Be a part of the conservation and protection of sea turtles in Costa Rica! Join Kaya on its Turtle and Marine Conservation Project located near Bataan in the Limon Province of Costa Rica. This is an opportunity to help protect sea turtles and their eggs while learning more about these magnificent creatures alongside a dedicated marine biologist. You will assist a local team with the conservation and protection of up to four of the seven different species of sea turtles: loggerhead turtle, hawksbill turtle, green turtle, and leatherback turtle. As a turtle sanctuary volunteer, you will help in caring for injured animals, moving eggs to safe hatcheries, and collecting and processing biometric data. Your tasks will largely depend on your level of experience and the time of the year. This placement is aimed at those who have a good level of scientific knowledge. You must be adaptable, enthusiastic, and don’t mind getting your hands dirty. A basic level of Spanish is also helpful for this project.
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Updated Jan 15, 2026
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Education Levels & Language
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Application Procedures
Age Requirement
18+
Duration
2-4 Weeks, 5-8 Weeks
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The turtle project in Ostional. Kaya was helpful with helping me discover the program and lineup my multiple volunteer positions. Ostional and my host family were wonderful. I got to witness an arribada wiry thousands of turtles on the beach too!
Voluntariar en junquillal es una experiencia que cambia vidas. Se conoce gente nueva todas las semanas y te permiten involucrarte verdaderamente en lo que es la conservacion de tortugas, ya sea dando informacion sobre las especies de tortuga o su conservacion hasta trabajos practicos. Si bien estos trabajos son fisicamente demandantes, son extremadamente gratificantes. Me voy con una experiencia inolvidable a mi casa, grandes aprendizajes y con lazos muy fuertes con gente de todas partes del mundo. Muchas gracias.
Volunteering in Junquiall has been great fun, it's an eye-opening experience and you'd have to be prepared for hard, physical work but it's worth it when you get to see baby turtle hatchlings and large females laying their eggs. The accommodation is basic, there are no home comforts that most people would be used to but its expected considering where you're based. It's a 20 minute walk to the beach which can be tiring when you're walking to and from the beach multiple times a day but there are plenty of opportunities to relax and rest. Weekends are kept free giving volunteers the option to travel close-by or stay at the project to explore the local area and help with tasks if desired. Staff are knowledgeable and passionate, there is a lot of time to learn and absorb from them. Overall, a wonderful experience to get stuck into a wonderful conservation project doing great work to help turtle populations.
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You do not need a marine science or biology qualification, however, you do need prior interest and knowledge in the scientific elements of the field to complete this volunteer program. Adaptability, enthusiasm and willingness to join in are a must!
A basic understanding of Spanish is valued in a volunteer position like this, as you will be working with local people in a bilingual environment. If you wish to have lessons before embarking on your adventure, ask one of our Kaya advisors!
Kaya Responsible Travel has been a volunteer and intern abroad provider for 15 years, we offer 150 different placements across 33 countries and 4 continents. If anyone has the course that’s for you, then it’s Kaya!
Costa Rica doesn’t NEED volunteers, the organizations in Costa Rica that we provide volunteers or interns for, benefit from having:
Costa Rica is one of the best destinations for diving! Whilst this program focuses on the on-land aspects of turtle and marine conservation, meaning you will have plenty of spare time to explore the ocean and all of its wonders and see for yourself!
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