Tell me more about Costa Rica
Costa Rica is known as Central America's jewel. It is a country of four million people, renowned for its diverse natural beauty; rainforests, volcanoes, beaches and lagoons. Amidst the political instability of many nations in Latin America, Costa Rica has a thriving democracy and Costa Ricans promote peace and freedom of speech.
Tell me more about the partner organisation?
Our partner in Costa Rica is a local organisation with much experience of organizing volunteer programs in Latin America. Their office is in San Jose, the Capital.
Are there holidays or festivals I should be aware of when traveling?
The country just about closes down during Semana Santa (Easter Week) and the week between Christmas and New Year's Day tends to be an unofficial holiday, especially in San José. Various towns celebrate their own saints' days, like San José's Day (Saint Joseph's Day) is March 19, while Virgin of Los Angeles Day (the patron saint of Costa Rica) is August 2. Juan Santamaría's Day on April 11 celebrates the national hero who helped see off William Walker in 1856, and Dia de la Raza (Columbus Day) on October 12, as elsewhere in the Americas, is a national holiday.
What age do you have to be to volunteer in this program?
To be a volunteer on the Costa Rica program with GVN you need to be 18 years old, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
What kind of volunteer work is available?
Volunteers will work in turtle reserves located on Costa Rica's Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Activities include beach patrolling, clearing the beach of obstacles, preparing nests, relocation of nests, handling eggs, helping to release baby turtles in season, counting and recording eggs, taking temperatures in nests, repairing protection around nests, and recording the number of turtles arriving. Volunteers will work night and day on a rota basis. Volunteers staying more than 4 weeks may split their time between 2 or more projects and take part in other conservation activities, including working in eco-cooperatives and national parks.
When will I know specific details on the placement?
After you pay your application fee, you'll be put in touch with our partner and will be sent the infopack with more details about the program.
Tell me more about the non-turtle projects.
If you are volunteering for more than 4 weeks our partner in Costa Rica will offer you the opportunity to share your time between the turtle program and another non-turtle conservation project. If you are going for 4 weeks only but would like to attend 2 projects, a surcharge of $100 can be applied to the in-country fee to cover this option. You will also have to cover the cost of transportation between sites (usually no more than US$30).
National Parks
(a) Besides the spectacular beaches, Manuel Antonio National Park offers several kilometres of well maintained trails offering easy access to the lowland rainforest. Logging and agriculture have left only two significant areas of tropical rainforest (tropical lowland wet forest) along the entire Pacific coast of Central America. Corcovado protects one on the Osa Peninsula, and Manuel Antonio protects the other. The park is located just south of Quepos on the Pacific Coast, 132 km from San José.
(b) Cahuita National Park is located on Costa Rica's southern Caribbean Coast in the canton of Talamanca, province of Limón. The province is vitally important as it contains some of Costa Rica's more diverse tropical forest eco-systems. The wildlife includes monkeys, sloths, crocodiles, caimans, anteaters and around 400 species of birds. Cahuita is one of the only places on the Caribbean coast where you can find healthy coral reefs. It's possible to see light yellow brain, elkhorn, and blue staghorn corals, sea fans, gorgonians as well as more than 500 species of fish that live on the reefs.
(c) Cabo Blanco was the first national park established in Costa Rica and was founded in 1963. It is located on one of the tips of the Nicoya Peninsula. Within the park are around 140 species of trees, several varieties of migrating birds who come to the park to mate, and a variety of marine fauna including crabs, molluscs, tropical fish and sponges. There are 3 stations within the park (Cocalito, San Miguel and Cabuya) and volunteers are assigned a station on arrival according to the requirements at the time of your placement.
Activities for volunteers at all national parks include maintenance and construction of the many walking trails within the park boundaries, general maintenance and upkeep of infrastructure and facilities, helping the park rangers with pest control and wildlife monitoring, including recording data on bird and plant life within the reserve, as well as helping conduct tours for tourists and school groups. The tasks will vary according to the season and the number of volunteers onsite at the time you are there. Volunteers are housed in dormitories with bunk beds and there are kitchen facilities, a dining room and a common room onsite at each park. They also have electricity and running water, although power cuts can be frequent, especially during the rainy season.
Eco-Cooperatives
(a) Las Heliconias is 180 hectares of primary forest located in the Northern lowlands region of Upala-Bijagua, approximately 4 hours from Costa Rica's capital, San José. The cooperative is dedicated to conservation and rural development. Volunteer activities include clearing and maintaining the many hiking trails and monitoring of native flora and fauna within the reserve. Accommodation is in basic lodges with other volunteers and meals are provided.
(b) Finca Ecoturistica el Yue is run by a group of 10 women who started growing bananas and vegetables as a way of improving their standard of living whilst remaining eco-friendly. The project is located about 4 hours from San José on the Caribbean Coast. Volunteer activities include helping with the organic farm and the herbal garden, maintaining the trails, helping in the greenhouse and participating in reforestation projects. There is also the opportunity to teach English to members of the staff and local community. Volunteers are housed in two small lodges and meals are provided.
What language do I need to know to participate in the program?
Volunteers need to be able to converse in English, and basic Spanish is a requirement for this program also, as you will be working with local staff who speak very little English.
How safe is it to volunteer in Costa Rica?
As in many countries, foreigners are perceived as wealthy in Costa Rica. Although the people are generally warm and friendly towards foreigners, as well as appreciative of the work done by volunteers, not every individual is the same. We work extremely hard to ensure you are placed in safe environments while volunteering and security policies are in place to achieve this. However, as in any situation at home or abroad, there is no way to erase all potential threats.
Costa Rica is generally considered a very safe country, and what crime does exist tends to be opportunistic rather than violent. The main thing travelers have to worry about is pick pocketing. In downtown San José you need to be wary at all times. You should not leave anything of value in a parked car - even locked in the trunk - day or night. Volunteers will be given further safety advice in their orientation session.
Tell me more about flying into Costa Rica.
Volunteers need to fly into San José's Juan Santamaría international airport (SJO). You will be picked up by staff from the hostel where you will stay in San Jose before heading out to the turtle reserve. Our partner will meet you at the hostel on the day you arrive or the day after, depending on your time of arrival.
When do I need to arrive in Costa Rica?
The first Monday of the month or the middle Monday of the month - the middle Monday is the Monday closest to the 15th - e.g. Monday between the 12th and 18th.
Tell me more about the Spanish lessons
The Spanish lessons are one on one and mainly conversational. The cost is $300 for 6 nights food/accommodation, 5 four hour days of Spanish lessons, and materials (course book that was designed for volunteers). The course will help you go through situations like taking buses, buying in the local markets, ordering food in restaurants, and obtaining medicine. If you would like to take Spanish lessons, you should arrive one week before you begin the project. If you are coming from a relatively short flight (such as from the USA) you can arrive on Sunday, ready to start on Monday, but if you are coming from further away you should arrive on Saturday to give yourself time to recover from jet lag. The Spanish School will arrange for an English speaking taxi driver to meet you at the airport and take you to your accommodation.
What are the living arrangements when volunteering?
Volunteers stay in beautiful beach spots surrounded by forest. At the Pacific coast turtle reserves volunteers will live in dormitory style accommodation with bunk beds and shared lavatories. The facilities are very basic and some placements close to the beach may not have electricity available. All meals are provided for you on site. At the Caribbean coast placement accommodation is with a homestay located 5 minutes walk from the reserve.
Where will I be located?
The turtle placements are located on Costa Rica's Pacific and Caribbean coasts, according to the season, at different conservation beach areas. Most projects are located close to conveniences like internet cafes and volunteers can visit nearby beach towns during their free days.
How do I get to the project?
You will be met at Costa Rica's international airport and transferred to the capital San Jose, about 20 minutes away. The cost is included. After two nights in San Jose you will then travel by local bus to the project and a member of the National Park will meet you at the other end. The cost of this trip is not included.
How many volunteers are there on the site at the same time?
Currently there are placements for up to 15 volunteers, and you can expect to work in groups of 5-15.
Are we able to do any sightseeing?
Volunteers will be given an orientation of tourist places when you arrive. You can travel by local buses to most of the tourist attractions. Any sightseeing will be at your own expense and days off for sightseeing can be negotiated with the partner. Due to the isolated nature of the turtle reserves and the fact that volunteers work 6 days a week, we recommend that you allow yourself time to see more of Costa Rica either before of after volunteering.
What hours am I expected to take part in the program?
Volunteers will work shifts of 4 hours and then rest, and will work 6 to 8 hours a day in total with one free day per week. Days off are negotiable with the director of the project.
What is the course content of the training/orientation session?
The welcome pack contains the following information: safety in Costa Rica, travelling around, registration with the Embassy (if required), cultural shock, what it means to volunteer in conservation, rules of the National Park, work involved in turtle conservation, revision of the code of conduct or termination of contract, and what to do in case of a natural disaster. On arrival to the turtle reserve you will be given a more detailed orientation about the work required by a park ranger.
How do I pay my fees?
Your application fee secures your place on the program (remember this is fully refundable if you decide not to take part in the program). Your program fee is payable to Global Volunteer Network 8 weeks prior to the 1st of the month you wish to volunteer. Please note that all charges incurred by the payment of the program fee are at the volunteer's expense, e.g. if a bank transfer incurs a bank fee at the point of origin, that is at the expense of the volunteer. Eighty percent (80%) of your program fee is refundable until one calendar month before the 1st of the month you are due to begin your program.
What clothing is appropriate for the program?
Dress needs to be conservative, and light loose clothing is advisable as it is most comfortable in the heat, and it is best to wear clothes that will cover and protect you from the sun and mosquitoes. Bring very light cotton clothes because it could be very wet. Dark clothing is also required, as you'll often be working at night.
Are there any more expenses when I arrive?
You need extra money to travel locally if you wish to do it. You will also need to pay for food while you're in San Jose and for transport to your placement. You may also need to cater for other expenses like bottled water, personal costs, beverages, and entertainment.
Do I need an entry visa (and how do I obtain this)?
Depending on your nationality and length of stay you may not need a visa to travel to Costa Rica. You will need to contact your nearest Costa Rican Embassy to find out the requirements.
Is there any time of year when I can't volunteer?
No, you can volunteer all year round. From March to July the Pacific Coast projects are closed but volunteers can attend a Caribbean Coast project instead, located at the Gandoca-Manzanillo Reserve near Sixaola. The project is run exactly like the other reserves except that the accommodation is with a homestay and there is an added inscription fee of US $35.
What is the climate like in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has a tropical climate, and temperature really depends on the altitude. It has distinctive dry and wet seasons.
What immunizations/vaccines will I need?
There are no required vaccines for Costa Rica, but we advise volunteers to get immunized against Typhoid, Cholera, Hepatitis A & B, booster doses for tetanus, polio and measles. Volunteers also need to take anti malarials and protect themselves from mosquito bites - as Malaria and Dengue Fever is present. Some of these can be taken in oral form so please do discuss all options with your doctor to see what is best for you.
Can I bring my family/children to this program with me?
It may be appropriate to bring children with you for this project, and this will be considered on a case by case basis. It is fine to volunteer as a couple.
What is the criterion for volunteers to be accepted into the program?
Each applicant is considered by the information they provide on the application. If further information is required applicants will be emailed to request this. Please refer to the program requirements listed on the program page which outlines the minimum expectations of what is required for volunteering in this specific program. We also look further at your application as to skills and experience specifically related to the program you have applied to. We look at volunteer experiences, travel experience and also your particular interest in the program to make our decision.
Do I have to be from New Zealand to volunteer through the Global Volunteer Network?
No, volunteers come from all around the world.
Can vegetarians be catered for in this program?
We are able to provide vegetarian food - please indicate this on your application form if you would like this. You may need to supplement your diet with some snacks.
Is there an opportunity to take classes such as language or more cultural activities while on the program?
Yes, we advise volunteers staying for longer than one month to take Spanish language courses. There are two Spanish courses. Both are based on oral communication.
Who organizes my visa for my volunteer placement?
You do, if you need one. Our program guide has links to Costa Rican Embassies throughout the world.
Do I need travel insurance?
Travel insurance is required for this program. You can arrange this personally or choose to purchase it though GVN. We have arranged a comprehensive travel insurance package specially designed for volunteering. It includes excellent medical and accident coverage as well as a 'loss of deposits' cover which covers fees paid to GVN, airlines etc (up to US$8,000). If you would like to learn more just follow this link: http://www.volunteer.org.nz/insurance/.
------
Question not covered here? Please check the generic FAQ, and if still unanswered, please submit your question here. (We aim to answer all email within 48 hours).
