Location
Talamanca Area, South Caribbean of Costa Rica, Gandoca and Cahuita Beach.
About the project
Volunteers are needed to help protect the magnificent leatherback, hawksbill and green sea turtles on the beaches of Southeast Caribbean of Costa Rica. Currently, all eight species of sea turtle world wide are recognized as 'endangered' by International Conservation Union (IUCN). The leatherback sea turtle, the largest of its kind (its carapax can measure up to 2 meters long), nests in Costa Rica and is severely threatened by human poachers and beach erosion resulting from human development. Before this project began, the poaching rate in Gandoca was over 95-99% but with the presence of volunteer night patrols and protected hatcheries on the beach, the survival rate has recently increased to over 90%. As a volunteer in this project you will take part in this crucial and exciting conservation effort. You will witness a true marvel of nature and meet interesting people from this region and participants from around the world.
Animals in focus
English name Scientific name
Leatherback sea turtle Dermochelys coriacea
Hawksbill sea turtle Eretmochelys imbricata
Green sea turtle Chelonia mydas
Project dates
Cahuita Beach
March 1st – November 31st (from March 1st to August 31st working with leatherbacks and from August 31st to November 31 working with greens and hawksbills).
Gandoca Beach
March 1st – July 31st (from March 1st to July 31st working with leatherbacks.)
Minimum stay
2 weeks. Volunteers that stay longer may combine work on a tropical farm. Please contact us for further information.
Minimum requirements
• Above 18
• Conversational English
• Strong motivation
• Keen interest in sea turtle conservation and the marine environment
• Endurance for physical work in tropical heat
• Suitable also for families
Volunteer tasks and contribution
The nesting season runs from the beginning of March through to the end of July each year. The peak nesting period for the turtles is April/May with the first hatchling turtles emerging from mid May through to the end of the season. The number of nesting adult female turtles arriving on the beach drops from June until the end of July.
During the nesting season you will take part in night patrols either from 8pm to 12 midnight or from 12 midnight to 4am. The shifts will be led by an experienced patrol leader and you will walk a sector of the 11 km beach searching for nesting females.
Once a turtle is encountered on a night patrol, the volunteers work directly with the turtle taking carapace and nest dimension measurements, collecting eggs and tagging the rear flipper of the turtle. The collected eggs are then relocated on the beach or taken to the hatchery where the volunteers on shift will build a new nest to specification and transplant the eggs .The number of eggs, nest location and turtle identification information (tag number) is then recorded by the hatchery attendant for further data analysis including hatchling survival rate.
The approximate incubation time for Leatherback Turtle eggs is 60 days, therefore midway through the season the duties of the hatchery attendants increase as the hatchlings begin to emerge. At this time, all nests in the hatcheries must be checked every 30 minutes and if hatchlings are encountered they must be counted and released in the evening to an appropriate location along the high tide line and watched until they reach the sea. Hatchlings are never released directly to the sea.
Other daytime work may involve beach cleanup and small projects including initial construction of the hatcheries.
Accommodation
As a volunteer in this project you can choose from the following accommodation options:
Option A: Stay at the main research station with other volunteers and project staff. Includes: shared room, bed, electricity, clean drinking water, washing and toilet facilities and food.
Option B: Stay with a local family (home stay). Includes: shared room, bed, electricity, clean drinking water, washing and toilet facilities and cooked family meals.
Option C: Stay in a locally run cabin for 2-3 people. Includes: beds, electricity, clean drinking water, washing and toilet facilities and food.
Option D: Stay at the project campsite. Includes: covered campsite, cooking stove with basic dishes to cook, covered cooking and eating area, drinking water (from well), basic toilet and washing facilities. Tents can be rented. Food not included (will be purchased individually).
Not just work...
As a volunteer in this project you will have the opportunity to explore and enjoy the beautiful region of Talamanca, rich in cultural and natural diversity. Swimming and snorkeling can always be enjoyed at the beach - some places still sustain a healthy coral reef system. Telephone and internet access is readily available and there are horses for rent, bikes and snorkeling tours. You can also take a bus trip, with other participants, to the nearby beach town of Puerto Viejo, which boasts great beaches, surf and nightlife.
Cost (per person)
| 2 weeks |
$570 |
| 3 weeks |
$690 |
| 4 weeks |
$810 |
| Each additional night |
$17 |
Price includes
GoEco's administration fee
$35 Inscription fee
Accommodation
Food (except camping)
Training and supervision
Initial orientation in San Jose (help changing money, calling home, etc)
E-mail, phone, and kitchen access in San Jose
You should take in to account
Flights to Costa Rica
Transfer from the airport to the organization's office- $30 before 10PM, $35 after
A night at the organization's office (when arriving late)- $10 a night
Travel insurance
Transport from San Jose to the project (roundtrip around $38)
Airport tax when leaving Costa Rica (around $28)
Personal expenses (e.g. drinks, bar, telephone etc…)
How do I register?
Stage 1: If you would like to join this project, please complete the application form and submit it to GoEco.
Stage 2: Once we receive your application form, GoEco will evaluate your suitability for the project that you have chosen. At the same time, we will check availability of dates. (When completing your registration form, it is advisable to indicate a second and third choice in case your first choice is fully booked or the dates wanted are not available). Once GoEco receives confirmation of your acceptance to the project, we will notify you immediately by e-mail.
Stage 3: Once you have been accepted on a project and we have answered any additional queries that you may have, you will be asked to send a deposit of €190 / $295 in order to reserve your place within 7 days. This deposit is non-refundable.
Stage 4: After receiving your deposit, GoEco will send you a Disclaimer Form and a Declaration form as well as a file containing all the relevant information about the project, including recommended ways to reach the site. You should return the two forms, duly signed, by mail to our office. Only upon the receipt of these forms, will we be able to complete the registration process.
Stage 5: The balance of the project fee must be paid to the project manager upon arrival.
General note: It is important for you to know that during the registration process and the duration of the project, the GoEco team is always on hand to answer your questions and offer any assistance needed.
