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Sea Turtle Conservation

4.6(98 reviews)
Experience
Volunteer
Destination
Costa Rica
Duration
2 to 12 weeks
Ages
18 to 85

41 others looking at this too. Next opening is Feb 2025, with limited spots.

Book now, pay later. Cancel anytime.

Trip overview

Costa Rica, where nearly 30% of the country is national park, is a vital nesting site for several sea turtle species. And you can be part of this amazing natural phenomenon, helping to protect them from threats like illegal poaching, hunting, and environmental damage.

Break out of your day-to-day routine and embark on an adventure that will make the world a better place and help you grow as a person. 

On this all-inclusive volunteer trip, not only do you get to live and volunteer with a trusted sea turtle conservation organisation in Costa Rica. When you go with Global, you get:

  • Volunteer project placement – Guarantee your spot at our screened and vetted project partner on the beach in Costa Rica. Start your volunteer journey without spending months searching for a reputable organisation on the other side of the world. 
  • Comfortable accommodation – Spend your first night at a top-rated hostel in San Ramon, then stay in a shared house with other volunteers near the project site. 
  • Three meals a day – Enjoy hearty, fresh, and delicious Costa Rican cuisine prepared daily by the on-site cook. 
  • And way more!

Your volunteer duties usually happen in the evenings and late at night when the turtles are most active, leaving your mornings free to hang out with new friends, relax on the beach, or hike up the nearest volcano!

Be prepared—this will be challenging, physically demanding work in humid, tropical conditions. However, the opportunity to see sea turtles up close is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that few people get to enjoy. Visit during peak season (August to October), and you could see hundreds of turtles on the beach!

And when you book Global, you book with the best. You get the full experience for a fraction of the hassle. Your volunteer placement and accommodation is sorted before you leave, so you know exactly what you’re getting into.

Inclusions

Tap to expand

Volunteer project placement
Dedicated Trip Coordinator
Pre-Departure Guide
Trip visa guidance
Personal Travel Concierge
Return airport transfer
Comfortable accommodation
Project supplies
Meals
Global Emergency Line
Certificate of completion
Ongoing local team support
gWorld access
Social
Global Academy
Marketplace deals
$250 off your next trip

Qualification

To qualify for this trip you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be between 18-85 years of age
  • Be a citizen of an eligible country
  • Have no criminal convictions in the past 5 years

Get more info!

Got questions or need to know more? Ask us here, we're online 24hrs Mo-Fr.

Purpose & impact

Despite roaming the Earth for over 230 million years, turtles are under threat. 

And even though turtles spend most of their time at sea – it’s the same threat that most animals are facing: the rampant expansion of human development.

This project aims to combat threats such as illegal poaching, hunting, and environmental damage that jeopardize turtle populations.

Something as simple as a poorly placed streetlight could lead to the deaths of thousands of baby turtles. Because once they hatch, they use light to help them navigate to the ocean. 

Unfortunately, turtles don’t know the difference between moonlight and streetlight. So they could set off in the wrong direction and end up under the wheels of a car instead of under the ocean. 

Which is why the turtles need your help! 

You could spend afternoons doing general infrastructure maintenance, making signs, or cleaning up the beach. 

The evenings are when things get exciting. When the sun goes down, the turtles get to work. Which means the volunteers need to get to work, too. Your 4-hour beach patrol shift involves searching for nests, identifying – and possibly relocating – at risk nests, guiding mother turtles to shore, and guiding baby turtles to the ocean.

Requirements 

To qualify for this trip, you must be able to undertake laborious duties and obtain and pass a medical examination as proof.

What extra costs will I have? 

Flights, travel insurance, criminal background check, souvenirs & spending money.

Accommodation & meals

Once you touch down at San Jose Airport you’ll be taken straight to your initial accommodation at a comfortable hostel in San Ramon.

After your night in San Ramon, you’ll be transported to your accommodation in Junquillal. You’ll stay in a shared volunteer house, with 2-3 people per room and 6-8 people per house.

With your accommodation in Costa Rica sorted and your volunteer placement organised, what will you do about food? 

You’ll be given 3 meals a day prepared fresh by the on-site cook. Enjoy the typical Costa Rican fare – hearty, fresh, simple, and delicious! 

Trip itinerary

Before you leave

Your volunteer placement – including accommodation and 3 meals a day – is confirmed and organised before you leave home.

Arrival

When you arrive at San Jose Airport, a driver will be waiting for you. You’ll be taken to your initial accommodation at the best hostel in San Ramon for your first night.

Day 2

After your first night in San Ramon, you’ll be taken to your volunteer accommodation in Junquillal beach. You’ll then have an orientation with the on-site project coordinators and other volunteers to go over your duties.

Ongoing

You'll have plenty of volunteer duties to keep you busy during the week. The majority of the work will be done at night (between 7:00 PM and 4:00 AM), either working on night patrols or working in the hatchery. Please be aware that night patrols will continue even in the rain and when no turtles are hatching. Once your placement is over, you can choose to stay on in Costa Rica to explore what else it and the surrounding areas have to offer. Chill out on tropical beaches like your turtle buddies, explore the unique and varied animals in the nearest jungle, or team up with your new travelling friends in your quest for adventure. Hop onto gWorld – our social app for Global Travellers – and link up with other travellers to explore Costa Rica together. You could even join a bucket-list Global Getaway with other Global Travellers. Head north to Nicaragua – just as beautiful as Costa Rica but much cheaper. Head South to Panama for more mist forests and interesting creatures. Or hop over to the Caribbean Sea for some real postcard-style paradise.  Whatever you choose to do, we can help make it easy.  We’ll be in touch with you throughout your stay. If you ever need advice or support our team is available to answer your questions. And our 24/5 emergency support line will help with urgent matters.  Don’t go alone. Go with Global.

Why choose us

When you travel with the best we take care of pretty much everything so you don’t have to. You’ll arrive in Costa Rica totally prepared with a plan of action and trusted people helping you along the way. 

Our volunteer trips are designed to help you make a real change in critical causes around the world. All while experiencing off-the-beaten-path locations with passionate locals. Our goal is to save you time, money, and stress while eliminating the risk of returning home early. Here’s how we do it: 

We’re on your side from the moment you get started. 

You’ll be assigned a dedicated Trip Coordinator. They’ll guide you through the next steps and answer all your questions. They’ll also help you with the pesky visa. No guesswork – only the right paperwork, approved the first time, in your hands before you leave. 

Your Personal Travel Concierge will help with flights, insurance, and any add-ons you’d like for your trip. These are real humans too – no robots here. 

We maintain relationships with a huge network of screened and vetted partner organisations all over the world. We know they’re trustworthy and that you’re in good hands because of all the successful trips Global Travellers keep having with our partners. 

Our team is well travelled so you can rely on our experience. We’re with you every step of the way. 

Join 75,000+ travellers – giving us 10,000+ 4 & 5 star reviews – by choosing Global to make your travel dreams come true. 

Most travellers book their trip 6-12 months in advance. Dates are flexible, but spaces are limited. So if you’re serious about volunteering in Costa Rica, don’t delay. 

With our Book Now, Decide Later feature, you can get started with a small deposit today, and take a full year to choose your dates. 

We’ll take over from there, helping you with visas, flights, accommodation, and setting you up with our partner in Costa Rica. 

This is the trip for you if you’re after the ultimate volunteering experience in Costa Rica, complete with everything you need and 24/5 support.

Click the red button to check dates & prices.

Reviews

Sybella T
Alex was lovely and helped me choose the best volunteer experience for me! Very good customer service and she previously had a lot of experience herself which was very helpful. Couldn’t be happier with my decision :)
Leith D
Excellent. Great communication skills.
Asha G
Jaz, my travel concierge, was extremely helpful in getting my trip organised for me, both financially and logistically. She was incredibly accommodating and super supportive whenever I had a concern. She organised everything promptly, making sure I got the best deal I could. All in all she was just generally lovely to deal with and talk to. She made the whole process very comforting and easy. Thanks heaps Jaz!
Alina S
Absolutely fabulous
Anna P
It was amazing

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Frequently asked questions

Why are you the best company to choose?

As the world’s leading gap-year and "work & travel" company, we pride ourselves on providing a premium service for Global Travellers. Choose from a variety of awesome experiences worldwide, and let us assist you with visas, pre-departure preparations, flights, insurance, and tours. Throughout your journey, our cool tech features will support you every step of the way. As a Global Traveller, gain access to gWorld, our personalised app designed to enhance your travel experience. Keep important documents and trip details handy, and take advantage of exclusive Marketplace deals, a vibrant social network, language learning resources, side trips, meet-ups, and more. It's like having all your favorite travel apps merged into one, but even better! But our support doesn't end there. With four international offices, over 100 dedicated staff members, a 24/5 emergency team, and the backing of over 90,000 Global Travellers who have turned their travel dreams into reality with us, rest assured you're in good hands. We also proudly boast the most and best reviews in the biz, and maintain a massive following on our social channels including Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Embark on your next adventure with confidence and ease. Join us and discover the world in a meaningful way!

Are flights & insurance included?

While we would love to include flights and insurance in our trip packages, it is not feasible to have a fixed price due to the diverse destinations, trip durations, and individual coverage needs of our travellers from around the globe. However, once you register for the trip, we will assign you a dedicated Travel Concierge. They will work closely with you to arrange the ideal flights and insurance tailored to your specific adventure. Rest assured, our team is here to ensure you have a smooth and hassle-free travel experience from start to finish!

Why do I have to pay to volunteer?

The trip fee covers all the essential trip inclusions that ensure you have a meaningful and safe volunteering experience. It includes comprehensive pre-departure support to assist you throughout your journey. Once you arrive at your destination, the fee covers transportation, accommodation, and in most cases meals and some amazing excursions you'll do alongside other international volunteers. This comprehensive support is essential to provide you with a positive and secure volunteering experience, which is of utmost importance to us. Your trip fee allows us to ensure your well-being while making a meaningful impact, and it contributes to the sustainability and effectiveness of the volunteer projects we support.

Will I receive guidance and support before starting the volunteering trip?

Absolutely! Before starting your volunteer placement, you will receive comprehensive pre-departure support, which includes project-specific information, cultural orientation, and advice on preparing for your journey. Additionally, most trips include on-site training and an orientation to ensure you are well-prepared and confident in your volunteer role.

How do I choose the right volunteer trip for me?

With so many incredible options, we understand that selecting the perfect volunteer trip can be tricky. That's why we recommend booking your favourite one, and your dedicated Trip Coordinator will guide you through the project details. They will consider your interests, skills, desired location, and the impact you want to make. If we find another trip that better suits your preferences, we can easily swap you over to ensure you have the ideal volunteer experience. Rest assured, we're here to help you find the right fit!

How long should I volunteer for?

We offer flexibility in our volunteer trips, allowing you to choose the duration that best suits your schedule and desired experience. While most volunteers join us for 3 or 4 weeks, our trips accommodate durations as short as two weeks or as long as 12 weeks, and even extended stays. The choice is yours!

What ages are most volunteers?

The ages of our volunteers can vary depending on the project, but we have a wide age range. Our volunteers typically range from 18 years old to 85 years old! Our Trip Coordinators ensure that all volunteers are vetted before embarking on their journey. While age may differ, what unites our volunteers is their shared passion for travel and their dedication to making a positive impact in the community or wildlife conservation efforts they are involved in. Regardless of age, anyone with a passion to contribute and explore is welcome to join our volunteer trips.

Is it safe to volunteer overseas?

Safety is our utmost priority, and it drives our thorough trip planning process and comprehensive inclusions. With a successful track record of safely sending tens of thousands of travellers overseas since 2008, we prioritise your well-being throughout the journey. Before you depart, we provide full support, ensuring a smooth and secure experience. Upon arrival, we take care of every detail, including secure airport transfers, comfortable accommodations, usually meals, and dedicated project supervision. Additionally, our 24/5 emergency line ensures immediate assistance whenever needed, providing peace of mind throughout your entire volunteer experience.

Why should I book now?

After the last unexpected disruption to travel caused by the..c word..people are now more eager than ever to venture out and explore the world, determined not to miss out on any experiences. Global Work & Travel works on a first-in-best-dressed basis. Booking earlier ensures that you don’t miss out on the best intake, season, placements and more! We recommend our travellers take 6-12+ months to plan their trip for a reason - to make sure you’ve got everything organised perfectly, stress-free. As a Global Traveller you’ll get exclusive access to gWorld, our personalised app where you can keep all of your important documents and trip details in one spot and gain insider access to everything Global. This is where you will find exclusive Marketplace Deals, a unique social network to connect you with other like-minded Global Travellers, access to our Academy with an ever-growing range of skills & languages, and so much more. Think all of your favourite apps merged into one, but like, better? Why not give yourself something to look forward to by booking that trip!

Can I travel with a friend or partner?

Yes you can! Simply tell your Trip Coordinator after booking that your friend is also going and they can link your profiles. For most of our trips we should be able to have you and your friends placed together or nearby. Meaning that you can live, work, play & travel together! But wait there's more! Not only can you travel the world with your besties at your side, you can also earn some extra cash towards your own trip just by referring your friends to Global Work & Travel. You can learn more about the great referral rewards program inside your gWorld account once you join. And for those who decide to go-it-solo, we’ve made it easier to meet other Global Travellers in the same region as you. Just like any other social platform, you’ll be able to interact, share, chat and meet with some really cool people who are doing trips just like you!

Can I bring my pet along?

At Global Work & Travel, we share a deep love for animals and fully understand the special bond you have with your pet. We recognise the challenges of embarking on a trip without them. Due to travel restrictions, requirements, and limited pet-friendly accommodations among our host organisations, we regretfully cannot facilitate their inclusion in the journey. However, many of our customers choose to entrust their pets to a family member or friend, embark on their adventure, and return home to wagging tails and furry cuddles.

What happens if I need to cancel my trip?

We know that life can get in the way of travel, so all our trips come with a great deal of flexibility. In most cases, if you cannot travel on your selected date, you can place your trip on hold to deal with whatever is holding you back, and continue in the future without incurring any penalty. You may also have the option of transferring to an entirely different trip and destination as well, or even transferring your trip to a friend or family member. In the event that you need to outright cancel your trip, if you give us 84* days notice you can do so with only a 50% cancellation fee. Your refund of the balance will come in the form of a Store Credit which you can put toward any other trip that we offer, including tours through third-party providers, as well as holidays through DealsAway.com, and is valid for 2 years from date of issue. As international travel can be complex, your options are based on the progress of your trip organisation and our support team can assist you in finding the best solution for your needs.

How it works

1. Choose a trip style

Find your dream experience & destination, then secure your spot with a flexible & low deposit. Activate your gWorld to unlock some cool perks. Well done! The hardest part’s over!

2. We become friends

Book a time to meet your dedicated Trip Coordinator who knows all the ins & outs of your trip. They’ll be by your side and working behind-the-scenes to pull everything together.

3. Time to go!

We’ll get your tickets, accommodation & transfers ready. Our in-country team or partner will have everything prepared & waiting for your arrival. Get on the plane with no worries!

4. Global support

Never stress, knowing we’re there with you when you need us with ongoing & unlimited local team support. And just in case, we’ve got an emergency team on stand-by, 24 hours, Mon-Fri.

Still have questions?

Why go Global

Flexible trips

The unexpected can happen sometimes. Can't travel right now? Swap your trip, gift it or save it for later with our Lifetime Deposit Guarantee.

Worldwide support

Know that someone is always ready to assist throughout the journey & they’re only a call, tweet, comment, text or double tap away, 24/5.

We're the experts

With over 10 years in the industry and a team of over 90 passionate pros, you can bet we know our stuff better than anyone else.

Partner network

We have over 1,200 partners around the globe, so we have access to plenty of exclusive opportunities to make your trip the best it can be.

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