sea turtles
  • Housework
  • Maintenance of the garden and construct a kitchen garden and take care of it (harvest)
  • Compost: to dig a hole in order to throw the organic trash inside it
  • Bring the sorted waste to the Coast Guards
  • Wash turtles’ stuff
  • Construct a kitchen garden and take care of it (harvest)

Pastimes

The project has some books and games to entertain oneself and chill out.

  • One-day trip to the mountain, game/quiz night, Latin music class, Spanish class, Hanging out, baking cookies, survival class, caimans tour, cooking class, campfire y marshmallows.
  • The volunteers can also go to the Tortuguero national park or Puerto Viejo during the weekend.

205 reviews · rating4.4

Nancy Jones rating4.8

2023 at Wildlife Conservation and Surfing

I had a fabulous time volunteering here! It is the perfect combination of turtle conservation, surf lessons, and relaxation. Every morning we buried the turtle eggs we had collected from the night before, then it was time for my surf lesson. After that (for the most part) the rest of the day was ...
Hanna Lykka Sönksen rating3

2023 at Wildlife Conservation and Surfing

I booked three weeks at the wildlife conservation and surfing camp. As I arrived I was the only volunteer staying in the house of the surf teacher and his family, a few days later one other person arrived. The apartment was very nice, the food they cooked for me three times a day very delicious ...
Hey! I was in playa Matapalo for 2 weeks and I had a very nice time there. It’s a lot to say but I will try to make it short. The accommodation was ok, exactly how was described by another volunteer and the organisation. But we are there more for the animals and I had the opportunity to see 3 ...
Carlos Piedra rating5

2024 at Leatherback Turtle Ambassador

A friend told me about visiting Pacuare, so we decided to pack our bags and go to Costa Rica, from the beginning it is an adventure, traveling through the canals of Tortuguero is an adventure that you will not forget, especially if you do it during the morning, I loved every moment in this beautiful ...
Giorgio Tazzari rating2.2

2024 at Leatherback Turtle Ambassador

The staff was ok Nice persons well prepared. The accomodation not sufficient, really basic, considering you ask money for the volunteer program Two toilets and two showers for 20/30/40 persone depending of the period, cabanas and food like in jail To me it s been a good experience any way ,but ...
ELOISE LE HO rating1.8

2024 at Sea Turtle Conservation Ambassador

***** Statement from the organization below ***** Si vous pensez faire ce volontariat, n'y allez surtout pas à la fin de la saison ou hors saison des tortues. En 2 semaines, de mi janvier à fin janvier, je n'ai vu des tortues que le premier jour. La présentation du programme fait rêver mais ...

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Spanish, English

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