Volunteer in Costa Rica's National Parks & Nature Reserves

This project is a wonderful opportunity to work within some of the most beautiful National Parks in Costa Rica. You will be given the fortune of working in endangered habitats while learning about tropical conservation. Because ecotourism has skyrocketed in Costa Rica over the past few years, the locals work hard to keep these Parks and their natural resources beautiful. With your help in this project you are enabling these Parks to preserve their natural beauty.

Voluntary work in the national parks of Costa Rica help to solve the problem of a lack of resources and budget cutbacks that the Ministry of Environment has to face everyday. You will help support the development of the parks by doing a number of jobs which otherwise could not be completed.

Volunteering in a national park is a very fulfilling activity which enables personal growth from an intellectual, emotional an social cultural point of view. This project provides the space for you to share your knowledge and ideas with both the rangers of the parks and other volunteers from all over the world.

Your role as a volunteer

Your role as a volunteer in this project is to protect tropical forests within Costa Rica that are rich with diversity. Your daily tasks will include:

• Trail construction and maintenance
• Construction of bridges
• Cleaning and maintenance of the facilities
• Cleaning of beaches
• Support in research projects
• Collaboration with the environmental education program
• Attention of tourists
• Housekeeping and infrastructure maintenance
• Cooking or helping the cook

Program Schedule

The daily Schedule runs six days a week 8:00am - 3:00pm. Every volunteer has one day off per week, which is negotiable with the park's management.

Project Location

You will be able to choose several different locations to participate in this project including: Barra Honda, Palo Verde, Las pumas, Las Orquideas, Carara, Cabo Blanco, Playa Hermosa, Marino Ballena, Corcovado, Piedras Blancas, Volcan Tenorio, Volcan Arenal & Manuel Antonio. If you wish to volunteer at more than one location, then you must stay in each location for the minimum requirement of 2 weeks.

Project Requirements

Volunteers should be hard working and interested in preserving the environment. Some of the work involved may be quite physical. The work will be challenging, but volunteers have invariably found it stimulating and rewarding.

Spanish Level Required

There is no Spanish language requirement for this project so there is no Spanish language entitlement included with this project. Though you are not required to speak fluent Spanish we encourage you to learn and speak it. It facilitates communication with the local people staff members and ultimately leads to a more enjoyable experience.

Project Dress Code

You should bring clothes that you do not mind getting dirty. It is suggested that your clothes be made of lightweight materials that dry easily. Long sleeve shirts and pants are suggested as well if you are sensitive to sunlight, stings and bites.

Accommodation

Accommodations vary from well developed cabanas to more basic and rustic accommodation level. All accommodation types will include beds, bathroom, storage for belongings, potable water and electricity in most cases.

Meals

Meals are provided 3 times a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and consist of traditional Costa Rican cuisine such as rice, beans, basic grains, pastas, meats, vegetables and fruits.

Suggested resources to be brought to project

Mosquito net, rubber boots, working gloves, sun block, insect repellent, reusable water bottle, flash light, sleep sheet/lightweight sleeping bag and something to read.