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Fantastic 4.50rating (105)

Save Turtles and Sloths

location
2 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 17 - 50+
Verified

Highlights

  • Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of marine turtles and sloths.
  • Learn about their unique behaviors, habitats, and conservation efforts.
  • Escape the complexities of modern life and rediscover simplicity.

Highlights

  • Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of marine turtles and sloths.
  • Learn about their unique behaviors, habitats, and conservation efforts.
  • Escape the complexities of modern life and rediscover simplicity.
  • Indulge in the pura vida lifestyle, known for its relaxed and joyful approach to life.
  • Make memories that will forever hold a special place in your heart.

  • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 17+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups

    About the program

    Patrol along a wonderful beach and help to guard the nests of endangered marine turtles. You will also help monitor sloths in their natural habitat.

    About the Program

    On breathtaking beaches you and other volunteers protect turtles that are in danger of extinction. 

    Volunteers play a crucial role in conservation efforts!

    The Location

    This program is located in the central Pacific coast, south of Quepos and north of Dominical, and it is right in the ...

    About the program

    About the Program

    On breathtaking beaches you and other volunteers protect turtles that are in danger of extinction. 

    Volunteers play a crucial role in conservation efforts!

    The Location

    This program is located in the central Pacific coast, south of Quepos and north of Dominical, and it is right in the tiny village of Mata Palo. The beach – dark sand – is about 10 km long and 6 kilometers are patrolled by the volunteers of this camp to find mainly with Olive Ridley turtles and sometimes Green Sea turtles and some Hawksbill turtles. Compared to other turtle programs you will have some infrastructure here – a little supermarket, a little restaurant and there is a school that we plan to cooperate with. The coastline in this area is stunning and also very suitable for surfing. There is a surfschool right beneath the project.

    And - help us to protect the most emblematic animal from Costa Rica: sloths!

    Your help to care for the many animals with wounds or baby orphans you will find during monitoring. We rescue and provide first aid to take them to the rescue center located a few km from our camp, giving these creatures another chance at life. All procedures are carried out with a professional in biology who carries all the monitoring information, which helps us act in favor of these beautiful animals. You will learn a lot about them, as well as about many other animals around our beautiful beach, while we help preserve its kind. 

    You should be prepared for very simple living conditions and for sometimes physically demanding work at unusual hours as most of the turtle nesting occurs at night. If you love outdoor life ... you will see that every single turtle is worth it!

    Our Volunteers

    Our Volunteers should have a love for nature and fun with outdoor-living. They should be prepared for sometimes physically demanding work and work at unusual hours as most of the turtle nesting occurs at night. The volunteers should bring a sleeping bag, repellent, mosquito net, flashlight, batteries, rain protection (May - November), sun protection and a hat or cap.



    Typical day

    Your Tasks

    You will be working between 4-6 hours every day - one day free per week

    Typical tasks can include:

    • Patrol walks on the beach, mainly at night
    • Find turtles and their nests
    • Collecting data on the turtles
    • Protect the eggs in safe breeding grounds (viveros)
    • Freeing new born turtle babies 
    • Nest ...

    Typical day

    Your Tasks

    You will be working between 4-6 hours every day - one day free per week

    Typical tasks can include:

    • Patrol walks on the beach, mainly at night
    • Find turtles and their nests
    • Collecting data on the turtles
    • Protect the eggs in safe breeding grounds (viveros)
    • Freeing new born turtle babies 
    • Nest exhumations
    • Your help is very welcome to construct and beautify the camp
    • Data collection in contact with our biologist who will train you in field work with sloths


    Free-time activities

    Your camp is not far away from Quepos and Manuel Antonio National Park. For longer trips you should save your free days and make a journey at the end of your project time. There are:

    • amazing volcanos to visit
    • more National Parks like Monteverde, Rincón de la Vieja, and others. 
    • canopy or kayaking or ...

    Free-time activities

    Your camp is not far away from Quepos and Manuel Antonio National Park. For longer trips you should save your free days and make a journey at the end of your project time. There are:

    • amazing volcanos to visit
    • more National Parks like Monteverde, Rincón de la Vieja, and others. 
    • canopy or kayaking or rafting or tree climbing tours

    ... so much to do and see in Costa Rica! :-)


    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)

    Required Documents

    Copy of health insurance (valid in Costa Rica)

    Nationality Restrictions

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

    Other Skills

    If you are 17 years old, then you have to bring the written allowance of your parents - we provide a form for this!

    Time Commitment

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

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    Program fees include: 

    • accommodation
    • three meals per day

    We organize the journey to the project and we also do hostel reservations in San José if needed (mostly it is needed!) - and, if you will combine projects, we will also organize the transportation between the projects. 

    You will have to pay the cost for the pickup and the transport.

    Airport Pickup at Juan Santamaria International Airport

    You will be picked up at the airport by our driver with a sign with your name and you will directly get in contact with your German, English, Spanish speaking coordinator via phone. 

    The driver will drive you to the reserved hostel (if necessary), give you the bus ticket (he will buy a ticket in advance to reserve you a seat in the bus), pick you up at the hostel the day of your journey to the project and bring you to the bus. 

    The cost will be around 70 US$ plus the hostel night (13-15 US$ (dorm) and 40 US$ (single/double room).
    You will be picked up from the bus by a taxi (ordered from the camp) waiting for you to bring you to the project.

    Accommodation

    You will be living with other volunteers in a volunteer house. See pictures.

    Food & Beverages

    Your food - breakfast, lunch, dinner - will be prepared in the camp and consists of the typical costarican cuisine: rice, beans, vegetables, meat and fruit.

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site
    You don't have to pay anything yet

    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

    This program is available from June until January/February. 

    It starts every Monday

    Please arrive at least one day before the programs starts.

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

    Program Fees

    $391 per week 2 - 12 weeks Age 17 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    2 - 12 weeks

    Deposit

    Reserve your spot with just a few clicks and a small, secure deposit. You can pay by credit card, PayPal, or other convenient methods.


    Final Payment

    You’ll agree on the final payment method with your local organization during the application process. This final payment is only due closer to the start of your trip.

    You don't have to pay anything yet
    4.5
    Top Pick
    One of the top picks on Volunteer World, according to travelers
    2022
    It really was an unforgettable time, lots fun and I met many nice people there. What we experienced while working was incredibly interesting ...
    2022
    I joined the turtles and sloths project in Matapalo through First Hand, it was an amazing experience overall. I have been at the project ...
    Hana Horvathova

    Save Turtles and Sloths

    2025
    Volunteering with this coastal conservation program was nothing short of transformative. The opportunity to live immersed in nature—waking ...
    Syed Aown Rizwana

    Save Turtles and Sloths

    2024
    Die 2 Wochen waren wirklich sehr schön! Die Schildkröten sind so süß und es richtig spannend das alles so mitzuerleben! Was meine 2 ...

    Location


    Meet your project coordinator

    Sofia
    105
    reviews
    4.50
    Fantastic
    2006
    Founded

    Verified

      Very high response rate
    Spoken languages: English, Spanish, French, German
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    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

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