Programme Details
The aim of the project is to help protect and preserve a few natural nesting sites that do not hold an official category of protection from the Costa Rican Government. Four different species of sea turtles frequent the Pacific coast of Costa Rica - Lora (olive ridley), Negra (green turtle), Carey (hasbith) and Baula (leatherback turtle).
These species are in danger of extinction as a result of various human activities such as infrastructure development, light pollution, transportation of vehicles and the capture of adult males and female turtles. This means it is increasingly important to help conserve nesting sites crucial to the continued existence of the turtles.
Volunteer Activities and Objectives
During your time as a volunteer you will undertake various activities such as those listed. These activities may depend on the beach you are located at:
- Helping to construct a hatchery
- Describing the nesting dynamics of the female sea turtles that arrive to the beach enabling their protection for the next season
- Protecting and closely monitoring the recovered nests in the hatchery
- Patrolling the beach to look for sea turtles and their nests either during the day or the night, taking turns of two or four hours. During the high season, the patrols could last longer, up to four or five hours.
- Moving nests to the hatchery
- Marking turtles that are nesting, trying to build a nest or returning to the ocean
- Searching for marked turtles and gathering data
- Collecting the eggs you find on the beach, and taking them directly to the hatchery ('vivero') for their protection
- Collecting information on the whole process by monitoring the hatchery and keeping track of every event
- Release neonatos (little sea turtles) from the hatchery, taking them to the beach and into the ocean
- Helping with the maintenance of the facilities of the project (the shelter), and being in charge of keeping the beach clean (during the day)
- Planting trees in different areas of the beach and town
- Helping to extract and pack the eggs that are sold lawfully (only 1% of all the eggs laid)
- You will be assigned to one of two locations. If you are travelling with a friend don’t forget to let us know so that we can ensure you will be based at the same location.
Surf Lessons
At both of the locations you will have the chance either to practice the sport or learn it while volunteering in the programme. For the first week you will have a two-hour lesson per day for four days (one hour of instruction and one hour follow up.) The second week you will have a two-hour practice every day with the instructors. Classes take place in the morning between 8am and 10am. The schedule is flexible due to the tides, weather and the arrivadas - the large numbers of turtles arriving at the beach - on these occasions you will go to another beach to surf.
Please Note: There is a time limit for surfing each day, which coincides with the work of your project. You will need to be flexible according to the daily demands of the programme.
What’s Included in the Programme
- Co-ordination from the language school
- Accommodation in the camp
- All meals during project (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Transfer to project location
- Surf lessons
- 24-hour emergency support number
What’s Not Included in the Programme
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Meals in San Jose
- Alcoholic beverages
- Personal expenditure
Prices and Durations
Costa Rica Turtle And Surf - 2 weeks $1,359
Costa Rica Turtle And Surf - 4 weeks $2,159
Our Real Gap Tip: Get the most out of your trip by combining this programme with a Spanish language course!
Costa Rica Turtle And Surf (2 weeks) + Language (2 weeks) $2,249
Costa Rica Turtle And Surf (2 weeks) + Language (4 weeks) $3,019
Costa Rica Turtle And Surf (2 weeks) + Language (6 weeks) $3,819
Costa Rica Turtle And Surf (4 weeks) + Language (2 weeks) $3,019
Costa Rica Turtle And Surf (4 weeks) + Language (4 weeks) $3,819
