Family-Friendly Animal Rescue and Conservation

Join a family-friendly version of one of GoEco’s top-rated wildlife conservation programs! Enjoy a volunteer adventure in Costa Rica to help indigenous animals at a renowned wildlife center.

Program Highlights:

Gain hands-on experience in wildlife care and conservation
Work closely with indigenous Costa Rican wildlife such as sloths, parrots and monkeys
Ethical volunteering and wildlife interactions
Meet like-minded volunteers from around the world
Includes a tour of your choice to one of 3 popular Costa Rica Destinations (see travel highlights below)
Consider adding on our Spanish Cultural Immersion Course for a two week total itinerary (see travel highlights below)
One of GoEco’s top 10 choices for family volunteering abroad

Your schedule at a glance (minimum 1 week commitment).

Arrival day, Sunday: Arrive before 2pm and receive Airport pickup and transfer to the rescue center. Settle in your new home and meet the volunteers.
Monday: Volunteer orientation and first day of volunteering with the center.
Monday – Friday: Meaningful volunteer work at the rescue center
Saturday: Join an organized tour around Costa Rica included in your itinerary. Families have the option to choose one of the three tours outlined in the travel highlights below.
Sunday: Departure and transfer to the airport or continue with the program for optional additional weeks.

Location of the Project: In the Alajuela Canton, about a 45 minute drive from the Juan Santamaría International Airport.

Project length: Minimum 1 week

Arrival Airport: Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO)

Volunteer Work: Preparing food and caring for the animals, monitoring animals, cleaning cages and trails and general maintenance

Age: Children must be at least 6 years old.

Number of Volunteers: Up to 50 international volunteers at one time. 4 Private cabins for Families.

Important Note: Arrival and departure day is on a Sunday.

What’s Included

Accommodations: Families stay in private cabins with shared bathrooms available to book on the program. Each cabin will have the capacity for a family from 2-5 family members.

Food: 3 delicious and healthy meals per day prepared by our private chefs (we also cater to vegetarians, vegans, gluten-free diets and all allergies).

Airport Transfers: We provide airport transfers on both arrival & departure days.

Orientation: Families will receive a comprehensive orientation and program introduction both before arrival and upon reaching the site.

Support: Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team and designated family coordinator for your group.

What’s not Included

Flights, visas (if required), travel health insurance, and personal expenses.

Location

Costa Rica is one of the world’s most popular ecotourism destinations, because of its incredible biodiversity. It is estimated that Costa Rica may contain as much as 5% of the earth’s plant and animal species! Costa Rica translates to “rich coast” in Spanish for its diverse landscapes, which include rainforests, tropical and temperate forests, volcanoes, beaches, high mountains and marshy lowlands.

The Wildlife Rescue Center is in Alajuela on a 10 acre farm, just a short drive from the Juan Santamaría International Airport.

Volunteer Work

Costa Rica is a well-known destination for sustainable and nature tourism. Yet, its diverse wildlife is still under many threats. These include habitat loss because of development, electrocutions, dog and cat attacks, and illegal pet trading.

The Rescue Center is home to various species of birds, monkeys, macaws, parrots, opossums, porcupines, and many sloths. Animal enclosures include an aviary, sloth gardens and monkey cages that are surrounded by nature to provide the animals a stimulating habitat and well being.

As a volunteer, your family will help the local staff care for injured and orphaned animals living at the center. Their primary goal is to provide an ethical sanctuary for animals who can not be released back to the wild.

Your tasks may include:

Preparing food for over 100 animals.
Cleaning and upkeep of animal enclosures.
Feeding the animals
Building and implementing new animal toys (animal enrichment).
Washing utensils & cleaning the kitchen where food is prepared
Placing fresh water in the bird cages
Providing a caring environment for the animals and checking for injuries
Facility maintenance chores: repairing, cleaning, planting, installing, building, painting, reforesting, etc. Assisting the on-site vet when possible.
Taking part in educational community projects.
We encourage volunteers to advance their own individual projects. If you identify potential for a special project, we will work with you to transform your idea into action.

Daily volunteer schedule:

07:30 – Breakfast
08:45 – Morning meeting and allocation of volunteer task groups
12:00 – Lunch and free time
13:30 – Afternoon meeting and continuation of volunteer tasks
18:00 – Dinner, free time, and occasional fun night activities

Note: The schedule and tasks may vary depending on the number of volunteers and the tasks required.

Living Arrangements

Internet icon Internet: Wi-Fi is available

Laundry icon Laundry: Laundry service is available

Accommodations icon Accommodations: Families have 4 private cabins with shared bathroom facilities available to book on the program. Each cabin will have the capacity for a family from 2-5 family members.

Food icon Food: 3 delicious and healthy meals per day prepared by our private chefs (we also cater to vegetarians, vegans, gluten-free diets and all allergies).

Requirements

GoEco Interview
Minimum age of 6
Physically fit
Love and respect for animals
Flexible and open-minded to do all kinds of chores, depending on the project needs
Adaptability to the weather in Costa Rica (tropical climate – high temperatures and humidity during the rainy season)
All volunteers coming from South America or Africa must have a yellow fever vaccination certification in order to enter Costa Rica

Travel Highlights

Choose the tour to include with your program from these three options below (all suitable for children 6 or above):

1. Combo Tour (Doka Coffee-Poas Volcano-Waterfalls):
Embark on a thrilling adventure with our Combo Tour, perfect for volunteers seeking diverse experiences! Explore the majestic Poás Volcano National Park, marvel at the breathtaking La Paz Waterfall Gardens, and savor a delicious breakfast and lunch. Immerse yourself in the enchanting landscapes of Costa Rica, blending the rich flavors of Doka Coffee with the awe-inspiring beauty of waterfalls and volcanic vistas.

2. Authentic Rainforest Experience with Aerial Tram or Canopy:
Delve into the heart of Costa Rica’s rainforest on our Authentic Rainforest Experience tour, designed for volunteers seeking an immersive adventure. Enjoy a scenic boat ride on the Sarapiqui River, followed by a guided walk through lush greenery. Choose between an exhilarating Aerial Tram ride or a thrilling Zip Line Tour at the Rain Forest. Please note that this tour requires a minimum number of participants, ensuring a personalized and unforgettable rainforest exploration.

3. White Sand Beach Tour (Sun and White Sand Beach Tour – Punta Leona):
Escape to paradise with our White Sand Beach Tour, operating only on Mondays to Thursdays. Discover the pristine beauty of Punta Leona’s sun-kissed shores, complete with crystal-clear waters and golden sands. This tour includes entrance fees to Punta Leona, a delightful breakfast, and a satisfying lunch. Immerse yourself in the coastal bliss of Punta Leona, offering a perfect blend of relaxation and tropical splendor for all volunteers.

Spanish Immersion Week

Enrich your program experience by adding our Spanish Cultural Immersion Course! This week long itinerary allows your family to immerse themselves in the vibrant Costa Rican culture. Live with a local family in San Jose and engage in cultural activities alongside your private Spanish lessons throughout the week. See Dates & Fees to add this option for an extra fee.

Fee includes:

Airport pickup on Sunday
Orientation sessions to prepare for chosen volunteer project
Lodging with a host family in a private room
Breakfast and dinner
20 hours of Spanish lessons, 5 hours a day (Mon-Thu)
2-6 students per classroom with one instructor
Latin Dance and Costa Rican cooking classes
Spanish classes run from 9 to 12 noon, with one hour for lunch, and continue from 1 to 3 pm (total 5 hours a day, Mon-Thu).
Evenings and weekends are free to enjoy the city or travel in Costa Rica