Wildlife, Bee and Environmental Protection

location
2 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Perfect 4.6  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Below average response rate

Highlights

  • Immerse yourself in the breathtaking allure of Puerto Viejo's picturesque community while making a positive impact on our buzzing friends through bee conservation efforts!
  • Enroll in our environmental education program at Cocles School, where you'll discover the secrets of harmonious beekeeping and organic farming within our lush greenhouses and school gardens.
  • Savor the fruits of our labor by harvesting the abundant treasures from our thriving organic horticulture.
  • Pioneering bee enthusiasts can join us in constructing advanced apiaries exclusively designed for enchanting stingless bees.
  • Dive into a Caribbean paradise, relishing the sun-kissed beaches, thrilling snorkeling adventures, exhilarating surf lessons and blissful moments of pure serenity in the crystal-clear waters.


Especially good for

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
50+

About the program

Our project works to save and conserve Costa Rica's native wild bees, which play a key role in the entire ecosystem! This is achieved by rescuing bees and local awareness

The Apiagricultura project is committed to the rescue and conservation of Costa Rica’s native bees. As these stingless bees are very important in the whole ecosystem, your support is especially valuable!  The cultivation, the care in school gardens and the harvesting of fruit and vegetables ...

About the program

The Apiagricultura project is committed to the rescue and conservation of Costa Rica’s native bees. As these stingless bees are very important in the whole ecosystem, your support is especially valuable!  The cultivation, the care in school gardens and the harvesting of fruit and vegetables together with school children is also an important part of the project and serves the early environmental education.

The Tasks

Your work is very varied, so no day is like the other. You change your occupation according to the needs. You work 5 hours a day from Monday to Friday and Carlos is your contact person (and „hostel father“ – see accommodation), he will instruct you in the different tasks and if necessary drive you to the site and accompany you – and all this takes place in the Caribbean between rainforest and beach!

Equipment

We recommend to bring good work shoes (rubber boots) and light work clothes. The project is not suitable for bee allergy sufferers due to the existing beehives.

The Location

You will live with other volunteers in a simple, well-kept house in two or four rooms with shared bathroom and kitchen. There is a lounge with table tennis, a large garden with exotic fruit and internet access. The house is surrounded by nature, 10-15 minutes walk from the beach and close to your campsites. A loving Costa Rican family lives on the same property and Carlos is your contact during your stay. He will always be at your side with help and advice! The center of Puerto Viejo is about 4 km away, where you can find banks and shops. The place is famous for its cafes, restaurants, beach bars, live music and young Caribbean lifestyle. The climate in the area is tropical and humid all year round. During your work at the bee protection project you will prepare your own food in the morning, at noon and in the evening using the communal kitchen.

 



Typical day

Normally the work with the bees takes place in the morning. The day usually starts around 7:00/7:30am working directly with the bees. Tasks include: 

  • You will support the team of the project building equipment for the work with bees (e.g buiding houses for the bees)
  • catching bigger swarms of bees
  • trans

Typical day

Normally the work with the bees takes place in the morning. The day usually starts around 7:00/7:30am working directly with the bees. Tasks include: 

  • You will support the team of the project building equipment for the work with bees (e.g buiding houses for the bees)
  • catching bigger swarms of bees
  • transferring bees to new containers
  • maintanance of the equipment
  • Work with students from the local schools, activities for awareness among tourists, maintance of the garden or even capturing escaped bees in the rainforest. 
In the afternoon there could be tasks like: 
  • working with tourists 
  • designing signs for visitors
  • producing honey products made out of regional honey. 
If there is no task in the afternoon you could go surfing of have a walk in the little village.  

Sometimes there are also tourist groups which visit the project. Your help will be welcome!

In the afternoon you will have free time - enjoy going surfing, snorkeling or shopping in town.


Free-time activities

Things we recommend: 

  • Enjoying the Caribbean Beaches
  • snorkelling in the Caribbean waters
  • surfing
  • swimming 
  • hiking in the wonderful nature of the Caribbean
  • Visiting the costarrican indigenous tribes

Also there are trips to Panama you can join and go to Bocas del Toro.

Free-time activities

Things we recommend: 

  • Enjoying the Caribbean Beaches
  • snorkelling in the Caribbean waters
  • surfing
  • swimming 
  • hiking in the wonderful nature of the Caribbean
  • Visiting the costarrican indigenous tribes

Also there are trips to Panama you can join and go to Bocas del Toro.


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 (intermediate level)

Nationality Restrictions

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

Other Skills

Carpenter Skills are welcome but not necessary

Time Commitment

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

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Costa Rica Abroad Service

Our program fees include:

Before departure
  • personal advisory with our CAS Team
  • Planning and organising of your individual program
  • Comprehensive information, such as packing list, medical notes, etc.
  • Support in the VISA regulation of entry and exit formalities in Costa Rica
  • Official CAS program acceptance certificate

On Site

  • Reception and pick-up service at the airport upon arrival in Costa Rica
  • First Night Accommodation at our Hostel in San Jose
  • Accommodation in our Project
  • Orientation in the CAS office
  • Receiving a detailed program folder
  • Sim card with internet access
  • Small city tour through San José
  • Constant on-site support by our English-speaking CAS team (regular contact with the participant and availability via emergency mobile in case of emergency)
  • Certificate of participation from CAS

Airport Pickup at Juan Santamaria International Airport

Reception and pick-up service at the airport upon arrival in Costa Rica is included in our fees

Accommodation

You will live with other volunteers in a simple, well-kept house in two or four rooms with shared bathroom and kitchen. There is a lounge with table tennis, a large garden with exotic fruit and internet access. 

The house is surrounded by nature, 10-15 minutes walk from the beach and close to your campsites. A loving Costa Rican family lives on the same property and Carlos is your contact during your stay. He will always be at your side with help and advice! The center of Puerto Viejo is about 4 km away, where you can find banks and shops. The place is famous for its cafes, restaurants, beach bars, live music and young Caribbean lifestyle. The climate in the area is tropical and humid all year round.

During your work at the bee protection project you will prepare your own food in the morning, at noon and in the evening using the shared kitchen.

Internet Access

Limited access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Food & Beverages

Food, snacks or beverages are at extra costs.

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

You will go from San José to Puerto Viejo in public bus. In Puerto Viejo you will be able to rent a bike. 

From the town center you can go by taxi to the project.

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

2 weeks (min. stay) 746€
3 weeks 974€
4 weeks 1,203€
5 weeks 1,432€
6 weeks 1,660€
7 weeks 1,889€
12 weeks (max. stay) 3,132€
Average fees 316€/week

Program fees

316€ 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 Costa Rica Abroad Service during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

Costa Rica Abroad Service

Perfect 4.6 rating (6 reviews)

Agency - founded in 2005

Verified by Volunteer World

  Below average response rate

Coordinated by

Sergio

About the project

We are a Costa Rican Volunteer Organisation with more than 15 Years of experience and with a Multilingual home based team that will ensure the best Volunteer experience!

Meet your organization

Who we are

We are a small familiar organisation founded in 2005 with headquarters in San Jose, Costa Rica and plan and organise your volunteer work directly and personally! We have aid Volunteers all over the world to come to our beautiful Country and make a positive impact in our environment and society!

What we do

Our projects are environmental helping wild animals to survive or maintaining our ecosystems as well as social projects where volunteers help in schools or in our project for Drug Prevention!
Our goal is to give our volunteers the opportunity to help in the best way possible our environment and society providing them with the tools, safety and the knowledge of Costa Rica for wonderful experience in our projects!

Where we work
Costa Rica is the perfect place for your volunteer experience - immerge into a colourful nature, get in touch with the local "Tico" community and enjoy a safe environment. Costa Rica is one of the safest countries in Central America and very interested in your work. The protection of the nature and biodiversity is here one of the main priorities!

6 reviews · rating4.6

The organization did exactly what it should.. I got a SIM card, precise directions and a city tour. I always had a contact person for questions or emergencies. The people were all super ...
I had an amazing hostfamily. The parents are both 39 years old and the have a son who's 7 years old. They were very very kind and I felt like a family member from the beginning on. The food was also very delicious. I could spend my freetime as I wanted to, but they also took me to trips with ...
Lilith Borchardt rating5

2022 at Wildlife, Bee and Environmental Protection

- amazing Team and great support - allways helps and takes care of their volunteers - beautiful project - I learned so much for my live - it was a great experience to work with animals and other volunteers - my spanisch has improved a lot ...
I was very happy how my organization helped me prepare for my trip. They gave me enough information and answered every question I had. They also helped me organize my transportation from my project back to the airport. I was very satisfied with their support! The project itself was even better… I ...
Lilly Krüger rating4.6

2022 at Wildlife, Bee and Environmental Protection

I thought that there would be more Volunteers and more work todo, so i had way more freetime than expected but i saw so many new amazing places and met people from all over the world ...
Paula Nerlich rating3.6

2022 at Wildlife, Bee and Environmental Protection

I really liked my trip to Costa Rica with CAS. They supported me very well, especially with all the organization of my trip. It’s very good, when you travel alone for the first ...

Location

Americas > Central America > Costa Rica > Puerto Viejo

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