Project Overview
If you are looking for a beach break then this project in the beautiful Nicoya Peninsula needs you on board. You will be learning to surf and using your skills to conserve the local sea turtle population.
For two weeks, you will be living on the beach - surfing lessons and supervised surf practice together with beach patrolling, research gathering and preparing turtle hatcheries.
Providing you can swim, love the outdoors and have a passion for working with animals you will make waves.
Wow! This project provides you with the best of Costa Rica in the shape of turtle conservation and surfing lessons. Situated on the beautiful beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula, you can pack a truly wonderful experience into 2 short weeks.
Working with a Costa Rican NGO, the municipal government and a local surf school, you take an active part in vital efforts to conserve the Olive Ridley, Black, Hawksbill and Leatherback turtles. All this, combined with daily surfing lessons, adds up to a rewarding and fun project.
Turtles are under threat in Costa Rica and volunteers are really needed to help out with conservation efforts. This is your opportunity to play a part in an ongoing struggle to save a remarkable piece of Costa Rica?s heritage. Turtle poaching is very common in Costa Rica and before the conservation projects started up the poaching rate was over 95% however this has now decrease to 10% but volunteers are needed to continue protecting these marvellous creatures.
You need to love the outdoors, be enthusiastic and like working with animals. You do not need to be able to surf but you must be a good swimmer to do this project. A fun and positive attitude comes in handy too! The work and lessons are hard work be prepared to fall asleep exhausted each day.
Your day will be filled with a combination of surfing lessons, supervised surf practice and also turtle conservation. You could get involved with night beach patrolling, research gathering and preparing turtle hatcheries. You will work 6 days a week and have one day off a week to be arranged with the project.
The project is based on the beautiful Nicoya Peninsula, the nearest town being Samara. It?s the perfect place if you want to swim, surf, and relax.
You will be staying in beach hut or tented accommodation, they have just added a cold running water pipe but the conditions are still very basic.
You need to fly into San Jose International Airport (SJO) on your official arrival date.
Stories
Donovan Cordova gives this project 10/10
Here is what Donovan had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
The camping atmoshere, but on the beach! The camp is secluded almost as your
personal private beach.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
Life doesn't have to be fast paced. After nightfall with no electricity, a
beautiful world comes out from lifes noises.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
Flashlights, open mind and some jokes to keep people entertained.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
"A place to unwind the Soul"
What would have made your experience better?
If I brought my own salsa for our wonderfully prepared meals of rice and beans
Kathryn Drummond gives this project 10/10
Here is what Kathryn had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
Bunjee Jumping
Seeing turtles lay their eggs
Releasing baby leather backs
Surfing
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
The basic accomodations and manual labor
Living like I was poor. Costa Rica is very basic compared to the US but even without the spas, designer shops and gormet cusine, it is rich in so many other ways.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
Be prepard to work hard
Have realistic expectations
Embrace the differences and dont judge
Go with the flow
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
It was the most rewarding, action packed, road to self discovery I have ever travelled.
What would have made your experience better?
Nothing
Helen McGuinness gives this project 9/10
Here is what Helen had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
Seeing all the amazing wildlife, the beautiful countryside and how lovely the town and the locals were.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
I think everyting about it changed my perspective, especially the attitude of the people of Costa Rica and their way of life. What people here think is imprtant is just really silly.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
Don't underestimate high factor sunscreen and insect repellent!!
Just be friendly, smile and open your mind. But still be careful and be smart.
rebecca adelson gives this project 9/10
Here is what rebecca had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
how wonderful the chill atmosphere of costa rica was, and how cool Buena Vista and Samara were
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
This trip showed me how to really relax and just take every as it comes. It showed me how you don't need to work on a schedule which was very refreshing
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
Be ready to work really really hard.
Be prepared to maybe not see any turtles.
Go with the flow and don't stress about anything
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
even though you may not physically see it, you are making a difference
What would have made your experience better?
The website doesn't explain what the project is at all... i had an amazing time, but it was nothing that i expected. It would have been nice to have more factual information about the project, rather then just vauge generalities.
Nickeline Schmidt Larsen gives this project 9/10
Here is what Nickeline Schmidt had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
The experience of living totally basic in the middle of nature was amazing! It was great to get a break from my busy everyday life and just enjoy the sea and all the animals in nature.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
I don't think it is possible to come home and not have been affected by an experience like this. I learned things about my self and have been inspired by the local culture to maybe change some little things in my everyday life.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
1. Learn a few frases of the local language
2. Have an open mind to what you will experience
3. Enjoy every second and try to make as much of the experience as possible
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
A refreshing break from my hectic everyday life!
What would have made your experience better?
Having learned a few frases of the local language would have been helpful when trying to make conversation with the locals, but it was a minor detail though and I still had a wonderful time and managed to get by all right using my english.
Deji Oguntebi gives this project 8/10
Here is what Deji had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
The surfing was awesome and meeting people from all over the world. It was also nice for me to experience being in a different country by myself. I have traveled to many other countries but this was the first time i wasnt with a group of friends or family.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
It was nice to see that you can have a laid back society that seems relatively safe and easy to learn. Also, traveling to a developing country always makes you appreciate what you have back at home if your coming from the States or London.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
Dont be Scared to overpack
Make sure to have fun
try to participate in every aspect of the project
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
The beginning of a new type of travel
What would have made your experience better?
Another week of travel. More free time. Sharing the bathroom with less people. Being able to see who has already signed up for a particular project before booking my project.
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