from 243€

Fantastic 4.5rating (239)

Let's Protect the Caribbean Wildlife

location
1 - 46 weeks  ·  Age 17 - 50+

rating  Fantastic 4.5  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Volunteer project with the highest quality. This project sets unprecedented standards in quality - an unparalleled level of excellence.

Highlights

  • Working in one of the most biodiverse countries in the world!
  • Beach and wildlife on the same program - a perfect combination!
  • Live in an exotic place surrounded by nature, where the magical songs of the animals and the waves are combined!
  • Experience the authentic Caribbean!
  • Be part in the conservation of our environment and help us to preserve our treasure!

Especially good for

Age 17+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+

About the program

At Pacuare, you can observe over 300 species of animals such as mammals, reptiles and birds of the Caribbean zone, and you can actively participate protecting them.

The project

This is a wildlife conservation project focused on preserving our natural Caribbean of Costa Rica. We want to raise awareness about the importance of protecting our environment,  through actions such as cleaning the beach where we collect plastic waste for recycling, and the observance ...

About the program

The project

This is a wildlife conservation project focused on preserving our natural Caribbean of Costa Rica. We want to raise awareness about the importance of protecting our environment,  through actions such as cleaning the beach where we collect plastic waste for recycling, and the observance of the animals of the area, which gives us information about the amount of wildlife in this beautiful place in the Caribbean. In this way, we obtain information in conjunction with other organizations on the coast in order to consolidate a biological corridor throughout the North Caribbean.

What kind of animals will you find here?

Mammals such as: 3 types of monkeys, capuchins, Howler Monkeys and Spider Monkeys  anteaters, felines, raccoons, kinkayous, horns, among many others. More than 300 species of birds, amphibians such as poison dart frogs and tree frogs, reptiles such as iguanas, crocodiles, Basilisk, snakes and others.

Why our work is important:

Year after year, the human being has been populating many of the habitats that belong to wild animals. Our goal is: We want to monitor the health conditions of the different animal populations that inhabit our Costa Rican Caribbean. Based on the knowledge acquired, we want to implement a plan to restore the areas affected by afforestation and develop environmental education programs in nervy schools.

What do we do?

  • Make transects for forest monitoring
  • Monitoring of mammals 
  • Placement of trap cameras, for the collection of video data
  • Colecting plastic on the beach ( we dedicate most of the program on this point) 
  • Tree sowing
  • Construction of a nursery to germinate trees that will serve us for reforestation

We know that protecting our mother nature is not only about knowing her, but we must also act directly to protect her through different actions, such as collecting garbage on the beach to recycle it and creating endemic nursery reforestation emission areas that have been deforested by logging or the plantation of monocultures

What volunteers do:

Work in the endemic tree nursery, after training, monitoring, participate in our recycling program.

Volunteers will live in Barra de Pacuare, around the house are the Tortuguero canals, the wildlife and the Caribbean Sea, and they will be working in Pacuare,  the members of the staff will be in charge, the volunteers will collaborate in all the tasks designed for them.

We expect volunteers, motivation, attitude, love for wildlife and the protection of animals.

What can volunteers expect from us?

A kind treatment, staff committed to protection and a pleasant environment to work, in addition to the best Costa Rican style of Pura Vida! 



Typical day

The schedule will have variations 3 days per wake-up at 6:00 am to do monitoring we start at 6:30  and end at 8:00 am ( Depending on the information we need, the monitoring can be done 1 to 3 times a week, also schedule can change depending of the animals we are looking for) breakfast at 8:00 am

Afte

Typical day

The schedule will have variations 3 days per wake-up at 6:00 am to do monitoring we start at 6:30  and end at 8:00 am ( Depending on the information we need, the monitoring can be done 1 to 3 times a week, also schedule can change depending of the animals we are looking for) breakfast at 8:00 am

After 9:00 free time at 2:00 pm we do different tasks such as beach cleaning, Sorting the plastic for recycling, working in the nursery of endemic trees or doing maintenance of the volunteers house 

We do also recreational sports as volleyball, football, or kayaking 


Free-time activities

During your time you can enjoy our beautiful beach, of volcanic sand, play football, volleyball, rent bicycle, or rent kayak to enjoy the canals of Tortuguero National Park 

By bicycle you can enjoy around Pacuare 

In front to the project are located a football place, and a volleyball place, there ...

Free-time activities

During your time you can enjoy our beautiful beach, of volcanic sand, play football, volleyball, rent bicycle, or rent kayak to enjoy the canals of Tortuguero National Park 

By bicycle you can enjoy around Pacuare 

In front to the project are located a football place, and a volleyball place, there in the afternoons volunteers can enjoy playing with the locals 


Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 17 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 17 years old on the program start date.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level) or Spanish (basic level)

Nationality Restrictions

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

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 05:00 - 11:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Tortugas de Pacuare

Our program includes: accommodation on site, 3 meals a day as well as the support of 2 Volunteer coordinators who will be attentive to coordinate anything you need before during and even once the program is over.

We also offer the opportunity to our volunteers to combine programs, even if you only applied for one program and wish to divide your stay in any of our programs, we will take care of coordinating your reservation and transfer to the other camp (the change of programs is subject to availability of space in the programs)

Airport Pickup at Juan Santamaria International Airport

Our driver will pick you up at the airport duly identified with the logo of our organization, he will get in touch with our coordinator infirming your arrival then will take you to the car where he will provide you with Wi-Fi


In this way you can be in contact with your family, friends and with our coordinators, who will be attentive to your needs.

Our driver will take you to the reserved hostel (In case your arrival in Costa Rica does not coincide with the departure of the buses to the location where the program is located) give you the bus ticket (buy a ticket in advance to reserve a seat for you on the bus), pick you up at the hostel on the day of your trip to the project and take you to the bus .

The cost will be US$80 plus the hostel night (US$20 (dormitory) and US$40 (single/double room).


A taxi (ordered from the camp) will pick you up from the bus and wait for you to take you to the project.



Accommodation

The use of resources is very important for us for that our house was made it with logs found on the beach, We got wood from found logs and that way we built the house, electricity for the house we get from solar panels, to this way we are looking to be eco-friendly  it's a house with 4 rooms, for 4 people each room,  2 showers, and 2 toilets, our house is located just in front to the beach with nice views and Caribbean Brice 

Food & Beverages

Typical Costa Rican food, such as gallo pinto, casado, picadillo, tortillas, empanadas and many more typical foods


 Breakfast: coffee or tea, gallo pinto (which is the most typical food for breakfast in Costa Rica) empanadas, pancakes, enyucados, tortillas, picadillo, and normally in the mornings we have tropical fruits (breakfast will be one of these options in the day)


 Lunch and dinner: rice and beans are our Costa Rican food, so the options that you will normally take are commonly accompanied by rice and beans such as picadillo, eggs in sauce, soy meat in sauce, chickpea soap, lentil burger , among other accompaniments.


Internet Access

Good 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

In this program we work all year round, carrying out the tasks corresponding to the conservation of our rich and sufficient ecosystem.

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

Program fees

1 week (min. stay) 243€
3 weeks 728€
4 weeks 971€
8 weeks 1,942€
16 weeks 3,883€
46 weeks (max. stay) 8,252€
Average fees 211€/week

Program fees

211€ per week 1 - 46 weeks Age 17 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

1 - 46 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 Tortugas de Pacuare during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

Tortugas de Pacuare

Fantastic 4.5 rating (239 reviews)

Agency - founded in 2012

Verified by Volunteer World

  Excellent response rate

Coordinated by

Luis

Spoken languages: English, Spanish

About the project

Tortugas de Pacuare is an organization created to protect the most endangered turtles in the world, supported 100% by volunteers.

Meet your organization

Why coming as a volunteer to save sea turtles in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica has many of the most important beaches in the world for turtle nesting. The government protects some areas, especially national parks, but many important beaches for turtles are unprotected. For this reason we started our project Tortugas de Pacuare and with the help of volunteers around the world. We have been working and saving turtles for more than 12 years now! Without the help of the volunteers, protecting these wonderful animals wouldn't be possible.

The protection of the turtles and the biodiversity of this area is our goal. In order to achieve it, we need the help of international volunteers. You, as a volunteer, should have the willingness to help with tasks that require a close attention. To support our diligent helpers, we create an atmosphere at the Tortugas de Pacuare project that makes them feel like at home. You should have a desire of leaving a mark in a humble village as well as the desire to succeed in the fight for a good cause. 

Our project Tortugas de Pacuare is located 40 km South of Tortuguero in a small town called Barra de Pacuare, an island in the middle of the Caribbean. This makes us one of the most strategic destinations for leatherback turtles, green turtles, and hawksbill turtles, which are some of the most threatened species and are in serious danger of extinction. On the island are living a few people, there are several bars; the closest one is called "Las Machas". There, the volunteers can also buy what they need like shampoo, gel shower etc. or biscuits, cookies, cigarettes, beers etc.

Our vision is to save these turtles by hard work and making a change, not only for the animals, but also for the people, starting with the education of the children of our community.

A lot of reasons can steer a volunteer to take part in a humanitarian project: a cheaper way of travelling or a new experience and a different way of living. The volunteers come to learn about turtles, to improve their Spanish, to live a new experience, to isolate themselves and disconnect themselves from the reality.

We want to make your stay with us as enjoyable as possible, excited to share with you. Your help is necessary to maintain the preservation of sea turtles. Without our patrols, the beach will be vulnerable. We want you to enjoy your experience with us as much as possible.


What does a volunteer need to bring to Pacuare? (packing)

In the following list, you will find objects that you should take with you in order to make your stay in Pacuare more comfortable. This list is also helpful for travelling around Costa Rica.

  • During some hours a day, the wifi is available. However, if you want to assure you an internet access whenever you want, it is better if you by a Costa Rican phone card. Kolbi is the more effective operator on the island, you can recharge it on the island but its efficiency depends on the climatic conditions and the number of devices connected.
  • There are no banks on the island, you need cash (colones).       
  • Put your stuff in plastic bags and remove the air with a straw, it is useful to organize them and if it rains, they will not get wet.
  • Black Crocs with socks (comfortable and appropriate for night patrols).
  • A soap-dish if you use bars of soap (for hygienic reasons).-    
  • Mosquito bed net and mosquito repellent (Off or Relec) in the form of spray, bracelet and patch.
  • A lot of underwear
  • A coat and pants, especially if you come during the rainy season; because, it can be colder.
  • First Aid Kit
  • Cap      
  • Padlock
  • They do not sell hand rolling tobacco in Costa Rica
  • Make a photocopy of your passport and laminate it. Take it with you instead of your passport when you go for a walk or go shopping.
  • Also, you cannot stay more than 90 days in the country without a visa. If you want to stay longer, you will have to leave the country during at least 72 hours.

  Essential:

  • Sunblock
  • Dark clothes for night patrols (lght)
  • Headlamp with red light (you can put a translucent red paper on it)
  • A watch if you are an assistant

Day work

The type of work depends on the period of the year, the number of volunteers and the night work. Sometimes, you will work during a certain amount of hours and sometimes till the end of the task

We try to make the day work as relax as possible because night patrols are tiring. But if a volunteer wants to work on a particular task, which is very important to him, the volunteer must feel free to do it without waiting for staff members’ instructions

  • Clean up the beach: remove organic materials and rubbish which hobble the sea turtles on their way to the beach or hobble the babies to reach the sea
  • Breeding pond: construction of the breeding pond, clean it up, check its condition, take data and watch it during the night
  • Construction of shelter to protect oneself from the rain during the night patrols
  • Night patrols: walking on the beach at night to find sea turtles
  • Housework
  • Maintenance of the garden and construct a kitchen garden and take care of it (harvest)
  • Compost: to dig a hole in order to throw the organic trash inside it
  • Bring the sorted waste to the Coast Guards
  • Wash turtles’ stuff
  • Construct a kitchen garden and take care of it (harvest)

Pastimes

The project has some books and games to entertain oneself and chill out.

  • One-day trip to the mountain, game/quiz night, Latin music class, Spanish class, Hanging out, baking cookies, survival class, caimans tour, cooking class, campfire y marshmallows.
  • The volunteers can also go to the Tortuguero national park or Puerto Viejo during the weekend.

239 reviews · rating4.5

Elien Willems rating4.8

2024 at Let's Protect the Caribbean Wildlife

I had a nice experience. Very nice people. A lot of free time and a lot of new friends. Beautefull see. Its basic accomodation but i love that. Just to remember how you can live whit less stuff. The food was verry good. I love rise and beans ...
Isabelle Finnegan rating4.2

2024 at Let's Protect the Caribbean Wildlife

Overall, I really enjoyed my 2 and a half week stay at tortugas de pacuare, but there were definitely pros and cons. If I were to go again, I would maybe check out the site on the pacific coast as I have heard the facilities are better and more activities nearby, but I have no regrets and did really ...
Jenny Luciano rating1.4

2021 at Let's Protect the Caribbean Wildlife

J’avais booker pour 2 semaines et je suis parti avant voici pourquoi. Le personnel: Luis: c’est avec lui que j’ai communiqué via l’application mais il est au campement du côté caraibe et non pacifique. Il m’avait dit que quelqu’un devait venir me prendre a l’arrêt de bus mais ...
jelena bagitsch rating1.8

2020 at Let's Protect the Caribbean Wildlife

I booked the wildlife monitoring program. The only reason I came to Costa Rica was to work closely with animals. After I arrived there after a bus, a taxi and a boat I was told that the program I booked was not offered. In general they do it (sometimes) but there wasn’t enough staff at that ...
Tanya Dimitrova rating5

2019 at Let's Protect the Caribbean Wildlife

Filled with gratitude over the possibility to live and share time with the volunteers in Matapalo. Thank you Dalia, for your clear leadership and devotion to the work! And last but not least, the possibility to be a part of nature, and the animals and plats, surrounding the village! Pura Vida ?? ...
Alice Ferrec rating5

2019 at Let's Protect the Caribbean Wildlife

Living my freedom surrounded by animals and nature I coud not imagine, how to live un the Middle of nowhere surrounded by wildlife, out of the noises of the city, my life definetly will be not the same, in pacuare I made many new friends, people who love the wild, the coordinators Anna and Tash ...

Location


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Contact Luis
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English, Spanish

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