Volunteer at an Iguana Farm in Costa Rica

  Costa Rica

• Eastern Lowlands: 
Puerto Viejo

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Any day of the year

Description: Volunteers at the Iguana Farm care for the health of the iguanas and help develop educational materials.

The Iguana rescue and breeding center is located on the Kekoldi Indigenous Reservation. It's been in operation for many years and is run by two beautiful and hard-working indigenous women, Gloria and Juanita. It takes about 20 minutes by bike from the center of Puerto Viejo to reach this project.

Their principal objective is the preservation of the iguana species native to the area. It is quite common for locals to hunt in the mountains for the iguanas and to eat them. This is why the Iguana Farm has created a space to feed, breed and care for them. Once they have grown to a certain age, they are released back to their natural habitat. Their actions here help prevent the extinction of the iguanas.

Volunteers with this project will:
Learn the process of caring for the iguanas and work side-by-side with Gloria and Juanita.
Learn what the iguanas eat and search with Gloria and Juanita for food in the mountains
Feed and water the iguanas
Take temperatures of the iguanas
Clean their cages and care for them in general.
The Iguana Farm also need helps in developing educational material for their tourists / guests. They would also like to be able to give workshops to kids helping to educate them about iguanas, but need some help in putting this all together. Please let us know if you have any interest in helping with this aspect of the project.

Highlights: Life-changing experiences, unrestricted glimpses of the Costa Rica most visitors don't know, and a way to have a positive and lasting impact on a community are all major components of a volunteer vacation with Tropical Adventures.

Live among locals, learn from them and share talents that can make a difference in a society often forgotten. Take advantage of the Spanish immersion program to enhance communication during the project work.

The vacation is not all work; plenty of play is available: snorkeling, surfing, kayaking, river rafting, canopy (zip line) tours, chocolate factory tours, and several sights to see (waterfalls, butterfly garden, volcano, etc.).

Build bridges, literally and figuratively, and return home fulfilling a community's hopes and feeling fulfilled.

Qualifications: We are seeking volunteers who have the ability to impact the community in a positive way. Prospective volunteers should be physically fit, have a good work ethic, a friendly attitude and be willing to immerse themselves in another culture.

Cost in US$: 1 week - $699, 2 weeks - $1395, each additional week - $245

Spanish language lessons, excursions and cellphone rental are available at an extra cost.

Children 5 and under are charged $250 for two weeks. Children aged 6-12 are charged $500 for two weeks. We offer a family discount of 10% off total base price.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: The typical volunteer at Tropical Adventures is someone who wants to experience the rich bio-diversity of Costa Rica, while learning Spanish and sharing their time, skills and love. Our volunteers like to work hard and play hard. They work well with others and enjoy submersing themselves in a different culture. Typical volunteers are college students, families or retirees.

Age Range: 16+ unless with guardian.

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

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone Interview

Post Services Include:

• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Alumni Network

Tropical Adventures's Mission Statement: The Tropical Adventures Foundation is a resource for empowering individuals and communities inside and outside of Costa Rica. Our goals are to: Support the inherent value of the individual, reduce poverty and injustice, help communities achieve sustainable growth, create safe environments, promote international learning and cooperation and foster personal and worldwide peace. Every community around the world faces the fundamental challenge to create social and economic systems that promote peace, human welfare and the sustainability of the environment on which life depends. We meet this challenge by supporting and encouraging initiatives by those living and working closest to where the problems are located. We promote collaboration among diverse individuals, nonprofit organizations, government and businesses from the local area and around the world, as well as from every level of society. Our experience shows such activities help build common understanding, bring forward and reinforce the inherent value of the individual, strengthen a sense of local and worldwide community, and ultimately enable people to improve their lives and reinforce their commitment to society.

Year Founded: 2005