Volunteer at a Natural Reserve in Costa Rica

  Costa Rica

• North Western Region: 
Guanacaste

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: We have several volunteering options in national reserves in the tropical Guanacaste Province and Volcanic Arenal.

Monte Alto Natural Reserve
Volunteers at the Monte Alto Natural Reserve will help maintain trails, protect animals, endangered plants and flowers, build and maintain signs, fight fires, assist tourists, teach environmental education, and teach English classes in a nearby elementary school.

This nature reserve will leave you breathless. The community runs this center for the purposes of protecting the water sources of all nearby towns and protecting all the biodiversity of the area. At the same time it functions as an educational center for locals and tourists about the environment. The park in general is just beautiful and it's a great place to relax and enjoy nature and some peace and quiet. But you won't feel totally isolated. Right nearby is the town of Hojancha, which is quite enchanting. It's like a page out of the 50's or 60's in North America. It's very well cared for - it's the kind of safe place where people still leave their doors unlocked and you'll find all the residents to be extremely friendly and welcoming.

The facilities here at the park include shared rooms with each room having its own bathroom. There are many rooms, so sharing is not always necessary and is usually reserved for couples, groups and families or when reservations are tight. There are also some really great sleeping areas outside under cover and which have mosquito netting. It's truly an amazing experience to be in the fresh air, under the moon and stars and to be able to hear the jungle and forest night sounds. This is always a favorite option of our volunteers.

The park also boasts an observation point offering views of the Gulf of Nicoya, five kilometers of hiking trails, an orchid trail, two amazing waterfalls (one 1200 meters tall), and a traditional sugar mill that was once in production in this very spot to produce traditional meals.

Camaronal Reserve
As a volunteer at the Camaronal Sea Turtle Project in Costa Rica, you will be working to protect sea turtles on the beach in the National Wildlife Reserve of Camaronal in the Province of Guanacaste.

Our main purpose is to protect the our species of marine turtles nesting in this beach, which are: Olive Ridley, Hawksbill, Leatherback and Black turtles. Volunteers in this project will be heavily involved with the nesting and hatching of sea turtles. You will be walking the beaches at night, seeking nesting mother turtles. When a turtle is found, you will tag and measure it, and carefully collect the eggs for transfer to the safety of a hatchery. During certain times of year, you will have the opportunity to participate in the release of hundreds of little hatchlings into the sea.

This project receives little outside funding and support and is in much need of help.

Volunteers on this project can also spend some of their time helping in a nearby elementary school (with only 5 students), as well as in giving environmental education to local community members.

This is a great project for families and groups as well as individual travelers.

In addition, volunteers can also volunteer at the Reserve Bosque Eterno de los Ninos (Children's Eternal Rainforest) - Costa Rica's largest private reserve, and also at the Arenal Volcano National Park. Please contact us for more information on volunteering at these projects.

Please visit our website photo gallery to see photos of our projects and read what past volunteers have said about their experiences in our volunteer blog.

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 as well. 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 - 995 USD, 2 weeks - 1895 USD, each additional week - 399 USD

** Spanish language lessons, excursions and cellphone rental are available at an extra cost.
** Accommodation in guesthouses and hotels can be arranged at extra charge.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: 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.

Age Range: 16+ unless with guardian.

This Program is open to Worldwide 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-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad

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