Surf and Save the Turtles in Costa Rica

  Costa Rica

• North Western Region: 
Nicoya Peninsula

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: multiple start dates year round

Description: If you are looking for a beach break that's both meaningful and fun, then this project in the beautiful Nicoya Peninsula needs you on board! Survival is the name of the game - you'll be keeping your head above water learning to surf AND using your life-saving skills to keep the local sea turtle population afloat.

For two weeks, life will be a beach - surfing lessons and supervised surf practice together with beach patrolling, research gathering and preparing turtle hatcheries. Sink or swim? Providing you can swim, love the outdoors and have a passion for working with animals, you will make waves. Your day will be filled with a combination of surfing lessons, supervised surf practice and also turtle conservation. You could get involved with beach patrolling, research gathering and preparing turtle hatcheries.

Turtles are under threat in Costa Rica and volunteers are really needed to help out with conservation efforts. This is your opportunity to play a part in an ongoing struggle to save a remarkable piece of Costa Rica?s heritage. Turtle poaching is very common in Costa Rica and before the conservation projects started up, the poaching rate was over 95 percent; however, thanks to these efforts, poaching has now decreased to 10 percent. But volunteers are needed to continue protecting these marvellous creatures.

Highlights: Wow! This project provides you with the best of Costa Rica in the shape of turtle conservation and surfing lessons. Situated on the beautiful beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula, you can pack a truly wonderful experience into 2 short weeks.

Working with a Costa Rican NGO, the municipal government and a local surf school, you take an active part in vital efforts to conserve the Olive Ridley, Black, Hawksbill and Leatherback turtles. All this, combined with daily surfing lessons, adds up to a rewarding and fun project.

Cost in US$: $1433 for 1 week; $309 for each additional week

Before you depart we offer:
- detailed information on your project and country
- fundraising advice and support
- visa instructions
- vaccination recommendations
- advice on health, safety & culture shock
- contact details to pass along to your family
- i-to-i TEFL certification

When you arrive we provide:
- pick-up from the airport on the designated arrival date
- welcome orientation
- accommodation and food
- well-researched, quality placement
- support of in-country i-to-i team

You will always have:
- access to our emergency support team 24/7
- assistance of the global i-to-i staff
- guidance and advice from experienced i-to-i travelers

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: If you are interested in immersing yourself in another culture while giving your time to a worthy cause, then you are a typical i-to-i volunteer. We invite you to join the i-to-i community of dedicated volunteers aged 18-80 who are working on community development, building, teaching, and conservation projects across the globe. Together, we make a lasting impact that changes lives and helps preserve the planet through hundreds of worthwhile projects around the world.

Age Range: 18-80

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

i-to-i Meaningful Travel's Mission Statement: Founded in 1994, i-to-i is an award-winning organization providing unique opportunities for you to travel, work and live abroad. Thousands of travelers aged 18 to 80 have joined our volunteer vacations and over 15,000 have learned to Teach English as a Foreign Language through our tailor-made TEFL courses. With over 300 projects on 4 continents, you can join the worldwide i-to-i volunteer community on an extended adventure in areas such as teaching, community development, sports coaching, conservation, building or internships in tourism, marketing, journalism, or health.

Year Founded: 1994