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Walk on night patrols and experience the unforgettable moment of encountering a sea turtle nesting in the darkness, listening to its every movement in the sand. Wake up to the excitement of releasing hundreds of hatchlings into the ocean and participate in real conservation research by excavating nests. A unique and authentic experience in a wild and uncrowded paradise, next to Corcovado, where conservation comes to life.
Ig: @naturaviva_project
20 hours of help per week
Cleaning: Help clean the kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms and common areas.
Animal Care: Help look after and take care of animals.
Farming: Plant crops, sow seeds and help in outside tasks.
Gardening: Help grow plants and cultivate gardens
Amount: US$ 30 Per day
Fee pays for: Benefits for travelers, Materials for volunteer activities, and Donation to project
Description: Volunteers will contribute $30 per night for meals, maintenance, cleaning, and the electric generator.
2 days off per week
Shared Dorm: You will have a bed in a shared room, which means you will share the same room with other travelers.
Breakfast: You are entitled to a free breakfast, every day of your stay.
Lunch: You are entitled to a free lunch, every day of your stay.
Dinner: You are entitled to a free dinner, every day of your stay.
Discounts on Tours: Get discounts for tours and excursions around town.
Free Hiking Tours: We’ll take you on excursions and hikes around town. For free!
Permaculture Course: Take part in our Permaculture course for free.
Certificate: Get a certificate of completion after you finish your experience.
Fast Internet Access: High-speed internet for you to work remotely
Dedicated Workspace: Specific space for you to work remotely
Beginner English or Beginner Spanish
Over 18 years old
Welcomes solo volunteers, couples, and partners of volunteers
Travel insurance
Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa
In our volunteer program, you'll experience working with sea turtles, exploring hidden places, and encountering wildlife every day. You'll have the opportunity to see it up close during wildlife monitoring, contribute to the environment by participating in coastal monitoring, and learn regenerative agriculture techniques in our garden. We have degrees in marine biology, so during your stay, we offer talks on birdwatching, sea turtle biology, and permaculture. You'll also learn to make coconut cheese and seed bombs in workshops, and enjoy tasting tropical fruits.
In our volunteer program, you'll be part of conservation. The data we collect while monitoring birds, wildlife, and sea turtles is shared with environmental institutions in Costa Rica and contributes to improving our understanding and protection of local ecosystems. Every observation, every record, and every effort made by volunteers helps generate valuable information for conservation. Your work will have a real purpose and an impact that extends far beyond your time with us.
We follow the rhythms of nature, so volunteering varies slightly depending on the season you visit. From July to January, we focus more on the sea turtle program, whose activities we carry out more frequently. From February to June, the wildlife monitoring program takes center stage. However, all activities are ongoing throughout the year; only the emphasis on each program shifts.
You can find more information on our website: https://www.naturavivaproject.com/
You can see our day-to-day life on Instagram: @naturaviva_project
From July to January:
In the Turtle Program, weekly night patrols are conducted throughout the season (July-November). Patrols typically take place between 8:00 PM and midnight. From September to January, the turtle hatchling release and exhumation season begins, where you will have the opportunity to participate in turtle biology research through exhumations.
Regarding the Wildlife Monitoring Program, you will discover hidden places, away from the tourist crowds, where you will have the opportunity for direct and close encounters with a wide variety of animals that inhabit the area. During these encounters, you will learn about bird behavior, how to identify them, collect and study data, and plant native plants that birds use for food or shelter.
Coastal monitoring consists of weekly beach cleanups, during which the collected debris is analyzed, and sea level rise and sand erosion are studied.
In regenerative agriculture, you will learn how to make compost, use regenerative techniques, and prepare organic fertilizers for soil care, which you can then incorporate into your plant care routine at home.
From February to June:
The number of turtles arriving on the coast decreases to one or two per month. Therefore, we only conduct daytime walks on the beach to look for turtle tracks or activity. Additionally, during this time, signs are posted about the nesting season, and we help replace the sand in the hatchery.
Regarding the wildlife monitoring program, it becomes more prominent during this season, so we conduct more outings. It is also migration season, giving us the opportunity to observe a diversity of species and experience the excitement of discovering new ones on each monitoring trip.
Coastal monitoring and permaculture activities take place year-round.
It is essential to bring dark clothing, a flashlight with red light, and binoculars.
During your stay, you'll have the opportunity to participate in all the project's activities, combining learning, adventure, and conservation in an authentic and enriching experience. You'll live in a unique natural environment, far from mass tourism, where you can truly connect with nature and the local culture. You'll also share daily life with a Costa Rican family and meet volunteers from around the world, forging friendships, exchanging experiences, and becoming part of an international community united by its passion for nature and conservation.
