Description

The area is home to extraordinary natural beauty and one can easily find various species of migratory and resident birds, iguanas, lizards, parrots, frogs and of course turtles. Just a few of the activities available include hiking to the estuary, birding at nearby wetlands, visiting mangroves, swinging in a hammock, reading and surfing.

The project site is not located in a highly visited tourist area and project participants are often the only non-locals in town. Living conditions are simple and volunteers should be prepared to live under these same conditions. Participants should also be aware that people in these communities have different cultures and standards of living than those one might be used to, it is important to have an open mind, be adaptable and bring a positive attitude.

The Team
Two researchers, who are either advanced students or recent graduates in biology or a related field, coordinate all project activities. Community members, who know the beaches and turtles maybe better than anyone, are trained as "Beach Monitors" and assist in nightly patrols and data gathering. Finally, volunteers such as you provide sufficient personnel to patrol the beach and ensure the protection of the highest number of nests.

Participants come from all over the world to assist with PRETOMA's conservation efforts and stay in Corozalito anywhere from one week to five months. We recommend a minimum stay of 2 weeks to really get to know the project and community members. Working in such a tight knit and unique situation, team members often forge strong bonds with one another, leading to friendships that last a lifetime!

Highlights

Corozalito is a small beach town located on the north-central Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) is the most common turtle, although it is also possible to observe the sporadic nesting of leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) and green (Chelonia mydas) turtles. These and all sea turtles are listed as endangered species.

Members of the community work as field assistants and provide food for project participants, thus generating incomes and facilitating interaction between project staff and locals. Environmental education activities are undertaken in the community.

Qualifications

All are welcome. Volunteers learn techniques on site and thus needn't be biologists or turtle experts. Volunteers should have an interest in protecting endangered sea turtles, living and working with other volunteers from around the world, and getting to know the people, the surroundings and culture in a small coastal village in Costa Rica.

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Cost in US$:

USD 375 first week + USD 325 each additional week

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• Registration fees

Program Fees Include:

Rates are per person. Includes 3 meals/day and lodging at the project station.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

Participants come from all over the world to assist with PRETOMA's conservation efforts and tend to be positive, open minded and environmentally friendly.

Age Range

14 - 65

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living
• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 3-9

Application Process Involves

• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

48 hours

Post Services Include

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

PRETOMA (Programa Restauracion de Tortugas Marinas)'s Mission Statement

PRETOMA (Programa Restauracion de Tortugas Marinas) is a Costa Rican non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to the protection of sea turtles, sharks and the marine environment. Our sea turtle nesting beach projects on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica have been around for over a decade and have protected hundreds of thousands of adult and hatchling turtles, while generating important scientific information.

Year Founded

1997