Dive into an unforgettable adventure along the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, a crucial nesting haven for leatherback, hawksbill, and green sea turtles. These majestic creatures face numerous threats, notably the illegal poaching of their precious eggs. Despite legal protections across Central and South America, the black market for sea turtle eggs thrives, putting the future of these species at risk.
Our partner leads the campaign against this illicit trade, educating communities and fighting to conserve these marine marvels. Without their intervention, the chances of survival for these turtles would be slim. Thanks to their efforts, hundreds of hatchlings safely return to the ocean each year.
Their Nesting Beach Initiative is situated in a secluded Caribbean coastal region, flanked by the ocean on one side and a canal on the other. Volunteers must conduct nighttime patrols along the beaches, monitoring recent nests or turtles laying eggs. Subsequently, these eggs are relocated to their hatchery for protection until hatching, ensuring the safe return of baby turtles to the ocean under their organization’s care.
As a volunteer, your experience will follow the turtles’ nesting season, engaging in diverse activities. Whether assisting in the collection of eggs as the female turtles visit the beach, caring for these eggs in the nursery, or witnessing the magical moment of hatchling release, every task plays a crucial role. Even daily chores—like raking and washing dishes—ensure the research station remains pristine and operates like a well-oiled machine.
Patrols along the beach are a nightly adventure, seeking out nesting turtles or fresh nests. You’ll work in teams, covering a 2.4-kilometre (1.5-mile) stretch of sandy beach in shifts, playing a critical part in securing the turtles’ future. Upon finding a nesting turtle, you’ll assist in measuring, tagging, and securing eggs for the hatchery, which are safeguarded until the hatchlings are ready to return to the sea.
The hatchery needs 24-hour protection, and volunteers will be involved in this work in 6-hour shifts. Play an active role in maintaining and protecting the nursery and, at certain times, release newly hatched turtles into the ocean.
Nestled just a stone’s throw from the beach, the same-gender shared cabins offer a cozy retreat for volunteers. Look forward to enjoying three home-cooked Costa Rican meals daily, with unlimited juice and coffee. The water, sourced from a clean well, is refreshingly pure. Powered by solar energy, the cabins encourage a digital detox, immersing you in natural beauty and serenity.
Do you have questions about safety? We have answers right here!
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We’ve got you covered every step of the way! Your volunteering journey includes:
Airport pick-up and drop-off at Puerto Jimenez Airport
Comfortable accommodation with a local family
All meals
Wifi
Volunteer uniform
Comprehensive pre-departure & on-site training
A donation to our Placement Partner
AEI Travel Manual brimming with key travel insights including packing list, currency information and in-depth placement description
Premium Individual Travel Insurance (up to USD 500,000 in emergency medical coverage)
24/7 emergency support throughout your placement
One tree planted for every volunteer to help offset carbon emissions and create more livable ecosystems for wildlife
Enrolment with the Global Travel Academy to earn a certificate in International Volunteering
Please note that flights, visa fees, immunizations, and personal expenses are not included.
This year-round program peaks from March to November, aligning with the leatherback turtle nesting season. Accommodation in San José is available for early arrivals at a minimal cost. Also, if you plan to raise funds for your trip, visit our fundraising page to help kickstart your campaign.
By joining this program, you connect with a committed network of biologists, conservationists, and educators dedicated to reversing the decline of critically endangered sea turtle populations. Their successful Nesting Beach project has led to the release of hundreds of hatchlings annually, preventing egg poaching entirely. They address various conservation challenges by engaging the local community and employing ex-poachers. Your support ensures the continuation of their ongoing efforts to safeguard sea turtle hatchlings as they journey to the ocean.
Embark on an enriching journey that blends cultural immersion in San José with exploration of the serene beauty along the Caribbean coast via Tortuguero canals. The project site is nestled in a tropical rainforest with diverse plant and animal life. Immerse yourself in nature and keep an eye out for sloths, howler monkeys, macaws, toucans, manatees, and freshwater dolphins—offering you a truly unique and unforgettable experience. The project promises adventure, offering ample downtime for relaxation, sports, and community interaction. Forge lasting connections with fellow volunteers while contributing to a noble cause.
B Corps are certified by the non-profit B Lab to meet rigorous social and environmental performance standards, accountability, and transparency. We have been a B Corp since 2013, and since then, we have always been in the top 10% of quantifiable benefits to the environment and the communities in which we operate.
We acknowledge the traditional and contemporary custodians of the land on which Animal Experience International’s Barrie office is located. These people are the Ho-de-no-sau-nee-ga (Haudenosaunee), Anishinabewaki ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ, Mississauga, and Wendake-Nionwentsïo People and we recognize their continuing connection to the land, waters, and culture. We pay our respect to their Elders, past, present, and emerging.
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