The program
This wonderful project was created with the goal of helping to preserve the amazing sea turtle. The Turtle Conservation Program works to conserve the future of this majestic creature, which through decades of indiscriminate human plundering, has been drastically reduced in number to a point where it is now on the endangered species list. Sadly, without the help of widespread conservation efforts, including environmental, research and re-education programs, the great sea turtle could be lost forever. Working with several of the main species of sea turtles to inhabit the Pacific, the main focus of this project is to protect and nurture the clutches of eggs laid across vital beach nesting grounds during the peak nesting season (August to February) and work on conservation and research projects at other times. The aim is to create safer nesting grounds, increase understanding and ensure more hatchlings make it to the Pacific Ocean to allow for the continuation of the species.
Additionally the program uses volunteer resources to monitor local sloth populations to protect and preserve this important animal.
Goals of this Project:
How you
can help
Volunteers play an integral role in achieving the goals of this project. Like many conservation programs funds are greatly lacking and a willing volunteer labor force is essential to its success. Those working on this program will support research and conservation work which involves counting turtles, measuring nests, collecting scientific information and night beach patrols. They will also help protect turtle nests from human poachers, assist on the egg-harvesting programs and helping in the hatcheries. Volunteers may also get the fantastic opportunity to participate in the subsequent release of hatchlings to the sea! Outside of the breeding season (which peaks from August to January), volunteers will assist with other vital conservation projects such as the development of infrastructure on the beaches, including building and lighting projects to mitigate the adverse effect of vehicle and human traffic on turtle nesting grounds, as well maintaining the beach environment itself. This is a wonderful program that has a direct impact on the safety of sea turtle populations on the Pacific Coast of Coast Rica. Volunteers will gain unique experience on conservation projects, learn more about the Costa Rican people and culture and travel to beautiful locations.
The Quepos location also offers volunteers the opportunity to assist with protection of local sloth populations and volunteers can expect to participate in sloth counts and monitoring activities.
Volunteers will contribute in a number of ways and can expect to undertake the following tasks:
Schedules on this wonderful program are largely determined by the time of year and breeding activities taking place. We ask that volunteers be flexible and prepared to work in whichever area they are required. A typical daily outline will look something like this:
4:30am Beach Patrol
Year round, even in the low season (March to July), volunteers undertake an early morning patrol of the beach to monitor and protect turtle breeding grounds.
8:00am Breakfast at the accommodation
Volunteers generally have free time during the day and can spend this as they wish, relaxing, exploring the local area, swimming or walking on the beach, taking the bus to nearby Jaco.... This is a beautiful part of the world and there is much to enjoy. Lunch is provided at the accommodation.
Afternoon Volunteering duties
Specific hours and duties vary during the year but volunteers can expect to work for 2 - 3 hours each weekday afternoon completing tasks to monitor, preserve and care for sea turtles and wildlife (such as sloths, parrots, macaws, alligators and more) in the local area.
Evenings/Nights Free time/Night patrols
During the nesting period (peaking August through February) volunteers will be involved in night-time beach patrols to protect turtles, collect eggs and generally monitor the breeding grounds.
This incredible project is based 30mins south of the small town of Quepos on Costa Rica's central Pacific coastline roughly 1 hour south of Playa Hermosa and Playa Jaco and 2 ½ hours from San Jose.
Playa Matapalo boosts a restaurant and store so everyday needs are well covered. Surfing and horseback riding are popular pursuits in the immediate vicinity and a stunning swimming hole and waterfall are a 30min hike from the site. Slightly further afield are Quepos town and Manuel Antonio National Park.
Offering a relatively remote expanse of beach, largely unpolluted by noice and light, this is a popular nesting ground for thousands of sea turtles each year. The most common species include Olive Ridley, Pacific Green, Leatherback and Hawksbill. The peak nesting and hatching season runs from August through February but turtles frequent the beach year round in varying numbers. A truly unique opportunity to witness this amazing natural phenomenon.
Volunteers are collected upon arrival into San Jose and accommodated with a trusted host family in Santa Barbara de Heredia (40mins north of San Jose) on Saturday night.
Host families are experienced at caring for volunteers and will be happy to assist with information on the local area and advice on purchasing a SIM card and other essentials.
On Sunday arrangements are made for the journey (by public bus) to Quepos where volunteers are met by the local team. A full orientation session is provided by the Turtle Conservation staff onsite.
Volunteers on this project will be accommodated in a Volunteer House in Matapalo. Rooms are dormitory in style and may be shared by up to 4 volunteers depending on the time of year and number of volunteers.
The house has all the basic amenities including western style bathrooms, electricity, cold water showers, wifi, communal areas and a well equipped kitchen. Bedding is provided so volunteers need only bring toiletries and a towel.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided daily and are included in the program fee. Volunteers are often expected to help with cooking and cleaning up (using a roster-based system), so everyone contributes at meal times – bringing a wonderful ‘family’ feel to this project. Nice!
This project is available year-round with arrivals every SATURDAY. Space on this program are limited and the program does become fully booked at certain times of the year.
Sea Turtle Conservation Assistant
Work on projects to improve the environment for nests and to make the hatchlings journey to the Pacific Ocean safer.
$590/week
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