RAINFOREST RESERVE

The Rainforest Reserve Project was founded in 2002 by two adventurers from New York with one mission: To stop deforestation. The two actually came to Costa Rica as tourists to climb the country’s highest mountain, Chirripó. When they looked down from up there at the surrounding deforested areas, they were shocked and decided to come back to Costa Rica and do something about it. In the years that followed, they not only bought up and reforested areas, but also set up an entire rainforest conservation project.

This is how the private nature reserve in the Talamanca Mountains developed into a unique and innovative reserve. The area is characterized by its breathtaking nature and is world famous for it. Untouched cloud forest as far as the eye can see, wild rivers and waterfalls are a paradise for numerous exotic animal and plant species. The reserve includes an enormous variety of tropical trees, plants, birds and insects and a wide range of different floras and faunas. It is a setting that is usually only seen in movies.

The preservation of the reserve depends on the commitment of volunteers. Since 2002, the environmentalists who manage the reserve have already purchased nearly 300 hectares of the nature reserve. The overriding goal is to preserve and reforest the cloud forest and surrounding farmland, but education and research are also part of the reserve’s mission. This is because it is impossible to imagine the extent of the impact that the cloud forest has on air, water and soil quality, flood control, climate, and numerous known or as yet unknown plant and animal species. Forests and areas like these impact not only the life that surrounds them, but the entire planet. You too can become a part of the team that gives everything to preserve our nature. Take advantage of this unique opportunity and learn about life in the rainforest – an unforgettable nature experience!

The nature reserve welcomes visitors from all over the world 365 days a year. Hiking and trekking tours are offered for all ages, making the park accessible to everyone. It is also possible to stay overnight in the reserve. Three beautiful houses, in the middle of the Costa Rican cloud forest, are rented to interested guests.

The project works wholeheartedly to preserve the cloud forest and all its natural resources for present and future generations. To do this, they use only green energy, produce minimal waste, promote plant-based diets, and protect the land and local people. The project was founded with the purpose of reforestation and revitalization of land. It is a great success that by now the entire reserve has been reforested and the natural habitat of animal and plant species has been restored.

Since then, the main concern of the project has been education and research. Environment-related topics are addressed and creatively communicated through student programs, lectures, exhibitions and guided tours. Also, important research projects and studies are carried out in the reserve area by scientists* from all over the world.

Do you want to get a taste of research and life in a unique natural environment? As a volunteer you will get special and unique impressions, because you will get access to parts of the reserve that are closed to visitors. For example, you will be allowed to go swimming in spectacular natural pools, in the rivers of the cloud forest. There is an outdoor gym where you can exercise, a volleyball court and other sports facilities. The community between researchers and volunteers is characterized by fun and a family atmosphere.

The staff of the reserve is especially concerned about the community and good cooperation. In the project you have the great opportunity to meet many special people from all over the world and have an unforgettable time. People often meet in the common areas and the volunteers enjoy cooking together. There is also regular yoga or meditation together, where anyone can join in who wants to. Once a week there is a “meal sharing”, where everyone brings something to eat and shares it in the round, so volunteers and staff can sit together comfortably at a richly laid table.

The project works wholeheartedly to preserve the cloud forest and all the natural resources that go with it for current and future generations. To do this, they use only green energy, produce minimal waste, promote plant-based diets, and protect the land and local people. In addition, the project is committed to the reforestation and revitalization of land that was cleared for agricultural purposes, purchased by Reserve and now reforested to restore the natural habitat of many species of animals and plants.

Education and research have also played an important role in the Reserve since its inception. Student programs, lectures, exhibitions, and guided tours are used to address and creatively communicate environmental issues. Important research projects and studies are also carried out in the area of the reserve by scientists* from all over the world.

The work as a conservationist and the life in unique nature appeals to you? As a volunteer you will get special and unique impressions, because you will get access to parts of the reserve that are closed to visitors. For example, you get to go swimming in spectacular natural pools, in the rivers of the cloud forest. There is an outdoor gym where you can exercise, a volleyball court and other sports facilities. The community between researchers and volunteers is characterized by fun and a family atmosphere.

The staff of the reserve also cares a lot about community and good cooperation. In the project you have the great opportunity to meet many special people from all over the world and spend an unforgettable time. People often meet in the common areas and the volunteers enjoy cooking together. There is also regular yoga or meditation together, where anyone can join in who wants to. Once a week there is a “meal sharing”, where everyone brings something to eat and shares it in the round, so volunteers and staff can sit together comfortably at a richly laid table.

The nature reserve is incredibly diverse – just like the tasks you can take on during your time at the reserve. It’s not primarily about working here, but about learning a lot about nature, wildlife and resource conservation. You can get involved in a wide variety of areas and pursue your own personal interests. It will certainly never be boring, because there is a lot to experience and discover. The following tasks are examples and may change.

The best thing about the tasks in the reserve is that you explore and hike the area yourself during your work. Again and again you will be surprised by exotic animals (don’t worry – you won’t put yourself in danger). As a volunteer you will hike about 5 – 7 km per day, so you will be physically very active and most of the time in the fresh air. Please note that some of the trails are very steep uphill or downhill – hiking shoes are mandatory!

Support the researchers from all over the world who are conducting studies in the reserve in their scientific work. A real highlight for all nature lovers and biology enthusiasts. You will assist with field and lab work, data entry, and other interesting tasks. This experience can be useful, for example, in your future studies. You will accompany the researchers when they go into the forest in search of bird, frog, monkey or tree species. You will support them in collecting and analyzing the data. For example, help with bird counts, setting up and checking wildlife cameras, observing the behavior of various wildlife, taking samples and measurements of plant species, and much more.

There is a stunning diversity of birds in the reserve, so many researchers are drawn to the project to do bird studies. In the process, species are identified and counted. If you are lucky, you will discover the unique and very rare Quetzal bird in the treetops. Some researchers also dedicate themselves to studies of butterflies. As a volunteer, you can, for example, help catch butterflies with the help of a beetle, photograph the specimens and identify the species. However, the study content is constantly changing with the researchers who are currently working in the reserve.

Do you like physical work and getting your hands dirty? They welcome your assistance with general maintenance and upkeep of the reserve. One of your main tasks is to help the staff build bridges, steps and trails. Here it is important to keep the trails clear and passable, as well as the road to the project. Every now and then, new signs also need to be installed or benches, tables or huts need to be built. So that includes a lot of different tasks. Gardening and landscaping are also included. Design your own flower garden or even build your own

If you stay longer than one month in the reserve, you can work in the welcome center of the reserve and receive the guests. Here you will meet all kinds of people from all over the world and get them excited about the exciting reserve. You’ll explain the trails to them on the map and answer their questions.

Are you more of a creative mind than a craftsman? Then you can also get involved in design and online marketing. Write exciting articles for the website and blog and take care of the social media channels.

Of course, you don’t have to choose one task. As a volunteer, you have the opportunity to combine different areas. It is common to help with maintenance on a daily basis and later to support a researcher in his studies.

Since science and research are particularly important to the project, there are also regular presentations given by the researchers or the volunteers themselves. Here you have the opportunity to gain a lot of new knowledge about biology and ecology and to have exciting conversations with the researchers.

In the breathtaking Talamanca Mountains in Costa Rica, the nature reserve is located on the western edge of the famous Chirripó National Park in a fantastic geographical location. As part of the largest nature reserve in Central America and due to its ecological diversity, it has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The reserve is home to a wide variety of exotic animals such as the quetzal, tapir, puma, jaguar and many others, and is especially famous for its large bird population.

The national park is also home to Cerro Chirripó, the highest mountain in Costa Rica at approximately 3820 meters, from whose summit you can see both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea on clear days. The incomparable nature you can admire during the climb and the spectacular view you will be rewarded with after the hike, make the climb an unforgettable experience.

The small towns of Rivas and San Gerardo are very close to the National Park. There you will find small restaurants and supermarkets. The authentic little village of San Gerardo is home to only a few inhabitants, but is beautifully situated on the edge of the mountains and shows how the friendly Ticos live there in the countryside.

You reach the reserve from the capital San José. By bus you will go to the city of San Isidro de General and continue to the nature reserve. From the project to the next village you can reach on foot in about 30 minutes.

For a weekend trip you can visit the beautiful beaches of Quepos, Manuel Antonio and Uvita, which you can reach by bus from San Isidro.

For your work in this project you do not need any special requirements or experience. It is only important that you have a desire to learn and that you are open to a new culture, people from all over the world and a new way of life. You should be interested in topics from biology and ecology, because a big part of the project is about research. You should also enjoy exercise and like to hike, as you will be doing a lot of work in the steep terrain of the reserve. You should be motivated, work well in a team and be willing to share your habitat with other people for a time. In return you can expect a unique community, a life in breathtaking nature and above all a lot of fun at work.

The national language in Costa Rica is Spanish. You do not need to know Spanish to participate in the program. It is only required that you can speak English to communicate with the other volunteers from all over the world and the leaders of the project. Knowledge of Spanish is still very helpful. If you don’t have any knowledge yet, we recommend you to attend a language course at the beginning of the trip, which we will gladly organize for you. Your language skills will also improve on the spot.

You will live in a shared room together with other volunteers from all over the world. The room is located on the project site in the middle of the beautiful nature of the cloud forest. A single room can be arranged on request for an extra charge. The accommodation is spartan, but you will have everything you need to live.

There is a well-equipped kitchen where you can cook together with the other volunteers. Once a week, reserve staff will shop at the local market, volunteers can write a shopping list and groceries will be brought (at their own expense). You are also welcome to accompany the staff to check out the local market.  You can find a small supermarket in the next village.

Besides the rooms and the kitchen, there is also a cozy common area. Volunteers and researchers come together in the library where they can work at the desks or read a book on one of the sofas. There are many more open-air seating areas in the reserve to relax in nature.

Prices:

Shared room:

• 1st month in start package: 1.260,00 €
• Extension month: 740,00 €
• As 2nd or 3rd program: 990,00 €

Benefits:

Learn more about our benefits here.