Are you interested in Turtles and want them and their Young talent help them? Would you like to protect the fascinating sea creatures and protect yourself against their Extinction use? The turtles in Costa Rica need you! The species richness is constantly shrinking and unfortunately fewer and fewer turtles are coming to the beaches. Become part of a great project to change exactly that! Our partner organization is working in the most beautiful places in the country for the Conservation of turtlesbut also the Environment and the municipalities. Here you can get involved in a wide variety of areas. Take care of the "turtle kindergarten", get involved in Environmental protection projects and independently organize creative activities to educate the locals. Get to know volunteers from all over the world and help the sweet Baby turtles on their way to freedom! A unique opportunity to discover the breathtaking country and give something back to the community and nature at the same time.
Would you like to help save endangered animals from extinction? Extinction and protect their habitat? Then our rescue centers on the coasts of Costa Rica are just the place for you. The Turtle sanctuary is wholeheartedly committed to turtles and protected areas, which have unfortunately been under threat for many years. Turtles are among the oldest creatures on earth, but they are suffering from pollution and the predation of their eggs. The project was founded with the mission to build a bridge between the locals and the important protection of national parks and marine life. The aim is to get more and more people voluntarily involved in nature conservation and the preservation of endangered species, thereby reducing the threat of pollution and the consumption of eggs. The eggs that are laid are collected at the beach rescue centers. Eggs hatchedso that they cannot be stolen by collectors or eaten by other animals. The babies are then guaranteed a safe route into the sea. The animals that come ashore are documented and tracked. State of health checked. If injured animals are found, they are given medical treatment.
The organization has already been able to set up several locations on various Costa Rican beaches and, with the help of volunteers from all over the world, is working to prevent the extinction of the turtles. As a result, the turtle population has been significantly increased again over the past 20 years: a large Success for the employees and turtles!
The research, rescue and conservation centers of our partner organization not only look after the sea turtles but also the conservation of the Ecosystems and nature reserves of the country and the sustainable and responsible use of scarce natural resources. This includes monitoring and cleaning nature reserves, forests, rivers and coastal regions, as well as working with the community and preserving the flora.
Are you interested in biology? To protect sea turtles, the organization carries out important Research work and focuses in particular on monitoring and documenting birth rates. Working with volunteers, students and researchers from around the world, this involves environmental conditions in hatcheries and on the beach, hatchling success rates, crawl counts, DNA studies and population monitoring on the open sea. A very exciting part of the job where you will learn a lot of new things.
Along with this, the organization takes care of the Clarification and education in the area of Environmental protection the surrounding communities and involves them in the development of sustainable projects. This includes visits and educational lectures at local schools and offers for internships and voluntary community work for the locals. Everyone pulls together here! The multicultural and intergenerational aspect of the organization makes it something very special. Employees and volunteers of all nationalities, ages, genders, cultures and educational levels come together here and work towards a common goal. Values such as mutual respect and trust are essential for this.
First and foremost, of course, it is about the Protecting the turtles. Sea turtles almost always nest and hatch at night. This is why the volunteers mainly go on tours of the beaches at night. The patrols at night are divided into shifts among the volunteers. Initially, a lot of observation and documentation takes place here. They walk along the beach with a flashlight, often on foot. Any turtle eggs found are then moved to the hatchery, which the organization affectionately calls the "kindergarten". Here, too, there is a lot to do. The eggs are carefully dug out and buried again in the hatchery until they hatch on their own. From now on, the eggs are cared for and monitored day and night. Changes and progress are documented in detail to support research. The work in the "kindergarten" is exciting and you will learn a lot of new things. Of course, this also includes the maintenance, cleaning and upkeep of the hatchery, which is usually done during the day.
The highlight of your work is the Release of the young animals into the sea - a unique moment that you will never forget. At sunset, the turtles hatched during the day are released into the sea. They take their first steps on the sand and swim into the waves. A sight that attracts many visitors every day. Your job here is to give the turtles a safe path to their natural habitat. You make sure that the birds circling overhead do not become a danger to the babies.
One task also lies in Collecting data together with the research assistants. The data collected will be used to increase knowledge about the turtle species so that suitable conservation strategies can then be developed. Research is extremely important in order to understand the effects of climate change and other factors on the turtles and to be able to counteract negative effects. This is the only way to bring about change together with politicians and local schools and universities.
The time during the day is used to work in the garden, do the housework and maintain the camp. When cooking and cleaning, everyone pitches in together, leaving time to relax and catch up on sleep.
In addition to the rescue work of the turtles Environmental protection actions and Educational events planned and implemented in the surrounding communities. Your creativity and organizational skills are in demand here. You can visit local schools and surrounding universities and report on your work in the organization. But there are always cool activities too. For example, trees are planted in the surrounding area, joint beach clean-ups are organized and work is done together to maintain and expand the rescue centers.
The turtle project is located near the small Caribbean village of Parismina in the famous Tortuguero region of Costa Rica. The village, which can only be reached by water cab, is located right next to the Tortuguero National Park, in a very peaceful and quiet area. Near the project site are small fishing and harvesting villages such as Parismina and Barra, which are characterized by traditional life and nature. The surroundings offer a relaxed atmosphere - ideal for switching off and enjoying yourself.
Tortuguero is located in the heart of the southern Caribbean part of Costa Rica, nestled in dense jungle with a tropical, humid and rainy climate. Unlike the rest of the country, it rains here all year round, resulting in a lush green landscape. It is advisable to always bring a rain jacket and rubber boots. Daytime temperatures are between 30 and 35 degrees Celsius, while at night it is around 25 degrees.
The cuisine of the Caribbean region differs not only in ambience and climate, but also in taste. Here, dishes are often spicier and refined with plenty of coconut milk. The typical Caribbean dish "rice and beans" with fish is a culinary must.
The southern peninsula of Costa Rica on the border with Panama is a true treasure of nature. The region is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world and is home to around 2.5 % of the world's biodiversity. This is thanks in part to the country's largest national park, Corcovado Park. The protected area, with an area of around 424 km², offers untouched nature for a variety of ecosystems. You can still find original primary rainforest there, as well as animals and plants that can only be found there, such as the tapir. Red macaw parrots, turtles, various species of monkeys, coatis, mountain pigs, wild cats and even pumas and jaguars make their home there, to name just a few species. The rainforest is surrounded by numerous beautiful sandy beaches where you will encounter very few tourists. On one side of the peninsula, the waves of the Pacific meet land, where there are large waves, some of which are suitable for surfing, and you will find wild beaches. On the other side is the Golfo Dulce, an inland sea with moderate waves and breathtaking views of the mountainous landscape of the mainland opposite. Many sea creatures feed and reproduce there, such as turtles and humpback whales.
The project is located on the South Pacific, the peninsula where mainly the olive ridley and the Pacific green turtle come ashore to nest. There you can enjoy the unique wild nature every day and learn a lot about the plants, animals and ecosystems. You will spend the whole day outside and can explore the beaches by day and night. A trip to Corcovado National Park is definitely worth it! However, for safety reasons, access to the park is only possible with a guided tour. Boat trips are also offered in the region, for example to Isla del Caño, which is particularly suitable for diving and snorkeling.
Montezuma is a small and beautiful village on the southernmost tip of the Nicoya Peninsula in the province of Puntarenas. This unique natural paradise and charming little village is somewhat off the beaten track. Almost exclusively young backpackers get lost in Montezuma and enjoy the landscape.
With only a few inhabitants, the town is known for its relaxed atmosphere, waterfalls and breathtaking sandy beaches. Here you can explore everything on foot in a relaxed manner. You can also enjoy the extensive restaurant and bar scene. Thanks to the mix of locals and immigrants, there is a wide variety of cuisines to try here. What's more, in Montezuma you are in the middle of wild nature and can observe a wide variety of animal species such as monkeys, birds and butterflies on your doorstep.
You do not need any special prerequisites for the program. You should have a desire to work with the animals and be motivated to make a lasting improvement to their lives. Of course, you should be motivated to help the turtles, be interested in research and care about issues such as environmental protection and sustainability. You should be prepared to work outside at night and in all weathers. A lot of physical activity is required, which is why you should have a basic level of fitness. Openness to new cultures is also particularly important to us, as you will get to know people from all over the world and work together with them. You will make new friends and learn a lot.
The national language in Costa Rica is Spanish. As you will be in contact with locals a lot, basic knowledge of Spanish is an advantage for this project, but not a prerequisite. Should you wish to do so, we can organize a language course for you before the start of the project. However, your knowledge will also improve on site in a fun way.
ACCOMMODATION BUENA VISTA
Together with the friendly project staff and the international volunteers, you will live in a house right on the beach. You will share a dormitory with bunk beds with the volunteers and can fall asleep to the sound of the sea. There is no Wi-Fi on site and only limited cell phone reception. So be prepared for a real nature adventure! Meals are included with three typical Costa Rican meals per day and are freshly prepared by the staff together with the volunteers every day.
ACCOMMODATION TORTUGUERO
You live in a shared room together with other volunteers and employees of the organization on the project site. The house is very simply furnished, but you will find everything you need to live. Electricity and Wi-Fi are always available here. Meals are included for you and all volunteers and staff cook Costa Rican meals together. The accommodation is very close to nature and you are not far from the national park and the sea. A special stay in tropical nature in a warm community awaits you!
ACCOMMODATION OSA
The organization's camp is located directly on a pristine beach, secluded from civilization and surrounded by nature on the edge of the famous Corcovado National Park. The accommodation is very simply furnished and cannot be compared with European standards; it is more like camping, as the rooms are only covered and have no outside walls. There is a two-storey hut, which offers an airy dormitory with bunk beds for all staff and volunteers. In addition to the sleeping area, there is a shower and toilet block, an open kitchen and communal areas. The camp is only powered by solar energy, so you should use as few electronic devices as possible and electricity is only available on sunny days. There is therefore no fridge or washing machine. There is Wi-Fi, but it is slow and not always stable. Meals are included for you with three meals a day. The volunteers are divided into groups and take it in turns to cook their own meals. As there is no fridge, most of the cooking is vegan and the food is delivered to the camp once a week.
ACCOMMODATION MONTEZUMA
The organization has a house on the beach, on the edge of Montezuma. You live together with other volunteers in a shared room and share a bathroom. There is electricity and Wi-Fi available around the clock. The volunteer house is very simply furnished and the toilets and showers are also rustic. The center of Montezuma is just a few steps away, where you will find many restaurants, supermarkets and other stores. Meals are included in the form of three meals a day. You can expect typical Costa Rican cuisine that will delight you.
In Costa Rica you will be accompanied by our Contact person Helena looks after her. She was born and grew up in San José, the capital of Costa Rica. She attended the German Humboldt School there and learned German. As a proud Latina, it is very important to her to show people traveling to Costa Rica her beautiful home country. As a local and experienced tour guide, she can tell you all about the Countrywhich Culturewhich History and the Nature in Costa Rica. During the Introductory event she welcomes you to San José and gives you an introduction to the concept that Costa Rica is known for: Pura Vida. During your entire stay you can you can contact them via WhatsApp with questions and concerns. She will also be happy to give you travel tips and recommendations for your free travel time.
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