Conservation Project

• Enjoy accommodations with a National Park
• Explore volcanoes, rainforests, beaches and more
• Gain real world conservation experience
• Volunteer abroad safely & affordably

Project Summary

Costa Rica is renowned for its environmental and conservation efforts, but in reality, there is simply not enough manpower to maintain the vast areas of conservation. Individual conservation efforts are the easiest and best way to contribute to these efforts. Work with conservation efforts on an organic farm or in rural tourism efforts. Continuation of environmental education efforts requires people as well. This volunteer experience is a great opportunity for anyone pursuing a career in environmental conservation.

Volunteer can also be placed directly in the national park system. These volunteers will maintain trails, educate visitors and more. There are many parks to choose from which include volcanoes, rainforests, beaches, archeological sites and more. Various locations are Poas, Braulio Carrillo, Carara, Manuel Antonio, Barva, Palo Verde, Santa Rosa and Guayabo.

Skills/Qualifications Needed

Beginner to intermediate knowledge of Spanish is preferred (but not mandatory). If you cannot speak Spanish, we suggest you enroll in our Spanish language course to make your stay more rewarding – both for you and for the children you are helping. National Parks volunteers must have biology, ecology or environmental studies to participate. Volunteers are expected to be reliable, flexible and patient.

Volunteer Responsibilities

A volunteer in the conservation project may work on the organic farm; maintain trails, or plant trees.

Accommodation/Food/Supervision

In Costa Rica, all volunteers stay with well-screened host families. Our host families are socially respected and are well versed in the art of hosting international volunteers. Host families offer a safe home, private rooms (occasionally rooms will be shared with other same-gender volunteers) and shared bathroom facilities with running hot water and a “western” style toilet. Volunteers have the ability to do laundry at the house or the host family may offer to do it for you for a nominal extra fee. You receive three prepared meals per day. If you will be out of the house during lunch hour, you can request a lunch "to go" that you can take with you or eat out on your own. Host families provide typical meals that are traditional to Costa Rica.

Throughout the volunteer project, our local staff stays in contact with volunteers either with face-to-face visits or via email/telephone. With longer placements, we visit our volunteers every two weeks (when possible) and volunteers are always welcome at the local office. If project placement is local, we request that volunteers stop by the office once a week to keep us posted on how they are doing with their home stay and project. If project placement is very far, then our local staff members maintain communication by either email and/or phone.