Costa Rica Turtle Conservation Experience

Costa Rica Turtle Conservation Experience

Help protect the endangered sea turtles, as well as other vulnerable wildlife species in coastal Costa Rica.

Nestled along Costa Rica's stunning Pacific Coast, the Costa Rica Turtle Conservation Experience has been dedicated to conservation efforts since its founding in 2009. Created by local scientists and community members, the project combines biological research with hands-on action to protect endangered sea turtles, and other fascinating wildlife found in the region. 

Through beach patrols, relocating eggs to hatcheries and releasing baby turtles into the ocean, you will be at the forefront of sea turtle conservation, particularly for Olive Ridleys, who have chosen the reserve's beach as their nesting grounds for many years. These efforts have directly contributed to the release of over 60,000 hatchlings, ensuring future generations of turtles return to these beaches to nest themselves. While the heart of the project is turtle conservation, volunteers also engage in other conservation projects like crocodilian monitoring, coral restoration, mammal tracking, and avian research, offering a combined coastal and jungle expedition unlike any other.

This unique project offers a rare combination of meaningful conservation work, hands-on learning, and unforgettable wildlife encounters. Whether you're patrolling the beach under a star-lit sky, measuring crocodiles in the depths of the rainforests, or witnessing the release of hatchlings into the ocean, every moment contributes to a greater purpose. Join the Costa Rica Turtle Conservation Experience and contribute to protecting endangered species while immersing yourself in the stunning ecosystems of one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth. 

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Lauren Mackinnon

Activities

Your time spent on the project is vital for the protection of Costa Rica's wildlife, and some of the ways in which will you assist are outlined below. Activities can vary, but may include:

Beach Night Patrols
Beach Night Patrols Prepare for a few late nights on this project, as you’ll be taking part in night patrols! You and your fellow volunteers will take turns monitoring the beach between the hours of 6pm and 5am, keeping an eye out for poachers and taking note of any turtle sightings.
Measuring a Turtle at the Costa Rica Turtle Conservation Experience
Data Collection You will monitor the turtles found nesting in the area and will also help to gather important data, such as the size of the adult turtles and the health of the nest they leave behind. You may also assist with the tagging of the adult turtles and marking the GPS location of nests so that their movements can be tracked.
Turtle Release - Costa Rica Turtle Conservation Experience
Hatchery & Hatchlings If you volunteer during nesting season, you'll help relocate turtle eggs (after collecting the necessary data) to a protected hatchery that is safe from predators and beach erosion. If volunteering during hatching season, you'll help to excavate hatched nests, record biometric data, and count hatchlings before releasing them into the ocean!
Reptile Monitoring - Costa Rica Turtle Conservation Experience
Crocodilian & Reptile Monitoring While turtles are the main focus of this project, you will also help to monitor some of the region’s crocodile and reptile species. You will gather information on a range of species, entering your findings into an inventory while developing your identification and data collection skills. This activity will occur between 5pm and 1am, either on the Térraba River or in the forest.
Mammal Monitoring
Mammal Monitoring The reserve hosts over 11 mammal species, including raccoons, coatis, monkeys, and more elusive animals like anteaters and sloths. As a volunteer, you'll explore the jungle to observe mammals, especially capuchin monkeys, set up camera traps, and record data on behaviour, diet, and movements to aid reforestation and biological corridor efforts.
Coral Restoration Lab
Coral Restoration Lab Visit the coral restoration lab and help restore bleached coral in Marino Ballena National Park. The lab breeds, monitors, and studies coral species before transplanting them to offshore restoration sites. During your tour, you'll assist with measuring, weighing, and photographing corals while learning about their critical role in marine ecosystems.
Butterfly Garden
Butterfly Garden The onsite butterfly garden was created to educate local children and support learning by aligning with school curriculums. It helps students explore concepts like insect life cycles and ecological roles. The garden also runs a breeding program for at-risk species like Monarch butterflies and serves as a research space. Volunteers will help with butterfly collection, planting host plants, and gathering data in the lab.
Working With School Children
Working With School Children The project aims to build a general understanding of conservation efforts in the region, and what better way to do this than by working with the local school children! By visiting schools, running workshops, or even conducting visits to the on-site butterfly garden, you will instil a sense of care for the environment into the minds of Costa Rica’s young people. Please be aware this is not a guaranteed activity.
Costa Rica Turtle Conservation Experience Free Time
Free Time In your free time, you can enjoy various exciting activities at an additional cost, including surf lessons, horseback riding, zip-lining, hiking, and visits to stunning waterfalls and national parks. Don’t miss out on whale watching, snorkelling, or diving adventures! The project team are happy to help you plan unforgettable experiences during your downtime.

Itinerary

The following is an example itinerary for a 1-week stay, however, itineraries are subject to change depending on the needs of the project when you visit.

Day 1 - The Adventure Begins: After arriving into San José, you will be transferred by private car to the project site. You will have some time to settle into your accommodation before receiving an induction to the project, including the activities you will be taking part in during your time here.
Day 2 - Training Day: Today you will learn all about the turtles which nest in the area, their biology and what to look for in their behaviours. Later on, you will pay a visit to the turtle hatchery, which is just a 5-minute walk from your accommodation, where you will learn more about the research protocol on this project.
Day 3 - Field Work: You will spend the day exploring the reserve, keeping your eyes peeled for birds and mammals. In the evening, you will spend a few hours searching for nesting sea turtles on the beach, collecting any eggs you find and bringing them back to the safety of the hatchery.
Day 4 - Working With School Children: After spending some of the previous night working with the turtles, you’ll be treated to a morning off! Once you have caught up on some rest, you will spend the afternoon assisting the educational collaboration officer in taking care of the butterfly garden or creating educational materials for the schools you’ll be visiting.
Day 5 - Forest Walk: Today you will head into the forest to help set up trail cameras in an attempt to spot the animals which live in the area. Since the project began monitoring mammals, there have been multiple medium-sized animals spotted, and you will learn how to set up the cameras, identify footprints, and pick up skills that can only be taught in the field!
Day 6 - Day Off: Today is your day off, which you may choose to spend exploring the local area or beyond! There are a number of trips you can take, either on your own or by joining a tour. If you travel between August and October, you might want to visit the Marino Bellena National Park in the hope of spotting some humpback whales!
Day 7 - Cayman Monitoring: If weather permits, you will spend today monitoring the local crocodilian population by taking a kayak out on the river. You will then spend the evening either on a night walk or on a boat trip down the Térraba to capture, mark and identify any wildlife that you see.
Day 8 - Departure Day: Sadly, it’s now time to head home, so bid farewell to your fellow volunteers and the project team before transferring back to San José. Please note that the journey back to the airport takes around 3.5 hours, so do be sure to leave yourself with plenty of time to check in and board your flight.

Durations & Prices

To secure a place on this project, a deposit of $245 is required at the time of booking. The remaining balance is due 60 days before your start date.

Flexible Payment Options: If you select a start date more than 3 months in advance, we offer convenient payment plans, allowing you to pay off your balance in instalments.

Tip: You can join on any day of the week, so if your preferred date is not listed, please get in touch with our travel team to book an alternative.

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Accommodation

Accommodation

While on the project, you will stay in the volunteer centre which can accommodate up to 15 volunteers at any one time. You will stay in a private room, complete with a single bed, storage for your belongings and screened windows to keep any bugs at bay. The bathroom facilities are shared but split by gender and there are western toilets and warm showers in each.

There are also two rooms available for couples or small families, one with a queen-size bed, and one with a queen-size bed as well as a bunk bed. Should you wish to book either of these, please contact us to check availability.

Meals & Beverages

All meals are included in the cost of the project. From Monday to Friday you will prepare your own breakfast and dinner, while lunch will be made for you by a member of the team. On the weekends you will need to prepare your own meals. The food will give you a taste of the local cuisine with elements of what you are used to back home, with dishes including salads, chicken, beef, pasta, cereals, sandwiches, and fresh fruit and vegetables! If you have any dietary requirements, please let us know in advance and suitable items will be bought for you.


Project Details

When Is The Best Time To Volunteer?

This project only runs from August to December each year as this is turtle season. Turtles start nesting at the beginning of August, with the eggs taking seven weeks to hatch. From then, hatching season begins around mid/late September, with the peak hatching season typically falling in October. December is usually the last time you are able to see turtles.

If you are looking to travel between January and May, you may want to take a look at The Great Turtle Project in Sri Lanka.

Getting There

You will need to arrive into San José International Airport (SJO) before 3pm on your project start date. You will be met at the airport and transferred by car to the project site.

If you are unable to book a flight that arrives by 3pm on your start date, we recommend arriving the day before and spending the night at a hotel close to the airport. You can then be met at your hotel the following morning and be transferred to the project site. A popular hotel choice is the Holiday Inn Express San José as it offers 24-hour transfers between the hotel and the airport. Please note that while your transfers are included in the price of the project, there will be an additional charge if you stay in the centre of San José/a hotel further away from the airport.

On your final day, your return transfer will arrive at San José Airport at 11am at the earliest, so please ensure your departure flight is booked for no earlier than 1pm.

Visa Requirements

Most nationalities, including British and American citizens, do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica and will be granted entry for up to 90 days on arrival. You will, however, need to provide evidence of onward travel plans such as a flight ticket or bus ticket exiting the country. As entry requirements can change, we recommend checking with your local embassy regarding visa requirements prior to your time of travel.

Fitness & Skills

During the project, you will take part in a number of long walks through the forest or across tricky terrain; therefore, a good level of fitness is recommended. Please be aware that the forest walks can be particularly treacherous, as the rains can make the ground and metal staircases rather slippery – be sure to bring along a pair of boots/shoes with good grip! No particular skills are required to take part - all we ask is that you have a passion for animal conservation and are willing to work as part of a team!

Vaccinations

There are no specific vaccination or medical requirements needed to join this project. The vaccinations required will depend on the individual medical history of each volunteer. We recommend that you consult with your doctor/GP regarding your own vaccination needs as this will ensure you are protected and prepared to travel. In conjunction with this, we also recommend that you take a look at the Fit for Travel website for more helpful information on how best to prepare for your experience.



Reviews

Ivan Shirshin, 2024
         

I have spent a bit more than a week at the program, which felt too short. The team running this initiative, experience of helping the turtle to lay eggs at night, safely moving those eggs to the hatchery and seeing how small turtles are born and actively push to get to the ocean - all of this memories will last for a lifetime! The feeling when you hold the small turtle in your hand (with protectice gloves, of course, to not damage it: -) ), just born out of the egg - this is simply invaluable. Additionally to turtle conservation related activities, we explored jungle to take data about the bats, collected and sorted the butterfly eggs in the butterfly garden, had a walk over the wild beach to account for the local birds, saw several monkeys during the day time, had iguana observe us from the top of the tree - the days were very packed with activities. Of course, I cannot forget the night beach patrols - while tiring, these are very important to prevent poachers getting to the turtle eggs. In the free time I had an opporunioty to visit Ochochal fall in local area, which is... I have spent a bit more than a week at the program, which felt too short. The team running this initiative, experience of helping the turtle to lay eggs at night, safely moving those eggs to the hatchery and seeing how small turtles are born and actively push to get to the ocean - all of this memories will last for a lifetime! The feeling when you hold the small turtle in your hand (with protectice gloves, of course, to not damage it: -) ), just born out of the egg - this is simply invaluable. Additionally to turtle conservation related activities, we explored jungle to take data about the bats, collected and sorted the butterfly eggs in the butterfly garden, had a walk over the wild beach to account for the local birds, saw several monkeys during the day time, had iguana observe us from the top of the tree - the days were very packed with activities. Of course, I cannot forget the night beach patrols - while tiring, these are very important to prevent poachers getting to the turtle eggs. In the free time I had an opporunioty to visit Ochochal fall in local area, which is great to relax in a cool water during a hot day. A bit further away is a Whale tale beach, which is great for nice pictures, for learning surfing and just for relaxing on a nice sand. I very recommend this program, it was very enjoyable both from experience, from being that close to nature and from the support and the welcome spirit from the team handling this turtle conservation site. (Show More)


Anna Nielsen, 2024
         

I loved working with the turtles and the people there are super nice. The only part that wasn’t ideal was the hatchery and how much pressure the 24/7 coverage of it costs for our schedules.


Nayankumar Mahendrabhai Patel, 2023
         

fun fun fun



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What's Included

  • Accommodation
  • Meals
  • Transfers to and from San José Airport or a hotel nearby (transfers from elsewhere in the city will be subject to an additional charge)
  • English-speaking project coordinator
  • Wi-Fi
  • Use of the on-site laundry facilities

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Visas
  • Travel Insurance