About Wildlife Conservation in Costa Rica

Costa Rica has a rich and diverse natural environment, and the government has made a strong commitment to conservation. But this environment is threatened by human population growth and the loss of natural habitats, and there is a great deal of work to be done to ensure that Costa Rica’s natural heritage can be passed on to the next generation. World Endeavors Wildlife Conservation volunteers assist with a variety of projects that work to preserve Costa Rica’s animal life. These include rescuing and rehabilitating tropical birds native to the region, monitoring the nesting habits of sea turtles, and working to preserve the population of the rainforest-dwelling rodent known as the paca. Volunteers may assist these projects by feeding and caring for the animals, assisting biologists with their research and community outreach efforts, and cleaning and updating facilities.

A Typical Day in the Life of a Volunteer in Costa Rica

World Endeavors volunteers in Costa Rica can expect their days to be a combination of meaningful volunteer work, cultural experiences, and free time for relaxation and reflection.  The sample schedule below represents a typical day for a volunteer in Costa Rica.  Keep in mind that when volunteering abroad, a typical day can be anything but typical!

8:00 am – 8:45 am: Breakfast with your host family.  Breakfast in Costa Rica often consists of gallo pinto (rice and black beans), eggs, fried plantains, and fresh fruit juice or locally-grown coffee.

8:45 am – 9:00 am: Travel by public bus or walk to your volunteer placement.

9:00 am – 12:00 pm: Work at volunteer placement.

12:00 pm– 12:30 pm:  Head home for lunch with your host family or eat lunch at your project site. Lunch is the main meal in Costa Rica. A typical lunch is a casado (rice, beans, meat, tortillas, and a salad).

1:00- 3:30 pm: Work at volunteer placement

3:30 pm: Walk or ride the public bus to Spanish class.

4:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Spanish class.

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Free time to explore the city, take a stroll through the central park, browse the vendors’ stands at the market, get some ice cream, go to the internet café, or swim in the local public swimming pool.

7:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Dinner with your host family.  Dinners in Atenas often include gallo pinto, meat, vegetables, and tropical fruit. Dinner is usually a smaller affair than lunch.

8:00 pm – 10:00 pm: Relax at home, watch a movie and practice Spanish with your host family, prepare for tomorrow’s volunteering, or plan a weekend trip to go swimming along the Pacific or Caribbean coast, hiking in the rainforest, visiting one of the numerous volcanoes, or white water rafting and zip-lining.

Project and class schedules, meals, and free time activities may vary depending on the details of your placement.

Eligibility

Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older, though exceptions to this age requirement may be made on a case-by-case basis. Successful volunteers are hardworking, flexible, and open to truly immersing themselves in Costa Rican culture.