• Life On Land

Bird Research in Costa Rica

location
2 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
rating  Excellent 4.8  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate
Volunteer project with the highest quality. This project sets unprecedented standards in quality - an unparalleled level of excellence.

Highlights

  • Live and work at a research station in the middle of a Costa Rican national park.
  • Spot unique Costa Rican birdlife in a protected Caribbean rainforest reserve while contributing to their protection and that of their habitat.
  • Volunteer training - Receive an orientation to the base, learn how to identify species and conduct conservation research, health and safety protocols and ethical guidelines.
  • Participants will assist with vital raptor monitoring and mist netting for non raptors.
  • Learn biodiversity survey techniques and gain real field experience.

Especially good for

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups
50+

About the program

Work on critical research efforts focused on birds within Kekoldi National Park.

  • Kekoldi is surrounded by popular tourist destinations. The nearby towns have been developing quickly to accommodate the large demand by tourists. While being an indigenous territory, Kekoldi has stayed outside the development of the tourist platform, but their habitants are concerned that ...

About the program

  • Kekoldi is surrounded by popular tourist destinations. The nearby towns have been developing quickly to accommodate the large demand by tourists. While being an indigenous territory, Kekoldi has stayed outside the development of the tourist platform, but their habitants are concerned that legislations will change in the future to allow investors to come into the territory to build resorts.


    • By implementing a comprehensive biodiversity monitoring program alongside other projects, we are able to not only prove the environmental health of the jungle and protect it better, but also document these facts to eventually use it in case of need to prove the importance of conserve this territory against the tourism industry.

    

    • As well as this we also give support to other important projects that were being carried out prior to our partnership, but that the community didn’t had the human resource to implement. Like the Migratory raptors project and the Bushmaster ecology project.
                                      Highlights:

    Ethical conservation

    Highest ethical standards

    Guided by partners 

    Qualified professionals


    Travel to extraordinary locations

    Explore exotic locations 

    Venture off the beaten track 

    Unique ecosystems and habitats


    Your tribe

    Work alongside like minded people

    Passionate about protecting the planet

    Likely to be your friends for life


    Safety & supportPre-departure support

    Safe countries and airport pickup

    Staff credibility and qualified 


    Take a break

    Switch off from the digital world

    Relax. Take a break

    Find yourself. Mental health.


    Learn survey techniques

    Learn biodiversity survey techniques and gain real field experience.



    This program includes an optional Wildlife Conservation online courses which must be completed in order to obtain a certificate offered in partnership with the University of Richmond in the United States.

Typical day

Some patrols are conducted in the morning or at night meaning you have the opportunity to encounter breathtaking sunrises and sunsets.

Participants are expected to remain flexible as project work changes based on weather as well as needs of our project partners. 

Estimated Schedule:
  • 5 or 6am: Wake up ...

Typical day

Some patrols are conducted in the morning or at night meaning you have the opportunity to encounter breathtaking sunrises and sunsets.

Participants are expected to remain flexible as project work changes based on weather as well as needs of our project partners. 

Estimated Schedule:
  • 5 or 6am: Wake up call
  • 6 - 10 am: First Survey 
  • 12pm: Lunch
  • 1pm - 4pm: Second Survey 
  • 6pm: Dinner 
  • 9pm: Bed Time

Free-time activities

By participating in this program, you are not only offered an opportunity to work toward conserving ecosystems but also the opportunity to see local sites! Our dedicated field staff are the best resource when researching local trips, they have compiled this list of activities. 

These side trips are ...

Free-time activities

By participating in this program, you are not only offered an opportunity to work toward conserving ecosystems but also the opportunity to see local sites! Our dedicated field staff are the best resource when researching local trips, they have compiled this list of activities. 

These side trips are not included in the program fee but are highly recommended: 
  • Puerto Viejo (most popular beach in Costa Rica)
  • White Water Rafting
  • Cahuita National Park (opportunity to snorkel)
  • Zipline Rainforest Canopy Tour
  • Tortuguero Village (1 hour away by boat) 
  • Water Sports 
  • Coffee and chocolate farms
  • Talamanca Mountains (UNESCO protected)
  • Other National Parks: Corcovado, Monteverde, Cloud Forest, Braulio, Carillo
The possibilities are endless! 

We also now include cultural/local experiences. These experiences will take place once every 4 weeks. 

These activities may include:
 
  • Learn to pick and husk a coconut 
  • Visit the world's oldest sea turtle research group 
  • Meditate on the beach at sunrise
  • Take a jungle nightwalk and frog watch
  • Canoe along jungle river canals at dawn
  • Stargaze and learn the northern constellations
  • Hike an extinct volcano, Cerro Tortuguero
  • Visit a sustainable chocolate farm

Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level)

Education Requirements

at School level

Criminal Background Check

required

Required Documents

2 passport sized photos, passport copy and Medical form

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

No specific skills required, all training is provided online 8 weeks prior to program start through self paced training materials.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday

What's Included

What's Included

Services by GVI

WHAT'S INCLUDED

  • 24-hour emergency phone
  • 24-hour in-country support
  • Access to Alumni Services and Discounts
  • Airport pick-up (unless otherwise stated)
  • All necessary project equipment and materials
  • All necessary project training by experienced staff
  • Camera trap use
  • First Aid & CPR training
  • GPS training
  • Location orientation
  • Long term experienced staff
  • Meals while on project (except on work placements for long term internships)
  • Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
  • Scientific techniques in collection of biometric data, transect work, incidental observation, tourist and human impact surveys, camera trapping and, track identification
  • Transfer to rainforest location
  • Tropical forest ecology
  • Welcome meeting
  • Wildlife identification skills

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

  • Additional drinks and gratuities
  • Extra local excursions
  • Flights
  • International and domestic airport taxes
  • Medical and travel insurance
  • Personal items and toiletries
  • Police or background check
  • Visa costs (where necessary)

Airport Pickup at Juan Santamaria International Airport

Airport pick ups are provided at Juan Santamaria International Airport, these are within a specified time period.  

Accommodation

Our program is based Kekoldi National Park which is a key conservation area Wild Cats,Birds and other species. 

Our base is basic, being a research station and has been created to be sustainable and have as little impact on the environment as possible. 

Accommodation facilities are shared dormitories and can be considered basic.

Food & Beverages

Meals are mostly vegetarian.

Volunteers take it turn to prepare meals for the team. 

Internet Access

Limited access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose. We assist you to find cheap flights to Costa Rica. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Costa Rica provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Costa Rica you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Costa Rica. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

2024
  • 12 Oct 2024
  • 26 Oct 2024
  • 09 Nov 2024
  • 23 Nov 2024
  • 07 Dec 2024
2025
  • 04 Jan 2025
  • 18 Jan 2025
  • 01 Feb 2025
  • 15 Feb 2025
  • 01 Mar 2025
  • 15 Mar 2025
  • 29 Mar 2025
  • 12 Apr 2025
  • 26 Apr 2025
  • 10 May 2025
  • 24 May 2025
  • 07 Jun 2025
  • 21 Jun 2025
  • 05 Jul 2025
  • 19 Jul 2025
  • 02 Aug 2025
  • 16 Aug 2025
  • 30 Aug 2025
  • 13 Sep 2025
  • 27 Sep 2025
  • 11 Oct 2025
  • 25 Oct 2025
  • 08 Nov 2025
  • 22 Nov 2025
Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

2 weeks (min. stay) 1,845€
4 weeks 2,845€
6 weeks 3,795€
8 weeks 4,445€
10 weeks 5,095€
12 weeks (max. stay) 5,845€
Average fees 704€/week

Program fees

704€ per week 2 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES

Duration

2 - 12 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.

Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with GVI during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

Meet your organization

GVI

Excellent 4.8 rating (221 reviews)

Agency - founded in 1998

Verified by Volunteer World

  Very high response rate

Coordinated by

Bianca

Spoken languages: English

About the project

GVI tackles critical local and global issues by operating award-winning education and training programs on sustainable development projects around the world.

Meet your organization

Founded in 1998, GVI runs programs in 21 locations, in 13 countries around the world, each manned by our own staff and aligned to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals or UN SDGs as well as the objectives of local partners. We welcome participants from all around the world and help facilitate their development into global citizens. This is how we achieve our mission of building a global network of people united by their passion to make a difference.


We are truly a global family brought together by our dedication to long-term positive impact. At the root of our success is our commitment to investing in authentic, meaningful connections with one another, which is why mutual respect and trust are central to our operations. Although we respond with empathy to difficult situations, we believe that most circumstances can benefit from taking a light-hearted approach. By sharing stories of local achievement with our teams worldwide we build the momentum to catapult us toward our vision for the future.

221 reviews · rating4.8

Meg Chilvers rating4.8

2024 at Bird Research in Costa Rica

I would say to anyone who is hesitating to book with GVI to just go for it! It was one of the most amazing experiences l've had, as soon as I arrived on base I felt such a warm welcome from staff and the friends you make quickly become like family. The biodiversity of the kekoldi indigenous reserve ...
Kirstie rating4.6

2023 at Bird Research in Costa Rica

I participated in the Bird Research program in Kéköldi (Costa Rica) for a month and had a wonderful time. I would definitely do another GVI program in the future. What went well: - The staff on base are all extremely knowledgeable and passionate about what they do. They were a real inspiration ...
Zoe Blohm rating4.8

2022 at Bird Research in Costa Rica

I recently spent four weeks volunteering with GVI in Cahuita, Costa Rica. It truly was a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget. After only four weeks I had completely fallen in love with the staff, the other volunteers, and the work we were doing in Cahuita National Park. We ...
Pam Parkes rating5

2024 at Women's Empowerment Internship

I really enjoyed my recent trip to Siem Reap. The accommodation was very good, I upgraded to a single room with aircon and en-suite and had a fabulous room overlooking the pool. Food was excellent with plenty of choice, both in the guest house and local restaurants where we ate in the evenings ...
GVI was one of the best experiences of my life, i was a participant on the U18 costa rica trip! This program allowed me to interact with new people and make lifelong friendships, but also i was able to experience a new culture and be up close to a wide range of wildlife. If you are reading this and ...
Mary Christensen rating5

2024 at Community Development Internship

GVI is a passionate organization that works diligently to promote life long learners and explorers. As an intern with GVI, I was able to explore the culture of my country of choice, serve a purpose greater than myself, and meet friends all around the world. I highly recommend this program to anyone ...

Location

Americas > Central America > Costa Rica > Kekoldi

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Volunteer Abroad  >  Animals  >  Wildlife Conservation in Costa Rica
Contact Bianca
  Very high response rate
English

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