Conservation Projects—Volunteer in Costa Rica!

We had an amazing time and the Maximo Nivel is really helpful! They answered all our questions and kept in contact throughout our trip! We stayed at Finca Garúa and helped cut down banana trees and construct the garage!

I have a great time and i learned something new. Of course you have to use to go out from your confort zone and be prepare for a remote place where there are not many activities to do around. But if you love animals is an amazing experience to work with them and learn everything about sea turtles

I had so much fun and learned so much, even though I was only in Costa Rica for a week. From walking through the Monteverde Cloud Forest, to volunteering at La Finca, I really enjoyed it all. I would 10/10 recommend this program and do it all again!

I had a really good time here in Costa Rica! Everyone was very friendly and welcoming! Would love to do another program with you guys in the future! Tried amazing food and went to awesome excursions! Pura Vida forever!

The project and orientations went smoothly and met my expectations. The only feedback I have would be that there's a lot of initial confusion when first arriving in San Jose, as to where you'll be volunteering and how you'll be traveling to and from there. It all worked out in the end but having tickets ahead of time instead of making us buy them and figure out taxis would have been much easier. The project itself was a great experience and I met a lot of new great fun people.

It was so cool to meet new people, experience a different culture and feel like I actually made a difference. It was such a fun time, I would definitely do it again. I never thought I would eat so many beans and rice!

By far the most amazing experience! Traveling by myself was a little nerve racking at first but that was quickly changed once I realized how much fun I was going to have. Maximo made sure all my accommodations were met and I was safe.

I did 2 weeks here for turtle conservation and I thoroughly enjoyed my time! I made great friends, and had great food, and stayed in Ostional with the nicest, quietest black sand beach! The volunteer work was fun, and I mostly enjoyed the beach clean up, ut was very theraputic, and filled me with self-confidence of doing a good thing. I have also seen the impact plastic has on the world, and i will now try my best to recycle and reduce waste more! The volunteering has definitely impacted me for life.

I was able to see so many sea turtles and an arribada happened while I was there. At first I had some trouble adjusting but got moved to the station where accommodations were very nice. Moving to the station hade my experience so much better.

It was a great program. It encouraged us to really experience local culture and life. Learning to navigate the bus system during Costa Rican rush hour was an unexpected, but super fun, part of the week. We really are given the opportunity to venture outside the regular tourist experience and see daily activities. Gave me a new appreciation for our similarities and differences.

I thoroughly enjoyed volunteering with the turtle conservation program! It was a rewarding experience to contribute to protecting these amazing creatures while learning so much about conservation. Would love to do it again!

I had a fantastic trip from start to finish with the lovely people at SOS Grande. Everyone was so lovely and inviting and I really felt as if we made a difference within the community. The daily activities and amenities were great and I would recommend this trip to anyone!!

The sea turtle conservation project was amazing. I felt so humbled to be a part of the project they are doing to save the turtles. I would highly recommend doing it. If you're lucky you may get to see and arribada or baby turtles.

The activities were really fun and varied, I really feel like I was making a difference to the environment. There was a good combination of work and time to relax, and I’ve met so many new friends whilst I’ve been here.

I had an amazing time at Verdiazul, I felt like we made a big impact and it was just amazing. Hard work but definitely so rewarding. We felt a part of something and time flew by, Valerie was incredible and so so kind, she really made the experience.

Program and stuff from Verdiazul was great - very passionate and inspiring for the participants. Good experience and a lot to learn for the future and the day to day impact for sustainability. Thanks again to Valerie and her team!

If I could give you some advice, it would be to not save any of your energy or enthusiasm when you join a project. Give it all and you will feel the reward multiplied by a thousand. I am really grateful for what I lived and I became part of. Loved every minute!

I went to the pacific coast of Costa Rica to help gather data for studies that help maintain, or are doing research on turtles. I had an amazing time with the turtles and also got to meet wonderful people

I had a really good time at the sea turtles conservation program on the pacific side of costa rica. I met the coolest people and bonded while doing work at the project site. I felt we did make an impact to turtles and to the environment. It was an amazing hands on experience, even though some of the activities we did were very challenging it felt like we made a difference. It was way more hands on than I thought there would be and I loved it so much. Being so close to the mamma turtles and all of the tiny baby turtles was the coolest thing I've ever got to experience. While being there I was forced to be out of my comfort zone but I quickly got used to the different environment and all the wildlife.

I went to the Sea turtle project for three weeks, on the pacific side of costa rica. I learned so much about turtles, and how important they actually are for the ecosystem. Every day was really structured and we had a routine. You still have to consider, that it’s not only about the turtles. If you decide to do the project, you will also have to clean the beach for example, or clean the hatchery area, where the seat turtle eggs can hatch. Everything was really new to me but it was a great experience. I would totally do it again if I could. I met the coolest people and overcame a lot of challenges, like carrying heavy equipment and stuff like that. I really recommend doing this project, because you’re on the beach, having a great time, helping the ecosystem and saving the turtles all in once. :))

I really enjoyed my time volunteering at a turtle conservation reserve on the pacific coast of Costa Rica. I met some great people and had some incredible experiences, releasing baby turtles, watching turtles lay eggs and exploring the local area to find stunning beaches and amazing wildlife. The team at Maximo Nivel were super helpful, my coordinator checked in regularly and helped me with any problems. The transportation was well organised and I had a good idea of what to expect. The reserve I stayed at is very rural and taxis were very expensive, so I wouldn’t recommend staying for too long. I was there for 4 weeks and that was enough for me as there wasn’t loads to do on weekends unless you wanted an expensive taxi trip or a long walk. The rural location also meant I didn’t meet many locals or get to practice my Spanish very much. However the location was really beautiful and the accommodation was comfortable despite being quite basic. The people were friendly and helpful and the food was really good! Overall I would really recommend this experience!

This was a very interesting and an experience unlike no other! Ostional and everyone at and around the refuge were amazing and welcomed us as soon as we arrived! We highly recommend the project! For future travellers, remember to bring a red flash light and lots of mosquito repellent!

I volunteered in Parismina for 3 weeks with the turtle conservation program, and Parismina is an amazing place! The locals were all welcoming (and very good at fútbol and volleyball) and I really felt like I was living the Pura Vida lifestyle. The turtles were amazing to see, over my stay we saw three rounds of turtles hatching and released them into the ocean, and did many night patrols to spot turtles laying eggs! Parismina is so special, I’m definitely going back!

I had fun working with my students and protecting Sea Turtle eggs. This was great emerging myself into the culture at Camaronal National Wildlife Refuge. Because of our work, 589 turtles eggs were saved and have a much better chance of surviving.

It was a lot of hard work but I had a great time learning about sea turtles. This experience definitely helped me build character. Learning to work in the heat, sleeping with bugs, and throwing toilet paper in the trash.

I had a great time. I enjoyed getting to learn more about the steps and processes involved in the conservation of turtles. I wasn’t expecting the community service projects to be so demanding but I enjoyed being able to help out. I would happily do something like this again

I learned so much about Costa Rican culture and how people live their lives here in general. Being able to be a part of the conservative of turtles was a super neat experience. I cultivated a lot of friendships that I’ll be sure to keep in touch with.

I definitely was able to learn things about myself and about the turtles! Very transformative experience. I enjoyed our home stay and interacting with Locals in Samara and San Jose. And holding and touching baby turtles is an experience I’ll never forget!

Overall I had a fantastic time working with the conservation of turtles. It really opened my eyes to the culture of Costa Rica and helped me appreciate what I have back at home (warm showers, air conditioning, ect.). I feel like i made a great impact.

Studying abroad was an amazing experience. I'm so happy to have helped save so many sea turtles and to be completely immersed and welcome into a whole new culture. I would love to do more conservation in the future!

This was an amazing experience that I will never forget. I was so thrilled to be able to go and participate in sea turtle conservation efforts, and also community efforts on the conservation site. I am already looking up my next volunteer journey!

As soon as I left the airport, I was met with a very friendly staff member who was easy to talk to! The pamphlet containing information about my homestay was incredibly helpful. The transport from the airport was very comfortable and convenient. I met my home stay family late at night and they were very welcoming and kind. The orientations at Maximo nivel were full of useful information about both Costa Rica in general and my program here in Junquillal.

What a treat to spend every evening releasing turtles, sometimes one or two, but on my last night 27! Sometimes we got to release them At around 5pm so we could see the the turtles get to the sea! Morning patrol watching sunrise was so peaceful and seeing lots of turtle tracks was super exciting! I loved having all 3 meals a day cooked for me, fresh fruit for breakfast and plenty of other options. The beach it is literally 3 minutes walk away and it’s super safe to spend time there watching the waves and the surfers if you go early morning. Maximo itself as a company is very caring and helps you with every and any issue you may have which I was most grateful for! Thank you for a really special experience!

I loved the coffee farm! It was like a family than coworkers. They really welcome you and invite you in. Melissa was our Maximo Nivel person and she was amazing! It was like having a mom away from home. Everything was great, didn't want to leave.

I enjoyed every second of being able to work at the Monteverde Cafe farm. It was amazing to see the work I put my hands to do come to a complete cycle. That was an entirely new experience. I met so many wonderful and helpful people. The whole experience was life changing in such a beautiful way.

I connected with so many people as well as with the earth on a level that I never have before. Everyone was so welcoming and I learned so much about conservation, sustainability & myself! I will never forget the people I met and the experiences we shared.

I was so grateful for this experience, everyone was so nice and welcoming! I already plan on coming back again in the future! I already have become more confident not only in my Spanish skills but in general, I think everyone should do something like this at least once in their lives! I know it seems cheesy but it’s true!

It was a great experience very nice to be productive and experience different cultures. The food at my home stay was amazing and the family were nice. I loved working with the horses and the people in Costa Rica

The people of Monteverde are some of the nicest people I've ever met. They've really become a second family and changed my life. I learned so much and am excited to share my experiences and knowledge with people at home.

I met the most amazing people and animals on this trip! I took so many photos and have so many memories to bring back with me. This really made me appreciate what I had and I hope I can complete another volunteer trip like this again someday.

I went to Parismina, a small, remote town on the cost of the Caribbean for two weeks as a volunteer to work with turtles. I wish I went more more than two weeks. Upon arrival, I was greeted by smiling faces. And just after one day, I had already made several great friends with locals and volunteers alike, progressively became better and better at speaking Spanish, and even found myself engaging in full conversations in Spanish. Side note, as expected, the meals provided during my stay were incredible. Flavors I don’t think I’ve ever tasted, a new one each day. The food is more than enough for anyone to be fully energized and ready for a day full of activities. There are plenty of activities to do in Parismina, in terms of volunteer work and during relaxing time off. During my stay, I participated in helping the turtle hatchlings emerge from the sand and make their way towards the ocean, cleaned up waste on the shore, walked night patrols, and even taught some English classes. In all of these activities, I worked with the other volunteers, too. On time off, I spent a lot of time swimming around and relaxing in the ocean, playing card games at the house with locals and the other volunteers, sitting on the shoreline with everyone contemplating and reflecting on life and thinking about our goals for the future, and putting up several large sticks in the sand and dancing around them in circles. This trip not only taught me a lot about the importance of teamwork, but it also taught me a lot about myself. I don’t need as much as I thought I did to be happy. We also took an incredible trip by boat to Tortuguero, which included a tour of the wildlife of the rivers and beaches on the way there. There is a lot to look for, including turtles, herons, egrets and a large variety of other birds, crocodiles, sloths, monkeys, iguanas, and even chameleons. I never once got bored in the entire two weeks of my stay. Instead of feeling the need to spend an extensive amount of time on my phone, I found myself observing and exploring the beauty of nature, life, and the world we live in. On many nights, we all sat down at the shoreline. There is almost never a cloudy night there, so the milky way becomes visible, and hundreds of thousands of stars come out. Several shooting stars passed over our heads. I am from a large city, so I have never seen the stars so clearly. It was beautiful. I was very fortunate to go and stay with a great group of kind people who were just as passionate about protecting the world we live in as I am. I’ve only known those people for about two weeks, but they are without a doubt some of the greatest people, kindest souls, and best friends I have ever met in my life. It was a truly unforgettable experience, and I will absolutely be back for more in the future. Thank you.

The sea turtle conservation with Verdiazul in Junquillal was the best experience I have ever had. I loved it so much that I already bought my plane tickets to come back. Verdiazul is a great program that advocates for sea turtle and nature protection and conservation. I have met so many amazing people from all over the world while volunteering with them, as well as making life-long friends with the staff and locals. I cannot think of a better way to spend my summer than with Verdiazul. I encourage everyone to take the leap of faith to come down here and experience the program firsthand, as well as the baby turtles of course!

I had an incredible time in Parismina, Costa Rica, volunteering with the turtle conservation project. The staff were kind and welcoming, the homestay was comfortable, and the food was fantastic. Aside from the breathtaking wildlife, I got the opportunity to be involved with the local community and work with lots of amazing people which sets an experience like this apart from other trips I've taken. I would definitely recommend this experience, especially for anyone looking to develop their foreign language skills, work with wildlife and learn about a different way of life.

I spent three weeks in a coastal community called Parismina on the Caribbean coast and it was an amazing experience, I would definitely recommend this program for anyone interested in wildlife and obviously especially turtles because I saw so many and felt really involved in the process of finding and protecting the eggs. It was really rewarding because we ended up seeing a few releases of turtle babies into the sea. I think that alone is a reason to do it because they were so adorable. My accommodation was great and my host family were really welcoming although we did sometimes struggle with speaking about more complicated things in Spanish. The food was also amazing and I was very glad for the amazing smoothies you could get in the village which definitely helped with the heat. I also met some really nice people who were also volunteering which made the whole experience better.

I had the best experience with Maximo Nivel, the turtle conservation program is amazing! Maximo Nivel is a very well prepared organization, they are very helpful, they care for you and want you to have the best experience. Thankyou so much! Costa Rica and the turtles have my heart!

It was a unique experience to see the turtles giving birth. Also the crew as well as the other volunteers have been amazing. I learned a lot and I would recommend it to anyone. The homestay was also a special experience and I loved to see how the local people are living. Thanks a lot!

I am leaving this program with much more than when I first joined. Everything I was hoping for within the program, and ultimately within the trip, came to life. I will forever be grateful for embarking on this journey of a lifetime. I came into this program very unsure of what my future held, but now I have a clear vision that I can pursue with the right attitude, work ethic, and assertiveness. To anyone who doesn't know who they are or what their future holds, I would say the most efficient way of finding both is through travel. Traveling offers the opportunity for the outward journey to cohere with the inward one. You learn more about yourself than any other method with an experience of immersion and diversion that is more beneficial than any other type of experience. And, as is always the case, you return home with a deep understanding of who you have become, and who/what you can become. The only regret you will have when making this journey is that you didn't stay longer.

I had a few set backs while I spent my time in Parismina, but that didn't make me have a negative view on the project or my overall experience. Working wih Turtles is hard work. You have to walk a long time in pitch black at late hours in the night. That is somthing people should be prepared for as it is the main part of the project. But when you see a turtle laying it's eggs, every step on the walk pays off. It is very exciting. Living in Parismina is the best part if I am honest. Everyone there respects all the volenteers and is always trying to make you feel welcomed to their town. From the first day you get to Parismina you are greeted by the most amazing team of Greivin, Roxana, Macko and the list goes on. Even if you struggle with Spanish many people there will either speak English or try their best to help you understand. The great thing about Maximo Nivel being part of it is that they will be there on the other line ready to pick up the phone for any questions or even just to talk to someone. It makes you feel very safe that the Maximo Nivel tem is constantly looking out for us. The journey from San Jose to Parismina is quite scary as it is a long journey and if your someone like me and you have to go there and back by yourelf, be careful because there are some people who might quietly steal something fro you (I speak from experience) but don't be frighted by the lovely people of the carribean coast of Costa Rica as many people helped me along the way. My problem was finding the other bus stop so if that was explain a little better that would of helped me and many others. Being back in San Jose, there are so many volenteers who will always come over and introduce themselve so the list of friends becomes endless. I am 100% coming back to Costa Rica to do this same project after falling in lov with the progam and country.

The project that I was in was the turtle conservation in Junquillal and it was for 3 months. I didn't know what to expect at all but I fell in love with the little town and the wonderful locals that were so loving and caring towards me. When we had to release the baby turtles into the wild I really understood this is what I want, seeing all other people their happiness on their faces and kids screaming of joy. I loved the whole organization the leaders, my advice is to enjoy every day like it's your last day there. thank you for this life-changing experience.

Hi! I just spend 3 weeks with Maximo Nivel for the sea turtle conservation program and I must say that this was one of the best experiences ever. The project covers not only the conservation of sea turtles but also everything concerning their environment. One day can be spent planting trees near the beach to create more shade and a biological corridor and other days are spent preparing/watching the nusery. At night, there are shifts of beach patrols scheduled to ensure more safety for the nesting process of the turtles. These walks can be quite intense as you sometimes have to get in the middle of the night and walk on the beach but once you see a turtle or the beautiful scenery, it is all worth it. If you enjoy walking on the beach anyway, this project is perfect for you! I must say that this program requires quite a bit of manual labor but at the end of the day you will feel so grateful for your surroundings and the work is very rewarding. This program is the perfect way to experience costa rican culture, get in touch with nature, meet new people from all over the world and ofcourse have fun!

Everyone was extremely helpful, the thing I appreciated most was how well expectations were communicated with me. I loved all locals and staff, the costa ricans were amazing and so was my experience. I will hold onto the knowledge and memories I made for forever.

I had signed up to volunteer at the turtle conservation project in Junquillal for 2 weeks. It was a great experience, which really gave me the opportunity to immerse myself in the local culture and get to know some of the beauty of Costa Rica. Due to the small population size and quiet nature of Junquillal, myself and the other volunteers essentially had the stunning beach to ourselves. Moreover, the seculded location of Junquillal created a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere for which you could enjoy. Outside of the volunteering there was plenty of optional excursions you could do to keep yourself busy ranging from caneoing in the mangroves to riding a quadbike through the surrounding jungles (I highly reccomend doing this if you go). In terms of volunteering, each day you were assigned a task to do at a specific time, often accompanied by other volunteers. The 2-4 hour long work shifts in the hatchery or on night patrols searching for turtle nests could be hard work but often I was given the pleasant satisfaction of knowing that I was making an impact. The highlight of my volunteering had to be helping to release around 60 turtle hatchlings into the ocean, it was truely a once in a lifetime oppurtunity. The thing I really liked about the volunteering in Junquillal was the flexibility in the work shifts, you had the oppurtunity to decide how much time you wanted to commit to helping out on the project. The food and accomadation at the project was very good, the local food being served always being consistently delicious. However, depending on the location of your accomdation it could be a bit of a walk to get to the food hall. Overall, I would highly reccomend this trip! A big thanks to Maximo Nivel for organising this trip!

My name is Egas Marcal and I am from Portugal. I have never been in contact with turtles before and I have never done scuba diving in my life. Maximo Nivel allowed me to change that. It was awesome. I am so thankfull to all people involved in Maximo Nivel. I really enjoyed all my time in Costa Rica. The project was great and all the people involved helped me a lot. Thanks

I participated in two projects over 7 weeks - construction/renovation and turtle conservation. I{m so happy I chose two different projects each with a different environment and learning experience. It's been challenging but each day has its highlights and it's been great to know my hard work has made a positive contribution to such worthwhile causes. I booked through IVHQ and the quality of information and process of registering was excellent. Once in Costa Rica, the staff at Maximo Nivel have been invaluable. The responsibility and genuine care they show towards volunteers is outstanding and they'll do all they can to support you in your journey - I cannot recommend the team highly enough! Equally the project staff have been amazing - bringing fun and learning to everything we do, and sharing their infectious passion and enthusiasm. Be prepared to work hard and keep an open mind, these projects are physically demanding, but so rewarding. I'm an older volunteer too (37 years old) but have been working with people of all ages (16-60!) Age really hasn't mattered in the least, everyone shares a common reason for being here and the atmospere is very inclusive. Good luck to all future volunteers, you'll have an amazing experience!

Had such an amazing experience working with the turtles and learning about the community and what they do. Getting to engage with the community was awesome. What I found lacking was the a little more structure with things o do outside of our program. We are in a remote village where we did not know where were going t be placed so having and idea of what excursions we could preplan ahead would have been helpful. It just felt like we were stuck in the town doing alot of siting around and enjoying the amazing beach. But none the less it was still a fantastic experience to enjoy!

Volunteering on the coffee farm was an incredible experience. You really get to be hands on and have a significant impact on the farm. I also loved that I was supporting local families, coffee making is their livelihood! Big bonus - my host mom cooked the best meals.

When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully everyone is blessed. Maya Angelou Volunteering with Maximo Nivel was a wonderful experience I would do it again in a heart beat. The staff was very helpful and both host families were amazing, not to mention the home cooked meals were fantastic as well.

I joined the Agriculture Conservation Program for 1 week. It was so exciting! I was in nerves in volunteering abroad by myself before joining the program, but you need not worry because Maximo will give you much support. I highly recommend to chose this company and have a nice experience with them.

I had a really fun time volunteering in Junquillal, I made so many new friends and have some amazing memories. The turtle conservatory is definitely hard work and pushed me both physically and mentally, but the reward of seeing a nest hatch or a mother turtle laying her eggs is definitely worth every minute of it. A typical day in Junquillal consists of breakfast then some free time, which everyone usually spends down at the beach swimming, suntanning or playing volleyball. Then we have lunch at 12 and then a group briefing on our work activity for the day. While I was there we started a new project of putting numbered posts along the beaches to create a kind of grid to better record where the turtle nests were found. It was hard work and we were out in the sun for a good 3 hours in the hot sun. We also did garbage clean up once a week which was stinky but very rewarding knowing the beaches were clean! Most nights after work everybody would go for a sunset swim, which was always my favourite part of the day. Then we would have dinner and the night patrols would start at 7pm. The night patrols consisted of walking along 2 beaches, about 5km in total, looking for turtle tracks so we could find their nests and relocate them to the hatchery. The first night was definitely the worst but the walking slowly got easier from there and you get used to waking up at all hours of the night to start your patrol. The food was definitely very repetitive and basic, a lot of rice and beans and pasta, and I was usually still a little hungry after but still good and the cooks were both very sweet. I learned a lot about turtles in my short time here and I think they will never cease to amaze me. I am really glad I chose this volunteer program and I hope I can return one day to see more turtles.

A holiday with a real purpose, that's what I was looking for, for me and my 2 teen sons. After endless online research, we zoomed in on IVHQ and Maximo Nivel's Turtle Conservation programme in Costa Rica. We all love wildlife, especially marine life (having worked for WWF-UK For 15years) and my boys were passionate about surfing and integrating with the local community, especially school kids. Little did we know, this project was going to tick all our boxes and in more ways than we ever imagined! We were not allowed to know where exactly we were going in Costa Rica until we were in country, which simply added to the feeling of adventure! Upon arrival in early July and the most thorough, helpful and reassuring orientation with Maximo Nivel in San Jose and 2 nights spent with a wonderful host family, with utterly delicious food, we were bussed out to Junquillal on the northern Pacific coast of the Guananacaste region of the Nicoya peninsula to the Verdiazul Turtle Centre. Managing my boys expectations was key at every step of the journey, but here was where it mattered most. The conditions were very hot and humid, with regular storms and downpours in between scorching sun and we were in a remote, dusty and basic location. The adventure had properly started - time to test our mettle! It took a couple of days to settle in, to feel the rhythm of each day and the jobs required of us, but each day was brand new with the purpose that we craved. Jobs included tree planting to provide shade on the beach for turtle nesting, supervising and cleaning the hatchery to ensure it was always ready to receive new egg batches or release fresh hatchlings but best of all was night patrol (3hr shifts, with a guide, on a rota basis) patrolling the beach to find turtles laying their eggs. Our incredible guides expertly showed us how to locate the light bulb shape nests of the Olive Ridley turtle (most commonly found at this time of year). Finding over 100 eggs and carefully relocating them to the hatchery to protect them from predators and poachers whilst they matured was a very moving and unforgettable experience. Holding those 100 potential life forms in my arms felt like a huge responsibility, but I knew Verdiazul's success rate was 100% and this was the turtles best hope of survival. The Verdiazul team were simply outstanding, unknowingly standing out as positive role models for my boys. The team was headed up by the phenomenally inspiring Valerie, who has dedicated her life to the project and achieves so much success every day in tough conditions with a minuscule budget. You need to be a team player if you are thinking of volunteering abroad - using your initiative and getting stuck into ALL jobs, not just the nice clean ones! Yes there are dirty dishes to be washed! You are living and working within a big family and everyone pulls their weight for the overall success of the project. Upon finishing the project we had some time to explore more of Costa Rica's gems which of course were fantastic but nothing quite stripped us back and gave us that deep sense of purpose that the project gave us. We loved not feeling like a tourist, but an essential cog in the chain and I will never look back with anything but respect and an overwhelming feeling of success! Thank you IVHQ, Maximo & Verdiazul for having such a positive effect on 3 people's lives, forever.

I did not go to Costa Rica with any preconceived notions or fantasies about what this volunteer experience would be like, so I was a completely fresh slate who was enthusiastic to get busy and do my part. I left the country completely satisfied with what I able to contribute, given my limited time in-country. Maximo Nivel is a well-oiled machine (although with a few minor, but negligible, flaws), and they set my girlfriend and I up with a great project on the coast where we could be of service. Verdiazul in Playa Junquillal provided me a great mix of hard work and island chill. The variety of beach patrols, hatchery observations, composting/reforestation, and general housekeeping kept me stimulated and because of the fact, I was able to give them optimal effort on my part to ensure the job is done. Spending time off relaxing on their hammocks, playing with their "adopted" dogs, and beach play were great ways to recuperate after a hard day's work. I'd do it again for sure. Valerie, Joselyn, Allen, Nathan, and the Verdiazul gang are doing good things out there - thanks for the experience.

I got to stay at Playa Junquillal for three weeks. Which was amazing to say the least. But, also hard. Be prepared for long walks on the beach- at night. Which that could be anywhere from 3 to 7 hrs long. That's depending on the Turtle and how long she takes to lay the Turtle eggs OR if you can find the nest! Be prepared for beach clean ups, going to the garbage dump and sorting. Be prepared to fall in love with the site and the amazing work that the staff do. Be prepared for the joys of walking up to the howlers (monkeys) outside your window in the morning waking you up. Be prepared for making long lasting friends from all over the world. Be prepared for Pura Vida you feel while being there. But, also be prepared for the sad end when the time has come to say goodbye to the people you have met and to the place you called home. This is not for the faint of heart. To get the best feel of this trip is to do it solo. Packing only the essentials and going for as long as you can. I can promise you one thing, once you leave you're going to want to come back the very next day.

I had an amazing time conserving turtles in Ostional! The work that you do is much needed as well as attracting attention and tourism, beneficial to the local surrounding community. It was a very rural project, situated on the coast and staying in dorm style accommodation but I would recommend the digital detox to anybody! The staff at Maximo and at the project are incredibly welcoming and I have made friends and connections for life on this project!

I lucked out by going to Ostional during the arribada which was absolutely fantastic to see thousands of turtles making their way up the beach. I met fantastic people and i worked alongside dedicated and hard working people. Jairo basically runs Ostional and he is absolutely amazing and kept the place fun and exciting. Anyone would be lucky to work alongside Jairo and all of the team at Ostional.

This was a really amazing volunteer experience. It was cool being able to work so closely with the turtles and had many rewarding moments such as having the opportunity to assist deformed turtles in digging their nests. The accommodations were basic but suitable and the food and company was great! My only complaint is that we didn't get to help much with data analyzation.

Being a volunteer with Maximo Nivel to help the conservation of turtles was a really cool experience. I was able to be up close and personal with the turtles and really understand the hardships that they face.

Living condition are alright, food was alright, there could have been more emphasis on teaching us about the turtles and what they do the different species and other biological factors. I also wish I had known that it was low season because it was much slower and mug different work than the high season.