Volunteering in Costa Rica

I will be volunteering in Costa Rica for three weeks.
The first two in Turtle Conservation and the last in Healthcare.

Turtle Conservation volunteers work alongside a Costa Rican biologist to assist with sea turtle studies and protection work and help with sustainable egg protection programs. Volunteers live in one of four beach locations around Costa Rica and work day and night shifts. Living conditions are basic and volunteers must come prepared to work hard. Volunteer roles vary according to the time of year, but general work includes beach patrols, building hatcheries to protect eggs from predators, beach cleaning, counting and tagging sea turtles, locating nesting females, and collecting eggs.

The healthcare system in Costa Rica is relatively well developed, however the placements we work with always appreciate the extra assistance that volunteers provide through supporting local nurses, doctors and care-givers. Volunteers on the Healthcare project work with a range of local institutions, including nursing homes, clinics for disabled children, ambulance services, and HIV/AIDS assisted living homes.