Sea Turtle & Conservation volunteer in Costa Rica

Protect endangered sea turtles and live in harmony with nature on Costa Rica’s stunning Pacific coast.

Join our Sea Turtle Conservation Program in Costa Rica, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to contribute to vital marine protection efforts while surrounded by pristine beaches, lush jungle, and the pura vida lifestyle. Based at Playa Ario, within the Caletas-Ario Wildlife Refuge, this program is with a leading non-profit dedicated to sustainable conservation, education, and research.

Here, volunteers become part of a passionate community protecting four endangered sea turtle species — Olive Ridley, Hawksbill, Green, and occasionally Leatherback turtles — from June through February each year.

This Sea Turtle Conservation & Hatchery Program combines hands-on environmental work with immersive cultural and personal growth. You’ll take part in patrols, research, and hatchery care, all while living simply and sustainably alongside conservation experts and fellow volunteers.

As a volunteer, you’ll experience life in a remote eco-camp that runs on low-impact principles — conserving energy, minimizing waste, and reconnecting with nature.

This volunteering Project is located at Playa Ario, near Manzanillo, Cóbano, Puntarenas, on Costa Rica’s remote Nicoya Peninsula. It’s about a 5-hour journey from San José or 45 minutes from Santa Teresa — one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful surf towns.

The location sits between jungle and ocean, with trails leading to rivers, mangroves, and untouched coastline. Volunteers can enjoy yoga sessions, waterfall hikes, surf lessons, and cultural activities in nearby communities like Santa Teresa, Montezuma, or Malpaís.

Why Join This Program

✔ Protect four species of endangered sea turtles
✔ Learn conservation skills from marine biologists and field experts
✔ Live sustainably in a pristine coastal ecosystem
✔ Participate in beach cleanups and reforestation projects
✔ Immerse yourself in Costa Rican culture and the pura vida lifestyle

This program is ideal for students, conservationists, families, and nature enthusiasts looking for a truly transformative volunteering experience.

Program Highlights

Witness turtles nesting and hatchlings taking their first steps to the ocean
Learn sustainable living practices in a remote eco-community
Support marine conservation that directly protects endangered species
Explore Costa Rica’s wild Pacific coastline

Volunteer Beyond the Beach — Support Sustainable Conservation Projects in Costa Rica

Costa Rica Volunteering relaxing by the beach

Costa Rica Volunteers with Baby Turtles Hatchlings

What is involved

Most turtle conservation projects in Costa Rica focus solely on hatchery and patrol work, however on this program, we give you a well-rounded environmental experience — combining marine biology, ecology, sustainable agriculture, and cultural exchange into one unforgettable volunteer journey.

This balance ensures every day feels fresh and meaningful — one morning you may release baby turtles, and the next, help plant trees or teach local children about protecting their coastline.

Each day brings new experiences depending on nesting and hatching cycles. Volunteers may assist with:

Sea Turtle Patrols: Walk along a 3-kilometer stretch of coastline at night or early morning to monitor nesting activity.
Nest Marking & Hatchery Care: Record nesting data, collect eggs (when needed), and transfer them to protected hatchery areas.
Species Identification: Learn to identify turtle species, measure shells, count eggs, and record critical data for conservation research.
Baby Turtle Releases: Help release hatchlings safely into the ocean — an unforgettable experience!
Environmental Research & Beach Cleanups: Support data collection, maintain nesting beaches, and assist with reforestation around the refuge.

Your work directly supports Costa Rica’s broader wildlife protection goals and helps local researchers develop long-term conservation strategies.

While protecting sea turtles is at the heart of your experience, volunteers also have the opportunity to support a wide variety of sustainability, research, and community projects that make this placement truly unique.

You will not just be at a sea turtle hatchery — it’s a living laboratory for sustainability, regenerative agriculture, and environmental education. As a volunteer, you’ll help preserve Costa Rica’s delicate ecosystems through hands-on learning and community collaboration.

Other Volunteer Activities May Include:

🌿 Reforestation and Habitat Restoration

Help plant native trees and restore coastal forests that protect turtle nesting beaches and local wildlife habitats.

🍃 Sustainable Agriculture & Permaculture

Work in the organic garden alongside local farmers, learning about regenerative farming, composting, soil health, and food security.

🐝 Biodiversity Research

Assist with wildlife monitoring, camera trap surveys, and data collection on native flora and fauna — crucial for understanding Costa Rica’s biodiversity.

👩🏽‍🏫 Community Education & Outreach

Collaborate with local schools and community members to raise awareness about marine conservation, recycling, and sustainable living.

🌊 Beach & River Clean-Ups

Join eco-cleanup campaigns to reduce marine pollution, one of the biggest threats to turtles and other marine life.

🧘‍♀️ Wellness, Surfing & Language Learning

Between conservation work, you can unwind with yoga sessions, surf the gentle Pacific waves, or take beginner-friendly Spanish lessons offered on-site or nearby.

🕒 A Typical Day

Life on this program moves at a gentle rhythm — one that follows the sun, the tides, and the turtles.

6:30 AM – 7:30 AM: Breakfast and morning meeting with field staff.
8:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Daytime tasks — hatchery maintenance, data entry, reforestation, or beach cleanups.
12:00 PM: Lunch and free time to rest or explore the trails.
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Educational sessions, community outreach, or field data recording.
6:00 PM: Dinner at the CIRENAS dining hall.
7:30 PM – Late: Night patrols to monitor nesting turtles and protect eggs.

This schedule varies based on turtle activity and seasonality — conservation never runs on a clock!

Some details

Volunteer in Costa Rica Program Start Dates

Days

2025

Jan 5, 12, 26

Feb 2, 9, 16

Mar 2, 9, 23, 30

Apr 6, 27

May 4, 11, 18, 25

Jun 8, 15, 29

Jul 6, 13, 20

Aug 3, 10, 17, 24

Sep 7, 21, 28

Oct 5, 12, 19

Nov 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Dec 7

Days

2026

Jan 4, 11, 18, 25

Feb 1, 8, 15, 22

Mar 8, 15, 22, 29

Apr 5, 12, 19, 26

May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Jun 7, 14, 21, 28

Jul 5, 12, 19, 26

Aug 2, 20

Sep 6, 13, 20, 27

Oct 4, 11, 18, 25

Nov 8, 15, 22, 29

Dec 6, 13, 20, 27

Days

2027

Jan 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Feb 6, 13, 20, 27

Mar 6, 13, 20, 27

Apr 3, 10, 17, 24

May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Jun 5, 12, 19, 26

Jul 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Aug 21, 28

Sep 4, 11, 18, 25

Oct 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Nov 6, 13, 20, 27

Dec 4

Volunteer in Costa Rica Program Cost

Below you can find all the program fees in USD $ per person. Please note your transfer cost to the project site is not included on this program.

1 Week

2 Weeks

3 Weeks

4 Weeks

5 Weeks

6 Weeks

7 Weeks

8 Weeks

$1090

$1,520

$1,990

$2,390

$2,890

$3,260

$3,690

$3,990

Budget $300 each way for transfers from the airport to the project site.

Inclusions in the Program Fee

Transfers to the project are around $300 one way

What’s Included

Not Included

Accommodation and meals
Volunteer orientation and field training
Supervised conservation work
Access to facilities (classroom, dining hall, trails)
24/7 emergency support and wilderness-trained staff
Conservation contribution to the Caletas-Ario Wildlife Refuge

Not Included

Flights to the program destination
Medical and travel insurance
Visa costs
Drop to airport on departure
Transportation to/from project site
Excursions

Volunteer in Costa Rica Program Location

This program is located at Playa Ario, near Manzanillo, Cóbano, Puntarenas, on Costa Rica’s remote Nicoya Peninsula. It’s about a 5-hour journey from San José or 45 minutes from Santa Teresa — one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful surf towns.

The refuge sits between jungle and ocean, with trails leading to rivers, mangroves, and untouched coastline. Volunteers can enjoy yoga sessions, waterfall hikes, surf lessons, and cultural activities in nearby communities like Santa Teresa, Montezuma, or Malpaís.

Volunteer in Costa Rica Program Nearest Airport

The nearest airport is San Juan Airport SJO
All foreign nationalities will need a visa.
Travel Insurance is compulsory on this program.

Local airport link
Local tourism corporation link

Volunteer in Costa Rica Program Hospitality

Volunteers stay in shared eco-bungalows or at the Park Ranger Station within the Caletas-Ario Wildlife Refuge. Both options are rustic yet comfortable, designed for minimal environmental impact. Rooms include bunk beds with mosquito nets, shared bathrooms, and ocean-cooled breezes instead of air conditioning.

Three healthy, locally sourced meals are provided daily, emphasizing fresh produce, tropical fruits, and traditional Costa Rican dishes. Vegetarian and vegan options are available.

At the volunteer house, you’ll experience simple, community living — disconnecting from technology to reconnect with nature, people, and purpose.

What your first week looks like

Arrival day

Depending on your time of arrival- our team will meet you and give you a local orientation, health and safety briefing, and project training before we take you in for your program.

Weekdays

Your project coordinator or a member of the team will be taking you to the project and after introductions you can get started. In the evenings most volunteers spend exploring the area, relaxing at the accommodation or preparing for projects.

Weekend

During your free time in Costa Rica, we encourage volunteers to explore as much as possible. There are some phenomenal pristine beaches where you can surf or swim, volcanoes and biodiversity such as rainforests and waterfalls.

Weekend activities

Monteverde Rainforest

This is the most famous cloud forest in Costa Rica with hiking, zip lining,& long suspension bridges.

Weekend activities

Pacific Coast

The central Pacific coast is home to beaches & national parks. You can also visit North & South coast.

Weekend activities

Tabacon Hot Springs

Because of the active volcanoes in central Costa Rica, there are lots of natural hot springs.

Weekend activities

Surfing

Costa Rica has some of the best surfing beaches in the world suitable for beginners or pro level!

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