from 1,306€

Fantastic 4.5rating (97)

Animal Rescue & Release Center

location
4 - 8 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Fantastic 4.5  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Especially suitable

Age 18+
Singles
Couples

About the program

If you love animals and if you don't mind dirty work ... you're in demand here!

About the Program

In this program any kind of animals who need help are treated with medical care and are prepared to be rereleased into nature. Usually there these kinds of animals in the rescue center: raccoons, sloths, monkeys, wild cats, owls, kinkajous, coatis, toucans, anteaters and many more ...

About the program

About the Program

In this program any kind of animals who need help are treated with medical care and are prepared to be rereleased into nature. Usually there these kinds of animals in the rescue center: raccoons, sloths, monkeys, wild cats, owls, kinkajous, coatis, toucans, anteaters and many more … any animal that needs help is welcomed and treated with love.

Our Volunteers

Our volunteers should love to work with animals and be respectful with animals and the environment in general. They should be ready to do physically hard work. We are looking for volunteers who like to communicate, are interested in animals and have a good sense of responsibility. They should obey the center rules and follow the instructions of our employees. 

The Location

Costa Rica is a little tropical paradise between two oceans. Hardly any other country has such an abundance of plants and animals on such a small terrain. 25% of it's area is protected by national parks. Active volcanos, hot springs, rain and cloud forests, mountain rivers, spectacular waterfalls, subterranean caves, coral reefs, mangroves, amazing caribbean and pacific beaches and a fascinating animal world invite you to discover and enjoy. The program is located at the caribbean coast.



Typical day

Be prepared for sometimes physically demanding work from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm.

During a four weeks stay you will be working three weeks in the center and one week in a release station. This will be organized with you when you arrive. 

Your Tasks

Your work mostly includes:

  • Help caring for animals
  • Preparing ...

Typical day

Be prepared for sometimes physically demanding work from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm.

During a four weeks stay you will be working three weeks in the center and one week in a release station. This will be organized with you when you arrive. 

Your Tasks

Your work mostly includes:

  • Help caring for animals
  • Preparing food and helping the keeper with the portions for each animal 
  • Cleaning and repairs of the facility and viewing areas
  • Maintenance of pathways and areas around animal pens
  • Production of workshop materials in environmental education
  • School visits and interaction in discussions and workshops 
  • Research the internet for didactic material to build a bibliography of environmental education
  • Attending to visitors, guiding them


Free-time activities

You are close to the caribbean coast ... there is a lot to do and to chill.

Puerto Viejo is a little village with great leisure time possibilities: swim, surf, dive, snorkel, go on biketours. In the evenings there is a lot of music everywhere. The National Park of Cahuita is close, our rainforest ...

Free-time activities

You are close to the caribbean coast ... there is a lot to do and to chill.

Puerto Viejo is a little village with great leisure time possibilities: swim, surf, dive, snorkel, go on biketours. In the evenings there is a lot of music everywhere. The National Park of Cahuita is close, our rainforest lodge is a 40 min bus ride away and you can also 'hop over' to Panamá ...


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 (intermediate level)

Required Documents

Scan & copy of tb-test or/and vaccinated against tb (tubercolosis), Medical insurance valid in Costa Rica and Copy of medical insurance

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

What's Included

Services by first hand Costa Rica

The fee includes accommodation in the hostel on the project. You have to provide your own meals; calculate about 15-20 US$ per day. There is a supermarket nearby and there is a kitchen in the hostel where volunteers cook their meals.

We organize the journey to the project and we also do hostel reservations in San José if needed (mostly it is needed!) - and, if you will combine projects, we will also organize the transportation between the projects. You will have to pay the cost for the pickup and the transport.

Airport Pickup at Juan Santamaria International Airport

You will be picked up at the airport by our driver with a sign with your name and you will directly get in contact with your german, english, spanish speaking coordinator via phone. The driver will drive you to the reserved hostel (if necessary), give you the bus ticket (he will buy a ticket in advance to reserve you a seat in the bus), pick you up at the hostel the day of your journey to the project and bring you to the bus.
The cost will be around 70 US$ plus the hostel night (around 13 US$ (dorm) and 40 US$ (single/double room).
Remember to be latest on Saturday in San José, to travel on Sunday to the hostel, so you can start on Monday in the morning in the project!

Accommodation

The hostel belongs to the project.

Internet Access

Limited access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Food & Beverages

Food, snacks or beverages are at extra costs.

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

This program is available all year. It starts every Monday. Please arrive at least on Saturday before the programs starts. 

On Sunday you will travel to your hostel and on Monday you have to start at 11 am at the project site.

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

4 weeks (min. stay) 1,306€
5 weeks 1,450€
6 weeks 1,594€
8 weeks (max. stay) 1,882€
Average fees 280€/week

Program fees

280€ per week 4 - 8 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

4 - 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 first hand Costa Rica during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

first hand Costa Rica

Fantastic 4.5 rating (97 reviews)

Agency - founded in 2006

Verified by Volunteer World

  Excellent response rate

Coordinated by

Sofia

Spoken languages: Spanish, German, French, English

About the project

We offer you to immerse in the daily life of costarican families and work routines of teaching and conservation projects. These new found knowledges teach you a lot.

Meet your organization

In 1994 we at first hand moved to Costa Rica and everything started when my son went to a little elementary school near Sámara: 11 children, 6 degrees, one classroom and one teacher. We started bringing volunteers to this little school and 'poco a poco' other schools addressed us with interest of having volunteers and families offered themselves for having volunteers in their house.

Since then a lot has changed and developed at first hand – we started many new teaching programs and conservation projects all over the country – but one thing is still the same: we have a very personal and very close contact to all of our schools, guestfamilies and projects. We live in Costa Rica and we will be there when you need us!

First hand offers volunteer opportunities in schools, kindergarten, music schools, turtle camps, animal reserves, macaw stations, farms and in the rainforest.

We, the agency for volunteer work first hand, are in direct contact with schools and environmental conservation projects planning, organizing and joining our volunteers during this unforgettable and worthy experience!

We have 20 years experience of living in Costa Rica and feel commited to the people, comunitary help and sustainable ecological development. Through the 'Asociación Intercambio Cultural ALEGRIA - AICA', a non-profit organization, we have been promoting intercultural exchange in all areas of artistic expression and organizing festivals and benefit events. 

First hand offers projects almost everywhere in Costa Rica. San Jose, Islita, Buena Vista, Manzanillo, Drake Bay, Mata Palo...just to name a few!

Our Vision

first hand wants to contribute to a sustainable development and mutual respect by intercultural exchange and learning from each other.

Why volunteering with first hand?

Your contribution makes the difference in educating children, preserving marine turtles or other animals and protecting the rainforests of Costa Rica. You live and work with locals and you get to learn the real life of Costaricans. Every day you deal directly with opinions, lifestyles and routines of a different culture. These new found knowledges teach you more about yourself! You learn or improve your spanish skills. Language is the key to understanding the values of a different culture. Work experiences in foreign countries are indispensable in times of globalization. A volunteer based commitment will open many doors for you.

About Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a little tropical paradise between two oceans. Hardly any other country has such an abundance of plants and animals on such a small terrain. 25% of it's area is protected by national parks. Active volcanos, hot springs, rain and cloud forests, mountain rivers, spectacular waterfalls, subterranean caves, coral reefs, mangroves, amazing caribbean and pacific beaches and a fascinating animal world invite you to discover and enjoy.

Costa Rica has the oldest democracy in Latin America, a working social system, responsable environmental laws and is the only country in the world that has no army. The relaxed 'pura vida' lifestyle of the 'ticos' and their hospitality towards visitors make it one of the safest top destinations in Latin America.

97 reviews · rating4.5

Luisa rating4.6

2017 at Animal Rescue & Release Center

On 19.03. I arrived after an approx. 4-hour bus trip in Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean coast. The first day at the Animal Rescue Center was reserved to get to know the center and the animals. All beginners took part in a tour and afterwards we were instructed in the work of the volunteers. The real ...
Laurence Bouchayer rating4.4

2024 at Save Turtles in Montezuma

I had a great time in ASVO. Such an experience. You should communicate more about the conditions there, night shifts and very basics conditions of staying in the house. ..
Mélina Valloir Cherki rating4.4

2023 at Support Children in Schools in Beach Villages

This has been the best trip of my life. This experience was incredible on all levels. First of all the family that hosted me were very kind, very welcoming and very present when I needed help. Secondly, in regards to the school that I helped out in, everyone there was extremely nice to me and made ...
Ralph Dreißig rating4.4

2022 at Rainforest Lodge

Supporting the team of the Lodge with different duties. Like caring for the new planted trees, keeping the area of the Lodge in good condition, accompanying the team on onspection tours in the Rainforest. Supporting them with the care for the tourists. Keeping the rainforsest trails in order. The ...
Julia Roth rating4.8

2022 at Save Turtles and Sloths

It really was an unforgettable time, lots fun and I met many nice people there. What we experienced while working was incredibly interesting and exiting. In our free time, too, we visited many different, great places or went to the sea. A wonderful ...
Hana Horvathova rating4.6

2022 at Save Turtles and Sloths

I joined the turtles and sloths project in Matapalo through First Hand, it was an amazing experience overall. I have been at the project during the rainy season which I still recommend highly. First Hand has shown great support during the onboarding period before the start of the project and later ...

Location

Americas > Central America > Costa Rica > Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

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Contact Sofia
  Excellent response rate
Spanish, German, French, English

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