In brief
Venture out to Costa Rica to contribute to a planet-saving adventure that will take you right to the heart of Costa Rica, where you’ll complete vital turtle and beach conservation projects whilst learning to surf, speak Spanish, and experience an adrenaline filled Cloud Forest adventure.
The project work:
Plastic Ocean Projects
Having been introduced to the amazing beaches around Santa Teresa you’ll see that they need to be maintained to keep them clear of debris which cause harm to people and wildlife. You will help the community with beach clean ups, creating recycling collection points, and help at the recycling centre.
Turtle Conservation
Turtle conservation is a key part of this programme, and you will see the damaging affects the plastics have on the turtles and their nesting sites, especially along the high tide line, where lots of micro plastics get deposited.
During you time at Santa Teresa you will nip off to spend 4 days at a nearby turtle sanctuary to help protect the eggs and hatchlings of the Olive Ridley, Black Turtle, Hawksbill and Leatherback species, who visit these ‘semi-intensive’ nesting beaches at night to nest. Your jobs will include maintenance of the hatcheries, beach cleaning, night patrols and releasing baby turtles into the ocean.
The locations:
Santa Teresa:
Your main base will be at Jakera Camp, based in the lively, hip beach town of Santa Teresa, world famous for surf breaks across beaches so pristine, uncrowded, and seemingly endless that they are regularly listed in the ‘World’s 10 Best Beaches’.
Jakera Camp is a jungle paradise, overlooked by a rich tropical forest bursting with wildlife including capuchin and howler monkeys. You’ll love it.
After a day of surfing, brushing up on your Spanish, and volunteering, you’ll have time to explore the town which comes alive with funky surf shops, cafes, restaurants and nightspots for every taste and budget.
Samara Beach:
Welcome to Samara Beach, which is one of those cool local hangouts with a great surfing vibe.
What we have planned here is to stay beach side for 7 days, but within this time you will nip off for 3 days to live and work in the Bueno Vista Turtle Sanctuary. They can only take 12 at a time so you will split into two teams and head out back-to-back. Whilst you’re at the beach – you will have some down time combined with a yoga and surf class.
AVSO is one of Costa Rica’s main wildlife conservation NGOs. Their Bueno Vista base is also focused on the preservation of the Olive Ridley, Black Turtle, Hawksbill and Leatherback species. Typical jobs will involve the maintenance of infrastructure, beach cleaning, night patrols, collection of data and releasing baby turtles into the ocean.
Monteverde:
Your final phase will take you to the stunning and unique Cloud Forest – set on top of the spine of Costa Rica’s continental divide. It is a place of coffee plantations, monkeys, and stunning views. You’ll stay in the little town of Santa Elena, which is filled with hip little restaurants and artisan shops.
Due to its high altitude, 4,662 ft, Monteverde receives a steady supply of clouds and fog which catches on branches of the tallest trees and drips down to other organisms below. This helps to support the complex ecosystem that harbours over 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, tens of thousands of insect species, and over 2,500 varieties of plants.
Everyday there will be an activity to explore the Cloud Forest, usually in the morning, leaving the afternoon free for extra trips – such as the zip wire challenge, horse riding and bungee jumping.
