Info

Turtles are an increasingly endangered species and Costa Rican communities need volunteers like you to assist them during the nesting-season and play a hands-on role in preserving these adorable creatures.

Not all turtles are lucky enough to have an official category of protection from the Costa Rican Government, this project aims to look after the natural nesting sites that didn’t make the list but still need your help.

You’ll be based on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, working with four different species of sea turtles; Lora (olive ridley), Negra (green turtle), Carey (hawksbill) and Baula (leatherback turtle). A myriad of destructive human activities such as the capture of adult turtles, infrastructure development and light pollution have left these species in danger of extinction.

Nesting sites are a hugely important part of ensuring that future generations of turtles survive. Your main focus will be keeping these sites safe and secure and looking after the tiny residents. Your daily tasks will be varied and may include any or all of the following:

• Protecting and closely monitoring recovered eggs in the hatchery
• Monitoring the nesting dynamics of the female sea turtles that arrive on the beach, making sure that they receive the best protection in the next season
• Patrolling the beach to look for sea turtles and nests at night
• Helping to build a turtle hatchery
• Searching for marked turtles and collecting data
• Helping out with maintenance at the project
• Keeping the beach clean
• Marking turtles that are nesting, trying to build a nest or returning to the ocean
• Releasing "neonatos" (baby sea turtles) from the hatchery, take them to the beach and watch them scurry to the ocean!
• Collecting any eggs that you find on the beach and taking them to the hatchery ("vivero") for safety
• Planting trees in different areas of the beach and town


What's included?

* Accommodation
* All meals during the project (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
* Airport pick-up
* Support from in-country co-ordinators
* 24-hours emergency support number

What's not included?

* All flights
* Personal travel insurance
* Visas
* Return airport transfer
* Local transport
* Items of a personal nature including spending money

Duration

1 - 4 weeks

Start Dates

Real Gap Experience offer gap years, career breaks and adventure travel from 2 weeks to 2 years with weekly/monthly departures for most trips that aren’t dependant on seasons or weather to operate. Set departure dates means you’re always together with other young like-minded travellers and making new friends is guaranteed.

Costs / Benefits

Prices range depending on activity and duration. Volunteering starts from £389 for 2 weeks, Adventure Travel starts from £799 for 2 weeks and our Paid Work options start from £299 for up to 12 months. All trips come with, accommodation, some food, transfers, support and back up in-country and 24/7 emergency contact numbers. Before you leave full comprehensive information is provided through an Online Accounts and our expert travel advisers are always available to give help and advice.

Requirements

There are no specific qualifications or requirements needed to take part on this trip. We do however require that all travellers have a sense responsibility for other travellers, project staff and local community and most importantly... a sense of fun and adventure!