The project
Join a hands-on conservation project in Tortuguero, Costa Rica, focused on protecting sea turtles and their natural habitat. Your days will be active and varied, giving you a real insight into wildlife protection and environmental work. Tasks include:
Protecting the flora and fauna of the jungle and monitoring sea turtle nesting on Tortuguero beach.
Participating in day and night patrols with the National Park and other organisations to track turtles and gather data.
Assisting with the safety of eggs and hatchlings during guided walks.
Supporting park rangers on boat or ATV rides within the wildlife refuge.
Educating tourists on how to interact with hatchlings safely.
Maintaining and repairing trails and project infrastructure.
Cleaning the beach and surrounding areas of the town.
Collecting seeds for the greenhouse project and assisting with reforestation to reduce light pollution for turtles.
Supporting community projects, including school workshops, festivals, and environmental education activities.
Night patrols occur 3–5 nights per week, 3–6 hours depending on the season.
Accommodation & food
Volunteers live close to the beach in simple shared accommodation:
Rooms are shared with other volunteers, but each person has their own bed.
Accommodation is basic, not a hotel, and designed to immerse you in the natural surroundings.
Meals and daily living tasks are organised collectively with support from project leaders.
Location & leisure
Tortuguero is a small Caribbean village, accessible only by boat or plane, surrounded by rainforest and canals:
Known as “Central America’s Amazon” for its canals and rich biodiversity.
Perfect for spotting tropical birds, monkeys, iguanas, and other wildlife.
Free time allows for exploration of the village and nearby natural areas.
Project host
The ASVO Tortuguero Sea Turtle Program is a scientific conservation initiative aimed at increasing survival rates for sea turtles:
Focused on Olive Ridley, Leatherback, Green, Black, Loggerhead, and Hawksbill turtles, depending on season.
Works closely with the National Park to collect data, maintain infrastructure, and protect the local environment.
Volunteers contribute directly to community projects and habitat restoration.
Interested?
Thinking about joining this project but not sure if it’s right for you? Or maybe a parent looking for more details?
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