Location
Tortuguero National Park
Duration :
2 - 12 weeks
Dates Description
Two Saturdays per month, from April to October
Language Level
conversational
Minimum age
18
Our in country program partner runs the project in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and have committed to running ethical and sustainable projects.
Each year during season (April through to October) mother turtles come to lay their eggs on the beach in the Tortugeuro National Park. In the park, jaguars will predate the turtles and so the objective is ensure protection of turtles in Costa Rica.
After receiving training by highly skilled staff, you will conduct night-time patrols on the beach looking for nesting mothers. You may assist in collecting & recording data on the turtles by measuring them, counting the effs being laid, looking for previous tags and distinctive markings.
This project works closely with the Sea Turtle Conservancy and the Costa Rican Ministry of Environment, Energy & Telecommunications.
All this data will help researchers to determine the number of turtles who return to the beach to lay eggs as well as the number of new ones, how they spread out in nesting season and also how migration between beaches work.
During the mornings you will continue with patrols. Depending on the season, you may also be lucky enough to see and record the baby turtles emerging from the nest and record data on hatchling success, poaching rates, and mortality rate.
You might also have the opportunity to conduct jaguars and aquatic birds research, as well as carrying out biological assessment surveys of the area, contributing to long-term conservation efforts along Costa Rica.
The base in Tortuguero National Park is the perfect way to unplug and get in touch with the natural environment. It is located in the heart of the jungle on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, an hour’s boat ride from the nearest small town. Field work includes walking the the protected beaches looking for signs of turtles and jaguars, traveling on canoe through the foliage-draped canals spotting aquatic bird species, and, if you are lucky, a manatee in the water below, or trekking through the jungle spotting and noting everything from howler monkeys, sloths, tamanduas anteaters, and toucans. Don’t forget to pack your camera.
Some patrols are conducted in the morning or at night, which means you could experience spectacular sunsets and sunrises over the Caribbean sea. In your free time, relax at our small camping-style base, which is solar-powered and designed to have as minimal an impact on the natural environment as possible. We are much like a big family on base, and share cooking and tidying duties.
- Up to date CV/ resume
- Copy of return flight itinerary
- Police clearance
- Intermediate level of English; understanding and speaking
- Acceptance subject to availability of position
Scientific Permits:
Since this program is located within a national park, you will need to apply for a scientific permit. This is done on your behalf by our project partner, they will require the following: CV professionally translated into Spanish, ID copy and 2 passport size photo copy. Processing time takes on average 6 weeks, please bare this in mind when applying for the program.
A 50% deposit is required for booking. Balance payment is due 4 weeks prior to departure. In case of cancellation before start date, all fees will be refunded, except the deposit. In case of cancellation after start date, there will be no refund.
Founded in 1998, our partner organistion run award winning programs in 21 locations, in 13 countries around the world, each manned by their own staff and aligned to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals or UN SDGs as well as the objectives of local partners.
As an organisation, their aim is to constantly develop an understanding of ethical best practice. In so doing, they aim to provide an exemplary industry standard for other education institutions, international development organisations, and social enterprises. Their Badge of Ethics stands for the drive to always do good, better.
Sea Turtle Conservation in Costa Rica
Total incl. tax per person:
reservations@freepackers.com
+33 1 80 20 82 47
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