Turtle and Marine Conservation in Costa Rica, Limon

You will collaborate closely with the biologist and local staff, participating in various tasks such as collecting and processing biometric data, safeguarding eggs in a nursery, and guiding both hatchlings and adult turtles away from potential dangers and back to the sea. Your level of involvement in these activities will depend on your experience and knowledge, requiring flexibility to adapt to the centre’s needs.

Additionally, the project area teems with diverse wildlife, including monkeys, sloths, caimans, and other species, offering abundant opportunities for observation. Accessible solely by boat, the project site lies in a tranquil, secluded area where evenings are lit by limited electricity generated from solar panels.

Your time at the project will involve conducting night patrols to monitor sea turtles laying eggs, reinforcing defences against oceanic threats, and potentially establishing new hatcheries. This hands-on work extends to tasks such as maintaining and enhancing accommodation facilities, clearing pathways, and cleaning beaches.

Night patrols, led by experienced patrol leaders, focus on specific beach sectors to locate nesting females. Upon encountering a turtle, data collection ensues, including measurements of the turtle’s dimensions, nest location details, and egg count. Eggs are carefully relocated to the hatchery to ensure their safety. Patrollers adhere to strict guidelines, using only red light to avoid disturbing the turtles, which are sensitive to light.

Your tasks and responsibilities encompass a range of duties, including night beach patrols, collecting biometric data from nesting turtles, tending to hatcheries during both day and night shifts, beach maintenance, relocating nests when necessary, monitoring nest activity, releasing hatchlings, performing general maintenance tasks, participating in reforestation efforts through seed collection, sapling planting, and basic construction work such as building hatcheries.

Criminal Records Check
We require you to complete a criminal records check in order to take part in this experience. We can accept those that have been done in the last two years if you have the certificate. In the UK it can be done through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), in the USA further details can be found on Travel.State.Gov, otherwise please search for your local service provider. We may also request a reference from a reliable source. You must supply these to us before departure and also take a copy with you to present to the in-country team.

Why do we require a criminal background check?
1) Ensuring a safe environment is conducive to learning, productivity and overall positive experiences for everyone involved.

2) We implement thorough screening processes and we are committed to safety and integrity, fostering trust among participants and the local community.

3) Conducting background checks serves as a preventive measure, deterring individuals with questionable backgrounds from attempting to participate in our programme.

4) Safeguards vulnerable people from potential harm within the programme.

You can arrive on any weekend of the year and your placement will start on the Monday.

Arrival Notes
We require you to arrive at SJO (Juan Santamaría) international airport on a Sunday, otherwise there might be an additional charge to support your arrival. If you are arriving overland, then please contact us to arrange a meeting point.

Additional charge per person of USD $80 for transport transfer outside standard collection time.

Visa
British nationals don’t need a visa to enter Costa Rica. You can stay as a tourist visitor for up to 3 months/90 days, although the exact period is at the discretion of the immigration officer on arrival. Durations longer than this will require a visit to Panamá or Nicaragua which is very easy to arrange once in country, which will allow a further 90 day tourist visa when re-entering Costa Rica.

For further entry requirements visit Costa Rica Embassy.

About Limón Province
Nestled along the breath-taking eastern coast of Costa Rica lies the enchanting Limón Province, a realm renowned for its paradisiacal beaches, verdant rainforests, and the pulsating rhythms of its Afro-Caribbean heritage. Within its embrace are the iconic havens of Puerto Limón, Cahuita, and the ethereal Tortuguero National Park.

Puerto Limón beckons adventurers with its bustling harbour, tantalizing gastronomy, and the electrifying spectacle of Carnival, igniting the city with vibrant fervour every October. Cahuita seduces with its pristine ivory shores, where the coral reefs beneath offer a ballet of colour for snorkelers and divers, all enveloped in the laid-back Caribbean allure.

But the crown jewel of Limón Province is Tortuguero National Park, a sanctuary of unparalleled biodiversity and sacred nesting grounds for majestic sea turtles. Here, amidst the labyrinthine canals, visitors embark on mesmerizing boat excursions, encountering an orchestra of wildlife and bearing witness to the ancient rituals of nesting sea turtles.

Yet Limón is more than just a canvas of natural wonders; it’s an invitation to adventure. Embark on eco-tourism odysseys, soaring through the emerald canopy on zip-lines or trekking into the heart of the jungle. Immerse yourself in the soul-stirring melodies of Afro-Caribbean music, the hypnotic rhythms of dance, and savour the tantalizing flavours of traditional cuisine.

In this captivating province, every moment is a tapestry woven from the threads of natural splendour, cultural richness, and boundless exploration. Limón Province beckons, a sanctuary where the spirit of Costa Rica flourishes amidst the untamed beauty of the land.

And tucked away in the heart of this paradise lies the turtle sanctuary, a hidden gem near Bataan in Limón Province. Here, amidst an idyllic, secluded beach framed by the lush jungle, lies accommodation accessible only by boat, a journey orchestrated by the sanctuary itself. Among its caretakers, one finds the director, a soul nurtured by these shores, just like the local staff who call this sanctuary home.

Accommodation
Accommodation is simple, but comfortable. Bedding is included. There are showers and flushing toilets. Sea breezes keep the rooms comfortable at night.

The atmosphere is international, with professionals and students from various organizations assisting with the project.

Available Room Types

* On weekends brunch instead of breakfast and lunch

Food
During your stay, you can enjoy three daily meals, which are already included in your package. The meals offered are a combination of traditional and modern Costa Rican cuisine, providing a unique culinary experience that exposes you to the country’s gastronomy. The dishes served will feature a variety of proteins such as fish, chicken, pork, or beef. Furthermore, if you are a vegetarian, arrangements can be made to cater to your dietary needs.

Facilities
The establishment offers tea and coffee amenities within the premises for the convenience of its guests. Additionally, during weekends, the boat transportation service is available for guests who wish to explore the nearby town.

Airport collection and transfer to Limón
Food – three meals a day
Project related transport
Activities related to the placement
Full support from our in-country team

Flights
Travel insurance
Visa (if applicable)
Vaccinations (if applicable)
Personal spending money

Suitable for ages 18 to 70