Become involved in every aspect of sea turtle conservation on the pristine beaches of Costa Rica! As a volunteer in our Pacific location, you may experience the natural phenomenon of the arribadas. During this monthly event, thousands of olive ridley sea turtles emerge from the ocean over a short period to nest on the beach. During peak months from July to November, you may witness over 300,000 sea turtles nesting during each arribada.
Program Highlights:
Your Schedule at a Glance – minimum two weeks commitment (itinerary subject to change):
Arrival Day, Sunday before noon: Arrive at Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO). A representative will transfer you to your new host family, followed by an orientation meeting about safety, traveling, and volunteering in Costa Rica.
Monday – Friday: After receiving specific travel directions, you will transfer by bus to the sea turtle project and settle in your new home (bus tickets paid locally with the help of project coordinator). On-site orientation is on a Monday or Tuesday, followed by meaningful volunteer work at the sea turtle project through-out the week.
Saturday-Sunday: Weekends are usually off. However, if an arribabda coincides with the weekend, then your days off will switch. Transfer back to San Jose is on your last Saturday at the program. You will spend one night in San Jose with our host family, and on Sunday, catch your flight home.
We highly recommend!
Join our Spanish language immersion week before you volunteer. Stay with a local family and gain essential Spanish skills to interact with staff and other volunteers. See “Travel Highlights” below for more details. Planning to come for one month or more? Combine this project with our Animal Rescue and Conservation program, for a diverse wildlife experience. We will assist with the transfers.
What’s Included
What’s not Included
One of the most popular eco-tourism destinations is Costa Rica. The country contains 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 volunteer program is located on the Nicoya Peninsula, in the cantons of Santa Cruz and Nicoya, approximately 360km from San Jose.
Costa Rica is the ultimate place to volunteer for sea turtles. Five out of the seven species of sea turtles on earth make their nests on the tropical beaches of Costa Rica. Sea turtles have existed for over 150 million years on our planet. Yet, their populations have decreased over the past century, because of egg poaching, costal development, plastic pollution and other human related causes. Pristine beaches are essential for sea turtles to lay their eggs and survive for future generations. We need volunteers to help dedicated local staff safeguard and research this cycle of life. GoEco works with an excellent sea turtle project on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica.
Ostional Beach, Nicoya Peninsula (Pacific Coast)
This wildlife and marine refuge is where the natural phenomenon of the arribadas occurs. The direct translation means “arrival by sea” and it refers to the synchronised, large scale nesting of olive ridley sea turtles. This event happens roughly once a month over a 4 to 10-day period. Thousands of sea turtles emerge from the sea to dig nests and lay their eggs. In peak months from May to November, you can witness an average of 200,000 sea turtles during each arribada. The science behind it is still being researched. From November to March, green and leatherback sea turtles also nest here in small numbers and volunteers move their nests to a protected hatchery.
Volunteer tasks may include:
A typical day: Breakfast is at 7:00 AM. From 8:00 AM until 12:00 PM, you’ll assist with a variety of chores at the hatchery or on the beach. After a break for lunch, afternoon chores begin at 2:00 PM. These assignments will depend on project needs and weather. Dinner is at 6:00 PM. If you’re assigned to night patrol (8:00 PM until 5:00 AM) you’ll help search for turtles and their nests and gather eggs to bring to the hatchery. You’ll have one free day per week to relax on-site.
Internship option: For an extra fee, qualified volunteers can join this program as an intern. To ensure a valuable experience, interns must join this internship for a minimum of four weeks (we recommend two to six months). An intermediate level of Spanish is required. Please contact us to discuss this option.
Alternative Placements: This volunteer program fills up quickly! In case your requested date is full, we can also place you with excellent Sea Turtle conservation programs on Montezuma Beach, Romelia Wildlife Refuge or the Caribbean Coast.
Please note the project’s minimum requirements:
Spanish Immersion Week
Join our Spanish language immersion week before you volunteer. Live with a local family and gain essential Spanish skills to interact with staff and other volunteers.
Extra fee: US$480 for one week, this includes:
Tour options
We recommend traveling around Costa Rica before or after your volunteer placement. You can either explore the country on your own or simply join a tour. Here are a few popular options that you can book with us in advance:
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