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United States
It didn't work for me. It's an opportunity to meet great people, learn something about the shelter conservation, tour the area and the rest of this beautiful country, but even thought I was expecting very basic lodging, there's very little to no comfort at all. It's really austere, it's hard work, nothing is provided, you pay for your own groceries in a U.S cost of living. Transportation is not always provided. You should shake your bed sheets, clothing and shoes on a daily basis. Expect scorpions, spiders, and other large size bugs as part of the daily, that was my bottom line.
9 months ago
Sorry that some aspects did not meet your expectations. Our project takes place at a field biology station, so the facilities are simple and located in the middle of the tropical forest. For that reason, the presence of insects, spiders and other wildlife is part of CR's natural environment. We greatly appreciate your feedback, as it helps us continue to improve and communicate more clearly what people who decide to live this experience can expect.
United Kingdom
I spent six weeks volunteering with MRN, gaining hands-on experience in conservation and animal care, including tree planting and animal husbandry. The staff were very welcoming and passionate, and it was great working with like-minded volunteers, with cookouts and shared dinners helping create a strong community. The accommodation was very basic and not always the cleanest, but being in the jungle meant we were surrounded by beautiful nature. Some days were hard work, especially over Christmas with fewer volunteers, but overall the experience was rewarding and I would HIGHLY recommend MRN.
10 months ago
We're delighted that you enjoyed the hands-on conservation work, our team, and the sense of community with the other volunteers. We also appreciate your honest feedback, as it helps us continue improving.
Thank you for your dedication and for recommending MRN. We wish you all the best and hope to see you again someday!
United States
I absolutely loved my experience at MRN. Punta Islita is a beautiful place and the staff and volunteers at MRN are all amazing to work with. I was a little nervous about having zero background in biology, but it was not necessary, and I learned a lot about parrot care and pre-release training along the way. My month here was such a fulfilling way to experience travel.
11 months ago
Thank you so much for your kind words!
We're thrilled to hear that you had such a positive experience and that you felt comfortable joining us, even without a biology background. It was a pleasure having you as part of our team, and we're so glad you enjoyed learning about parrot care and pre-release training.
Thank you for being part of our mission, and we hope to welcome you back someday!
Canada
Amy and Nisha were such wonderful hosts. It's amazing to learn from people who care so much about the macaws. This is an incredible experience for anyone who wants to enter the conservation world and get real hands on experience.
about 1 year ago
Thank you so much for your wonderful review!
We're so happy to hear you had a great experience and enjoyed learning from our team. It means a lot to know you found the experience valuable, and we're grateful you chose to be part of our conservation mission.
We wish you all the best on your conservation journey and hope to see you again someday!
United States
This was a truly meaningful community experience. Everyone came together to learn from one another and work tirelessly in support of the mission. The birds received exceptional care from an incredibly dedicated team of staff and volunteers.
about 1 year ago
Thank you Ehuniz, you have been an extraordinary volunteer; when you return to Costa Rica, please don't forget to visit us :)
United States
My month volunteering at MRN was genuinely one of the best of my life. I made friends that became like family to me, and I will never forget the time I spent with them. Getting to work with the birds and see their individual personalities was amazing and such a fulfilling experience! The staff is wonderful and so accommodating. They were very professional during unexpected situations. I could not have imagined a better experience for myself, and I would absolutely recommend MRN to anyone! I will miss this place and these people so dearly. Thank you for everything!
about 1 year ago
Hi Lydia, thank you for sharing your experience. You have been an exceptional volunteer. We hope you can return; we would be very happy.
United Kingdom
I was picked up by bird manger, Amy who straight away made me feel welcome and part of the team. Over my experience I learnt a lot about the birds and really connected with the team who were there during work time and free time to do to the beach, bar, football, family dinners and more. There was a period of time I wasn't feeling well and I got so much support from the team. It was great to know that these people truly care about you and you're not just volunteers, but friends. Overall my experience was definitely better than I ever imagined and now I'm leaving with 100 unique memories.
about 1 year ago
Thank you, Ella. We are incredibly happy that your experience with our organization has been satisfactory. You can visit us anytime you like; thank you for all the wonderful work you did.
United States
Our experience at MRN was amazing. The staff and other volunteers as soon as we arrived were incredibly welcoming and kind. The facility Is lovely all of the aviary's are amazing. The housing really feels like home once you are settled in. The managers are incredibly accommodating and will help with anything you need. They are super nice to work for and make the experience even better. The work is a lot some days but very fun, engaging and rewarding to see the birds thrive. Working with macaws is a dream I never thought was attainable I'm so beyond grateful for the experience. We Love MRN!!
about 1 year ago
Turkey
I will forever cherish the month I spent at MRN. It was an incredible experience and I had the best time. I met a bunch of awesome people and had a blast working with those amazing birds. The staff is amazing, the site is amazing and I was lucky enough to be there with a bunch of lovely volunteers who made every day a lot more fun then I imagined. Living in the jungle is definitely is not a 5 star hotel experience but it is such a surreal experience to be surrounded with everything the jungle has to offer. I would do this again in a heartbeat and would absolutely recommend it to everyone
about 1 year ago
Derin, your work at MRN was exceptional; we hope you can return soon. Thank you for all your effort and dedication.
United Kingdom
What a wonderful place to work at... Great leadership, fantastic volunteers, and the macaws are naughty but so cute. I have a new appreciation for those beautiful creatures. Not to mention the amazing location that MRN is situated in. Punta Islita will always have a special place in my heart. Another life changing experience with Worldpackers...
over 1 year ago
Thank you very much for your kind words!
We are deeply glad to hear that your experience in Punta Islita was so meaningful. MRN is fortunate to have committed people, a privileged natural setting, and, of course, macaws that never fail to steal everyone's heart.
We wish you many more transformative trips and you will always be welcome back at MRN!
